Introducing Your Troop to Girl Scouting

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
BROWNIE
GRADES
Introducing
Your
Troop to
Girl Scouting:
Three Sample Meetings
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What Is This?
The following pages contain suggestions for your first three Girl Scout Brownie troop meetings. The sample meetings
are based on activities from The Brownie Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting and the three different Leadership Girl Scout
Brownie Journeys. This guide is intended to get your girls acquainted with badge activities and traditions, as well as
assist the troop in deciding which Leadership Journey they may want to do during their first and/or second year as
Girl Scout Brownies.
What is Most Important?
Be sure to include girl/adult planning as a part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This partnership gives the girls
an opportunity to be with people who care about what they think, who listen to what they say and have a genuine
regard for them and their ideas. Girl Scout Brownies will enjoy making decisions about activities, choosing what
community service projects to complete and deciding which field trips to take. All activities should be based on the
needs and interests of the girls in your troop and be age appropriate. Be sure to complete your Girl Scout trainings to
understand the how, what and why.
Girl-Led: As it sounds, girl-led is having girls play an active part in figuring out the what, when, how and why of their
activities. Encourage them to lead the planning, decision making, learning and fun as much as possible. This ensures
that girls are engaged in their learning and experience leadership opportunities.
Learning by Doing: Also known as experiential learning, learning by doing not only incorporates hands-on
experiences, but also includes opportunities for girls to reflect on and process what they have learned. This means
that girls participate in meaningful activities and reflect on them through exploration and discussion. They then use
this reflection to make choices for the future.
Cooperative Learning: Through cooperative learning, girls work together toward shared goals in an atmosphere of
respect that encourages the sharing of skills and knowledge. Working together in an all-girl environment also helps
girls feel empowered as well as emotionally and physically safe. It also allows them to feel a sense of belonging.
What are the Girl Scout Brownie Leadership Journeys?
It’s Your World—Change It!
Brownie Quest
It’s Your Planet—Love It!
WOW! Wonders of Water
It’s Your Story—Tell It!
A World of Girls
The adult book of a Leadership Journey is a guide that walks adult volunteers through the basics of a meeting, with
samples for each meeting, suggested activities and field trips, and shows how the Girl Scout Leadership Experience
plays out in a troop setting. To purchase Journey books, contact the council shop nearest you. Girl Scout Brownies
will earn awards through their chosen Girl Scout Journey to put on their uniforms to show the skills they have learned.
They can also earn badges throughout their experience, in addition to the Journey awards, by utilizing the
instructions from The Brownie Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting.
BT:rs/np/1301846-001
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Additional Program Resources
The following resources can be found at www.girlscoutsofwesternohio.org and
click on the link for each resource listed below.
The Brownie Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting
Available to borrow from your regional Girl Scout Center Resource Library, for purchase at
your regional Girl Scout Shop or online. Click on Shop.
• Includes a handbook and steps to earning the seven Legacy, two Cookie Business, two
Financial Literacy and Make Your Own badges.
• Additional Skill-Building Badge Activity Sets must be purchased to know the steps to
earning those badges. Click on Shop > Journeys & Girl Guides > Skill Building
Activity Sets.
• Each girl can have her own or one can be purchased for the troop.
Volunteer Training
Required training for Girl Scouts Brownie leaders. Find more information, go to the website and click on
Volunteer Resources > Volunteer Training.
Regional Girl Scout Center Resource Libraries and Shops
• Cincinnati: 4930 Cornell Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242
• Dayton: 450 Shoup Mill Road, Dayton, OH 45415
• Lima: 1870 W. Robb Avenue, Lima, OH 45805
• Toledo: 2244 Collingwood Boulevard, Toledo, OH 43620
Service Unit Support
You received information about your service unit in your welcome letter and from a staff or service unit volunteer
contact before/after you were approved. These volunteers and staff are happy to support you by answering
questions, meeting in-person and/or providing workshops. Locate your service unit website information, click on
Volunteer Resources > Service Unit Communication.
Troop Start-Up Guide
Our Troop Start-Up Guide provides valuable snapshots for information such as your first parent meeting, opening
a bank account, checklists, forms and kaper charts. Go to Volunteer Resources > New Volunteer Resources, scroll
down to Troop Start-Up Guide.
