Category Archives: TLC

South Phoenix Service Unit

Troop 436, Multi-Level

Years as a Troop Leader: 10

What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?

My inspiration came from another Troop Leader. I was inspired by Deanna Castle and seeing the joy of leading a troop. 

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

My troop has participated in a variety of activities. Some of their favorite include horseback riding, fishing, caroling during the Christmas holiday and tent camping. 

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

Our troop really enjoys giving back. Some of the service projects we have done include feeding the homeless, volunteering with senior citizens at Tanner Gardens during the Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays, and participating in different clothing and shoe drives. 

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

A moment that stands out to me is when my troop participated in the grand opening of Parsons Leadership Center’s ribbon cutting and giving gifts to major donors Bob and Rene Parsons. It was so memorable and a great experience! 

What advice would you give other Troop Leaders?

Have patience with your troop, parents and leaders. 

What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?

To try your best to work and collaborate with parents, each relationship can require different needs. 

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

When you become a volunteer, you get a new sense of joy. Watching girls blossom into young ladies, seeing them learn skills and make lasting friends is rewarding. 

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

Yes, it is important to participate for so many reasons. The programs supports everyone involved with Girl Scouts, for example, at a Council level it helps cover program and registration fees like camp scholarships or financial assistance. Girl Scouts troops also raise money for their troops to buy program materials, badges & patches, fuel their way to camp, and for troop expenses throughout the year. Plus, we often use our cookie funds to give back to the community.

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

At the beginning of our troop year, even before cookie season start, I have my troops set a goal by picking an event or place they would like to travel. We set this as our goal and then strategize how we can reach it. During the program, one of our strategies is selling in high traffic areas. 

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader?

There are many inspiring moments, but one of them must be the fact that eight of my girls have become Gold Award Girl Scouts. I also had 10 girls sell cookies for three cookie seasons to save up enough to travel to Europe -all-paid, plus spending money – through the Girl Scout Cookie Program! 

It is also inspiring to see qualities in girls grow or build. I had a Girl Scout that started as a shy Brownie. She was so quiet and timid even as she became a Cadette. Then, one trip to San Diego, the girls did a skit and it completely showed her confidence! It was an opportunity for her to come out of her shell and she did so, so much that her mom teared up and called her grandmother! Girl Scouts is really a place for girls to build those skills and unleash their potential. 

San Tan Skies Service Unit 

Troop 2356, Multi-Level  

Years as a Troop Leader: 13

What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?

I wanted to spend time with my oldest daughter and second daughter, and re-live some of the fun things that I got to do as a Girl Scout in NY. I also wanted to share create new memories with them. 

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

My troop has done axe throwing, archery, sewing, rock wall climbing & zipline! We also traveled to California last summer and we are planning to go to Savannah, GA in 2021 or 2022. Our favorite moments have been spent in the car driving on the way to a program, event or trip. Girls and moms buzz with excitement, laugh, sing and just let loose and have fun. 

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

Our troop tries to do at least one service project per year to help our community.  Girls pick something that has meaning for them. There have been times when the troop decides on a service project ideas because of one girl’s connection or passion for something. They work hard to support each other and make whatever project they decide on a success. It has even turned out that as a troop they decided on something together. During these instances, the troop comes together to make it successful.  

We have made no-sew blankets, collected pop-tabs, helped with Turkey to Troops for soldiers, collected books for a little library, sold cookies to build a local little library, made recycled travel games for kids that must stay in the hospital for treatment, and many more.

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

I think the moments that stand out to me are when I am with other leaders, planning and just learning from one another. I also feel blessed to have been nominated for things that I didn’t even realize were important. To hear that something I did made a difference in others means a lot to me. I feel like I am making an impact in this world and not just with the girls in my troop.

What advice would you give other Troop Leaders?

Be yourself. Don’t try to be what you think a perfect leader should be. Be the perfect leader you can be. It is incredibly valuable for girls to see female leaders in all shapes, sizes, colors, and personalities. If you are an oddball – stay and oddball, if you are studious and love to organize, stay that way. Appreciate the differences and don’t be afraid to take risks. Show the girls that success and failure are equally important and learn to roll with the punches. If something isn’t going as planned, change it. The most important advice that I can give is to have fun and just be there for them, they don’t always need us but when they do – it makes a world of difference. 💚

What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?

