Question I'm a Brownie Leader with 14 bridging Brownies in June. So as an inexperienced Junior Leader, I'm looking for advice and suggestions on the best way to plan the year.  In essence: how do you balance badge work, events/activities (council and troop), community service, Bronze Award project time and possible religious award time?  There is so much we would like to do, but how much time do I realistically have in one year without burning out the girls? Answer Submission #1: We love to play Hedgehog. You need one large (queen size) blanket/comforter.  Have all the girls crouch down on hands and knees, eyes closed and SLOWLY crawl around.  The leader places the blanket over one girl and yells "hedgehog."  Everyone opens their eyes and tries to guess who is under the blanket.  It's a blast! -Terri, Troop 25, Miami, FL Submission #2: Start by looking at your strengths and those of your most dependable parent helpers.  Read through the Girls Junior handbooks and as you think about the strengths of your girls, develop a goal for where you want to end up.For me it was the Bronze Award.  Working back from that, determine what it takes to get that award and the steps, badges, awards, etc.  The rest fills in as the girls grow and want to explore new things.  Set the basic path, and the scenery fills in along the way. -Sara, Troop 973 Submission #3: We focused on the Sign Awards, which works on badges within the award and lead to a group bronze award project the last year of Juniors. -Anna, Troop 744, Arcadia, CA Submit an answer. (Name, Troop # and City are optional) Question I'm looking for start-up activities that 1st graders can do while the early-birds wait for the rest of the troop to arrive -- something that can be done or played with minimal supervison and be completed in 10 minutes.  I'd like minimal materials so we don't have to spend time cleaning up. Answer Submission #1: We have some basic supplies that allow for a lot of imagination - a deck of cards, a few sheets of paper, and some markers. I set them out for our early birds & they take care of entertaining themselves! I would also suggest a book available in the Council shop - I think the title is "Games for Girl Scouts" (?).  It has some great tried-and-true games. Submission #2: While there are lots of fun things to do, be flexible with what you ask the girls to memorize. It's a busy time and too much pressure takes the fun out of it. -Sara, Troop 973, Monrovia/Duarte Submission #3: Keep things short and simple and give everyone an opportunity to have an active part. A simple opening (like a flag ceremony, singing a favorite song), perhaps a summary of activities they completed to bridge (read in small parts by several troop members), and a short closing (like a friendship circle) can be very memorable. Have the troop make invitations, serve as hostesses for their guests, and decorate with balloons, paper flowers, or streamers. Festivity can be very simple, the idea is to get them involved. Be sure to include at least one practice before the event so the Brownies will feel comfortable with what they need to know and do. Submit an answer. (Name, Troop # and City are optional) Question For the most part, our Brownies will be planning their bridging ceremony. However, from a leader point of view, are there any suggestions or ideas that can help our ceremony go smoothly.  Answer No submissions posted yet. Submit an answer. (Name, Troop # and City are optional) Question We will be bridging about 12 girls from Brownies to Juniors.  I would like to know if there are any special "bridges" that the girls can walk across for this special event. It can be either a Street Bridge or a special bridge at a park, any suggestions that you can share would be helpful.  Anywhere within the council area is fine. Thanks! Answer Submission #1: There are nice bridges at the Mayor's Discovery Park in Glendale. -Renee B., Troop 92, CVSU Submission #2: There is a bridge at the El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach (near the 605 and Spring Ave.). While you are there, you can take the nature trail or tour the museum. I think tours are $4.00. http://www.longbeach.gov/park/facilities/parks/el_dorado_nature_center.asp -Theresa, Troop 126, Long Beach Submission #3: Descanso Gardens offers a troop entrance rate of around $10-$15. They have nice bridges. -Cindy B., Troop 942, CVSU Submit an answer. (Name, Troop # and City are optional) Question We have an on-going issue with our parents.  They are wonderful folks who participate in all of the meetings, events and field trips. However, sometimes it's too much. They will sit next to their daughter, they will "help" them work on their projects, and they sometimes tell them what to say.   How do I go about telling them to step back a little?  Any suggestions on what I can tell them without chasing them out?  I have a wonderful relationship with all of them and I don't want to lose that, but I also can't have them hovering over their daughters. Answer Submission #1: Perhaps find something else for the parents to do...separate the parents; for example, when you begin activities, have the parents move to one area and the girls to another...set up a schedule for parent attendance so that "every parent gets a turn and the girls gain independence." -Renee B., Troop 92 (CVSU) Submission #2: We had the same issue, too!  We created a parent "volunteer" position for each meeting - only the parent(s) assigned to that meeting could participate in that meeting.  Then we assigned that role like we assigned the snacks responsibilities.  I explained why we needed a designed parent volunteer: we needed to control the chaos from too many people, and honestly, I wanted to give their girls a chance to blossom without their parent constantly helping.  Once they understood my intent, they all gave me their support. Submit an answer. (Name, Troop # and City are optional) Question Our troop is inexperienced in camping. Although we will complete the required leader training for outdoor camping, will we be in over our head at the All-Council Encampment?  