Annual Program Opportunities for Girls and Adults
Includes council-sponsored and community-sponsored enrichment and badge
opportunities for troops. Hard copies are available from your service unit or electronically
online. Click on: Who We Are > Publications.
Volunteer Essentials
If your question begins with “Can I do this…” or “How do I…” look for the
answer in Volunteer Essentials. Important financial information is also
included. Hard copies are available from your service unit or
electronically online. Click on Who We Are > Publications.
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Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
Girl Scout Brownie Meeting #1
Goal:
• Girls get to know each other and learn about Girl Scout traditions.
Supplies:
• Sturdy paper/foam sheets (for nametags)
• Yarn/ribbon (for nametags)
• Decorative items (such as stickers, glitter, beads for nametags)
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Markers/crayons
Scissors
Glue/glue sticks
Hole punch
Newsprint/large paper
Ball/soft tossable object
Hula hoop
1. Pre Planning (20 Minutes)
Supplies: Newsprint/large paper and markers
• Write the Girl Scout Promise and Law on large paper for today and future use.
• Prepare any paperwork the parent/guardian may need to complete and sign.
• If having a snack before the meeting, you might utilize this time to have girls eat their snack. Have a
snack helper prepare the food.
2. Business and Planning (35 Minutes)
A. Ball Toss (10 Minutes)
Supplies: Ball/soft tossable object
• Say something like: Right now, we are in a Girl Scout Brownie circle. When we join this circle, we
are making connections with millions of girls all over the world standing in Girl Scout Brownie
Circles just like this one. Imagine 500,000 girls doing this same thing—you are part of this
amazing sisterhood. The first step is to discover all the skills, talents and qualities each of us
bring to our troop. As we toss around the ball, say your name and one special skill, talent or
quality that you bring to our Girl Scout Brownie circle.
• This activity is designed for girls to discover and name some of their special talents or qualities,
and then discover and appreciate what other girls bring to the Girl Scout Brownie circle.
• As the girls toss around the ball, encourage them to introduce themselves and to describe their
qualities and talents. If they get stuck, prompt them with something like, “I really like to….” or “I
am really good at….”
• After everyone has had a turn, summarize the qualities and talents the girls bring to their Girl
Scout Brownie circle. Take some time to process the activity with the girls.
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B. Introduce the Girl Scout Program (10 Minutes)
Supplies: Girl Scout Promise and Law poster
• Ask something like:: Who knows something
about Girl Scouts? (Answers may be something
Girl Scout Law
like: cookies, girls only, make new friends, etc.)
I will do my best to be
• Explain the program structure by saying
Honest and fair,
something like: Girl Scouting is all about making
Friendly and helpful,
new friends and learning new things. You, the
Considerate and caring,
girls, get to choose what you want to do, plan it
Courageous and strong,
and then do it.
And responsible for what I say and do,
• Summarize the meetings by saying something
and to
like: The next several weeks we will be doing fun
Respect myself and others,
activities so you can learn what a leader does. We
Respect authority
will be trying different activities like fun books
Use resources wisely,
called Girl Scout Journeys and then choosing a
Make the world a better place,
And be a sister to every Girl Scout.
Journey for us to take together.
• Teach the girls the Girl Scout sign, which is made
by holding the pinky down with the thumb on the
right hand, straighten the other three fingers that
stand for the three parts of the Girl Scout Promise
(to serve God and my country, to help people at
all times and to live by the Girl Scout Law.) The
Girl Scout sign is made when saying the Girl Scout
Promise.
• Have girls stand and join in saying the Girl Scout Promise. (Say one line at a time and let the girls
repeat after you.)
On my honor, I will try
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
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Teach the Girl Scout handshake. Each girl will hold the Girl Scout sign while shaking hands with
her left hand. This exchange can be used to practice greetings, friendliness or at formal
gatherings.
C. Troop Agreements/Kaper Charts (15 Minutes)
Supplies: Newsprint/large paper and markers/crayons
• Say something like: This is a new group that we are starting and anytime
you start a new group or a new class at school there are usually some rules
or agreements set at the beginning. How many of you have rules that you
have to follow at school or at home? Did you get to make those rules? Why
is it important to make rules and follow them? (Answers may be something
like: so no one gets hurt and so everyone knows what’s going on.)
