Activities
Clean-up
Closing
Activities will depend on what the girls want to do in their troop and how they want to spend their collective time . Outdoor time is important , so encourage the girls to do an activity in a park or forest . If girls are interested in animals , encourage the girls to plan a visit to a zoo or animal shelter . As you engage in one of the three National Leadership Journeys , review the “ Sample Sessions at a Glance ” in the adult guide for Journey activity ideas .
Treats are an option some troops decide to include in their meetings and range from a bottle of soap bubbles or a jump rope to a food snack . If girls choose to include snacks , guide them to consider the health of a potential snack , as well as possible food allergies . Enlist the help of parents or guardians by asking them to sign up and bring a treat . You ’ ll also find plenty of snack ideas and signup forms in the adult guide of most Leadership Journeys .
Clean-up is a great habit for girls to get their meeting space back to the way it was when they arrived — maybe even cleaner ! Girls can also take leadership of the cleaning themselves , deciding who does what . They might even enjoy the tradition of a kaper chart ( a chore chart that lists all the chores and assigns girls ’ names to each ), so that everyone takes turns at each responsibility .
The closing lets the girls know that the troop meeting is ending . Many girls close with the friendship circle , in which each girl stands in a circle , puts her right arm over her left , and holds the hand of the girl standing next to her . The friendship squeeze is started by one girl , and then passed around the circle until it comes back to the girl who started it . When the squeeze is finished , girls twist clockwise out of the circle lifting their arms and turning around and out of the circle . In addition , you may find some helpful , Journey-related closing ceremony ideas in the Journey ’ s adult guide .
You help each troop member do her part to ensure the meeting and activities are enriching and fun . Based on their grade levels and abilities , girls may decide and plan opening and closing activities , bring and prepare treats , teach songs or games , and clean up . As girls grow , they can show and teach younger members about Girl Scouting . They can also assist you in preparing materials for activities . For trips , campouts , parent meetings , and multi-troop events , girls may be responsible for shopping , packing equipment , handing out programs , cleaning up , gathering wood , and so on . As long as you pay attention to grade level and maturity , what girls can do is endless !
Girl Scout Leadership Experience - Letting Girls Lead
Many troops employ a democratic system of governance so that all members have the opportunity to express their interests and feelings and share in the planning and coordination of activities . Girls partner with you and other adults , and you facilitate , act as a sounding board , and ask and answer questions . Girls from Daisies through Ambassadors will gain confidence and leadership skills when given the opportunity to lead their activities , learn cooperatively as a group , and learn by doing instead of by observing .
The following are some traditions troops have used for girl-led governance , but these are just examples . National Leadership Journeys offer examples of team decision-making , too .
● Daisy / Brownie Circle : While sitting in a circle ( sometimes called a ring ), girls create a formal group decision-making body . The circle is an organized time for girls to express their ideas and talk about activities they enjoy , and you play an active role in facilitating discussion and helping