Grade Level Progression: Tidbits and Tips

Grade Level Progression Tidbits

and Tips

Table of Contents

Introduction

Meeting Planning

Uniforms and Insignia

Outdoor Activities

Girl Scout Traditions

Girl Scout Days to Celebrate and Remember

Girl Scout Ceremonies

Girl Scout Lingo

Troop Banking Account

Songs and Games

What’s Next?

Appendix

This booklet was designed with new leaders in mind. It can be used as a handy reference for those leaders in their first couple of years of Girl Scout leadership. It can also be very helpful when leaders move to a different Girl Scout grade level. Additionally, this resource can also be a supportive tool for more experienced leaders and service team members offering short workshops at service unit meetings, for event planning committee members and council Engagement Managers.

Thank you to our committee members for creating this guide: Evelyn Freeze, Dawn Hill, Virginia Himmelheber, Patti Hubbard and Barbara Smith. Thanks also goes to Girl Scouts River Valleys for allowing us to use their progression in practice materials.

Thank you for dedicating your time and efforts to support Girl Scouts!

For any questions regarding Girl Scouting, please contact us at info@girlscoutsp2p.org or 800-672-2148. We are available to assist Monday- Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Meeting Planning

The Volunteer Toolkit will prove to be a valuable resource in planning meetings. It contains badge and award information, possible meeting plans, etc., but remember as a troop leader you have flexibility. The Volunteer Toolkit is just that, a set of tools- not required plans. When your troop is girl-led, modifications are a part of the fun. In addition to the Volunteer Toolkit, the Safety Activity Checkpoints are things a good leader and her troop members should consult frequently. To access the Volunteer Toolkit, log in to your MyGS account and choose Volunteer Toolkit. The most updated version of the Safety Activity Checkpoints can be found under Forms on the GSCP2P website at www.girlscoutsp2p.org/en/members/for-volunteers/forms-anddocuments.html.

GSUSA now offers Troop Year Plans to simplify the troop leadership experience and to facilitate a more consistent experience for all girls across the nation. You can find these plans on the GSUSA website and in the Volunteer Toolkit. One of the most important aspects of these plans, though, is that they are customizable. While it might seem easier and more organized to plan the entire Girl Scout year completely before even meeting the girls, it is important that your troop members have ownership of the activities you plan. Be sure to engage the girls in brainstorming possible activities and choosing among them. When an activity does not seem feasible, help the girls explore a similar option that will work. For instance, a Daisy troop in our council footprint will not be able to take a trip to Disney World, but they might be able to attend a local carnival. Use the Troop Year Plans as a guide and make the modifications which will make them truly reflect the girls in your troop. Should there be any difficulty and/or questions, contact your Engagement Manager or someone on your Service Unit Service Team.

Having an organized meeting with established routines goes a long way toward having a successful troop experience.

THE FOLLOWING FORMAT WORKS WELL FOR ALL AGES: Pre-meeting Activity

All of the girls will probably not arrive at the same time. A pre-meeting activity gives the girls a chance to gather. Choose something that the girls can mostly do on their own in case you have some last-minute activities to set up. Coloring pages, making thank you cards, origami, clay or even a small snack will work if refreshments are not provided later in the meeting.

Opening

An opening could include the Promise, the Law, the Pledge of Allegiance, an inspirational poem and/or a song.

Business

Attendance can be taken and dues collected at this time. Business also includes a short time to evaluate what the troop has done and to make decisions about future activities.

How to evaluate activities:

• For Daisies and Brownies: Thumbs up, thumbs down or raise hands if you would recommend this activity.

• For Juniors and up: Go around the circle and share what you liked and how you would have improved an activity.

Main Activity

How to vote and make decisions:

• For Girl Scout Daisies: Consider limiting the vote to two choices.

• For Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors: If you are voting from a list of possibilities, you may want to give each girl two or three votes. In that way, more girls will have chosen the winner.

• For older girls: Consider giving the girls weighted votes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices. (A fun way to make weighted decisions is to give each girl a dime, a nickel and a penny to put in cups labeled with each option they are voting on. The option with the most money wins.)

