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Service Unit: Sunny Peaks
Troop 529 (Seniors – Ambassadors)
Years as a troop leader: 9
What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?
Our troop loves to socialize so we either have our regular meetings or meet at a local pizza shop. Some of our favorite activities include crafting and camping! Together, we’ve gone kayaking on the Verde River, and also enjoy going trick-or-treating in Uptown Sedona on Halloween.
Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.
It’s hard to choose just one, but recently, while we were on a camping trip I watched the girls work together to set up their bunks, gather wood for the fire, and help with cooking and cleaning duties. It was satisfying and inspiring!
What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts?
I want others to know that volunteering as a Girl Scout leader is a real gift. The girls are inspirational and I’ve learned a lot from them about myself and about my relationship with my daughter. It’s a wonderful feeling to watch a group of girls evolve into wonderful young women. It’s truly special knowing that other volunteers and I played a small part in their growth.
What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a troop leader?
There have been so many inspiring moments – small and large. What I find most inspiring is watching the girls go from little kids to pre-teens to young adults, knowing they have learned a lot of valuable things in Girl Scouts and seeing them put those things into action. Their kindness to one another, the way they maintain respect despite their differences and then celebrate their achievements together is always inspiring and empowering.
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Cactus Bloom Service Unit
Troop 2425 (multi-level)
Years as a troop leader: 6
What inspired you to become a troop leader?
I remember seeing how much fun my now co-leader and best friend were having in the organization, but also how much my daughter loved being a Girl Scout. Those moments inspired me to become a troop leader. I love being able to share new ideas with the girls and watch them grow and accomplish their goals.
What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?
Our troop likes to experience new things and learn from other community members. One of the many activities we planned , was a field trip to the FBI where the girls had an opportunity to talk to an agent that works in their armory. We also attended Circus School where the girls tried trapeze, tightrope and more. As a troop, we enjoy neighborhood encampments and any activities that involve art or give us the chance to be creative. This summer, we’re preparing to travel to Camp Surf in San Diego!
What kind of service projects have you done with your troop?
Our troop loves giving back to the community, and we try to organize different service projects, some of which include:
• Making dog toys and reading to animals at the Maricopa Animal Safe Haven (MASH) unit
• Preparing care packages for cancer patients
• Sending thank you cards to military personnel overseas
• Collecting donations for Ronald McDonald House
• Creating collection boxes for the City of Peoria to support National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.
This is a tough one because there are many! What stands out to me is watching the girls try something new and problem-solve. Being able to see the girls grow and make big changes in the world has been an amazing privilege.
What advice would you give other troop leaders?
Meetings don’t have to be perfect. Being flexible and finding the best time to have a productive and fun meeting is important. As a troop leader, if you’re ever in need of ideas or you’re unsure about an activity, don’t be afraid to ask for help!
What do you wish someone had told you as a new troop leader?
As a new leader, I wish I had a better understanding of all the training and support that’s available. I really encourage new leaders to get to know their Service Unit Team because they have a wealth of knowledge and resources to assist your troop and take on new challenges.
What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts?
Volunteering is a fun and rewarding experience! There are so many ways to support girls regardless of the grade level you serve. You can help with recruitment, our cookie season, and Girl Scout events and activities.
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, and even though cookie season does provide troop funds, the amount of confidence and skills learned during cookie season is invaluable. There’s no better feeling than seeing our cookie bosses setting and accomplishing goals every year. I love seeing the creativity shine through as the girls prepare to market and sell cookies.
What are your troop’s cookie selling tips and tricks?
We believe keeping our booths simple is key to attracting customers. Simple, tasteful displays seem to work best for sales, especially if you have a few ideas/suggestions for each flavor. For example, “s’mores are amazing if you pop them in the microwave for a few seconds” or “lemon-ups are delicious with hot tea or adding a little vanilla ice cream”, etc. Lastly, make sure your girls know each of the cookies to be able to describe their flavor profile or answer questions about them.
