What's Stopping You from Being A Troop Leader?
1. I am only free on weekends– Though the majority of troops meet on weekday evenings, there are many troops who have chosen to meet on weekends. Only have Saturday afternoons available? No problem. As a Leader, you set the troop meeting time to fit within your schedule.
2. I work full time – Over half of the Leaders we polled have full time jobs. Only have time available once or twice a month? No problem. A troop does not have to meet every week to be successful.
3. I am Male – Though traditionally Girl Scout Leaders have been female, there are a growing number of men who have chosen to work with Girl Scouts. If you want to have a positive impact in the lives of young women, we have a place for you.
4. I wasn’t a Girl Scout; I wouldn’t know how – Though many of our Leaders enjoyed Girl Scouts as children, it is not a requirement for leading a troop. Girl Scout Councils offer free training on troop management, working with the age level of girls you choose, and many others to help you become a successful Leader.
5. I don’t know any songs or games – Over half of the Leaders we polled said they didn’t know any games or songs when they became leaders. There are numerous resources available to teach you and your troop. GSUSA offers several song books for troop use. There are various games and songs included in the handbooks and badge books for each level. Many Girl Scout Councils make song and game trainings available for new leaders to meet, play, and learn. Most public libraries also have song and game books available with material for all ages.
6. I don’t know how to do crafts – Though many people think of Girl Scouts as Crafts, Camping, and Cookies, there is much more to the Girl Scout program. Girl Scouts teaches Math, Science, Writing/Public Speaking, and many more life skills. Crafts are a fun, but small part of the whole Girl Scout experience.
7. I do not have any teaching experience – One third of the Leaders who responded to our poll didn’t have prior teaching experience when they became Leaders. If you are willing to learn with your troop, you can be a successful Leader.
8. I do not like camping/nature – Camping is not a required Girl Scout activity. Troops choose whether or not to participate in the camping opportunities that Girl Scouts offer. Some troops love camping, others prefer not to. Camping is not necessary to have a successful troop.
9. I have other children to take care of – Over 80% of the Leaders who responded to our poll have other children at home. Girl Scout activities can be family friendly and flexible enough to include your younger children.
10. I don’t have any children in Girl Scouts – Having a child in the Girl Scouts is not a requirement of Leading. If you like to work with children, you can be a Girl Scout Leader.
11. I do Boy Scouts instead – Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts share many of the same principles and goals. In fact, the founder of Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low, considered Lord and Lady Baden Powell great friends. Without their influence and help, there would be no Girl Scouts of the USA today.
12. I am too old/I am too young – Girl Scout Leaders are all ages. If you are over 18, and have the desire to learn and share your experiences, you can be a Leader.
13. I am a single parent – You do not have to be married to be a Girl Scout Leader. If you have a desire to work with girls, and some time to share, you can be a Leader.
14. I am disabled – Girl Scouts is for EVERY girl, including those with disabilities. What better role model for them than a leader who shows everyday how to overcome obstacles?
15. I don't want to do it alone - You don't have to. Troops can have multiple co-leaders who spread the responsibilities out among themselves.
1. I am only free on weekends– Though the majority of troops meet on weekday evenings, there are many troops who have chosen to meet on weekends. Only have Saturday afternoons available? No problem. As a Leader, you set the troop meeting time to fit within your schedule.
2. I work full time – Over half of the Leaders we polled have full time jobs. Only have time available once or twice a month? No problem. A troop does not have to meet every week to be successful.
3. I am Male – Though traditionally Girl Scout Leaders have been female, there are a growing number of men who have chosen to work with Girl Scouts. If you want to have a positive impact in the lives of young women, we have a place for you.
4. I wasn’t a Girl Scout; I wouldn’t know how – Though many of our Leaders enjoyed Girl Scouts as children, it is not a requirement for leading a troop. Girl Scout Councils offer free training on troop management, working with the age level of girls you choose, and many others to help you become a successful Leader.
5. I don’t know any songs or games – Over half of the Leaders we polled said they didn’t know any games or songs when they became leaders. There are numerous resources available to teach you and your troop. GSUSA offers several song books for troop use. There are various games and songs included in the handbooks and badge books for each level. Many Girl Scout Councils make song and game trainings available for new leaders to meet, play, and learn. Most public libraries also have song and game books available with material for all ages.
6. I don’t know how to do crafts – Though many people think of Girl Scouts as Crafts, Camping, and Cookies, there is much more to the Girl Scout program. Girl Scouts teaches Math, Science, Writing/Public Speaking, and many more life skills. Crafts are a fun, but small part of the whole Girl Scout experience.
7. I do not have any teaching experience – One third of the Leaders who responded to our poll didn’t have prior teaching experience when they became Leaders. If you are willing to learn with your troop, you can be a successful Leader.
8. I do not like camping/nature – Camping is not a required Girl Scout activity. Troops choose whether or not to participate in the camping opportunities that Girl Scouts offer. Some troops love camping, others prefer not to. Camping is not necessary to have a successful troop.
9. I have other children to take care of – Over 80% of the Leaders who responded to our poll have other children at home. Girl Scout activities can be family friendly and flexible enough to include your younger children.
10. I don’t have any children in Girl Scouts – Having a child in the Girl Scouts is not a requirement of Leading. If you like to work with children, you can be a Girl Scout Leader.
11. I do Boy Scouts instead – Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts share many of the same principles and goals. In fact, the founder of Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low, considered Lord and Lady Baden Powell great friends. Without their influence and help, there would be no Girl Scouts of the USA today.
12. I am too old/I am too young – Girl Scout Leaders are all ages. If you are over 18, and have the desire to learn and share your experiences, you can be a Leader.
13. I am a single parent – You do not have to be married to be a Girl Scout Leader. If you have a desire to work with girls, and some time to share, you can be a Leader.
14. I am disabled – Girl Scouts is for EVERY girl, including those with disabilities. What better role model for them than a leader who shows everyday how to overcome obstacles?
15. I don't want to do it alone - You don't have to. Troops can have multiple co-leaders who spread the responsibilities out among themselves.