This period makes up the bulk of the meeting and may include working on one or more badge requirements, Journey requirements, crafts, service projects, Take Action projects or games. If the troop is multi-age-level, this is the time to break into grade level groupings.

Daisies and Brownies will benefit from a couple of shorter activities during this time rather than one long activity.

Clean Up

Clean up needs to happen before the closing. All ages can help clean up. During this time, a Kaper Chart (see the section on Kaper charts for more information) really helps. Completing the clean up before having the closing assures that the cleaning up actually gets done.

Closing

A friendship circle is the most traditional way to close a meeting. Troops often sing Taps or Make New Friends. After the circle, you can hand out any items which need to go home to families. (See the section on Traditions for information about how to do a friendship circle.)

NOTE: Snacks are a good idea if girls are meeting directly after school and will be very hungry, but most meetings will not require a snack. Often eating snacks will use too much troop meeting time and money. Snacks are great for a special occasion, such as serving small cupcakes for Juliette Low’s birthday. Be sure to be aware of girls’ allergies and dietary preferences.

Kaper Charts

Kaper charts are an important Girl Scout tradition. These charts show assigned tasks that allow for all the girls to contribute to the life of the troop and to support their sister Girl Scouts. Jobs that could be part of a Kaper chart include holding the flag, starting the Promise/Law/Pledge of Allegiance, choosing a song, sweeping, wiping tables, starting the friendship squeeze, etc. The pictures below will give you some ideas of how to organize a Kaper chart. Rotate the jobs among the girls so that they each have a new job every meeting.

Progression in Practice

Because progression can sometimes seem fuzzy in practice, here’s an example of how it could look at each program grade level. You’ll notice what girls are able to do, and what role you can play.

CHOOSING AND EARNING A BADGE

Program Grade Level Girls’ Role

Daisy/Brownie

• Express their interest areas.

• Vote on this or that choices.

• Carry out assigned Kapers.

Troop Leader’s Role

• Considering girls’ interests, come up with a list of two or three badges.

• Plan activities for girls to do.

• Identify where girls can take the lead.

Junior

• Break out into small groups to brainstorm ideas, present their ideas to the larger group, decide how they want to make a final vote.

• Decide which activities they’ll do to earn the badge.

• Ask questions to guide the decisionmaking process: Does the troop have enough money? Do we have enough time? Does everyone feel comfortable doing this activity?

• Help girls generate ideas for activities they could do.

Cadette

• Research badge options.

• Use resources like the Volunteer Toolkit or Cadette Handbook to plan troop meeting activities.

• Observe the planning process and direct girls to resources.

Senior/Ambassador

• Decide on badges and badge activities.

• Consider troop budget as they plan.

• Plan and lead troop meeting.

• Provide input when asked.

• Pose open-ended questions to deepen girls’ involvement and engagement.

Field Trips

Field trips sometimes take the place of a regular meeting. Any time you are leaving your regular meeting place or are meeting at a different time, the girls need parental permission slips. Permission slips can be found under Forms on the GSCP2P website at www.girlscoutsp2p.org/en/ members/for-volunteers/forms-and-documents.html.

You should also consult the Safety Activity Checkpoints to make sure that your destination is in compliance with safety guidelines. If you are arranging transportation for the girls, be sure to consult the section on Transportation (in Safety Activity Checkpoints) as well. Remember that all drivers must be registered as a Girl Scout adult, complete a criminal background check, driving record check and have council approval. If your destination is outside of our council’s 40 county footprint or if you are staying overnight on non-council property, you must fill out the Activity and Travel Application. The Activity and Travel Application can be found under Forms on the GSCP2P website at www.girlscoutsp2p.org/en/members/for-volunteers/forms-and-documents.html.

Remember that travel is a progression. A visit to a firehouse might be an appropriate trip for a Daisy, a weekend in Savannah to see the Birthplace would be a great Cadette trip and an Ambassador troop might be venturing off to Europe.