Have other troop leaders who are novice campers found the encampment to be a manageable and fun (first-time) experience? Any tips on how to prepare? Answer Submission #1: If you have an inexperienced troop, KEEP IT SIMPLE. This is all about the girls having a great time - NOT advanced camping skills.  First time out, don't worry about dishwashing stations and "candle kisses."  If you have a large group of young campers, plan on paper plates if that is your comfort level.  You will have plenty of opportunities later to have "advanced" camping experiences. Plan simple meals. You may want to have your girls bring a "sack" dinner the first night - it is always a little tough trying to set up tents for the first time before night falls.  ALWAYS have instant cocoa and soup cups on hand.  If you must set up a hand-wash station, don't try to make a tri-pod - just purchase a large jug of water (the kind that sits on its side with a push-pull spout). Set it on the end of a picnic table and place a bucket underneath. Tie your bar of soap in an old stocking toe underneath the spout and you are ready to go. DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF AND HAVE A GOOD TIME!   Submission #2: Camping is a long tradition in Girl Scouting and you can have the best time by taking it slow and simple.  If you need equipment, check with council before you buy, maybe they have some or can recommend troops that have excess equipment. Here are some thoughts: -Plan food in advance and keep it easy. Sack lunches the first night, cereal and toast w/milk and fruit for breakfast, PBJ for lunch w/chips fruit. Make a pudding snack. -Practice. Even if you can't actually stay in someone's backyard, have a meeting be a practice for setting up tents, learning to use a kaper chart and fun stuff. - Don't take every parent. Too many people in your unit really can spoil the trip, especially if they aren't familiar with Girl Scout rules for camping. -Finally - have fun. That's what the girls remember the best.  Laugh a lot - take pictures - remember to look at them afterwards...it's amazing how great it can be. -Sara, Troop 973 Submission #3: The All Council Encampment is a great event for your troop to attend. There will be many other troops there, so if you forget something, someone else will surely have it! You might also want to attend Camp Training Wheels in April. It is designed specifically for leaders and girls new to camping. Submission #4: One thing to do is to think about the basic supplies your troop will need--you'll have to be rather self contained. And keep those supplies simple! There will be portapotties, so bring extra toilet paper. Where will the girls sit for each dinner? There may not be a picnic table nearby--bring a tarp or newspaper sit upons. With some preplanning you'll have a great time. An all-council encampment really is the best. Submission #5: I took a group of 1st grade Brownies to the last All Council Encampment in Santa Barbara in 2005. They had a blast. It is more challenging for the leader(s) when the girls are young, because you need to do more and the younger girls can be clingy. We let them help with the tents and help cook the Saturday night meal. Now that our girls are Juniors, I plan to have a practice for setting up the campsite and tents, give each girl a specific job for setting up and hopefully the day we arrive they'll just follow the plan and set up the camp with adult supervision. The All Council Encampment is so special; it would be a shame to miss it. Submit an answer. (Name, Troop # and City are optional) Question I have a mixed troop of Brownies, Juniors, and Cadettes that have all been in Girl Scouts for 3+ years. I would like some new ideas and activities to do in our Investiture Ceremony this year. We have done the same thing every year and I would like to try something new. Any ideas? Answer Submission #1: There are a few resources....There is a Ceremonies Book available at the Council Shop or you can do a Google Search and there are many Girl Scout Leaders who have put their ceremony on the internet.  Good luck! -Joan, Troop 507, Monrovia Submission #2: The Council Shop sells a CD to track all badges, print permission slips, and many other useful things. You might call Laura at the Council Store and see if this resource is still available. Submission #3: Even though we do the same skit every year, the older girls present it to the new Brownies. I have now made my older Juniors put together this entire event, allowing them to put their own spin on it. If you really want to make a change, how about a scavenger hunt? The incoming Brownies have to follow a trail. As they go, they get clues to becoming Brownies, ending with the poem at the "pond." Submit an answer. (Name, Troop # and City are optional) Question I'm looking for electronic badge work records. Do any Junior Leaders have resources available to share? Note: E-mail the resource to communications@gsmwvc.org for posting. Answer Submission #1: Click here to download a fillable Junior Badge Record Word document created by a local troop leader. NOTE: Please retain the creator's contact information in the document. Submit an answer. (Name, Troop # and City are optional) Question I'm looking for a professional who can talk to Senior Girl Scouts about Global Warming (causes and what they can do about it).  Do you know of anyone who might be interested? Answer Submission #1: If you can't find anyone, you can always have them watch "An Inconvenient Truth" by Al Gore. Submission #2: JoBea Holt and jobea@charter.net. She was trained by Al Gore to talk to groups about Global Warming and has done many presentations for students and adults.  Submission #3: City of Los Angeles, Environmental Affairs Department, has speakers available. Call (213) 978-0888. -Renee B., Troop 92 (CVSU) Submit an answer. (Name, Troop # and City are optional) Question Our troop has already gone through its cookie money and the monthly dues are not enough to keep our troop going.  