What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a troop leader?
I was inspired when I saw our older girls earn their Bronze Award and go on to work on their Silver Award. Our girls have such kind hearts and amazing ideas and seeing how they engage with their communities and implement projects to solve a local or global issue is truly amazing.
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By M. Kate Allen
As I move through different social settings, I have noticed a few constants around listening. Often people struggle to project their voices loud enough to be heard, while others don’t hear what others have to say for a variety of reasons. At Girl Scouts – Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, we believe in nurturing a culture of listening. We call this: witnessing in circle.
Witnessing in circle is an experience where people come together to simply be heard. The point is to be present in the moment and “witness” the person who is speaking step into their power with what they share. Some troops practice this by using a talking stick that gives everyone a chance to speak without interruption, crosstalk, fixing, or contradiction from others.
When I first practiced “witnessing in circle”, my go-getter spirit found it a little unnerving. I thought, “Am I supposed to do something with what I just heard?”, “Am I supposed to offer comfort, remedy, or insight to this person?” The answer to my questions was “no.” I was to remain silent unless someone asked for a response. While there are circumstances in which hearing what another person has to say, does require further action there are instances where a solution or an opinion is not required. If someone shares they’ve been struggling to establish a good habit, and I offer unsolicited advice, I am placing myself in their experience instead of witnessing it.
The choice to witness (be fully present) while someone is being vulnerable in their thoughts and words is a profound way of honoring their humanity. It’s like saying, “what you have to say is valuable without limit.” Instead of approaching conversations with an intention to change their mind, or prioritize our voice over theirs, it’s important to take a step back and create space for others to share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences. It’s a powerful tool that I hope more Girl Scouts and volunteers can embrace.
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By Janey Kurtz
A multi-level troop is a diverse group of Girl Scouts ranging in ages and grade levels, like a troop of Brownies and Juniors. In these troops, girls learn how to collaborate and build meaningful friendships with one another while modeling the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Multi-level troops may also encourage older girls to mentor the younger ones, which could earn them badges and Journey elements that represent their ability to guide younger Girl Scouts. Even though leading a diverse group of girls can be challenging, creating an inclusive learning environment for all is rewarding.
Here’s how you can prepare for your multi-level troop:
- Review our Girl Scout guidelines for leadership and programs to make sure you are using the adult-to-girl ratio chart to supervise the girls in your troop.
- Organize girl-led activities that include all grade levels in your troop. Please note that some activities for older girls might not be possible for younger girls to participate in, so activities might need to be adapted or facilitated separately.
Tip: Allow the older girls to teach or assist the younger ones. If the activity is a craft, consider pairing an older girl with a younger one and have them work together. If safety is a concern or there is no way to adapt the activity in an appropriate manner, ask the volunteers to separate the troop into smaller groups for that portion of the meeting.
- Use GSUSA’s Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) as an online resource to plan activities, and learn all about badges, awards, Journeys, patch programs, and service projects.
Tip: Ask troop volunteers to become program experts for a specific grade level to make sure everyone is following their corresponding program. Having two volunteers for each grade level can be of great help!
- Host separate meetings with volunteers to discuss the troop’s goals. Volunteers can use this as an opportunity to plan activities for their grade level and complete trainings to ensure the safety and well-being of the girls.
- Incorporate activities that bring everyone together, such as opening and closing ceremonies, songs, games, and age-appropriate field trips.
Being part of a multi-level troop is an exciting and challenging experience for the volunteers and the girls. Since the National Program Portfolio changes for every group, keeping track of the materials and activities for each grade level can be difficult. Sometimes, meeting spaces might not accommodate everyone in the troop, or there might not be enough volunteers to assist with activities; however, the keys to leading a multi-level troop lies in building community and adapting to changes. As you prepare to lead your troop, remind the girls that although they may be in different grade levels, they are all part of the unique sisterhood of Girl Scouts.
