Note to Volunteers: 

The excitement of running troop meetings can sometimes be overwhelming. For that reason, informal scripting is included to help. The suggested scripting is incorporated as "Ask" and "Share" prompts in the Volunteer's Guide to the Badge as well as within the Meeting Plan in the Volunteer Toolkit. However, you're the expert. If you feel you don't need the script, do what makes sense for you and your troop. Your Girl Scouts may ask you things that you don't know the answers to-that's okay! Write down their questions and do your best to answer them at your next meeting. It's also possible that no one knows the answers yet-maybe your Girl Scouts will grow up to discover and solve them!

Meeting Plan Overview: 

• Arrival and Opening Ceremony:
  • Arrival: Establish a routine for the troop so that Girl Scouts know what to do when they arrive. Depending on the group, this may include unpacking and organizing activity materials, setting up the snack area for later, or gathering around an activity area so that Girl Scouts have something to do while waiting for the meeting to start. If a badge does not have an arrival activity planned, consider having an activity available as an option before the meeting begins. One meeting you can have coloring as an option, the next you can provide a puzzle or game, etc. If these materials are always packed in the same bag or placed in the same location, your troop will learn to start there as they arrive.
  • Warmups and Wellness: A warmup or wellness check is especially effective at the start of an in-person meeting to break the ice or add closure at the end of a virtual meeting. Asking Girl Scouts to share out a happy thought, something they are looking forward to, or a recent accomplishment can help start or end your meeting on a positive note. Giving middle and high school Girl Scouts the chance to share both wins and worries may help them find needed relief as well as support their positive wellbeing.
  • Girl Scout Promise and Law: Try to always have a copy on hand at each meeting to help your Girl Scouts recite it together. Many Girl Scouts memorize the Promise and Law after a few meetings but have a copy on hand in case a new member joins!
• Choosing Step Activities: In order to earn their badge, Girl Scouts must complete one activity for each step. The activities in the badge booklet are suggestions for how you can achieve each step, but you can adapt an activity or change it completely based on the interests and personality of the group.
  • For Meeting 1, volunteers often select the first activities for the group. Choose what will work best for you to introduce the badge to the troop!
  • At the end of Meeting 1, the troop is encouraged and empowered to make their own activity choices for the next meeting(s)
  • Before Meeting 2, gather and prepare materials based on the troop's choices.
• Closing Ceremony: Establish a closing routine that works for your troop. It can involve cleaning up while singing or playing a song, surveying their experiences from the meeting activities, and doing a wellness check.
  • Meeting 1 closing ceremony includes activity selection for the next meeting.
  • Meeting 2 closing ceremony includes career connections once a badge is earned.
• Follow-up with Families: Utilize the editable email templates under Manage Communication in the Volunteer Toolkit to connect with families and share the excitement of your troop meetings!
  • The Follow-Up Email template can be edited to easily share highlights, photos, and achievements about a recent meeting.
  • The Reminder Email template can be used to send out upcoming meeting information including requested items or assistance in running an activity.

General Help and Support:

It can be overwhelming to run a Girl Scout troop with only two or three volunteers-get help from your network of friends and family. Reach out to see if anyone can lead or support an activity or meeting. Consider your troop families an extension of your personal network!

Meeting Length:

Meeting lengths can vary depending on the Girl Scout level and activities. The times provided for each activity may also vary. You can use the recommended times in the Meeting Planner and adjust them as you see fit for your group. If the troop is really enjoying a particular activity and wants to continue past the suggested time, as much as possible, let them! That's part of keeping Girl Scouting girl-led!

• Daisy meetings can range from 45-75 minutes. Activities can range from 10-15 minutes for the opening or closing ceremony activities and 20-30 minutes for individual badge activities.
• Brownie meetings (and up) can range from 90-120 minutes. Activities can range from 10-20 minutes for opening and closing ceremony activities and 20-40 minutes or more for individual badge activities.

Find More Information:

• Tips for Working with Girls at Different Levels
• Benefits of a Multi-Level Troop
• Digital Icebreakers and Games
• Easy Badge and Journey Adaptations