Author Archives: marcomgirlscoutsazorg

Troop Leader Spotlight: Cora Hebert

Troop 1069

Service Unit: Sunny Peaks

Years as a troop leader: 2

What inspired you to become a troop leader? 

My mom was the troop leader for my sister and I, so when my daughter wanted to join Girl Scouts, I knew I wanted to share this experience with her. 

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

A volunteer moment that stands out to me would be our hiking trip at the end of last year. The girls helped plan their trail snack, some of the wildest trail mix ingredients I have ever seen, and for some it was their first hike. I loved seeing their excitement as we walked the trail and saw wildlife, a waterfall, and petroglyphs. 

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

I wish I had known the tremendous amount of support that comes along with being a troop leader. I was extremely nervous to be leading a young group of girls for the first time, but the Daisy and Brownie experience boxes have made planning my meetings easy and fun. I have the most fabulous and supportive guardians, and the service team is exceptional. I was terrified of my first cookie season, but they answered all my questions and helped me have a very successful, fun first cookie season last year, and they continued to answer all my Girl Scout related questions. I always look forward to our monthly meetings! 

What advice would you give other troop leaders?  

Advice I would give other troop leaders would be to not stress about planning the perfect meetings or trips. I find myself stressed about meeting activities or plans and the girls are always so happy and excited with the simplest things like spending the time together as a troop or making a friendship bracelet together. 

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

The girls are a constant inspiration to me. They are so young but at the same time they are so aware of their community and are always wanting to help others. They have the biggest hearts, and I am fortunate to be part of their Girl Scout journey.

Troop Leader Spotlight: Danielle Rose Steele

Troop 3895

Years as a troop leader: 4

What inspired you to become a troop leader?

I wasn’t a Girl Scout growing up. My younger sister became a Brownie when I was already too old to join, and for years I didn’t think much about Girl Scouts. Then about seven years ago, a mentor of mine (someone deeply involved at both the national and council level) shared how meaningful Girl Scouts had been in her life and even introduced me to one of the Co-CEOs. Both experiences became seeds that stayed with me. Then, when my oldest daughter was about four years old, I called the number on the website just to learn more. Less than 24 hours later, a staff member called me back and told me there were over a dozen girls in our area waiting for a troop. I didn’t feel ready – not at all. Neither of my daughters were even old enough to join yet! But I knew that I believed in developing girls into confident leaders. My background in organizational development, my education at a women’s college, and my professional focus on culture and belonging gave me confidence that I could build something meaningful. I called for my daughters — but I created a troop for other girls. And I stayed for the community that formed around us.

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

Service is foundational for us. We’ve volunteered at Feed My Starving Children, upcycled donated fabric into pet toys for the Arizona Humane Society, painted a plant bench being donated to a local school and donated cookies as well as supported community events. These girls are not just earning patches; they see themselves as contributors. What makes it even more meaningful is that our original girls are all first-generation Girl Scouts; the first in their families, including mine, to wear a Girl Scout vest. We aren’t continuing a familiar tradition, we’re starting one.

What advice would you give to other troop leaders?

You do not have to feel ready to begin. When I started, I had zero Girl Scout experience. What I had was a belief in girls and a willingness to build systems that support them. Start small, be transparent, involve families and share the financials. But most importantly, ask girls what they want to learn and let them lead.

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 we take it seriously. Our troop’s typical per-girl average is 550 boxes, well above the national average. We frame cookies as entrepreneurship.

Cookies make camp possible.

Cookies make STEM programming possible.

Cookies make encampment and future international travel possible.

Just last year alone, our troop will have invested over $700 per girl into experiences, activities, certifications, supplies, and community events. That doesn’t include the countless volunteer hours, car rides, planning time, and coordination behind the scenes. The Girl Scout experience? Priceless.

Troop Leader Spotlight: Terri Hirning 

Service Unit: Sunny Peaks 

Troop 748 

Years as a troop leader: 15 

What inspired you to be a troop leader?  