For more helpful hints and information, please read these two articles from GSUSA:
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(PHOENIX – August 16, 2022) – Girl Scouts—Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) is pleased to announce it will offer the new Raspberry Rally cookie, a thin, crispy cookie infused with raspberry flavor and dipped in a delicious chocolaty coating, during its 2023 Cookie Season, which will take place Jan. 16-Feb. 26, 2023. Raspberry Rally will not take the place of any other Girl Scout Cookie favorites across Central and Northern Arizona. It will serve as an enhancement to the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world. This new, limited-edition cookie will be the first in the Girl Scout Cookie lineup to be exclusively offered for online direct shipment only, enhancing girls’ e-commerce sales and entrepreneurial skills.
“The Girl Scout Cookie Program is all about teaching entrepreneurship. When searching for new opportunities for girls, Girl Scouts of the United States considered simplicity, new skills, and building overall excitement for everyone. Having an online-exclusive cookie enables Girl Scouts to learn entrepreneurship through their own online businesses by building relevant omni-channel selling skills, pitching to customers online, and providing convenience to purchasers,” says Christina Spicer, co-CEO of GSACPC.
Through the Digital Cookie platform, which GSACPC has utilized since 2016 in addition to traditional booths, girls build a custom website so they can invite friends and family to purchase cookies, with the option of having cookies delivered in-person or shipped directly to their home. Girls can also use the Digital Cookie Mobile App to accept credit card payments on the go from customers. Digital Cookie also introduces lessons about online marketing, application use, and eCommerce to Girl Scouts, through building their own cookie website and managing their virtual sales.
All proceeds raised from both in-person and online cookie orders will directly benefit GSACPC and its troops.
“The Girl Scout Cookie is successful because through it Girl Scouts learn leadership, problem-solving, and community building, resulting in an invaluable experience that cultivates an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit,” says Mary Mitchell, co-CEO of GSACPC. “Through Digital Cookie, we are helping girls’ develop their entrepreneurial skills in a way that makes sense in today’s world. It is a valuable addition to the skillset they are learning through in-person sales and boothing.”
The Girl Scout Cookie Program encourages girls to be risk takers, to think outside of the box, and to be confident in their own abilities. Whether they’re working toward earning their Cookie Goal Setter badge as a Daisy or their My Cookie Business Resume badge as an Ambassador, Girl Scouts are learning qualities crucial for all forms of leadership and life-skills. The program embraces the understanding of the world of business, money management, and entrepreneurship. Cookie Business badges range anywhere from goal setting to learning effective in-person and online sales pitches, using market research, creating business plans, and implementing digital marketing campaigns.
Girl Scouts—Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC)
In partnership with 6,500 adult volunteers, GSACPC serves over 11,000 girls grades K-12 in more than 90 communities across central and northern Arizona. Since 1936, GSACPC has helped girls develop leadership skills and tools for success in a rapidly changing environment. We know that given the opportunity, every girl can become a leader, act confidently on her values, and connect with her community. For more information, visit http://www.girlscoutsaz.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.
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By Megan Burke, Troop 1204
Megan is a Girl Scout Senior from Troop 1204. She is a 2022 Gold Awardee whose project with Hushabye Nursery focused on the impact of the opioid crisis. Megan hopes that her experience can inspire others to create change. Hear Megan in her own words.
A few years ago, I lost my cousin to addiction. His death left a gaping hole in my family, and it shaped the way I viewed drugs. Back then, I did not know about the opioid crisis, its complex addiction process, universalism, and possible solutions. Through that experience, I became passionate about starting the conversation on this complicated issue. Although the opioid crisis is apparent in most neighborhoods and communities, speaking about it is highly stigmatized. The opioid crisis is a rising issue that needs to be talked about. In 2020, there were nearly 69,000 opioid-related deaths. My goal in this blog is to explain the opioid crisis so you can spread this knowledge to your own community. Then, together, we can truly combat this national epidemic.
