Girl Scout Troop Starting Late

I sort of got "gifted" with a Daisy troop this year - our leader moved after our second meeting, so I got to start from scratch, too - and I started out pretty organized - but really? Most of our meetings get a little chaotic towards the end - heck, towards the middle - the girls are only six, and it's hard to hold their attention for complicated stories and projects. Once I let that go, it was a lot less frustrating! At this age, it's mostly about giving them a positive social experience, while learning some of the basics of scouting. (Which is what the petals are for!)

I have also found that there are some rules you absolutely can not break - safety rules, and financial ones - and some that are...flexible. For instance, you can make up your own time frames, ceremonies, and meeting procedures, and there is some flexibility for your uniforms, too (as long as you are identifiable as Scouts and as a troop in public).

I like the t-shirt idea a lot.

I also have a couple of websites that might be helpful:

For leader support:
http://gsleaders.org
http://girlscoutspirit.typepad.com/girl-scout-spirit/

For meeting/activity ideas:
http://www.makingfriends.com/index.htm
http://www.dltk-kids.com/

And don't forget pinterest. There is a LOT of Girl Scout stuff and ideas on there. Meeting ideas, create-your-own ceremony blogs, craft projects, field trip ideas....

Please message me if I can help more!

We started our daisy troop in January (many years ago -- they're about to become cadettes now) and it was fine. We meet every other week. Lots of resources on line. And I don't know about your local council, but ours stinks -- can't count on it for much, so be creative! And I didn't like the vests they had so we picked up royal blue t-shirts from Michaels and put the petals on that. Much cuter and far less expensive. I highly recommend you take that route. Take it one step at a time -- it'll be fun.

I faced this same delima this year when a fifth grader wanted to join our cadette troop and was told that since it is already over half way through the year that we could just bridge her up from juniors to cadettes so I don't know why you couldn't just bridge the group from daisies up to brownies and get a head start on next year.

Tracy

God Bless your sweet little heart. Big kudos to you for taking this on.

ok as a new to scouting, daisy leader of first graders last year, i have a few hints. We had all year but we were able to rush and earn all the petals in one hour long meeting each for the most part. I did give home work and I did do alot of the deciding for them.

one of the first things, i can think of to suggest, is that to Bridge from Daisy's to Brownies ( meaning to change over in Second grade) they have to complete some sort of an activity with an older scout troop. So that might get you started, let the older troop plan it and just enjoy the ride. That will earn them a rainbow looking patch to wear on their brownie uniform to show they have "bridged" over. someone correct me if i'm wrong.

Second, check the website for your council, ours has a tab called THINGS TO DO and it lists local events. like a mothers day tea, or nature center bug hunt. sometimes the girls can earn patchs from it, not sure on daisy level since i didn't know about it at all last year in daisy's. but that takes the pressure off of you to create and entertain. sometimes there are fees.

Third, Nothing says you have to do the stuff at the meeting with them, They can earn it on their own. So if I were you i would pick half the petals to do at a meeting and half that you have the parents do on their own, I always required proof, like they had to be able to recite the GS promise to me, or they had to draw a pict of a famous woman for couragous and strong.

I have more maybe we can Pm dd is starved.

Use this lexibility as your opportunity to make the troop how you want it to be. Just get the girls together for swimming, crafts, sleepovers... When the Brownies begin so will the traditions. Good luck.

I think Daisys has the sash you could put patches on one of those. There is also a satchel they could use for patches.