Service Unit: Pima
Troop 2649
Years as a troop leader: 12
Graduated May 2024
What inspired you to become a troop leader?
When my daughter was in first grade, she moved to a new school, and the existing Daisy troop didn’t have room for her to join so I was told that I would have to start a new troop. My daughter loved her Kindergarten Daisy experience, so I didn’t give it a second thought to continue in Girl Scouts. I was very lucky that my mom was also a Girl Scout leader, so I already had the best example!
What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?
Our troop started off focused on fun and friendship. Even though most of the girls didn’t consider themselves to be outdoorsy, during their Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador years they came to really love weekend getaways at neighborhood encampments. If you ask any of them today, they will probably mention the field trip to a Cat Cafe as one of their favorite field trips.
Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.
Watching the girls develop their confidence over the years was amazing: their tentative, shy voices at their first cookie booths evolving to their ability to run the booths as their own business while I sat in the back. The amazing growth they demonstrated between the first few years that they participated in our Neighborhood Day Camp as Program Aids to running the room by themselves as Camp Counselors. The Girl Scout experience is unparalleled for those shyer girls, giving them the opportunity and space to share their voices.
What do you wish someone had told you as a new troop leader?
Take advantage of Neighborhood Service Unit activities, and don’t let your own lack of comfort get in the way of starting the Outdoor Progression. It became my troop’s favorite tradition, and I wish I started it sooner.
Does your troop sell cookies? If yes, please tell us in your own words, why it is important to participate in the Cookie Program?
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is an excellent goal-oriented method to fund Girl Scout adventures. My favorite part of the cookie program is the confidence it builds in our girls as they learn more about the real world. I remind all my families that the cookie program funds our beautiful camps – we are so lucky to provide outdoor experiences in these amazing places.
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