The addiction process of drug abuse is like a whirlpool. If trapped in a whirlpool, a swimmer can withstand the pressure and resistance of the water in the beginning. However, as one continues to swirl deeper, the speed increases, the resistance strengthens, and the swimmer begins to fall in; becoming nearly impossible to escape. The swimmer’s lack of physical control is analogous to drug misusers’ lack of mental control. Often, when people become addicted, they are “written off” as lacking the moral principles or the willpower to stop taking drugs. However, drug addiction is a complex disease that corrupts the brain, making it unimaginably hard to get clean and escape the whirlpool.
Drug abuse is universal. No matter one’s race or identity, drug abuse can corrupt their mind and spread in their neighborhood. Addiction also impacts everyone in the community, not just the abuser. Families can be torn apart by drug abuse; the smallest victims in this situation are babies. Babies who are exposed to opioids in the womb are born into non-encouraging environments and forced to detox in loud and cold NICUs. In Arizona, two babies are born every day withdrawing from opioid dependency. From my research, I found that the root cause of many broken families is not having the environment to succeed. To help break this cycle, I believe mothers should be given the chance to deal with their addiction and try to parent their newborns.
Through my Gold Award project, I was able to help combat Arizona’s own drug crisis. I worked alongside Hushabye Nursery, the first and only recovery center for infants who were exposed to opioids in the womb. Hushabye Nursery provides a safe and inclusive environment where mothers, family members, and babies can receive the care and therapeutic support they need to ensure the best future for their family. In pursuit of my Gold Award, I held a donation drive around my community and then built and organized a donation closet. The closet included clothing and goods such as diapers, wipes, and other infant needs. This addition to the organization helped motivate the moms to attend more of the provided parenting classes which then gained them access to “shop” from the closet. Additionally, Hushabye Nursery become one of the National Charity League’s official philanthropies to hold yearly donation drives.
During the process of completing my Gold Award, I also made an effort to inform my community about the impact of the opioid crisis. By sharing information about drug abuse with your community, change will begin to be made against this issue. Together, we can ignite that change.
Interested in participating in our Pass the Mic series? Contact our marketing team at stories@girlscoutsaz.org. This opportunity is open to all Girl Scout Cadettes – Ambassadors.
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Rising Phoenix Service Unit
Troops 3463 and 3640 (multi-level)
Years as a Troop Leader: 2
What inspired you to become a troop leader?
Girl Scouts has many opportunities to learn and do new things while having fun in a safe, comfortable environment. I love to see children learning and having fun. So, knowing that I could make a difference, I signed on to be a troop leader which has been incredibly rewarding.
What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?
As a troop, we have completed many programs and projects. A few of them include:
• Gardening
• A field trip to Peter Piper Pizza for a pizza-making workshop
• Christmas caroling at nursing homes alongside other troops
• The Goodwill Shoe Drive
• Participating in a flag activity for Veterans Day
We also love learning about ourselves and participating in exercises and activities that will help us build our self-esteem.
What kind of service projects have you done with your troop?
My troop loves giving back to the community! In addition to some of the projects I’ve already shared, we partnered with West Phoenix High School to help in their holiday gift donation program. The girls learned how to wrap gifts that would be delivered to kindergarten students. We have also cleaned up a school’s campus by picking up trash.
Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.
A volunteer moment that stands out for me was when the girls sang Christmas carols at the community nursing home. The girls confidently sang their songs and even recited some original poetry. They had worked so hard to memorize the song lyrics and poems; it was a moment where I realized how much they had grown as individuals and as a troop.
What advice would you give other troop leaders?
The advice I would share with troop leaders is to lead with compassion, focus on building relationships, and always show love. The girls are doing their best to learn and gain the most out of this program – showing consistent love and understanding will make a huge difference when they are faced with adversity. Building relationships with parents will prove to be essential whenever help is needed. You’re not in this alone.