Uniforms and Insignia

Every girl should have an insignia tab with a Girl Scout pin. Uniforms are strongly encouraged for both girls and adults in Girl Scouting, but they are not required. Uniforms do, however, give all members a sense of being a part of a Movement that extends across the world. When meeting with parents/guardians, be sure to give them a list of specifics for the uniform and where the council store is located. If they choose to order directly from GSUSA, it is important that they are given the correct council’s name for the ID patches. (Our council is Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont.) It is very helpful to give them a diagram of where the insignia is placed. Uniform diagrams can be found at www.girlscouts.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/uniforms.html.

Here are a couple of practical hints to share with parents/guardians.

1. Much of our insignia is iron-on. Some people like to secure the items with a stitch or two, as well or use an additional iron-on product such as Badge Magic.

2. If a girl has more than one year left in a level when purchasing a uniform, it is not a bad idea to purchase it a little big. Girls grow! Additionally, they sometimes want to put their tunic/vest/sash over a jacket, especially at cookie booths.

3. Sashes are ALWAYS worn on the right shoulder. Some girls have trouble with the sash slipping off of the shoulder. That problem can be solved by securing it with a safety pin coming from under their top and then attaching it through their shirt to the sash.

Outdoor Activities

When the public thinks of Girl Scouting, the outdoors is one of the first things that comes to mind. Regardless of her grade level, every Girl Scout should have opportunities outdoors. Traditionally, we think of camping, cooking over a fire or on a camp stove, hiking, etc. as outdoor activities. However, many activities—doing arts and crafts, singing, preparing food, playing games or an entire troop meeting—can often be done outdoors, as well as indoors. Appropriate progression in the outdoors is key to successful outdoor experiences. Girl Scouts Carolinas

Outdoor Progression

Progression allows girls to learn the skills they need to become competent in the outdoors, including how to plan and organize outdoor activities. Acknowledge a girl's mastery of an outdoor skill and invite her to challenge herself further by taking that next step up and out! Outdoor fun can be endless when girls lead.

Move Out

Cook Out

Cook Out

Explore Out

Look Out

Share

Talk

Meet Out

Plan and

Discuss being prepared for the weather.

Explore Out Plan and take a short and easy hike. Discuss what to take in a day pack. Dress for the weather.

Plan a healthy snack or lunch.

Camp Out

Plan and take a 1- to 2-night camping trip.

Adventure Out

Plan and take an outdoor trip for several days.

Wonder

Plan and carry out an indoor sleepover.

Learn how to stay safe in the outdoors.

Plan and cook a simple meal outdoors. Make a list of gear and food supplies needed.

Learn and practice skills needed to cook a meal.

Review outdoor cooking safety. Practice hand and dish sanitation.

Create a Kaper Chart for the cookout.

Sleep Out

Sleep Out

Plan and carry out an overnight in a cabin/ backyard.

Discuss what to pack for the sleep out.

Learn to use and care for camping gear.

Learn and practice new outdoor skills.

Plan a menu with a new cooking skill. Discuss campsite organization.

Plan time for fun activities.

Take more responsibility for planning.

Learn and practice a new outdoor skill.

Learn a new outdoor cooking skill.

Plan a food budget, then buy and pack food. Practice campsite set up.

Plan an agenda that includes fun activities. Explore/protect the surrounding environment.

Learn and practice a new outdoor skill. Learn a new outdoor cooking skill.

Develop first-aid skills and use safety check points.

Budget, schedule, and make arrangements.

Participate in an environmental service project. Teach and inspire others about the outdoors.

Peaks to Piedmont requires progressive outdoor training that leaders must complete before participating in certain outdoor activities. GSCP2P has STEM tubs for check-out, which include some outdoor activities. Learn more about required trainings and program materials on the GSCP2P website at www.girlscoutsp2p.org/en/members/for-volunteers/volunteer-training-andprogram-resources.html. LOOK

Imagine new experiences to be had outdoors. Practice all Leave No Trace principles.