I was never a Girl Scout, but I always wanted to be! So, when I had a daughter, I knew I wanted to have her involved in Girl Scouts! I loved the idea of a sisterhood which had a focus on making our community (and the world at large) a better place. 

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

For our troop Bronze Award, we did a cross-reference of the local STEM resources to match them up to badges and journeys to help Girl Scouts know what is available locally. We’ve done “buddy benches”, tiny libraries, and a video about the Flagstaff Unified School District’s anonymous reporting app for bullying and issues within school. Many students didn’t know it was available or understand that it truly is anonymous. After the video (which is supposed to be played yearly and possibly district-wide) reporting went up 400%! 

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

One moment that was particularly impactful was taking my troop ice skating. One troop member had never skated before and was very fearful, refusing to even go out on the ice. After sitting with her and encouraging her, I asked her to give it just 5 minutes on the ice. If she did not like it after 5 minutes, I would come back with her and sit in the stands while everyone skated. She was still afraid, but she did it. In the end, she was one of the most enthusiastic skaters and ended up loving it. All she needed was some gentle encouragement and support to overcome that fear! 

What advice would you give other troop leaders?  

You don’t have to be perfect! I was so nervous to lead the girls, but the training materials are so terrific in regard to addressing common issues they face with peers, and/or world concerns that it made it really relatable and easy. While the bulk of the responsibility did fall to me, I started making very specific requests of parents and many times, they were very happy to step up especially with a specific item or task. Your time is so appreciated by Girl Scouts so don’t be afraid to ask for help! 

Troop Leader Spotlight: Christina Fobbs-Gullory

What inspired you to become a troop leader?

My oldest daughter struggled to understand that she could make new friends every school year after her best friends from kindergarten were placed in a different class for first grade. She stopped eating at lunch and sat quietly, keeping to herself. Not eating lunch was unusual, but her new teacher didn’t think it was an issue. We looked into Girl Scouts because that was something she expressed interest in. I wanted her to be a part of an intimate group where they could really build friendships and grow together, so starting our own troop seemed like the way to go. When I started learning more about what we can offer the girls, I was all in.

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?

Aside from our meetings twice a month, we participate in two of our city’s parades, which is something they look forward to. We visit community organizations for tours relating to the badge they’re working on and participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. The girl’s favorite thing to do is really just spend time together. They attend different schools, so they get excited to see each other every time they have a meeting, and the friendship circle is probably their favorite part.

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

We have not done any service projects yet, as we are getting into our third year. We are planning our first one now, and the girls are in the process of selecting the community they want to support.

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

A volunteer moment that stands out to me is learning at the beginning of a meeting that my (at the time) five-year-old had most of the Girl Scout Promise and Law memorized. She did not like to practice and could not read. I had no idea she knew as much as she did. She was proud to recite it at the Council Shop to earn her promise pin and law patch.

What advice would you give other troop leaders?

The advice I would give new troop leaders is don’t feel like you’re in this alone. Attend your neighborhood leader/volunteer meetings and ask other leaders for support with ideas, situations or even tips. I don’t think I could have made it past my first year if it were not for the other leaders in my Service Team. They have been extremely supportive of answering any and all of my questions and making me feel welcomed. For the seasoned leaders, be open and willing to share your invaluable knowledge and experiences with new leaders. It can make all the difference in their experience.

Troop Leader Spotlight: Yasmin Tapia

Troop Leader Spotlight: Yasmin Tapia 

Service Unit: Central Phoenix 

Troop 4510 

Years as a troop leader: 1 

What inspired you to become a troop leader? 

My daughter and I volunteered at a Girl Scout event at the Parsons Leadership Center, and she loved every thing she learned about Girl Scouting, which led to her asking me if she could be a Girl Scout. I knew I had to do it for her! 

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do? 

We had our first troop meeting recently and I loved how much the girls were eager to learn and be part of Girl Scouts. 

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

While we’re a new troop, we plan to organize services projects next year in our community. 

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

A volunteer moment that stands out to me is when my daughter said her favorite part of Girl Scouts is seeing everyone together. 

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

At our first meeting, we had nine girls and all of their parents. Seeing how involved the families are and the girls ready to learn from us, their troop leaders, was so inspiring. 