What do you wish someone had told you as a new troop leader?
I wish someone had told me how much work goes into being a troop leader. At times it can feel like I have a second job, but it is all worth it when I see the girls creating change in our community and growing into strong, confident women.
What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with Girl Scouts?
Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our girls. It feels great to share knowledge with them and offer guidance when learning new skills, all while having fun! Know that they will value this experience for the rest of their lives.
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, my troops sell cookies. It is important to participate in the cookie program because it develops the girls’ self-esteem and confidence. They feel proud of their accomplishments, help one another in reaching their goals, and work as a team to fundraise. From the program they learn social skills, going from being shy and anxious to being confident and self-assured.
What are your troop’s cookie-selling tips and tricks?
Look at your environment and respond accordingly. If a potential customer comes out of a restaurant, say “how about some cookies for dessert?”. When speaking with the elderly, ask if they would like to purchase cookies for grandchildren. Cookies can be used for Valentine’s Day and birthday gifts – cookies can be used as any kind of gift!
What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a troop leader?
The most inspiring moments arise when I see the girls learning and then when they apply what they have learned to other areas of their lives. Girl Scouts really does go beyond their time in the program; I cannot wait to see what my girls accomplish in the future.
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Cave Creek Service Unit
Troop 4497 (Brownies)
Years as a Troop Leader: 3
What inspired you to become a troop leader?
I became a troop leader to a newly forming Daisy troop because I wanted to fully experience the joys of Girl Scouts with my [then] kindergarten-aged daughter. I was a Girl Scout from the age of seven to 17 and had an absolutely amazing troop leader and overall, Girl Scouting experience! I knew that if I could replicate the wonderful experiences she provided to my troop, I could positively impact so many girls through this program. I knew that my participation as a leader could encourage confidence, leadership, friendship, and provide experiences to girls that they often won’t have elsewhere!
What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?
Our troop just wants to be outside and help animals! They want to build, make, and play in nature any time they can, so our entire troop family works diligently to plan meetings and outings that give the girls outdoor experiences as often as possible. We have gone on numerous hikes and have learned how to navigate maps, how to read compasses, and how to use clues to find letterboxes in the desert. Each year we have safety meetings where our girls learn how to pack needs versus wants for outdoor excursions, and how to help a friend in need with their first aid skills. Last year we spent several meetings and field trips learning about desert animals and bugs, and each girl created an entire presentation on outdoor safety with desert plants and animals that they presented to the troop. Shortly after this was when our girls were able to get up close and personal with snakes and tarantulas with the Arizona Bug Guy! I believe that experience has been a troop favorite thus far!
What kind of service projects have you done with your troop?
Our troop dedicated an entire afternoon to volunteering at a local bunny rescue. The girls prepared for the service project by learning about how non-profits work and what it costs to provide supplies for an animal rescue. Then, they put all of this into action by getting their hands dirty at the bunny rescue! They spent hours cleaning bunny cages, food bowls, water bowls, and litter pans (and petting bunnies too, of course).
After the bunny rescue, our troop created a plan for how we could raise money to purchase needed supplies and donate them to the rescue. We figured out that each girl needed to sell a certain amount of cookie packages to raise money for these products and our girls put these numbers on their Cookie Sales Goals sheets so they could show their customers what reaching their goal would mean to them, and the rescue. It was an all-encompassing service project that required our girls to think outside of personal sales goals for cookie season and to see how their efforts could help those in our community!
Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.
One of the greatest moments as a volunteer was hosting a Journey in A Day for our troop! Our entire troop came together – volunteers, parents, siblings, and friends united to help make this day a success for our troop. For me, it was amazing to have so many hands make the work light that could have been stressful. Instead, it was an incredible experience for everyone!
What advice would you give other troop leaders?
It doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect! Girls just want to make new friends and have fun. If you can teach them while they’re making new friends and having fun, even better. Use the resources available to you, and network, network, network! Experienced leaders can be a world of knowledge and can help you so much. So, attend your neighborhood meetings and introduce yourself to others. You’re not in this alone, ever!