• Say something like: In Girl Scouts, we are going to make our own troop
agreement so we stay safe, treat others with respect and have fun. We are
going to list some agreements together for our meetings. (Use a large
piece of paper and markers to write out the agreements that the girls
develop. The girls get to list the agreements and then the consequences if
they break the agreements.)
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Note: These
agreements
should be
simple and
easy. Stick to
four or five
basic
agreements
and display at
each meeting.
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The agreements and consequences should be agreed upon by the girls. You will have to help
them generalize the agreements. It is preferable if agreements can be stated in a positive way
such as what to do rather than what not to do. (For example: “Keep hands, feet and all objects to
yourself,” rather than listing all of the don’ts.) You may choose to use the Girl Scout Law to offer
suggestions to the girls.
Let them know that if they make the agreements they should abide by them.
Teach them about the Girl Scout Brownie ring, which will be used when decisions need to be
made, such as these agreements.
Teach a quiet sign. Say something like: When we are doing activities and everyone is excited it
may be hard for me to get everyone’s attention. There are some fun sayings that Girl Scouts use
to get attention:
o “If you can hear my voice, clap once…clap twice…”
o “Hey, hey, Girl Scouts!”
o Raising hand to get everyone quiet.
Let the girls pick the one that they like the best or that works the
best and write it on the paper with the agreements.
Brainstorm with the girls what jobs might need to go on a kaper chart that can be added when
your girls feel it is needed.
3. Major Activities (40 Minutes)
A. Nametag Creation (20 Minutes)
Supplies: Sturdy paper/foam sheets, yarn/ribbon, decorative items, scissors, glue/glue sticks and
hole punch
• Spread materials on a table in the middle for the girls to share all of the items. You might try a
station for hole-punching and yarn-tying.
• Give the girls adequate time to decorate nametags that will be used at each meeting.
• Check out the internet to see some fun examples of nametags.
• Ensure that each girl has a task for cleaning up the area when they are finished.
B. Pass the Ball, Please (10 Minutes)
Supplies: Ball/soft tossable object
• Five or more players try to pass a ball from one end of a horizontal line to the other end without
using their hands or letting the ball touch the ground. This is a teambuilding game.
• Players sit on the floor in a line (or two parallel lines) with their legs straight out.
• The ball is placed between the ankles of the first girl, who without touching it, passes it to the
next girl.
• If the ball touches the ground, the team must begin again.
C. Loop the Hoop (10 Minutes)
Supplies: Hula hoop
• Four or more players holding hands try to move the hoop from player to player without letting go
of each other’s hands.
• Players stand in a circle, holding hands.
• Hang a hula hoop over one player.
• While holding hands, players pass the hula hoop completely around the circle without letting it
touch the ground.
• Variation: For a large group, use two hoops, starting side by side, but going in different directions.
The game ends when the hoops meet.
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Debrief
o What was difficult about this game? What was easy?
o Did you need to trust each other? Why? Was that hard or easy?
o What makes being on a team together fun?
3. Clean Up and Goodbye (15 Minutes)
• Return and put away all materials, put trash in trashcan and put tables and chairs back.
• Say something like: Girl Scouts always clean up any messes and make sure that we leave things
better than we found it.
• Say something like: Let’s join together in a Girl Scout tradition of the friendship circle. (Have the
girls form a circle.)
• Say something like: How many people had fun today? In the next two meetings, we are going to be
talking about taking a Journey and earning a few steps to a badge.
• Say something like: Did you know that singing songs is a Girl Scout tradition? I now invite all of you
to join hands for the special Girl Scout tradition known as the friendship squeeze after we sing the
“Make New Friends” song. Let’s cross our right arm over our left arm and hold hands with the girl on
either side. Once everyone is quiet, sing the song in repeat style. Then, have a girl begin the
friendship squeeze by gently squeezing the hand of the girl to the left and one by one you will pass
on the squeeze until it travels all the way around the circle. The meeting is now adjourned.
Make New Friends
Make new friends, but keep the old
One is silver and, the other's gold
A circle is round, it has no end
That's how long, I want to be your friend
Help! How Do We Obtain Supplies?
Good news—you have some options:
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Have each girl donate a supply such as a pack of crayons, a few scissors, construction
paper, newsprint, pencils, yarn, hole punch, markers, glue sticks, white or notebook
paper, glitter/sequins, stickers or Rubbermaid box for supply storage.
