Boring Brownie Troop

[momontherun]

My 7 year old is in her 2nd year of Brownies. Her leader and co-leader both work and therefore can only have meetings during the week at night. She has yet to do any kind of an outing/activity with the girls either after school at night or on weekends. So far, we have only had meetings which consist of 1/2 hour of eating snack and 1/2 hour of activity. The meetings are 2 times per month. If there is a holiday in the month, sometimes we only meet once. There are only 6 girls in the troop. When another parent or myself said we would voulenteer to chaparone after school or weekend activities, she suggested we become her co-leaders which according to her involves a plethora of training courses. I realize being a leader is a huge commitment and undertaking. While I appreciate the time she does put into it, it seems like they could be doing more as a troop. It's not the Brownies I remember from my childhood. My daughter doesn't seem overly excited about attending meetings currently but I think if there was more going on, she might really love it. I'm not sure if I should pull my daughter out and look for another troop or is this typical of other troops?

[CookieMonsterMommy]

Wow, sorry to hear that.

My father was a GS leader, and we/they did all types of things....

What if you offered to help out, host a day or two? maybe say something like "You know, I really think the girls would be willing to help with ____________" (fill in name of cause, be it katrina, childhood cancer, AIDS, a retirement home, homelessness, etc) "What do you think about holding a craft sale and donating the proceeds?" or something like that? Bring up the points that not only the could the girls help in the planning (what you'd make/sell, how much you'd charge, which charity, etc), they could make the crafts and help run the booth. Again, offer to help with this. Other fun, helpful activities are things like self respect--teach the girls that it's okay to stand up for youself, not talk about others behind their backs, etc.... Bake cookies and bring them to the nearest veterans home....go carolling at a retirement community....make "Get Well" cards for the patients on a pediatric ward of a local hospital. Stuff like that.

Shoot--even if all they wanna do is snacks and activities, why not make the snacks a project as well (bake cookies, assemble gingerbread men, silly faces with different shaped fruits and veggies, etc)...

If they don't seem receptive, then I'd considder switching her troop. Even better, could you train and become a leader for next year?


Best Wishes,
Kelly

PS-Say to her "I'd love to become a coleader, but right now that's not possible due to this-that-and-the-other-thing (including that they usually only offer this a few times a year), but you'd love to help out in any way you can. Remind her that you do *not* need to be trained to chaperone and help plan/attend meetings, as parents are generally encouraged to participate. Though it might now hurt to mention any "qualifications" you may have...CPR certified (which I recommend to any parent!), took a class in child psych, worked at a school/day care, etc.

[lilyka]

our troop doesn't do any outings becuase it is just too complicated. However your dd can participate in council events by herself or with the troop. Check with your counsil. Ours has a whole book of activites every year. and tehy are packed. Our regon also had activities that we can participate in as a group or as individuals. registration for these is easier as there are nto as many girls participating.

if you want to become a co-leader all you have to do is register ($10 and a registration form) my co-leader has never taken a class. my training is sufficient althoguh we would both like to be first aid certified and she wouldlike to take the classes for her benifit ($5 each and 6 hours for two classes on 1 saturday. and ty gave us girl scout cookies and girl scout nuts and chocolate. and i had my baby with me.)

planning a trip though is a pain in the butt. we have to have it approved, and if we meet the qualifications (we rarely do but we are a homeschool group so if we can't meet the GS restrictions then we do it as a homeschool activity :p ) do permission slips, contact parents, etc

we also only meet once a month for 2 hours. we usualy earn a whole badge doing 3-4 activities plus a snack and then about an extra half hour of play time.

the leaders are supposed to be consulting the girls about what they want to be doing. are they doing that? if you are not happy with your troop and they aren't keen o n your help or suggestions I woudl recommend finding another troop. Our counsil staff is great and despite haveing a couple hundred troops they would be able to tell you which one woudl be most suited towards your dds age and intrest and maybe even fnid one close to you. Troops vary greatly and all depend on leader, girls and parents. there is no typical troop.

[lilyka]

I wanted to add you don't need to be a co-leader to help out but you probably do need to be registered (again only $10) for insurance purposes. but this is not an "on approval" thing. It is a sign the form, sign the check kind of thing.

[johub]

There are several levels of involvement in girl scouts.
YOu can be a parent volunteer, a co-leader or a full fledged leader.
I was a co-leader for several years without actually completing any of the leaders training.
Most of the rules regarding the training is that for a particular activity at least one chaperoning adult has to have had that training. (for campouts for example)
The trainings are actually quite fun and low key. I had only been to a few trainings in my last year! (before dd was ready to quit)
Being involved in my dd's very active girl scout troop was extremely rewarding for me and I cannot wait to be a leader when my 23 month old is ready to be a Daisy.
The neighborhood might also plan events that your daughters can go to without their leaders having to do any planning.
Girl Scounts is an amazing organization. If your dd isnt getting as much out of it as she would like I would suggest settign up a new troop.
joline

[Linda on the move]

When another parent or myself said we would voulenteer to chaparone after school or weekend activities, she suggested we become her co-leaders which according to her involves a plethora of training courses.

What classes did she say you needed to take?

In order to take the girls on a field trip of any kind, one of the adults must be a first aider. Being a nurse, EMT, etc counts. If no one is, you can take first aid and CPR through Red Cross. I did think last year for girl scouts and it was a good experience. You don't have to take any other courses and if either you or the mom already count as a first aider, you don't even have to take that class.

I've planned several outings and didn't find it too hassly -- may be this varies with the counsel. We've never had to get anything aproved.

If you want to take the girls hiking or camping, you have to take the outdoor class. I'm planning on taking it this year.

Check with your counsel and get a program guide for all the stuff going on. It sounds like the leader is a busy person and could use some help.

[EnviroBecca]

ITA that you should offer to do a one-time special activity with the troop. Offer to share your special expertise (e.g. "I'm a quilter. If the girls want to do the Stitch It Together Try-It, I could do the quilting activity with them.") or plan a service project. Spin it as a way of giving the leaders a break from planning because you appreciate them so much and are not able to be a co-leader at this time.

you probably do need to be registered (again only $10) for insurance purposes. but this is not an "on approval" thing. It is a sign the form, sign the check kind of thing.Like the rules for field trips, this depends on the policies of your local council. Here, you have to be approved, which involves submitting references. But that's to be an official volunteer. To be just a parent who's helping for an occasional meeting, while the leader is present, you don't have to register.

But consider becoming a co-leader! It is so much fun! :bgbounce If you have several leaders (we currently have 4 for our troop, but we have a lot more girls; I think it'll be 16 this year) then you can take turns planning meetings, and when it isn't your turn to plan all you have to do is show up and help where needed.

[lilyka]

Oh thast is right. I did need to get references but I was leader for two years before they finally got turned in. It isn't a big deal here.