That there isn’t a right way to be a leader. With a 100% heart, commitment, and a willingness to grow, you’ll be set. The girls will grow with you and that journey is amazing.

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

Everyone has a place. Every person has a strength; it is just a matter of finding it and being willing to share it with others.

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 cookie program teaches the girls about life and life skills. The program gives girls hands-on practice of on the job skills whether it is counting out money, operating a card reader, or graciously accepting a “no” or “no, thank you.” These skills are taught through experience and can last a lifetime.

The program also highlights the need for community service, allowing girls to use their proceeds to make a difference in their community. I have seen my girls learn that life isn’t just about them and what they want, it is about what they can do to help the community and it shows the community, that someone is there willing to help. 

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

We ask every customer, are enthusiastic, and are persistent. For the leaders, the best tip I can give you is to let the girls take the lead and don’t save them from every failure. Let them learn and let them grow. As parents and leaders, we want to fix everything, so they don’t have the experience of heartache or disappointment but occasionally, it is needed. Let it happen and be there for them to process through it. Amazing things can happen.

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader?

I can honestly say I have more than just one. I love seeing the girls try new things and love whatever it is. I also enjoy girls finding out who they are and what direction they want to go in life. I watched my own daughter grow in Girl Scouts from Kindergarten as a Daisy, through High School and the experiences I have with her as a leader and her mom are forever with me. Now, I am loving the time I get to spend with my other daughter and can’t wait to see what things we do next. My troop has become my family and my girls are like my kids, and I wouldn’t trade this experience.

Service Unit: Cotton Blossom 

Troop: 2174, Multi-Level

Years as Troop Leader: 8

What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?

Both of my daughters were my inspiration to become –and to continue– on my journey as a Troop Leader. I love the lessons that I have been able to share with them. 

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

We are a multi-level troop and I try to find activities that all our girls can participate in together. We have participated in horseback riding, gone on encampments, As You Wish pottery painting activities, been to Christmas parades, World Thinking Day, volunteered with Feed My Starving Children, gone hiking, camped under the stars – so much!

My favorite activity is Encampment. At Encampments, I get to see the problem-solving skills that the girls in my troop possess. Encampment is where I find and believe their true independence shines through. 

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

We have volunteered with Feed My Starving Children every year. We have also put together backpacks for children living in domestic violence shelters and we have built a food pantry at a local church for donations to be collected.

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

My favorite moments happen during a Bridging Ceremony. I love being able to honor the girls with all their accomplishments from the year. I love seeing the smiles on their faces when they walk across the bridge and put on their new uniform. They feel so confident and so proud of themselves, and I do too. 

What advice would you give other Troop Leaders?

Advice I would give to other Troop Leaders is, “Everything is going to be alright!” 

What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?

I wish someone had said to me that everything was going to be alright (LOL). I was nervous and scared being a new Troop Leader not really knowing anything about Girl Scouts. I was worried that I was letting the girls in my troop down, their families down, and myself down. Only when the girls in my troop would return every year did I finally embrace my role as a Troop Leader and have the confidence that I was a part of something great!

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

Girl Scouts offers many opportunities to our girls to become future leaders in their schools, church, and communities. As well as scholarship opportunities.

Tell us in your own words, why is it important to participate in the Cookie Program? 

The five skills the girls learn during cookie season help the girls internalize what it takes to run their own business, how to speak up, manage money, set goals and so much more.

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

We are a full uniform troop. We have always felt that to run your business you need to look like you own the business. We have always inspired our girls to dress in a full uniform. They love every cookie season when they receive compliments from customers on how professional they look.

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader?

There are so many to choose from since I have been a leader for almost 8 years. My inspiring moments are watching each of the girls in my troop grow and overcome their own hurdles in life and do it with grace and style! Every girl in my troop has become like one of my own and we have become one big Girl Scout family.

Service Unit: Indian Bend 

Troop 4345, Multi-Level

Years as a Troop Leader: 3

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What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?

My daughter wanted to join and our local school did not have a troop. So, I asked a friend who is well connected in the community if she knew of a Girl Scout Troop nearby that our girls could join and she replied, “No, but I’ve been wanting to start one!” So, we started a troop for our daughters and stuck with it!