Troop Leader Spotlight: Sara Dechter

Service Unit: Sunny Peaks
Troop 6520
Years as a troop leader: 8

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?

We go camping several times a year and the girls love to plan travel and service projects. Our troop meets at a community center and every year we attend and volunteer at their fundraiser, Ms. Cleo’s Tea Party. The girls love feeling connected to the community and the Murdoch Center.

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

The troop has built little libraries, made toys and care packages for the humane society, made wildlife escape ramps for the pool at Parsons Leadership Center, supplied and helped build an adult resource center at the food bank, and planted a pollinator garden and a new sign for the Murdoch Center.

What advice would you give other troop leaders?

It can be easy to focus on order and achievements, but the best troop is a happy one, where girls are comfortable enough to be a little wild and confident enough to speak their minds.

What are your troop’s cookie selling tips and tricks?

Keep morale high! Since we are in Flagstaff, we’ve had booths in snowstorms, and we’ve learned that if the girls are staying positive in rough weather, the customers buy more to support them.

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

My co-leader, Lisa Brink, inspires me all the time. We have different talents and love working as a team. She does things every year that are impressive and inspiring, and it keeps me going and motivated to bring my best to every meeting and event.

Troop Leader Spotlight: Erika Rodriguez

Service Unit: Cactus Patch
Troop 2237 (Juniors)
Years as a troop leader: 5

What inspired you to become a troop leader?

I was inspired to become a leader to provide a safe and supportive space for girls to grow. I find joy in watching them discover their own voices and collective power.

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?

Our troop serves veterans and their families through the American Legion and other community service projects throughout the year. My favorite part of being a troop leader is seeing their creativity shine at community events.

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

My favorite volunteer moment has been gathering birthday kits for foster children. Our troop made cards for each box, and this made our birthday kits extra special.

What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts?

Being a volunteer can extend past the troop. You can be involved in your council’s Service Unit and create a sisterhood with other Service Unit volunteers.

What are your troop’s cookie-selling tips and tricks?

We enjoy our cookie meetings and setting goals before cookie selling begins! Creating goals and working towards them can create such a great structure for the entire troop.

Troop Leader Spotlight: DeeAngelique Gathrite

Service Unit: Wild Horse

Troop 1123 (Multilevel)

Years as a troop leader: 1

What inspired you to become a troop leader?

I became a Girl Scout troop leader to help bring cultural change into my community and to create a space where girls can actively serve and make a difference. In our area, there are limited opportunities for young girls to engage in meaningful leadership and service, and I want to change that.

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

So far, our troop has proudly helped Troop 7569 to support our community through gardening. Together, we built fruit and vegetable garden beds at our local community space, Garden Social. The produce we helped cultivate was later donated to our local women’s shelter, providing fresh and healthy food to those in need.

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

A moment that truly stands out to me was when I had the opportunity to reward my troop with a trip to Build-A-Bear. It was such a joy to watch the girls proudly walk through the mall in their Girl Scout uniforms, representing not only themselves but the values of Girl Scouts in a public space. Their excitement grew even more when they discovered that their bears could also represent Girl Scouts. Seeing their pride and happiness reminded me how special it is to create these kinds of experiences— moments that celebrate their hard work while also deepening their connection to Girl Scouting.

What advice would you give other troop leaders?

My advice would be this: as volunteers, it’s natural to want to give more—and that’s perfectly okay. Go above and beyond when you can, because for some girls, the opportunities they have in Girl Scouts may be the only time they experience certain activities, adventures, or life lessons. What you expose them to now could leave a lasting impact, and even if they don’t realize it in the moment, they’ll carry that appreciation with them later in life.

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

I wish someone had told me that not only would I create a sisterhood for the girls, but I’d also create a sister bond with other leaders, co-leaders, and volunteers.

Troop Leader Spotlight: Faith Harmon

Service Unit: Yavapai Sky

Troop 764 (Multilevel)

Years as a troop leader: 6

What inspired you to become a troop leader?