EXAMPLES OF HOW THE OUTDOORS CAN BECOME AN INTEGRAL PART OF YOUR TROOP ACTIVITIES AT EVERY GRADE LEVEL:

Daisy Outdoor Activities

Daisies: Honest and Fair Petal – Step 2 – Have a fair and square outdoor scavenger hunt. Considerate and Caring Petal - Step 3 - “Leave No Trace” on your outdoor adventure. Courageous and Strong Petal - Step 3 - Try a new outdoor activity.

The Daisy outdoor badges are Daisy Trail Adventure badge, Daisy Buddy Camper badge, Daisy Outdoor Art Maker badge, Daisy Snow or Climbing Adventure badge and Daisy Eco Learner badge.

Possible additional Daisy Outdoor Activities: Choose simple items for them to find such as a leaf with color on it, a clover in the grass, a funny shaped rock or branch. Make it work for the current season of the year. Let the girls predict what they might find to make their list.

Brownie Outdoor Activities

Brownie Bugs Badge

Springtime is a great time for Brownies to explore insects and bugs as they learn first-hand about their habitats, food sources and predators. Take a “Bug Hike” by either visiting a farm, zoo or botanical garden that has a bug collection to observe insects in their native environments.

Possible additional Brownie Outdoor Activities: Teach them how to do tree and leaf rubbing. Let them make a card out of this by drawing or coloring a tree on it or just by adding some fun colors to outline the rubbing. These cards can be sent to a local nursing home or hospital.

Junior Outdoor Activities

Junior Camper Badge

Turn your troop into a bunch of happy campers and have them plan their own overnight camping adventure at a campsite or cabin. Keep it girl-led by allowing your troop to plan where to go, budget considerations, what supplies to bring, what meals to eat (considering allergies and food preferences) and what activities to do at the campsite.

Activities might include telling campfire stories, gazing at the stars or singing favorite Girl Scout songs. Juniors might also want to play a game of flashlight tag or go on a night hike.

Possible Additional Junior Activities: Sit outside at a meeting and tell stories. Let one person begin the story and then allow each person to add to it. Learn a few new Girl Scout songs to sing around the campfire or at your meeting. Have a discussion with them about the importance of Leave No Trace Principles. Leave No Trace website: lnt.org/why/7-principles/

Cadette Outdoor Activities

Cadette Night Owl Badge

Who says you have to keep your outdoor event restricted to daytime hours? The Night Owl badge encourages Cadettes to take a field trip to explore nature at night and tour their world after dark. Invite your Cadettes to visit a park, trail, lake, stream or natural environment and use all five senses to notice what is different after dark.

Possible Additional Cadette Activities: Visit a cave or other less familiar environment to explore the plants and animals. Cadettes can show care for the environment by picking up debris while hiking.

Senior Outdoor Activities

Senior Sky Badge

Get your head in the clouds with this badge, which encourages girls to investigate the science of the atmosphere. Explore the connection between people and flight and discuss what your girls can do to help clear sky pollution!

Bring your Girl Scouts outside on a starry night to identify constellations and other noticeable stars, like the North Star or the Big Dipper. Encourage the girls to plan and host a stargazing party for their younger Girl Scout friends or family where they’ll show their guests a star chart and share Greek mythology or Native American stories that go with each constellation.

Possible Additional Senior Activities: Seniors can teach a fun outdoor game they have learned to a younger troop of girls.

Ambassador Outdoor Activities

Ambassador Water Badge

The Water badge is a great way to explore water issues, find out about solutions to our water woes and inspire others to find effective ways to protect such a precious resource. Encourage Ambassadors to walk along a beach or search for waterfalls in the wilderness. Ambassadors might even like planning their own troop adventure to try out a new water sport, such as kayaking, snorkeling or synchronized swimming.

Possible Additional Ambassador Activities: Ambassadors can plan and lead an environmental awareness event for younger girls, such as the Leave No Trace principles.

Girl Scout Traditions

Girl Scout traditions make Girl Scouting special, whether at a troop meeting, a council-wide event or when meeting Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world. Here are a few traditions that every Girl Scout should know.

Girl Scout Promise

On my honor, I will try: To serve God* and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

*Members may substitute for the word God in accordance with their own spiritual beliefs.