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Have each girl bring a Ziplock bag, box with a pair of scissors, some markers/crayons,
pen/pencil, glue/glue stick to stay with the troop for each meeting.
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Have each girl donate $5 for a leader to purchase start up supplies.
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If the majority of your troop is unable to do one of suggested options, contact your
service unit to see if a disbanded troop has supplies to donate or call your Girl Scout
Center to ask about financial assistance options such as Troop Start-Up Funds.
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Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
Girl Scout Brownie Meeting #2
Goal:
• Girls develop positive values and learn teamwork.
Supplies:
• Nametags
• Girl Scout Promise and Law poster (from last meeting)
• Team Agreement (from last meeting)
• Markers/crayons
• Scissors
• Glue/glue sticks
• Pens/pencils
• Tape
• Strips of paper with the Girl Scout Law (page 13)
• Drawing paper
• Handkerchief/bandana
• Shallow pan
• Small mirror
• Flashlight
1. Pre Planning (10 Minutes)
Supplies: Nametags, strips of paper with the Girl Scout Law and tape
• Have the girls put on their nametags where you have placed them at their seat.
• Process any paperwork turned in by parents/guardians.
• Display the Girl Scout Promise and Law poster and Team Agreement.
• Have an adult helper prepare a snack, if eating. Girls may eat as they come in.
• Hide and tape the pieces of paper with the Girl Scout Law around the room.
• Read over the meeting agenda and activities.
2. Opening Business (20 Minutes)
A. Promise and Girl Scout Sign (10 Minutes)
Supplies: Team Agreement (from the last meeting)
• Bring the girls to their Girl Scout Brownie ring.
• Practice the quiet sign and reminder of the agreements.
• Ask something like: Does anyone remember what the quiet sign is that we use?
• Ask something like: Who remembers what our team agreements are?
• Ask something like: Who remembers the Girl Scout sign?
• Have the girls stand and join in saying the Girl Scout Promise while making the Girl Scout sign.
• Say something like: Today we are going to learn about Journeys we can take, and learn a little
bit about each one by playing some games and activities. First, we’re going to continue learning
about each other because making new friends is an important part of being a Girl Scout.
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B. Getting Acquainted (10 Minutes)
Supplies: Ball/soft tossable object
• Say something like: We want to continue to learn more about each other, where we live and
something special about us.
• The leader should go first as an example saying where one lives and something special about
oneself. Then, pass the ball to a girl. The ball acts as a “talking stick.”
• After the girl answers, offer a positive statement, such as: “Thank you, Jenny. How nice that you
.” She passes the ball to another girl for her turn.
• You might ask if one of the girls can remember the “something special” about each girl.
• Using the ball as a talking stick can be used for many other activities as a way to control talking
out of turn.
3. Main Activities (60 Minutes)
A. Going ELF (20 Minutes)
Supplies: Tape
• Before the activity starts, be sure to have had an adult hide the pieces of paper with the Girl
Scout Law around the room for the girls to discover.
• Girls will deepen their awareness of the Girl Scout Law by searching for, discovering and then
talking about the Law’s values. They will also begin the tradition of “ELF” (explore, link arms and
fly into action.)
• Say something like: In Brownie Quest, Girl Scout Brownies learn all about the Girl Scout Law and
how they can make a difference in their world. Now it is time to use those qualities that make us
special to discover the first key in our Brownie Quest. There are important clues to our discover
key hidden all around the room. You need to find the clues and put them together to discover
what they mean. Before you start searching, you need to know about an important tradition for
Girl Scout Brownies and that is ELF. What do you think it stands for? There is a secret meaning!
• Have the girls provide some answers. Then, say something like: You are going to go “exploring”
by “linking arms” with a partner. Then, listen for special “fly into action” instructions along the
way while collecting clues.
• As girls move about, give special “fly into action” instructions such as, “skip around with your
arms linked,” or “hop around and keep hopping even if you are picking up a clue,” “remember to
stay linked,” or “flap your free arms.”
• When all the clues have been found, ask the girls to unlink and return to the Girl Scout Brownie
ring. Do they recognize what they have found? Have the girls try to all share at least one of the
clues they found but have them start with the piece marked number one.