All of my best childhood memories are with the Girl Scouts. I wanted my daughter to experience the same adventures that I had. I became a leader to teach girls how to become the best versions of themselves, while becoming a blessing to their communities!

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

For Christmas, we collect donations for homeless veterans then stuff 150 large stockings with socks, gloves, deodorant, powder, ChapStick, and much more.

What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts?

There’s a place for you! Whatever you excel at or enjoy, I guarantee Girl Scouts can put you in the position to encourage and help girls thrive.

What are your troop’s cookie selling tips and tricks?

We decorate our table in red and pink hearts with cute toys and nesting dolls. This attracts lots of attention and entices kids to bring their parents over.

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

The troop regularly vocalize their closing circle wishes as prayers for sick children in the hospital. It shows their hearts and the love they have for others!

Troop Leader Spotlight: Scholly Ketcher

Service Unit: Yavapai Sky

Troop 0371 (Multilevel)

Years as a troop leader: 53

What inspired you to become a troop leader?

Becoming a troop leader just happened naturally for me. I was a Girl Guide in my troop (formerly known as “village units”) when I was 16. I needed to move into Rangers, which was not nearby, so I became a young leader for my unit, then an assistant leader. When I moved, I became a leader wherever I went. I loved being a Girl Guide; my friends and I had so much fun participating in challenges, adventures, and international camps. I did odd things like entering a national raft building contest with my unit. We travelled on a barge down the River Rhine, visited our chalet, Pax Lodge, and many more European sites. Because I had so much fun, I wanted others to have fun too.

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

As a troop, we have done creek clean-ups, given supplies to animal shelters, and read to the animals! We’ve also donated clothing and cookies to various shelters and learned about composting through the Let’s Go Composting Program.

What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts?

There are lots of opportunities for volunteers to expand their knowledge and skills. There are also helpful resources to support your journey as a troop leader. Do not be afraid to ask.

What are your troop’s cookie-selling tips and tricks?

We, as a troop, like to pair an experienced girl with a new seller. If possible, at a booth, make sure the girls are in uniform and are welcoming customers. In regard to selling individually, we discuss what girls may have done in the past, and to make sure the girls and their parents realize they are not alone, and we are there to help as needed.

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

The inspiring moments are when you see a girl smile (and an adult) because she has achieved something she did not think she could do.

Troop Leader Spotlight: Lillian Rivera

Service Unit: Yavapai Sky

Troop 3220

Years as a troop leader: 1.5

What inspired you to become a troop leader?

When my daughter entered kindergarten, I just knew I wanted her to join Girl Scouts and I wanted to be a part of her journey!

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?

My troop loves doing crafts, we complete on average one badge a week! We like doing field trips too; recently we toured Culvers.

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

The biggest volunteer moment is definitely cookie season.

What advice would you give other troop leaders?

 Do what works for your girls and have fun.

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, participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program is important for our troop because we learn how to set goals and what it takes to achieve those goals. The best part is when we get to have some fun with our proceeds.

Troop Leader Spotlight: Meghan Hauter

Service Unit: Cave Creek

Troop 7053

Years as a troop leader: 6

What inspired you to become a troop leader?

I was a Brownie and have great memories of Girl Scouts, and I wanted my daughter to be able to experience the same things. There wasn’t a troop to join, so we created a new troop, and I was happy to take the reins and become the troop leader. I have a background in education, so I knew it was something I could offer to support the girls!

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?

We love to be outside in nature. We recently hiked with a focus on studying rocks. Soon, we will go to Willow Springs in Prescott for our first overnight adventure as a troop. Our troop loves nature, taking care of animals and creating art.

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

I love seeing some of the shy girls come out of their shell and try new things!

What advice would you give other troop leaders?

I would tell others to be willing to adjust on the fly to meet the needs of their girls, even at the expense of skipping portions of a plan that you spent a lot of time and effort developing/planning. I would rather meet the girls where they are at and ensure they are having a positive experience than rushing through activities.

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

I wish someone had told me more about training offered by Girl Scouts for leaders. The ones I have attended have been so good, like the recent TCC2 in person camping training.