Girl Scout Law

I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Girl Scout Sign

When saying the Girl Scout Promise, Girl Scouts uses the Girl Scout sign by raising three fingers of the right hand with the thumb holding down the pinky. The three fingers represent the three parts of the Promise.

Girl Scout Motto

The Girl Scout Motto is “Be prepared.” In the 1947 Girl Scout Handbook, the motto was explained this way: “A Girl Scout is ready to help out wherever she is needed. Willingness to serve is not enough; you must know how to do the job well, even in an emergency.” The same holds true today.

Girl Scout Slogan

The Girl Scout slogan is “Do a good turn daily.” The slogan, which has been used since 1912, is a reminder that Girl Scouts can make a difference in big and small ways.

Girl Scout Handshake

Girl Scouts can greet one another with the Girl Scout handshake, used by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all over the world. The handshake is made by shaking hands with the left hand and making the Girl Scout sign with the right. The left hand is nearer to the heart and signifies friendship. This handshake is frequently used to congratulate and welcome girls in ceremonies.

Girl Scout Swaps

SWAPS stands for “Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.” They are small tokens of friendship that Girl Scouts exchange with one another, and each SWAP uniquely reflects a fellow Girl Scout, their troop or a memory of a special event.

Girl Scout Friendship Circle

Representing the unbroken chain of friendship among Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world, the Friendship Circle involves Girl Scouts standing in a circle, crossing their right arm over their left and clasping hands with their friends on both sides. Everyone then makes a silent wish as a friendship squeeze is passed from hand to hand around the circle. When receiving the squeeze, the right toe goes toward the center of the circle. Once the squeeze has gone all around the circle, hands remain clasped while the circle is turned inside out. Then everyone says, “Good night, Girl Scouts.”

WAGGGS

World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, our international organization.

World Pin

The compass needle is to guide you, and the two stars are the Girl Scout Promise and Law. The outer circle represents the World Association, and the golden yellow trefoil on a bright blue background stands for the sun shining over the children of the world.

Membership Pin

Our founder, Juliette Gordon Low, patented the design for the original three- leafed Trefoil membership pin in 1914. The three leaves stand for the three parts of the Girl Scout Promise, and the design contains the traditional American symbols of an eagle, a shield, a shaft of arrows and an olive branch. All Girl Scout levels include the Trefoil in their design.

WAGGGS Flag

There is a white blaze in the lower, righthand corner which represents WAGGGS’ commitment to peace. This is crowned by three golden blocks symbolizing the three-fold Promise. It is used at the World Centers, the World Bureau, WAGGGS’ gatherings and by all Member Organizations, often as a unit flag.

Girl Scout Days to Celebrate and Remember

Throughout the year, Girl Scouts, Girl Guides and Girl Scout volunteers celebrate some very special days in Girl Scouting. Remember to make the celebration fit the appropriate grade level. For instance, a Daisy troop might celebrate Juliette Low’s birthday by hearing a story about Juliette Low and enjoying cupcakes together. Cadette girls might sew hats for women receiving treatment for breast cancer (the disease from which Juliette Low died).

Often there are service unit events to celebrate World Thinking Day, Juliette Low’s birthday and Girl Scout Week. Attending these events is an excellent way to connect with other Girl Scouts.

Juliette Gordon Low’s Birthday (Founder’s Day)

October 31 marks the birth in 1860 of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. founder Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia.

World Thinking Day

February 22 celebrates the birthdays of Girl Guide/Girl Scout Founder Lord Baden-Powell (18571941) and World Chief Guide Lady Baden-Powell (1889-1977). The day is also a time to donate funds to the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund.

Girl Scouts’ Birthday

March 12 commemorates the day in 1912 when Juliette Gordon Low officially registered the organization’s first 18 members in Savannah, Georgia.

Girl Scout Week

Celebrated each March, starting with Girl Scout Sunday and ending with Girl Scout Sabbath on a Saturday, and it always includes Girl Scouts’ birthday, March 12.

