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Hdr-TroopLeaderCentral

Troop Leader Central

Welcome troop leaders! Here you'll find links to commonly used resources and important information to help you lead your troop.

Click to view Daisy and Brownie meeting plans
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Meeting Plans + Resources
Daisy: Meeting Plans Select a grade level to view all meeting plans (PDFs) and other useful documents via Dropbox. No account is required!
Brownie:
Multi-Level (Daisy / Brownie) Meeting Plans
Junior:
Meeting Plans
Frequently Used Forms
We have a whole section of important forms you may need throughout your troop year. Access them on our Forms page.
Planning Troop Activities and Safety
Engaging Family & Friends
Program Resources
Girl Scouts Virtual Leader Resources
Virtually Connecting as a Troop

You can virtually connect as a troop! We encourage using Zoom, a video/web conferencing tool. We are offering a special rate if you want an account to run beyond the 40 minutes a FREE account offers. You can purchase one account and use for multiple troops you lead. Zoom accounts can be purchased for $36 and good until July 31, 2022.

  1. Purchase your Girl Scout priced Zoom account now
  2. Be sure to read all the user guidelines about purchasing and how to use this account for Girl Scouts only
  3. We want our troops/Girl Scouts to run safe meetings in Zoom. Here’s how.
  4. Check out the new Safety Activity Checkpoint for Virtual Troop Meetings
  5. See virtual meeting tips for keeping it fun, engaging and organized
MAY VIRTUAL RESOURCES - CELEBRATE!
Past Months' Resources
SEPTEMBER: Outdoors
OCTOBER: Traditions
NOVEMBER: Civic Engagement
DECEMBER: Entrepreneurship
JANUARY: Healthy Living
FEBRUARY: Arts & Culture
MARCH: GS Birthday
APRIL: Our Planet
LEAD Troop/Twig and Tree Patch Programs
LEAD Troop Patch Program

Girl Scouts are able to participate in the LEAD troop patch program by completing activities that align with the Girl Scout Law. Upon completion in the spring, troop leaders can order a special patch to identify each Girl Scout as part of a LEAD troop.

> LEAD Troop Instructions + Checklist

Troop Leaders who have participated in the LEAD troop patch program are eligible for recognition as LEAD(er)s! This is an opportunity for yourself and your troop leadership team to be recognized for embracing the Girl Scout Law and being a role model throughout the year.

> LEAD Troop LEAD(er) Recognition Form

 

Twig and Tree Family Engagement Patch Program

> Twig and Tree Patch Requirements

Other Virtual Resources
Troop Money Earning

Is your troop ready for a money earning activity?

Money earning refers to activities organized and carried out by girls (in partnership with adults) that earn money for troop activities. Brownie–Ambassador troops can FUND the FUN by following these five steps to money earning:

Five Steps to Money Earning

  1. Follow good money management practices. See the Troop Finances section of Volunteer Essentials and determine your need for money earning. If you are considering a money earning activity to fund a trip, be sure you have submitted your Activity & Trip Application and it has been approved.

  2. The best way for your troop to begin their money earning is to participate in our nationally approved Product Programs. Your troop can do other money earning projects by submitting an application and gaining approval. Cookie Program participation is required as one step in your Troop Money Earning application process.

  3. Submit your Troop Money Earning application at least 4 weeks prior to your proposed activity.

  4. Await approval. You will be contacted within 5 business days of submission with a response to your application: approved, pending with additional information needed or denied. If you receive a pending or denied response, your membership manager will provide guidance on other activities you might consider.

  5. Once you are approved, your troop can plan and carry out the money earning activity
Examples of Money Earning Activities

Common/traditional activities:

  • ​Bake sale
  • Mother/Daughter event (tea, etc.)
  • Dinners (chili, spaghetti, etc.)
  • Garage sale (see guidelines)
  • Savers-Recycling & Clothing Drive​
  • Pancake breakfast
  • Face painting
  • Car wash
  • Craft booth at church or local fair ​​ ​

Unique/specialized activities:

  • Daisy Petal Catch Up (for new girls joining a Daisy troop to earn petals)
  • Water booth at town festival
  • Pink flamingo flocking (special recognition for the adult in service unit)
  • Make rain barrels to sell at area markets
  • Babysitting (see guidelines)​
  • Cake decorating workshop
  • Gift wrapping
  • Create a cookbook
  • Photo booth at special event
  • Corsages for father/daughter dance
  • Swap making shop
Babysitting Guidelines

Babysitting can be a great money earning or service activity. Below are guidelines troop must follow when planning a babysitting event.