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

We like to cook and bake (dog biscuits, cupcakes, snacks), go to encampments, do crafts, learn about animals, play games, complete service projects for our community, and sell cookies!

Out troop enjoys giving back. We have participated in making wellness packs for the homeless and supported our local healthcare providers with messages of support and care packages during the COVID-19 crisis. We’ve also made blankets and food packs for relocated refugees arriving to Phoenix, and plan to earn our Bronze Award by supporting a local animal shelter with toys, food, and improved living conditions for the dogs they support. We have also collected pajamas for kids in foster care and helped to clean a new agency supporting foster and adoptive families in Arizona, ASA.

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

Our girls have such big hearts! We keep some of the homeless packs we’ve made in our car when driving to events and activities and on our commute, we’ll look out to see if anyone is homeless that we can give them to and to spread some joy, cheer, and encouragement.

What advice would you give other Troop Leaders?

Provide the girls with opportunities that can make a difference in your community and the world around us. The girls are receptive and they are already aware of needs of those around them. There are many ways to get involved that girls at each level can participate in like bringing awareness to bullying, going to public places that need trash picked up or better recycling plans, or participating in groups that need support and advocacy. Girl Scouts can change the world if you lead them to the ways they can be involved.

What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?

It is okay to embrace a little chaos so that meetings and activities can truly be girl-led. They’ll be better for it! I also recommend going outside and going camping with the girls often!

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

There are girls in your community and maybe in your own household, that need strong female leaders to help guide and support them. It takes extra time and energy to be a Girl Scout volunteer but the seeds that you plant and the return and joy you receive from the girls is worth all of it.

Why is it important to participate in the GS Cookie Program?

It is important for our girls to participate in the cookie program because it teaches them confidence, goal setting, working together with others, and learning to be adaptable when situations do not go your way.

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

Have fun! Sign up for cookie booths. Interact and engage with your customers. The cookies are delicious and sell themselves, but a Girl Scout who knows why she is selling cookies and how this helps her, and her troop, speaks volumes and you’re sure to see the cookies fly off the table!

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader?

I think the most inspiring moment for me as a leader has been to witness our girls grow into themselves, to start to speak up for themselves and for those around them, to embrace difference and change, to find their voice and to blossom into the leaders they are meant to be.

Service Unit: La Promesa

Troop 4906, 2nd-3rd grade

Years as a GS: 7

Years as Troop Leader: 5

What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?

My Girl Scout experience began as a Brownie when my mom was my Troop Leader. I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps and lead a troop for my girls!

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

Our troop loves to work on badges together. They love everything from arts and outdoors to STEM. Their favorite thing to do as a troop is camping! We have been to GSACPC Camps Parsons and Maripai, and we are planning our next trip to Willow Springs.

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

We completed our Daisy service project and held a donation drive for the Sun Valley Animal Shelter. We collected donations, shopped for new items, and delivered them to the shelter. Once there, we read our favorite books to the cats and learned about how the shelter takes care of the animals. Our current Brownie service project is a food drive to support the Valley View Community Food Bank. This year we have also adopted an assisted living facility where the girls have gone caroling, offered a cookie tasting, and mailed them cards during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

I love being involved in our local Service Unit. Getting together as a group of local leaders is a great way to share in the leadership experience and learn new skills. Serving on committees such as Bridging and Leader recognitions initiatives has been a highlight of my Girl Scout volunteer experience.

What advice would you give other Troop Leaders?

It is important to ask for help and bring the parents into the planning process. Some parents are great at crafts, others at organizing, and some love the outdoors. Everyone can play a part and it makes leading more enjoyable when you can share the role with others. Send out a parent survey and find out about their strengths to see how they can take an active role in your troop.

What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?

I wish someone had told me that not every meeting needs to be “Pinterest-worthy.” The girls are so happy just to be together and enjoy the Girl Scout opportunity.

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

Volunteering with Girl Scouts is rewarding in so many ways. By leading a troop, you create opportunities for girls to try new things, make new friends, and make an impact in their community. I love being a role model and encouraging them grow.

Tell us in your own words why it’s important to participate in the GS Cookie Program?