What do you wish someone had told you as a new troop leader?
Ask your parents to become volunteers and to help right from the jump! Parents want to help; they just don’t know how to. Have parents fill out the troop forms and then use those forms to figure out parents’ strengths and where they can be of assistance to the troop. Parents have so many hidden talents and they can teach girls so many things that you might not have the skill or know how to do. Oh, and delegate when you need to! You don’t have to do it all.
What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with Girl Scouts?
There are so many ways that you can volunteer with Girl Scouts, not just being a troop leader! Each neighborhood has a Service Team of volunteers that is always looking for a helping hand with finances, event planning, budgeting, communications, and so much more. Many hands make light work!
Does your troop sell cookies? If yes, please tell us in your own words, why it is important to participate in the cookie program?
Believe that the cookie program is the basis of entrepreneurship for Girl Scouts. It’s the simplest way to show our girls how to manage inventory and money, and how to talk about their goals and products to customers. Each year of selling cookies builds on another entrepreneurial skill and girls become more confident in themselves as they repeat the process year over year. It is important for [my] girls to participate in this program to gain confidence in making sales, ownership, and responsibility for the goals they set, as well as acquire leadership skills within their community.
What are your troop’s cookie-selling tips and tricks?
My top selling tip for cookie season is to have your girls start selling the very same-day cookie sales open. They will be the first to approach customers and they’re more likely to have the most sales right at the beginning. Don’t wait until the end when customers have already purchased from booths in the neighborhood! Also, always order more specialty cookies than you think you’ll need.
What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a troop leader?
The most inspiring moment for me as a troop leader was when our girls gained the confidence to climb to the top of the rock walls! Many of our girls had never been up so high and were experiencing a lot of nerves that were keeping them from attempting a new adventure. A few of our girls who were ready to jump in and climb grabbed ahold of the hands of girls who were nervous and helped them get harnessed and feel secure. By the end of the meeting, all the girls were racing to the top of the climbing walls!
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By Aarohi Ghorpade
Social media is an inherent part of today’s social culture. It allows people to form communities, hosts discussions, supports efforts in advocating for issues one believes in, serves as entertainment, and several others. With that in mind, we must ensure that the digital environment in which users are engaging with each other is safe and inclusive. Although social media has its assets and liabilities, it has several downsides, one of the prominent ones being cyberbullying.
I use social media for socializing with my friends and interacting with others who may have similar interests as me. Therefore, I wanted to do my part to create an inclusive and safe environment promoting positive interactions. The Girl Scout Silver Award provided me with the motivation and guidance needed to put my ideas to action. As I did my research, I came `to realize that cyberbullying would not be an issue if the people who witnessed the bullying stood up for the victim instead of choosing to remain silent. I knew I had to raise awareness and educate the public about the bystander effect and how it can be harmful.
To accomplish this goal I conducted webinars, wrote articles (one was published in Girl Scout Connections and the other in the AZ India Times), and interviewed two Prevention Specialists from notMYkid, an organization that provides prevention, early intervention, behavioral health support, and wellness programs to youths and their families. In all these outlets, I made sure to stress the importance of advocating for victims of cyberbullying and the need for the establishment of clear guidelines by the government and/or the online platforms to ensure that such behavior is punished. Hopefully, with time, we can get closer to ensuring that cyberbullying is controlled, and users can feel safe in all digital spaces.
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South Phoenix Service Unit
Troop 436 (Daisy – Ambassador)
Years as a Troop Leader: 2
What inspired you to become a troop leader?
I became a troop leader because of my passion to help girls reach their full potential. Being a part of a community that fosters intelligence, leadership, friendship, and service is truly amazing and I want to make sure this troop thrives in the years to come.
What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?