Troop Leader Spotlight: Amber Pryor

Service Unit: Juniper Ridge

Troop 2191

Years as a troop leader: 6

What inspired you to become a troop leader?

I was actually asked to become a leader for my daughter’s last year as a Brownie. I’m a person that can’t say no, so I jumped into the role of leader. I absolutely love watching these girls blossom and learn things they normally would not learn. As their leader, I am always learning from them.

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?

We are a troop that loves to volunteer. We work on High Awards, and our girls enjoy completing different trainings; all of our cadettes are CPR/first aid certified, And PA trained. We also love getting outdoors, visiting Girl Scout camps and of course traveling.

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

Not only am I a leader, I’m also the canoe instructor at Shadow Rim. My favorite volunteer moment was meeting Natalie; this Girl Scout was absolutely scared of water and being in the canoe, so I sat with her and talked through all her fears with her. I stayed by her side, and finally she entered the water and had a great time. In October, I saw Natalie again and her attitude for canoeing completely changed. She was so confident, and even designed my patches.

What advice would you give other troop leaders?

Just breathe. Remember you are just a volunteer and are supposed to have just as much fun as the girls do. Not every troop is the same, something that works for one troop does not always work for another.

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

I wish someone had told me there were so many resources out there. If you can’t find anything there is someone out there either in your neighborhood or another that can point you in the right direction. My favorite line to share with new leaders is: Welcome, Girls Scouts is not for just the girls it’s for us adults as well. All my best friends are volunteers!

Troop Leader Spotlight: Jennifer Haberlin

Service Unit: Palo Verde

Troop 3531 and 4320

Years as a troop leader: 9

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

Some of our troop’s favorite service projects have been making activity boxes for children in the hospital, buying presents for the Christmas Angel program, feeding the homeless, and helping animal shelters.

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

A volunteer moment that stands out is watching my older girls earn their Bronze Award a few years ago. Now that my troops are in the process of completing their Bronze and Silver Awards, It’s fun to watch them brainstorm and plan what they want to achieve.

What advice would you give other troop leaders?

You get out of it, what you put into it. I spend a lot of time and energy into being a Girl Scout leader. I absolutely love it and wouldn’t change it. The excitement and enthusiasm I see during meetings and activities makes all the work worthwhile.

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

Girl Scout troops are all different. It’s not one size fits all, and each troop can decide what works best for them and their families. Some examples include how often they meet, how many events they do each year, and how active they are with cookies.

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

One of the most inspiring moments for me is watching my troops grow. My juniors are starting to take an active roll in their meetings, and are taking turns leading different badges, which is fun to watch. Girls that were so shy when they joined are now planning, leading activities and running cookie booths by themselves.

Troop Leader Spotlight: Charity Cordova

Service Unit: Meadowlark

Troop 3218

Years as a troop leader: 3

What inspired you to become a troop leader?

I was a Girl Scout in the 80s and loved it. I went to Day Camp for two summers with my aunt who was a troop leader in another town. I loved being outdoors and “squish hiking” in the Wolf River near New London, Wisconsin. I went to Chalk Hills Camp on the Wisconsin Michigan border with my troop and then went there for a week the summer between 6th and 7th grade in the summer of 1987. I am still friends with my tent mates to this day, one of them now buys cookies from my daughter. I have such fond memories of being a Girl Scout, that I wanted the same experiences for my daughter. After Covid and with a move, it was hard making friends in our new neighborhood. We joined an amazing troop in our neighborhood, but my daughter was the only girl to bridge, which is when I signed up to start a troop.

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

Our troop earned their Bronze Award last spring by collected pounds of clothing and textiles that would otherwise go in the landfill. We delivered them to Phoenix Fibers where they recycle them into insulation and other materials. Some of our girls also helped an older sister of a troop member paint a mural at a food bank as part of her Gold Award project.

What advice would you give other troop leaders?

It takes a village; therefore, you need to have parents who are willing to help. Building a community with parents and families is important. I am lucky to have a wonderful co-leader, Melissa Jamshidi, and parents that have since become friends and family to us. I’d also remind troop leaders that the Girl Scout experience is supposed to be fun for everyone, including them.