• In closing after they have read aloud the full Girl Scout Law, say something like: Each line of the
Girl Scout Law represents a value; something we believe is important and that we try to live by.
Our values are a part of what makes us special—just like all the talents and qualities you shared
today.
B. Making Rainbows (15 minutes)
Supplies: Shallow pan, small mirror, flashlight and drawing paper
• Say something like: In Wonders of Water, Girl Scout Brownies take the lead in saving the Earth’s
water. Today we are going to make rainbows!
• Fill a shallow pan with water until it is three-quarters full.
• Place a mirror at the pan’s edge.
• Invite each girl to shine the flashlight directly into the mirror, while another girl positions a sheet
of white paper so the reflection of the light shines on it.
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Girls may need to move the white paper until it “captures” the light. You may also need to adjust
the mirror until the girls can see the watery reflection on the paper.
Invite the girls to look closely at the reflection and describe what they see. (They should be able
to see all the colors of the rainbow.)
Debrief
o What did you like about this activity?
o What are some other fun activities we could do with water as part of this Journey?
o Where else do we see rainbows?
C. Games from Around the World (25 Minutes)
Supplies: Handkerchief/bandana
• Say something like: In the Journey book called A World of Girls, girls explore their place in the
world through stories and games. All around the world, girls like to play games, especially games
in which they move around. Playing games together is a way to get to know others, and active
games are important for staying healthy and fit. By playing games from around the world, you
also get to see what girls in other places like to do.
• Say something like: The game that we are going to play is called Cencio Mollo (pronounced
CHEN-cho-MOL-lo). Cencio Mollo comes from Italy and means “wet handkerchief.”
• In this traditional Italian game, the girls form a circle and one girl is chosen to be “it.”
• The girl who is “it” stands in the center with a handkerchief and goes to someone in the circle and
says, “The Cencio Mollo has come to you.”
• The girl she is facing says, “Let it come, I shall not cry, or laugh.”
• The “it” girl tries to make her laugh any way she can, but she can only touch her with the
handkerchief on the head or face.
• If the player doesn’t laugh, “it” moves on to the next girl in the circle. If the player laughs, she pays
a penalty such as having to sing a song, jump in the air five times or do something silly. Then she
becomes “it.”
• Have the troop practice saying “Cencio Mollo” and “Let it come, I shall not cry, or laugh” before
starting the game.
Debrief
o What did you like about this game? What didn’t you like?
o What did you notice other girls saying and doing during the game?
o Do you know any other games from around the world you could play and learn as part of this
Journey?
4. Clean Up and Closing (10 minutes)
• Return and put away all materials, put trash in trash can and put tables and chairs back.
• Say something like: Girl Scouts always clean up any messes and make sure that we leave things
better than we found it.
• Say something like: Next week we’ll be making a decision about the
Journey we would like to take as Girl Scout Brownies, and we’ll get to try a
few steps to earning a badge.
• Teach the Girl Scout Brownie Smile song.
I've got something in my pocket, it belongs across my face.
I keep it very close at hand, in a most convenient place.
I'm sure you couldn't guess it if you guessed a long, long while.
So I'll take it out and put it on, it's a Great Big Brownie Smile.
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Gather everyone in a circle and sing the “Make New Friends” song followed by the friendship
squeeze.
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Girl Scout Law (for “Going ELF”)
---------------------------------------------------1.
I will do my best to be
---------------------------------------------------2.
Honest and Fair
---------------------------------------------------3.
Friendly and Helpful
---------------------------------------------------4.
Considerate and Caring
---------------------------------------------------5.
Courageous and Strong
---------------------------------------------------6. Responsible for What I Say and Do, and to
---------------------------------------------------7.
Respect Myself and Others
---------------------------------------------------8.
Respect Authority
---------------------------------------------------9.
Use Resources Wisely
---------------------------------------------------10. Make the World a Better Place and
---------------------------------------------------11.
Be a Sister to Every Girl Scout
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Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
Girl Scout Brownie Meeting #3
Goal:
• Girls make decisions about their Journey and how to manage money.