Participating in the cookie program is very important for our troop. Not only does it provide the funding we need to run our troop year-round, it provides an opportunity for our girls to learn valuable life skills such as goal setting, business ethics, and money management. I have watched girls gain confidence and speaking skills through cookie selling opportunities. We watch them grow year after year as they set higher goals and find creative ways to reach them. This year was our best year ever at just over 6,800 boxes sold!

Service Unit: La Promesa

Troop: 3389, Cadettes

Years as a GS: 5

Years as Troop Leader: 4

What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?
I love to see girls take an active role in their own future. I became a leader to help girls develop those leadership skills and encourage them to try activities they may not have been exposed to, especially in STEM.

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?
Our troop has a variety of interests. Most of our girls love the outdoors and STEM-related activities. Working in a scientific field, I love to see the girls excited about sciences and how we impact our environment.

What kind of service projects have you done with your troop?
In addition to the outdoors, our troop loves animals! We have worked with a local horse rescue to help them create a sustainable source of food for their rescues. In addition, we have helped our local community with cleanup projects and food donations. A few of our girls are currently working to educate the community about fostering animals to help end euthanizing animals.

Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.
I love to see the girls bond at encampments. Recently we attended our Service Unit’s Encampment and the girls (almost half new to our troop) bonded over a pine cone competition. They developed their own game and were in tears with laughter at the end. That is what makes me come back to being a leader every year.

What advice would you give fellow Troop Leaders?
Having older girls certainly can bring its own challenges, but sometimes you need to step back and let the girls figure it out. Guidance is key but they need to be able to come to their own conclusions. While they learn independence and make choices on their own, I have learned to be flexible and take a step back while letting them lead.

What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?
There is not one-size-fits-all to Girl Scouting. Let the girls tell you their interests and help them explore new options. The most important thing is to let the girls take ownership of their Girl Scout Journey.

What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts?
Community volunteers help make all the programming possible. “Many hands make light work” is our Service Team’s motto and volunteers help make our girl programming and Girl Scout Cookie Program a success.

Tell us in your own words, why it is important to participate in the Cookie Program?
Our troop sells both Fall Product and Girl Scout Cookies. These programs help girls learn goal setting, business development and customer service. I have seen girls blossom during product sales and learn to take an active role in their business success.

What are your troop’s cookie-selling tips and tricks?
Don’t be afraid to ask businesses to be able to booth in front of their stores. Self-scheduled booths brought in a significant amount of our troop’s total sales. Plus, you can build a relationship with a business and they can be a resource later for your troop.

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader?
One of the most inspiring moments has been watching girls find something they are so deeply passionate about and wanting to be that driving force for change within their community.

Service Unit: Desert Valley

Troop 579, Brownies-Cadettes

Years as a GS: 3

Years as Troop Leader: 6

What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?

When my second oldest granddaughter, Savette, wanted to be a Daisy like her older sister, Sophia, the Daisy troop was full. That’s when I decided I can create a new troop, and I did as a co-leader. I also experienced an unfortunate event where my co-leader became ill and I was the leader until she could come back.

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

WI think their favorite activities are encampment and family camping. However, we do many other activities directed by the badge requirements. Some of our favorites are the badges centered around art. 

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

We donated cookies to the food banks in Paulden and the Chino Valley Community Church. At Christmastime, we’ve also contributed gifts to the Elder Tree in Paulden. However, our biggest effort was at the Empty Bowls event last September where people purchase a hand-made bowl for $20 and receive a meal of soup, bread and water. Troop 579 washed the bowls before and after they were used for soup and packed them for the people to take them home. The event generated over $19,000 on one day alone and all the proceeds of the sale went to the food banks. 

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

Being able to volunteer with my troop at other events where we serve others together, like the Empty Bowls event

What advice would you give other Troop Leaders?

Find the time to use the resources provided by Council – from your service units’ MSE (Member Services Executive), and the website. Getting ideas and help from other Troop Leaders is also a huge help! Lastly, the monthly leader meetings also provide a wealth of ideas and information from your fellow leaders that all leaders should attend.

Completed this activity? Send us a photo or post it on social media and tag us using #GSACPC. 