Girl Scouts Celebrate Faith Events

Give Girl Scouts an opportunity to be recognized at their place of worship during Girl Scout Week, share their legacy of service to others and deepen their connection to their faith and Girl Scouting. Celebration days include Girl Scout Sunday, Girl Scout Jummah and Girl Scout Sabbath/Shabbat.

Leader Appreciation Day

On April 22 leaders and other volunteers are recognized for their dedication and the time they give to Girl Scouts. Celebrate them by giving them a card of thanks or a small gift to thank them for all they have done and continue to do for the Girl Scouts.

Girl Scout Ceremonies

Ceremonies help Girl Scouts mark special events throughout the year, such as Investiture, bridging to another level, earning a National Leadership Journey award or attaining a higher award.

Ceremonies can commemorate accomplishments or add something special to the beginning or end of a meeting. Girls can plan a ceremony around a theme such as friendship or nature and express themselves in words or songs. Whatever its purpose, every Girl Scout ceremony helps girls share in Girl Scout history and traditions and creates special memories. Ceremonies do not have to be long, particularly for young Girl Scouts.

You might find yourself asking, “How do I plan this ceremony?” As a troop leader, your job is to GUIDE the girls in an age-appropriate way as THEY plan their celebration. Walk your Girl Scouts through the ceremony one step at a time. Listen to your girls’ ideas and be open to helping them create a meaningful ceremony. With younger Girl Scouts, you might consider giving them simple choices to make, such as choosing a theme for the event or having them pick the songs they want to sing. If your girls want to make bracelets or hold a daisy flower, for example, honor their decision-making skills and include their ideas in the ceremony.

Bridging Ceremonies

Once bridging requirements are met, this ceremony marks a girl’s advancement from one level of Girl Scouting to another.

Flag Ceremonies

Can be a part of any activity that honors the American flag. These are typically at major council or Girl Scouting events, but can also be part of regular troop meetings.

Fly-Up Ceremony

A bridging ceremony for Girl Scout Brownies bridging to Girl Scout Juniors. Girls receive the Girl Scout pin along with their Brownie wings.

Girl Scout Birthday Ceremonies

Can be held on or near March 12, the date Juliette Gordon Low started Girl Scouting in the United States.

Girl Scout Bronze, Silver or Gold Award Ceremony

Honors Girl Scouts who have earned these special awards and is usually held at the troop/group level or combined with the annual council event.

Girl Scouts’ Own

A girl-planned reflective time that lets girls explore their feelings around a topic, such as friendship or the Girl Scout Promise and Law, using spoken words, favorite songs, poetry or other forms of expression. It is never a religious ceremony.

Investiture

Welcomes new members, girls and adults into the Girl Scout family for the first time. Those newly invested receive their membership pin.

Court of Awards

A special ceremony recognizing girls’ accomplishments. Girls are presented with their badges, Journey patches, year pins and other recognitions earned during the year. Volunteers may also be recognized during the ceremony. The Court of Awards can be held anytime during the year, at any location and as often as needed.

Rededication Ceremonies

AN opportunity each year for girls and adults to renew their commitment to the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

Girl Scout Lingo

Buddy System

The Girl Scout buddy system calls for Girl Scouts to pair up with a friend or two for all activities. This helps ensure safety and accountability and teaches Girl Scouts to have responsibility for others.

Kaper Chart

These charts show assigned tasks that allow for all the girls to contribute to the life of the troop and to support their sister Girl Scouts. Jobs which could be part of a Kaper chart at a meeting include holding the flag, starting the Promise/ Law/Pledge of Allegiance, choosing a song, sweeping, wiping tables, starting the friendship squeeze, etc. Kaper charts at camp might include gathering firewood, setting the table, clean up, meal preparation, making table center pieces, etc.

Day Camp

For Girl Scouts in kindergarten and up with activities on three or more consecutive days for four hours or more. The occasional overnight camping may be offered.

Girl Guides

In the United States is known as Girl Scouts, but in many countries, members are known as Girl Guides. The worldwide movement originally, and largely still, is designed for girls and women only. The movement began in 1909.

Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE)

Fun, friendship and new adventures are what Girl Scouts is all about. Girls make new friends, challenge themselves, write their own stories and take action to change the world for the better. GSLE is Girl-Led, Learning by Doing and Cooperative Learning. The processes are DISCOVER, CONNECT and TAKE ACTION.

GORP

(Good Old Raisins and Peanuts) This is also known as trail mix and is essentially a combination of sweet and salty snacks, such as mini pretzels, honey nut cereal, mixed nuts, raisins and M&M’s.

Daisy Nickname for Juliette Gordon Low. The youngest Girl Scouts bear her nickname.

Juliette Girl Scout

An individually registered Girl Scout who does not participate in a troop format, but still has access to Girl Scout experiences and opportunities.

Lifetime Membership

Offered to anyone who accepts the principles and beliefs of the Girl Scout Movement, pays the one-time membership fee and is at least 18 years old.

Membership Year for Girl Scouting

October 1 to September 30.

Mission Statement of Girl Scouting

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.

Nose Bag Lunch

Nose bag is another word for feedbag, the bag tied under a horse’s mouth that allows them to eat. It is a nonperishable meal in a brown lunch bag and was first mentioned in the 1963 Girl Scout Brownie handbook.

Quiet Sign

The five fingers of the right hand are raised. When participants see the sign, they stop talking and make the sign as well until everyone is quiet and has a raised hand. The original fifth part of the Girl Scout Law was “A Girl Scout is courteous.” so that is why all five fingers on the hand are raised.

Overnight/Resident Camp

For Girl Scouts who have finished kindergarten. It is a Girl Scout camp for 3-14 days and nights. Campers plan activities with their counselors and staff using resources available at the campsite.

Service Project

Service projects are the root of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. They help girls begin to realize how they can help others, identify the pressing issues in their community and provide a platform for girls to learn project management. Service projects are more short term and immediate than Take Action Projects.

Sit Upons

A longtime Girl Scout tradition. It is something you sit upon to keep dry and warm. Sit upons are usually homemade and are a great craft for girls to make in preparation for a hike or camping trip. Common materials that are waterproof can be used.

S’mores

S’mores are usually made around a campfire. They are a toasted marshmallow, sandwiched between two graham crackers and a square of chocolate. It is a longtime Girl Scout favorite camping experience.

Take Action Project

Girl Scout Take Action projects address an issue by tackling the factors that cause or contribute to it. These projects have a farreaching influence. They’re designed to change something for the better.

WAGGGS

World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts was formed in 1928 and has member organizations in 145 countries.

Girl Scout World Centers

A trip to any of the World Centers is an unforgettable international Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting experience. The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) runs five World Centers in London, Mexico, Switzerland, India and a moving center across Africa.

Troop Banking Account

No matter how much your troop plans to save or spend, you’ll need a safe place to deposit your troop dues, product program proceeds and other funds. If you’ve stepped up to lead an existing troop, you may inherit a checking account, but with a new troop, you’ll want to open a new bank account. Consult your Engagement Manager to learn about current processes and procedures.

Never mix personal funds/banking with troop funds. Personal funds and troop funds are always kept separate.

Remember to include the girls in your financial decisions, but always keep girl progression in mind. A Daisy troop can make decisions about how to spend their money. (If you have enough money for either a Build-A-Bear party or attendance at a play, the girls can vote on which way to spend their money. High school girls who might have a goal in mind, such as a trip to Bermuda, would be able to track their earnings from product sales and then plan how to raise additional funds.) Some troops get a bank register book for each girl so that they can track income and expenses.

Here are a few helpful tips you can take to the bank:

• Designate a “troop treasurer,” that is, one person who is responsible for troop funds and for keeping a daily account of expenditures. This person must be a registered adult Girl Scout and complete a criminal background check.

• Ensure your account comes with a debit card that you can use during activities or trips. These transactions are easier to track at the end of the year.

• Be prepared and make sure another troop volunteer has a debit card for the troop account in case the main card is lost.

• Handle a lost troop debit card the same way you would a personal debit card: cancel it immediately.