What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts?

I would like others to know that we have fun, and these experiences build a lifetime of memories and skills for our girls. If you have a skill, share it!

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

It’s inspiring to see friendships form and grow outside of the troop. I think the girls are growing and learning together and it makes me proud of them and proud to be one of their leaders.

Troop Leader Spotlight: Dawna Erickson

Service Unit: Copper Ridge

Troop 7121

Years as a troop leader: 9

What inspired you to become a troop leader?

My daughter. She wanted to be a Girl Scout so badly when she brought a flyer home in kindergarten. We couldn’t find a troop to join so we started our own. I knew Girl Scouts was an amazing organization for building strong women, and I really wanted my daughter to have a great experience.

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?

My troop is extremely involved in our Service Unit. We run fall product and cookie rallies, encampments, and help with recruiting events. We also focus on High Awards and love to travel together!

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

I can’t pick just one moment, but watching the girls grow and become the amazing young women they are is the BEST! Most of the girls in my troop have been with me since kindergarten or first grade so we have grown together through Girl Scouting.

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

I wish someone had encouraged me to ask more questions. I would advise a new leader to learn who their Service Team members are and look to them for guidance when they feel lost. Don’t take everything too seriously and have fun!

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 do! Not only is it our main source of income for meeting supplies, community service projects, travel, etc. but it has taught the girls so much about running a business. Beginning in fifth grade, my daughter was able to run her sales pretty much on her own inventory, counting money/making change, running credit cards for sales, booth decor, customer service, business ethics. It was the years of me helping her prior to that where she picked up the knowledge of how to do things and started wanting to do it on her own. Now in her ninth cookie season, she runs her own sale independently.

Troop Leader Spotlight: Ashlye Kennedy

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.

Troop Leader Spotlight: Brenda Dominguez

Service Unit: Copper Ridge

Troop 3047 (Brownies – Cadettes)

Years as a troop leader: 4

What inspired you to become a troop leader?

My daughter’s love for Girl Scouts led me to become a troop leader during COVID’s uncertainty. Overcoming initial hesitation, I am happy to provide a safe space for girls to meet and discover their potential, cultivate leadership and confidence through enjoyable learning. Not having been a Girl Scout myself, I cherish giving my daughter the empowering experiences I missed. This role allows me to bond with my daughter and her friends, while making a positive change and community impact.

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

Troop 3047 likes making a positive change in our community! We’ve donated to Home Fur Good dog shelter, assembled and donated homeless care bags, and volunteered at the Back-to-School clothing drive and Feed My Starving Children several times. This holiday, we’re excited to team up with our service neighborhood to assemble and donate comfort bags for children in child services. Our Girl Scouts have consistently made a difference through Goodwill drives, shaping a brighter future!

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

Countless moments stand out! Our first troop spring encampment was a memorable one, marking the girls’ first weekend getaway from home, where they blossomed with independence, camaraderie, and outdoor joy, embodying the spirit of Girl Scouts.

What advice would you give other troop leaders?

Do the best that you can to positively influence your already engaged and active Girl Scout families. Focus on your journey, unhindered by others’ choices. Tap into abundant resources, ask questions, and connect with Service Unit Leaders for guidance. Attend Service Unit Leaders meetings to connect with experienced troop leaders, gaining valuable insights and knowledge from others.

What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts?

If you are interested and willing to commit and dedicate the time needed, you are good for it. Being a Girl Scout troop leader volunteer brings unparalleled fulfillment! It is about forging connections, growing your family and uplifting girls. You will require dedication, passion, patience and love, but the returns are immense! Seeing girls flourish, learn and overcome fears is exhilarating! The brightest moments occur when their eyes gleam with excitement and smiles beam with accomplishment!