My Girl Scouts love to sell cookies, go camping, and attend encampments. I help with cookie distribution, selecting cookie booths, and enrolling girls in Girl Scouts Summer Camp as well as encampments. One of my favorite activities was when another Girl Scout mom and I led a star walk for my troop.
Our star walks are walks at night to learn about astronomy. I had a blast sharing facts about the stars and planets as we walked the trail in the forest. Seeing the girls enjoy the different plants, flowers, and bugs in the forest was great. We looked at the stream and then even started a talk about the snowmelt which led to a discussion about environmental sustainability. It was such a great time out in nature and having great conversations about being good stewards of the planet.
What kind of service projects have you done with your troop?
Our troop works with a senior community and prior to COVID-19, we would perform Christmas carols and donate cleaning products to the residents. We also worked with this community in their garden by pulling weeds and planting seeds. Additionally, my troop donates cookies to the military every year.
Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.
One of the volunteer moments that I will always remember was when we partnered with an organization to feed the homeless. The girls met early on a Saturday and together we were able to feed around 75 people. The girls were so excited and helpful in making sure everyone received food and toiletries. It felt fulfilling to be able to make a positive impact and meet a great need in our community.
What advice would you give other troop leaders?
I think patience is a great tool to have when being a troop leader. Understanding that projects may not happen as you intended but that does not mean they were unsuccessful, is key. Not all parents and girls may show up for every activity and that is okay. Just make sure that those who did show up have a great time and get the job done. Try not to sweat the small stuff, be flexible, and do your best to reach the main goal.
What do you wish someone had told you as a new troop leader?
I have been fortunate to have two other leaders that work alongside me. They have taught me about financial reports and how the Fall Product Program is organized. Every day I am learning how to be an effective leader and have seen that communication with the parents/guardians is critical. Sometimes a parent may need several phone calls about an upcoming meeting or activity and that is just what needs to be done. Don’t stress out about it.
What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with Girl Scouts?
When it comes to volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts, the sky is the limit. There are various positions to choose from that all help us keep the movement going. Regardless of what position you are in, I can guarantee that you’ll feel great volunteering your time with Girl Scouts and also feed off the passion to provide girls the best Girl Scouting experience.
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, my troop sells cookies! By participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, girls are given the opportunity to step outside of their comfort zone and gain important business skills that will prove essential in adulthood. Plus, we use those sales to go to summer camp and different trips around the world. Overall, cookies give girls the opportunity to embark on new adventures!
What are your troop’s cookie-selling tips and tricks?
My biggest cookie-selling tip is to have fun. If you make the experience too serious, girls can sometimes lose interest. The program is meant to encourage girls to grow both professionally and personally, so try to make each day full of good memories. Also, decorate your booth and use all platforms available to sell cookies.
What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a troop leader?
My most inspiring moment was when my Girl Scouts and I visited Tucson to meet up with a fellow Girl Scout Sister that recently started attending the University of Arizona. My Senior Girl Scout was so excited to see the dorm and asked many questions about college classes, student life, and being away from home. That moment was great and really emphasized why it is so important for these girls to create friendships. We work so hard with our girls so they can reach their goals, and at that moment they saw that their goals really are attainable?
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by Rachel Harrison-Lewis
A few months ago, I found myself at the end of a highly challenging but overall successful cookie season. My troop and I were so proud that we were able to sell 7,240 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies, raise $280 in donations, and donate 63 packages of cookies to Maggie’s Place, a local organization committed to serving mothers. It was awesome!
Even with the excitement, I was exhausted physically, emotionally, and mentally. I was questioning my ability to sustain my busy life, my business, my family, my health, my sanity, let alone my troop. How could I keep up?! Just a week after the cookie program ended, we began to reserve camp, research family camp, plan events with our funds, etc. It felt as though I didn’t even have a second to breathe!