Supplies:
• Nametags
• Girl Scout Promise and Law poster
• Team Agreement
• Markers/crayons
• Pens/pencils
• Scissors
• Large paper/newsprint
• Girl Scout Brownie Elf Doll (page 19, one per girl)
• Your Elf Groceries (page 21, two copies)
• Your Elf Stuff (page 23, two copies)
• Five Healthy Foods worksheet (page 25, one copy per pair of girls)
• Calculators (as many as you have around the house)
1. Pre Planning (10 Minutes)
Supplies: Nametags, Girl Scout Promise and Law poster, Team Agreement, tape, scissors, “Your Elf
Groceries” and “Your Elf Stuff”
• Have the girls put on their nametags where you have placed them at their seat.
• Display the Girl Scout Promise and Law poster and Team Agreement.
• Final reminder for paperwork/registrations.
• Have an adult helper prepare a snack, if eating. Girls may eat as they come in.
• Cut up “Your Elf Stuff” and “Your Elf Groceries.”
2. Opening Business (15 Minutes)
A. Girl Scout Promise and Sign (5 Minutes)
• Bring the girls to their Girl Scout Brownie ring.
• Say something like: Welcome back to our third meeting. How is everyone today? Give a
thumbs up, side thumb or down thumb for how you’re feeling. Today is going to be a great
meeting. You’re going to vote on your favorite Journey, earn a few steps to a badge and after we
do our Girl Scout Promise, we’re going to take a few minutes to brainstorm some field trips we’d
like to take in the future.
• Have the girls stand and recite the Girl Scout Promise. Try singing the “Baby Shark” song or
“Princess Pat.” Try searching the internet for lyrics and videos about how to sing these songs.
B. Trip Brainstorm (10 Minutes)
Supplies: Newsprint/large paper, markers
• Say something like: At some point after we have earned some money from selling cookies, we
might have some money to visit local places. Let’s brainstorm some ideas for places we might
like to visit or see.
If the troop needs some suggestions to get their brains thinking, utilize The Program Opportunities
for Girls and Adults book to help spur the brainstorm. Opportunities such as “Map Magic,” a “Flag
Ceremony” workshop, “Climbing Wall,” or “Girl Scout Brownie Chef” are some affordable councilsponsored examples available to Girl Scout Brownies.
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On the paper, write down ideas as the girls raise their hands to suggest ideas, no matter how
unattainable or attainable for your troop. Then, have the girls take a marker and put a dot by their
top choice. Once the “winner” is clear, have a discussion about how much it might cost to visit or
take this trip (i.e.: a visit to a park district to earn a badge would be more affordable than a day at a
water park or a trip to COSI). What goal might they set for themselves in order to visit this place?
3. Main Activities (65 Minutes)
A. Choosing a Journey Book (10 Minutes)
• Say something like: It is now time to vote on which Journey book you would like to try this year.
Remember the fun games and activities we did at our last meeting? Well, those were just a taste
of what our Journey could be. Did you have a favorite? Let’s review the three Journeys. They are:
• If you have borrowed the books, hold up the different books when speaking about each one.
• Brownie Quest: Your troop will have an adventure as you uncover the three keys to leadership—
discover, connect and take action.
• WOW! Wonders of Water: Your troop will find out how to love water, save water and share
water.
• A World of Girls: Your troop will use stories and games to learn about making the world better
for girls.
• Say something like: In each of these books, we will earn awards to put onto the front of your
vest/sash and it will help teach us how to do community service. All the books are fun, but we
have to pick one. Let’s take a vote to see which one we most want to explore this year—Brownie
Quest, Wonders of Water or A World of Girls?
• At this point, you might have the girls vote by running to a corner of the room that represents
each book, they can put their heads down or write their choice on a piece of paper. Take a vote
and let them know that you will be starting that Journey book throughout their year (or next year)
as a Girl Scout Brownie.
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B. Shopping for Girl Scout Brownie Elf (30 Minutes)
Supplies: Girl Scout Brownie Elf Doll, Your Elf Stuff, Your Elf Groceries, scissors, calculators and
markers/crayons
• This activity is taken from Step 1 of the Money Manager badge in The Brownie Girl’s Guide to Girl
Scouting. It is a Financial Literacy badge.
• Say something like: Now it is time to play with money and learn about wants and needs.
Everyone will have a Girl Scout Brownie Elf that you can cut out and decorate. We will use her to
shop. This activity will count towards step 1 of the Money Manager badge.