Troop Leader Spotlight: Michelle Burger

Service Unit: Coyote Plains

Troop 6455 (Juniors and Cadettes)

Years as a troop leader: 5

What inspired you to become a troop leader?
My co-leader, Sarah, inspired me to take on a leadership role with her contagious passion for Girl Scouts! She demonstrated that transitioning to a leader role from a volunteer role was very rewarding and I never looked back. I was also inspired to become a leader to see first-hand the growth, development, and all-around enjoyment that the girls in the troop have when trying something new or seeing something click for the first time.

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?
Our troop does all sorts of activities! We have traditional meetings and participate in neighborhood events while also hosting troop only events (such as horseback riding, escape rooms, museum visits, and more), but I would have to say our favorite is camping with our neighborhood. Although camping has evolved over the years from having the entire troop together to just a few members since our older girls are now counselors, the opportunity for everyone to be present, engage, have fun, bond, and grow together is truly amazing and remains a highlight of the year.

What do you wish someone had told you as a new troop leader?
You don’t have to recreate the wheel. Reach out to your Service Unit and fellow leaders in the community. We are a sisterhood, and we all want each leader and girl to have an amazing experience. Most of us are willing to share our plans, resources and experiences with you. You are not alone. I was fortunate to have an amazing co-leader and an awesome neighborhood of additional leaders to tap into and ask questions. It might be hard at first to reach out (especially if you are an introvert like me), but it is totally worth it in the end.

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, our troop sells cookies. We do this every year to help girls learn life skills, goal setting, money management, communication skills, confidence development, etc. The skills the girls learn by selling cookies truly does help them in the long run with other areas such as math and public speaking. Additionally, the proceeds the girls earn by putting in the hard work allows the troop to self-fund activities, camping, memberships, high award projects, and more.

What are your troop’s cookie selling tips and tricks?
The biggest tip and trick I would say for our troop would be to engage your parents and girls early. Before you send in your initial cookie order, have a parent meeting and get the buy-in or agreement on the number of cookies your troop is willing to sell. We sit down with our parents each year and review the number of cookie packages they want before we submit an initial order. This allows us, as leaders, some peace of mind that our girls and families are willing to also put in the time and effort to sell the cookies and the troop or leaders will not be stuck with a ton at the end. Doing this also promotes transparency with the girls and parents. Fortunately, our troop has been selling for several years, giving us a good understanding of how many of each type of cookie typically sells, allowing us to guide parents. However, if you are newer, consult your service unit cookie rep, and they can assist you in figuring this out.

Troop Leader Spotlight: Cassi Fohrman

Service Unit: Yavapai Sky

Troop 1653 (Daisies – Cadettes)

Years as a troop leader: 6

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?
My favorite thing to do with my troop is our annual progression from sleepovers to summer camp, and beyond. We start with a late-night event at a house (dinner, play, pajamas, movie) where we have the girls prepare for bedtime, then get picked up and go home. Then we do a short lock-in for full overnight experience. That’s followed by a local encampment, then family camp, then a cookie reward trip (Great Wolf Lodge last year). At that point, most Girl Scouts are ready to try summer camp! My troop members frequently bring up these events as their favorite part of Girl Scouts, too.

Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.
There’s two types of moments that always seem to pop into my head – the hard ones come first, but the ones that shine more are the successes. I love watching the transformation of a shy, young Daisy at her first cookie booth. At first she’s reserved, more interested in watching than participating, but by the end of her shift, she’s confidently asking customers about cookies, telling them about her favorite, and sharing plans for troop proceeds.

What advice would you give other troop leaders?
I would advise other troop leaders to connect with their Service Unit and attend the council’s troop leader circle meetings on Zoom. Whatever challenge you’re facing, someone else has already overcome it. Connect with the leaders around you so you’re not trying to figure things out on your own.

What do you wish someone had told you as a new troop leader?
I wish someone had told me that I don’t have to do anything more than I have the time, patience, and energy for. Know your limits and lean on other leaders and volunteers for support.

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a troop leader?
I love the small moments where somebody understands something that they didn’t before. It’s everything from teaching another leader how to use eBudde, or a small adjustment during an archery lesson, or supporting older Girl Scouts while they prepare to teach younger Girl Scouts for the first time. I have a thousand tiny moments that energize me for what’s next!