General Requirements:

  1. This money earning project can only be done by Cadettes and above. Girls must be at least 2 years older than the oldest child they are watching.
  2. Must take place in a public facility like church or school.
  3. No children less than 2 years old.
  4. Event cannot be longer than 4 hours.
Guidelines:
  • If the activity is a money earning activity, request council permission at least 4 weeks prior to the event.
  • Ensure proper adult ratios. The minimum age requirement for children participating in babysitting events is 2 years old.
  Two unrelated adults (at least one of whom is female) for up to this number of children: Plus one additional adult for each additional number of up to this many children:
Children between 2 years old and Kindergarten 6 4
Daisies (grades K–1) 12 6
Brownies (grades 2–3)
 20 8
Juniors (grades 4–5) 25 10
Cadettes (grades 6–8) 25 12
Seniors (grades 9–10) 30 15
Ambassadors (grades 11–12) 30 15

Please note that older girls who will be watching the younger children count as girls in the ratios. For example if you have 10 children under Kindergarten and 5 Cadettes you will need a minimum of 4 adults.

  • Ensure all adults have background checks and volunteer applications on file.
  • Purchase additional insurance for all non-members (adults and children) at least 2 weeks prior to the event.
  • If parents are not on the premise, collect health histories and permission slips for each child.
  • An adult who is first aid/CPR certified is required to be at the event. This adult must also have a background check and volunteer application on file.
  • Establish check-in/check-out process.
Garage Sale Guidelines
  1. Request council permission at least 4 weeks prior to the event.
  2. Ensure proper adult ratios (see table below).
  3. Ensure all adult volunteers who will be working with girls or handling money have background checks and volunteer applications on file.
  4. Purchase additional insurance for all non-members (adults) at least 2 weeks prior to the event. Insurance only needs to be purchased for adults volunteering to work at the garage sale. It does not need to be purchased to cover the general public attending.
  5. During the event keep pets away from girls and the general public.     
  Two unrelated adults (at least one of whom is female) for this number of girls:  

Plus one additional adult for each additional number of this many girls:
Brownies (grades 2–3)

 

12

 

6
Juniors (grades 4–5)

16

8
Cadettes (grades 6–8)  

20

10
Seniors (grades 9–10)  

24

12
Ambassadors (grades 11–12)  

 

24

 

12
Restaurant Fundraiser Guidelines

General Requirements:

  • Girls must be present and helping in some way during the event. This could include welcoming guests, busing tables, opening the door or delivering food. Note: Not all restaurants allow this so carefully select your restaurant. The money earning request will not be approved unless the girls are working.
  • National guidelines prohibit girls asking for tips but they can accept them if offered.
  • The troop will do any requested marketing and promotion of the event.

Steps:

  1. Review the general requirements with the restaurant to ensure that the girls can be present during the money earning activity.
  2. If the activity is a money earning activity, request council permission at least 4 weeks prior to the event.
  3. Ensure proper adult ratios. (see table below)
  4. Ensure all adult volunteers who will be working with girls or handling money have background checks and volunteer applications on file.
  5. Purchase additional insurance for all non-members (adults) at least 2 weeks prior to the event. Insurance only needs to be purchased for adults volunteering to work at the restaurant. It does not need to be purchased to cover the general public attending.
  6. Market the event to friends and family. If you want to promote within your service unit, please contact your service unit team and/or your staff liaison.
  Two unrelated adults (at least one of whom is female) for this number of girls:

Plus one additional adult for each additional number of this many girls:
Brownies (grades 2–3)  

 

12

 

6
Juniors (grades 4–5)

16

8
Cadettes (grades 6–8)

20

10
Seniors (grades 9–10)

24

12
Ambassadors (grades 11–12)

 

24

 

12


Quesitons about troop money earning? Email us!

Has your troop earned their Bronze or Silver award? Let us know!