Service Unit: South Phoenix

Troop 4009, Multi-Level, K-12

Years as a GS: 14

Years as Troop Leader: 12

What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?

I was a parent volunteer with my stepdaughter’s troop, and I helped out here and there. Then the leader approached me when she was retiring to see if I wanted to lead the troop. I have always loved kids and love to help, plus I always wanted to be a Girl Scout.

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

We let the girls choose badges and outings. We have visited attractions all over the state, including Tombstone, Bearizona, the MIM, Kartchner Caverns, Biosphere, and so many more. The girls love to try new things; see things they’ve never seen. One of their favorite trips was Bearizona, where they saw snow for the first time. We also like to teach them life skills. One of their favorite activities is when we make pancakes. Every level in the troop gets to participate – staging, measuring, mixing, making the pancakes, and setting the table.

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

We have participated in a few service projects like graffiti cleanup, trash clean up in a park, helping at the annual Laveen Pit BBQ, Feed Your Starving Children, collecting blankets and socks for the homeless, and donating bags for the homeless containing essentials.

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

This is difficult after twelve years and countless memories with my troop. Seeing one of the shyest girls talk in front of a crowd of people, seeing how excited a girl gets at a cookie booth, watching the girls blossom as they grow.

One recent memory that stands out is when I saw Girl Scout Senior Lina get up on stage during a sister-troop encampment. When Lina joined Troop 4009 as a kindergartner, she was so shy – she didn’t talk to me for the first year. Fast-forward 10 years – she was on stage with another girl performing during a lip sync battle, and was so animated, not shy! I teared up. Lina is also on an Academic Decathlon team, and we (Lina, her mom, and me) all agree that Girl Scouts played a considerable role in helping to build her confidence to stand in front of hundreds of people and give speeches during competitions.

What advice would you give other Troop Leaders?

Be open – learn from the girls, learn from others, embrace the moment, ask for help, have fun. I encourage leaders to be involved in their Service Units – to attend meetings, participate in neighborhood functions, etc.

What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?

Don’t try to do it all yourself! Start slow and build; you don’t have to try to do a million activities all at once.

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

People have misconceptions about volunteering – that you had to be a Girl Scout as a kid, or you must have a biological child participating to volunteer. I would encourage people to find where they fit in. Maybe a leader isn’t the fit for you, but there are so many other avenues to take as a volunteer. Find your passion and see where it fits with Girl Scouts.

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

Yes, we do sell cookies. I encourage parents to have their girls participate primarily because of the five skills the program helps develop in girls. I tell them that working a cookie booth helps the girls with confidence, teaches them essential life skills (e.g., math, communication), and teamwork. Participating in the program also affords our troop all the experiences we have.

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

Greeting everyone who walks by the booth. Being kind to every potential customer, even if they don’t buy. And simply thanking people.

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader?

Not sure I can pin it down to one moment. Being part of my troop members’ lives inspires me. I am invited to high school graduations, college graduations, baby showers for girls who bridged to alums, weddings of parents. I am part of their family, and they are part of mine. I was at a wedding on Leap Day for one of my troop moms. At this wedding, I sat at a table with a group of women that I met through Girl Scouts. None of us would be friends if it weren’t for Girl Scouts. My friends (now family) are all possible because I decided to become a Leader. The friendships I have made, and deeply treasure, are what inspire me every day. The bonds I have made with these families is heartwarming. We have seen each other through celebrations, birthdays, weddings, divorces, death, and everyday life. Having this support system inspires me.

Service Unit: Ocotillo

Troop 3050, Cadettes

Years as a GS: 2

Years as Troop Leader: 8

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 What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?

At first, I wanted to spend time with my daughters doing all the fun activities. Then when I saw all the options for experiences – badges and service projects, neighborhood encampment and travel – I wanted to have more of a role in guiding and encouraging the troop to get more involved with all that Girl Scouts offers.

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

We work on badges – each girl picks one that interests them and leads it each year. Some of our favorites have been cooking, learning about pets/animals, and woodworking.

Our troop likes to go on field trips – police station, firehouse, bank tour, frozen yogurt shop, pizzeria tour, pet store, and a tour of the City of Chandler building, to name some. Many of these are free or low cost and help us work on badge requirements.