I was questioning my “why.” Why was I volunteering my time, effort, sweat, and tears? Why was I struggling to feel appreciated when my work created positive change for girls and our community? Then, one stressful Monday, I was scrolling through our Facebook leadership page trying to plan the next thing and one word stood out to me in a post, “retreat.” It was as if it was calling out to me!
It was an invitation for a 3-day, 2-night retreat hosted by the Authentic Leadership Community (ALC) called Return to Center. It was being held at Parsons Leadership Center exclusively for troop leaders and it turned out that it was taking place that upcoming weekend! All that kept playing in my mind was the word “retreat” and how desperately I needed one. So I extended the invitation to my new co-leader as it was her first-ever cookie season and she was also in need of self-care time. She said yes and we reserved our spots.
The day we arrived at the retreat we didn’t know what to expect. We thought we were going to be able to bond with each other more, make new friends, learn about camp, how to get more volunteers, parent engagement, and all the other things we didn’t know. We felt apprehensive, unsure, hopeful, and exhausted.
As the event progressed, it was clear the incredible women in the Authentic Leadership Community put together an event that was so diverse in lessons and in their approach that our anxiety disappeared. All of their hearts were golden and each member incorporated an atmosphere of acceptance, friendship, guidance, and love. We became vulnerable, learned openly about ourselves, and gained valuable insight from others.
My favorite skill we practiced during each session, that we have since implemented into our troop, is the simple concept of “the circle” – an ALC tool, used at the retreat, that creates a safe space for participants to share ideas and opinions of various topics. After our troop’s first circle, we asked the girls (Daisies and Brownies) what topics they would like to talk about in the upcoming circles, and we were blown away with their responses! They came up with this list of topics:
- Friendships
- Siblings
- Sadness and grief
- Hardships and how to overcome them
- Happy things
- Animals
- Meeting planning
- Anxiety
Knowing that they want to talk about these difficult topics that they face in their daily lives and having that safe space with people they trust to open up to has been so meaningful and has really brought our troop together.
There were so many great takeaways and meaningful moments during our retreat. As a person who is constantly on the go, my favorite practice I learned at the retreat that has helped me significantly were the mindful/full stop moments. A full stop is when a group, or individual, takes a moment to disconnect from previous tasks and thoughts. This allows all participants to take a moment to clear their minds and be present in the current conversation or task. Implementing this practice in my day-to-day has helped me organize my thoughts, destress, decompress, and breathe before tackling another obstacle. I do not feel nearly as stressed as I did before the retreat.
Return to Center was a great theme for the retreat. We all realized that we have to take care of ourselves to be the best leader we can be, and there’s no way for us to pour out of an empty cup. Unfortunately, this thought of self-care was so abstract to so many of the leaders present because we’re such givers, and it’s hard for us to receive sometimes or even pause to fill our own cups up.
The women of the Authentic Leadership Community poured their love and encouragement into us, provided us with time to reflect and gave us the skills and tools to help us recharge. We were able to take those tools away with us and now we can use them during any moment that we feel drained. If ever you have the opportunity to attend, you will be happy you did! I know we cannot wait for the next one.
Shout out to all those at the retreat who have reminded me that we are not alone and do not have to do everything alone. I want to recognize our troop’s new parent volunteers who help with our troop. I am thankful for my partner who was our Digital Cookie dad and incredibly thankful for my amazing Co-Leader! We could not do this without you all. I’m also so grateful to the troop leaders in Hayden’s Ferry, our council volunteers, and the other neighborhoods for being there for me when we had questions! Thank you for being a sister (or brother) to every Girl Scout and helping me with our learning curve so our troop can help make the world a better place!
Before this retreat, I was questioning my “why.” By the end, I remembered my “why” – it is and has always been to encourage Girl Scouts to be their best selves. To love them, guide them, encourage them, listen to them, and remind them that they are respected and appreciated. To teach them the tools and skills they need in life to help them discover the women they want to be. Our hosts and the other leaders who attended helped remind me why I am a troop leader, and I am so thankful for that.
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