Girl Scout Daisies

I've been a GS mom for 10 years. My colleague is a GS trainer on the daisy level. One of the first steps in being a leader is being trained by someone in your council. They will let you know all the of ins and outs of setting up a troop, forms that need to be completed, safety regulations, etc.

As far as running the individual troop, a lot is your personal decission. You'll definitely need as assistance or co-leader and depending on the size of the troop, you my require additional adult assistance. You can decide when to meet and for how long. Depending on the time you meet, there's usually some type of snack that is provided which can be provided by a different member each meeting, or purchased from the troop funds. My girls were not in daisies, but started in Kindergarden at a Brownie level (it's changed). My girls have been in troops where the leaders wanted heavy parent support and in other troops where the parents basically just dropped off and picked up. You can decide what works best for your troop dynamics.

One of the first things the leader did was teach them about GS and GS rules. She built a good solid foundation. They learned the GS rules and history. They learned that GS was fun, but it was also work, and that the work could be fun. Teach them the GS promise, there's a coloring book to help. Sing GS songs.

What's interesting is at at brownie level, there were a few 100 girls in our city. At the senior level, there are 14, 7 of them had the same Brownie leader.

A few other bits of advice...
don't be afraid to ask for help
attending your regional meetings for support and advice
there are older girls who need to earn leadership hours or work with other girls for their badge work

Congratulations on becoming a leader! Good luck to you.

As a GS leader at any stage you have to be certified in SafetyWise. I believe there are certifications or "classes" you have to take, years ago we just did SafetyWise.
Contact your service unit, you can do this by contacting another leader and letting them know you need help.
Cookies are out now, or very soon, so that is a great way to get to know some of the older girls' moms. Find a cookie booth and get the mom's phone number.
You have to maintain your girl to adult ratio, especially in Daisies, 5 girls to one adult, I think it is or it was. Daisy's are k-1. I would keep my troop at one level, first years or second years. It will be much easier as you move down the road to Brownies and Juniors. THat way all your girls are doing the same thing.

HAve a parent meeting. Parents must help with Daisy's. NO ifandsorbuts, as we say in our house.

For little ones it is easier to do it immediately after school. Have the helper mom of the week bring snack. See if school will give you a room, or a church. If you do it at your home, moms will stay and then dinner will always be late or bedtime compromised.

Go 1.5 hours.
Set up a schedule that you follow every week. We did every other week.
In the beginning have a coloring page that relates to the petal you are working on, then when all the girls get there say the pledge and the GS promise.
Always do the GS Promise.

See if you can get a junior girl to be a helper. Then she can earn her Junior Aide badge or pin. THis is a great way to get help, have another GS in the room who knows the ropes, and little ones so admire 4th and 5th grade girls.

I had the Daisy book and we worked on our petals, it took one year. At the time Daisies were just K.
Learn the Make new Friends song. Have a Friendship circle after every meeting.
Start learning some Brownie songs.

Daisy's are so much fun. Have a great year.

This is my first year as a daisy leader. If you want to email me, I will send you what I know(not much LOL). Its not easy but very rewarding! We have had a blast so far! PM for my email:)

I was a co-leader for my daughter's daisy troop a few years ago. You will need to do the training as mentioned & it is also great to have some co leaders and parent volunteers. The Journey books also provide a good foundation for teaching/learning. Think about why you want to do this & what you want the girls to learn. At the kindergarten & first grade levels, kids to well with routines, create a meeting routine that includes an activity as the girls arrive, circle/horseshoe with pledge of allegiance, girl scout promise, and then what you are going to "teach".

Remember that the girls are in school all day having to "sit" & "pay attention" so you may want to include activities to help the girls get to know each other better and to burn off energy. Use the web as your friend including things like activities & coloring pages for daisy's & songs (there is a great song to help the girls learn the GS law).

Have fun & good luck!

Good luck & have fun.

How do you go about starting? Can you message me if you get a chance please. Sounds interesting and I have plenty of time!