We love to travel! We’ve been to San Diego twice. Once for beach camping at Camp Surf and another year we stayed at Sea World overnight. They were both awesome trips!

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

For their Bronze Award, Troop 3050 held a backpack drive for foster kids. We started by setting a goal. I thought we could try for 20 but one of the girls in our troop said, “I think we should try for 100.” We set up a meeting with the school principal and asked if we could have the drive at school. We explained why foster kids needed backpacks and what our next steps were. The girls then made signs, hung them up and decorated boxes for collection areas. In just a week and a half we collected over 80 backpacks! Our next step was working with a local woman who collected other needed supplies so that we could stuff the backpacks with toiletries, a new book, stuffed animal and pajamas.

We recorded our steps throughout the process to pass along to other troops so they can have successful drives in their communities, making the project sustainable.

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

Going to a food bank to pack perishable items and help people in our community load the food into their cars, bikes, and backpacks to take home.

Packing food for children in another country was such a valuable learning experience but seeing the need in our own backyard was eye-opening for the girls.

What advice would you give other Troop Leaders?

Don’t get overwhelmed! There are so many resources available to help you, especially from other leaders. Also, get more parents involved! Even when my girls were Daisies, each parent was asked to lead one meeting. As the girls got older, their parents helped less and the girls led more.

Take advantage of Council-led activities and events! The girls LOVE council staff!

What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?

Let the girls play and factor that time in to the meetings. Don’t worry about all the small details involved in each badge. Did the girls learn something, try something new and have fun? Great!

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

Whether you have one hour or 20, there is something you can help with. When I planned an encampment, I had a woman who wanted to help but couldn’t come to a lot of meetings. I asked her to simply buy the ingredients needed for S’mores. She was happy to buy those items while she was doing her normal grocery shopping and it saved me a trip to the store and some room in my car.

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

Yes, we do sell cookies. I think it’s important to participate in the cookie program because it’s a great way to raise troop funds. The cookies sell themselves! Not only does the sale help our troop buy badges and patches, troop supplies and fund travel, the cookie program keeps our camps running. We love all the camp properties and always have the best experience at Council events. We are so lucky to have four beautiful camps.

What are your troops’ cookie-selling tips and tricks?

We always answer the question “How much are cookies?” with “they are 4 for $20.” Many people will buy up and leave happy with more cookies.

Booth tips – never sit and always wear your uniform. People notice the effort. We have learned not to just say “Cookies for sale!” But ASK “Would you like to buy some cookies?”

Ask everyone. Just ask!

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader?

My 7th grade Cadettes and I planned and organized an event for our Service Unit. It was a Photo Scavenger Hunt for Daisies, Brownies and Juniors. We had fun doing a run through of all the clues the week before the event and were so excited when we had 80 girls register and attend! I was so proud to see the girls explain the rules, encourage teams during the hunt and then keep them busy during scoring by teaching songs and playing games. They were helpful, friendly and showed leadership.

Service Unit: Oasis

Troop 7073, Daisy – Junior

Years as a GS: 0

Years as Troop Leader: 2

What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?

I decided to become a leader after not finding a troop that fit my daughter’s interests.

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

We enjoy taking trips outdoor such as hiking. They also enjoy doing artwork.

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

One of the service projects has been making snacks bags to feed the homeless.

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

A volunteer moment that stands out to me was to be able to run a Journey in a day for the Service Unit without any prior experience. The event turned out to be such a fun and exciting day for the girls.

What advice would you give other Troop Leaders?

The advice I would give is to always ask for help. There is always a leader out there willing to help you out. 

What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?

I wished someone would tell me that asking for help doesn’t mean you’re unsure of things, it just means that you are wanting extra guidance to direct your girls the right way.

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

I would like them to know that there’s a ton of training for almost anything such as mental health and going camping. These trainings are essential and help leaders to have all the proper information to support girls.

Tell us in your own words why it is important to participate in the cookie program?

I think it’s important to participate in cookie selling because it teaches the girls how to independently reach their goals.

What are your troops’ cookie-selling tips and tricks?

My troop sells every weekend after the sale starts and usually does 2-4 booths a day. 

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader?

The most inspiring moment has been being able to have such a good connection with my co-leaders that whenever we need something one of us is always willing to help.