• Keep troop funds in the bank before an activity or trip and pay for as many items as possible in advance of your departure.

• The troop account balance should be monitored monthly. It is best practice for one signer to make a majority of the purchases and the other signer to reconcile receipts with the monthly statement.

• Troop financial reports are due once a year. You will receive a link from your Engagement Manager in late spring that will allow you to fill out your troop financial report and year end troop report.

Songs and Games

Games and songs are an important part of the Girl Scout experience. They are a marvelous way for a troop to build group bonds and long-term friendships. They are also a handy tool for a leader to pull out when a meeting runs a bit short, and there are 10-15 minutes to fill!

Songs

Repeat after me: songs are especially easy for younger girls to sing. Daisies and Brownies particularly love silly songs with lots of motions. Songs written from well-known existing tunes, but with new lyrics are also very easy to learn. As Girl Scouts get older, they often develop an appreciation for some of the more serious and melodious Girl Scout songs while still enjoying the sillier songs from their younger years. There are several Girl Scout songbooks available, but you can also find many of the traditional songs on the Internet. You can search for Girl Scout songs in general or search by a specific title. In addition, songs are available on CDs or can be added to your playlists.

A Few Suggested Grade Level Favorites:

• Daisy: I’m a Daisy Girl Scout, Make New Friends, The Littlest Worm, Little Bunny Foo Foo

• Brownie: Brownie Smile Song, Found a Peanut, He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands (Girl Scout version)

• Junior: Girl Scouts Together, She Wears a G, Can a Woman, BINGO, Linger, Whene’er You Make a Promise, Taps

• Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors: Our Chalet Song, Everywhere We Go, Peace of the River, Barges, On My Honor, Taps

NOTE: Be aware of the religious practices of the girls in your troop. Graces are often sung before meals. You can search for them on the Internet, find them in Girl Scout song books or learn them at Girl Scout trainings.

Games

Games add much to the Girl Scout experience. Not only are they fun, but they often involve teamwork. Additionally, games can be used to teach information. Playing games together forges lifetime friendships and important memories. Many games require little or no equipment.

Tips for Playing Games

1. When leading younger Girl Scouts, avoid games where girls are eliminated. After being eliminated, girls often have nothing to do while waiting for the game to be finished. Older girls usually can remain engaged as they watch the game progress.

2. Relay races are especially good for reinforcing skills.

• Girl Scout Law Relay: For each team, scramble the parts of the Law and place them face down at a designated spot across the room. As each girl runs up, she turns over a portion of the Law and places it in order. If anything is out of order, she can correct that as well. She then runs back and taps the hand of her next teammate. The first team to have the Law in order wins.

• Cookie Relay: Each team will need pictures of the current year’s selection of cookies displayed at a designated spot across the room. Give each girl a description of one type of cookie. When she runs to the pictures, she places her description next to the appropriate cookie and then runs back and taps the hand of her next teammate. The first team to have all of the cookies matched to their descriptions wins.

3. Keep a package of balloons in troop supplies. Adults blow them up. The object of the game is to see how long the balloons can be kept in the air and not touch the floor.

4. Choose quiet games when it is time for the troop to settle down. Bingo and word games are good choices. Choose games like tag, Upset the Fruit Basket or Red Rover when the troop needs to expend some energy.

What’s Next?

Grade Level Tidbits and Tips is a basic document designed to introduce you to grade-level progression. It is not intended to be a be all and end all. As you grow in experience with your troop, you will have valuable ideas of your own. Use them. Experiment. You will find many learning opportunities will come your way. Explore the Content Library in gsLearn. Take advantage of learning opportunities at service unit meetings. Ask questions of experienced leaders. Attend some Adult Learning Weekend Events. Most importantly, check in with your girls often to find out where their passions are leading the troop.

Find troop start up and troop management forms at www.girlscoutsp2p.org/en/members/for-volunteers/forms-and-documents.html.

Find programing resources at www.girlscoutsp2p.org/en/members/for-volunteers/volunteer-training-and-program-resources.html.