What is the easiest way to fund raise with over 15 Brownies? Answer Submission #1: From a goal perspective related to the Cookie Program, if your troop set a goal of each girl reaching the council goal of 145 boxes per girl, that would translate into over $1,500 for the troop (troops receive 70 cents a box through Cookie Kudos). Submission #2: You might want to consider increasing the monthly dues - we had to do that, and all of our families readily supported us in that move. With cookie money, our troop's first priority was to re-enroll all our girls. Whatever is left over we use to cover upcoming activities on a percentage basis (for example, we used $10 of troop funds to pay for half of each girl's new Junior books and asked families to contribute the other $10.). By covering partial costs, it stretches the troop funds out. Also, ask for discounts - every little bit helps. Lastly, our girls did recycling for a while, and you would be surprised at how quickly the money from empty water bottles & newspaper adds up. Hope some of these ideas help! Submission #3: An addition to stretching troop funds would be the suggestion for the troop to pay half of each outting and the family pay half. According to Safety-Wise and GSMWVC Council Policy, Brownie's do no additional money earning other than the council-sponsored product sale (cookie program). But recycling is a service and therefore may be done by girls at any program age level. Submission #4: You can always hold a troop yard sale or rummage sale. Invite all of the Girl Scout families to donate anything they don't need and have a weekend yard sale. This is a very easy way to make a couple hundred dollars quickly. Have the girls help out by making signs and pricing the items the week before. Let the older girls collect the money and distribute change!  Submit an answer. (Name, Troop # and City are optional) Question This September we will have a Junior Troop, with 2 girls, one a 4th grader and the other a 6th grader.  Can anyone recommend tried and true activities and/or projects for them, considering the difference in age and maturity levels? Both are new to Girl Scouting.   Answer Sumbission #1: I think the best thing would be to go through the Junior Badge Book and Junior Handbook. You can't get any more "true" than that! -Danielle, Troop #934, Sante Fe Trails Submit an answer. (Name, Troop # and City are optional) Question Our troop has designed their own crest.  Can anyone recommend someone or an embroidery place they've used before, to embroider our design onto a blank crest? Answer Submission #1: We have used Joycrest for custom patches. The Web site is http://www.joycrest.com/. Submit an answer. (Name, Troop # and City are optional) Question I'm looking for a speaker on safety, self-defense and awareness for Junior Girl Scouts.  Can you recommend someone?  Answer Submission #1: In the Girl Scout Green Pages, found under the Volunteer Resources Section, there is a listing for a program called Empower Kids (you'll find it under E). This self defense & assertiveness training is run by the LA Commission on Assaults Against Women. They do on-site classes in Pasadena. A few years ago, they did a two troop meeting program (we went to them) for my 5th grade Junior troop. The girls loved it & learned so much. They were also taught a number of physical self defense moves that they could practice with each other, on the dummies, etc. It was a good program, they were very willing to meet our troop's needs, & it was age appropriate. Their phone # is 626-585-9166. Submission #2: Checkout www.Kidpower.org. I attended one of their workshops and was very impressed with their program especially for girls! -Alison Forrest (Troop 163, Pasadena) Submission #3: I attended a Parent-Child Full Force Workshop facilited by Kidpower with my daughter and her troop this year (2007) and would recommend this organization. The role playing and physical self-defense skills training were highly empowering to the girls. -Mary Kubacki (Troop 133, South Pasadena) Submission #4: LA Commission on Assault Against Women is now called Peace Over Violence. I agree, their program is great! We did it with Cadettes and moms in an on-site class (need at least 10 people minimum for special on-site class). -Diane (Troop 388, Arcadia) Submit an answer. (Name, Troop # and City are optional) Question What were your troop’s most popular field trips this year (within a 50-mile radius)? Submit your ideas! Answer Submission #1: Our troop took a train ride to Santa Barbara to see the sites.  Submission #2: Pierce College's Harvest Festival with Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, food booths and (scary) Haunted House was "a hit"!  Great photo ops, too! Submission #3: Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena. http://www.kidspacemuseum.org/ Submission #4: Some of our most popular activities were the simpliest.  Our girls loved anything that was out of the ordinary, so just going for a hike at Eaton Canyon (which is free), is as good as going to the park for an ice cream social (minimal cost), learning about pet care at the Humane Society (free), packing food donations at Foothill Unity Center (free), conducting a scavenger hunt at the mall (free). The simplier the outing, the more we were all able to relax and just enjoy being together as a troop. Submission #5: We go to the Haugh Center at Citrus College once a year for a show. The girls love it. -Sara, Troop 973

Submit an answer. (Name, Troop # and City are optional) Question  How can I recognize girls in my troop that have been in Girl Scouts for at least 10 years?  Answer Submission #1: The Ten-Year Pin is a recognition for girls who have been "Girl Members" of Girl Scouting for at least 10 years. This pin may be awarded only once. The years of membership do not need to be continuous. Submission #2: A special ceremony is always meaningful and memorable. The girls could participate, sharing what Girl Scouting has meant to them. You, as leader, could share antidotes or a special story about each girl.  Invite parents and recognize their support of their daughter's participation in Girl Scouting, also. Submit an answer. (Name, Troop # and City are optional) Submit a Question!