Service Unit: Hayden’s Ferry

Troop 3725 (Cadettes)

Years as a troop leader: 7

What kind of service projects have you done with your troop?

Together we have done food and clothing drives, birthday bags for children in foster care, contributed to the school garden, built a little library, provided Thanksgiving meals for families in need and planted trees to help increase our city’s shade canopy. Next year, we will start our Silver Award projects and I look forward to seeing these young leaders make even more of an impact in their community!

Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.

We have broken our troop up into patrols and each patrol has meetings where they plan a badge activity or anything they want to accomplish for two meetings. We sit down and they choose all the activities, and plan who does what and what supplies are needed. I am always blown away by what they come up with! They are full of creative ideas and they are so capable – it makes my heart happy that we can provide this opportunity for them to shine!

What do you wish someone had told you as a new troop leader?

Being a Girl Scout leader is fun, exciting and sometimes it can be hard, but it is the most worthwhile activity I am honored to do. I always remind myself that it’s for the girls because we are modeling and teaching them how to be good citizens and leaders. I also wish someone had told me that I didn’t need to have all the leadership skills when I first started. I was that shy quiet person that would never raise their hand to volunteer but that has changed! I am learning alongside the girls about how to be a leader.

Does your troop sell cookies? If yes, please tell us in your own words, why it is important to participate in the Cookie Program?

Yes, we sell cookies! Selling cookies makes it possible to do all of the amazing things I have mentioned for the girls and our community and teaches girls valuable skills that they will use for the rest of their life. From the people skills they can use while interviewing for a job to money management skills they can use to budget. The girls also learn to not be afraid of being told ‘no’ because they will eventually get a ‘yes’ if they keep asking!

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a troop leader?

To me, it’s inspiring to watch my troop become the older girls. Seeing them lead activities and seeing the Daisies and Brownies look up to them is an amazing experience.