• While the girls are decorating their doll, place the 48 pieces of “Your Elf Stuff” and “Your Elf
Groceries” on a table for the girls to see so that they can “shop.”
• Tell every girl that she starts with $30 for her elf.
• Each girl takes turns picking one item for her elf.
• She should hold onto her cards. Keep letting the girls choose items until they think they’ve spent
up to $30. Have them come up to you to add their items using the calculator—as if you are the
cashier.
• In your Girl Scout Brownie ring, let the girls share a few items they purchased and why.
Debrief
o How many items did you get for $30?
o Are some of these items a want or are some of these items a need?
o Did you have enough money for everything your elf needed and wanted?
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C. 5 Healthy Foods (25 Minutes)
Supplies: Your Elf Groceries, 5 Healthy Foods Worksheet, pens/pencils and calculators
• Say something like: The next game we will be playing is a money activity about food. In Girl
Scouts, we work together. So in this game, you will be practicing team work. This also counts as
step 2 of your Money Manager badge.
• Place the 24 pieces of “Your Elf Groceries” from the worksheet onto a table as if it were the
grocery store.
• Divide the girls into pairs to worth together and give each pair the “5 Healthy Foods” worksheet.
Pass out pens/pencils and some calculators or enlist a helper as part of their kaper for the
meeting.
• Say something like: One person from your pair will pick a grocery card from the table for your
Girl Scout Brownie Elf doll. Then go back to your partner and together fill out the worksheet. For
example, if you pick peanut butter $3, you would write peanut butter in the food column and $3 in
the price column. Then the other partner will come forward, return the card and pick a new card.
Once again, you will fill this item and cost on your worksheet. Your team can purchase a total of
five items to fill up the worksheet. When you are finished shopping, we’ll get together to share our
purchases.
Debrief
o Were all your choices healthy foods for your Elf?
o Do these foods actually make a full meal for your Elf? What else would you need to buy for
her?
o Did you have any money left over? Would you buy anything with your left over money or save
it for a future grocery trip?
4. Clean Up and Closing (10 Minutes)
• Clean up time! Put away all materials, throw out trash, and put tables/chairs back, etc.
• Say something like: Girl Scouts always clean up any messes and make sure that we leave things
better than we found it.
• Have the girls join in the friendship circle.
• Ask them what they enjoyed most about today. Tell them what to expect at the next meeting.
• Sing the “Brownie Smile Song,” “Make New Friends” song or “Boom Chicka Boom” song. Check out
examples of “Boom Chicka Boom” on the internet.
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5 Healthy Foods
Food
Price
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Your Budget:
$30
Total Cost of Items:
$
Money Left Over:
$
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Where Do I Go From Here?
1.
Relax! This is just the beginning of a “learning by doing” journey. Ask for
guidance and support from your service unit and Girl Scout Center staff
members. You’re going to do great.
2.
Purchase a copy of the Journey chosen by the troop and if possible, a The
Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. You may find it helpful to establish a record
system for each member to record earned recognitions and badges. Ask for
dues to help cover this cost. Make sure every girl is a registered member.
3.
Trust us when we say involve parents and assistant leaders from the very
beginning. Find a task for every adult: helping with the product sales
(i.e.: cookies), camping certification, carpooling, first aid/CPR, snacks, etc.
Most adult volunteers should complete our application, background check,
and should register as a “Troop Committee Member (03).” This experience
is not meant to be done alone—gather your team.
4.
Don’t forget to complete your required trainings. Sign up for a free class or
watch the interactive videos on our website. Doing this will ensure you are
prepared to lead the troop successfully. If you don’t complete the trainings
within six months, you’ll receive notification that your troop is ineligible.
5.
Set up your troop bank account once you have two approved and registered
leader/assistant leader volunteers, and a troop number. Instructions are
found in the Troop Start-Up Guide (mentioned under “Additional
Resources” on page 2 of the document).
6.
Have the troop decide upon some simple field trip such as a service unit
event like World Thinking Day, a visit to the police station or a Journey
activity put on by the local park district.
7.
Get ready to participate in the Girl Scout Fall Product Sale and the Girl Scout
Cookie Program. These are two great ways for the girls to earn money to
support troop activities and to build five key skills including: goal setting,
money management, decision making, people skills and business ethics.
Have fun and keep it simple your first year!
BT:rb
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