Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
An Introduction to Girl
Scouting:
Three Sample Meetings
What is This?
The following pages contain suggestions for your first three Girl Scout Cadette troop meetings. The sample meetings
are based on activities from The Cadette Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting and the three different Leadership Girl Scout
Journeys for Cadettes. This guide is intended to get your girls acquainted with the 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 Cadettes.
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 Cadettes 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 Cadette Leadership Journeys?
It’s Your World—Change It!
aMAZE!
It’s Your Planet—Love It!
Breathe!
It’s Your Story—Tell It!
MEdia
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 Cadettes
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 from The Cadette Girl’s
Guide to Girl Scouting.
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Additional Program Resources
The Cadette Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting
Available to borrow from your regional Girl Scout Center Resource Library or
for purchase at your regional Girl Scout Shop or online, click on Shop.
• Includes a handbook and steps to earning the seven Legacy, three Cookie
Business, three 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 copy, or one can be purchased for the troop.
Volunteer Training
Required training for Girl Scout Cadette leaders. For 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
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.
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.
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 Cadette Meeting #1
In this introductory meeting, Girl Scout Cadettes girls will learn about the Girl Scout Promise and Law, set
their own Team Agreement, and decide on a troop crest to unify and describe their troop.
Supplies:
• Attendance roster
• Newsprint/large paper (two or three sheets)
• Markers
• Pens/pencils
• Embellishment supplies (i.e.: glitter, ribbon, stickers)
• The Cadette Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting (recommended)
1. Pre-meeting (20 Minutes)
Supplies: Attendance roster, pens/pencils, snack (if desired)
• If not completing online registration, collect any remaining registration or health forms from parents.
• Assign a girl to take attendance.
• Assign a girl to collect dues if this was previously decided upon by families.
• If the troop decided at the parent meeting to have snacks, this is a good time for the girls to make
and eat their edible creations. You might use ‘‘snack time’’ as a form of bonding such as having the
troop cook a spaghetti dinner together in a future meeting.
2. Business and Opening (20 Minutes)
• Introduce yourself. Say a few things about what you do, like to do and your favorite things to build
trust with the troop. The co-leader/assistant leader should also make an introduction.
• In a circle, have each Girl Scout say her name, a few special things about herself and a personal trait
(such as “I am especially outgoing”). This will guide your discussion later in the meeting about the
Troop Crest.
• Explain what will be happening. Say something like: We are starting a new Journey in Girl Scouting.
Over the next few weeks, we will be exploring the possibilities of Girl Scouting as older girls. We will
decide on a troop crest, define our personality as a troop, become formal members and make
decisions about what we want to do as a troop. This program is all about you—you get to decide! It’s
like you’re choosing your own adventure.
3. Major Activities (60 Minutes)
A. Working Together: Human Knot (20 Minutes)
• The troop will learn how they work together and how they will need to create their Team
Agreement after going through this activity.
• Divide participants into small, odd-numbered groups such as 5, 7 or 9 girls.
• Have each group stand in a circle shoulder-to-shoulder.
• Have the groups then face the left while remaining in a circle.
• Then ask the groups to take their left hand and without looking, reach into the circle and grab
another participant’s hand.
• Ask the participants to repeat the procedure with their right hand, also without looking.
• Once the group has created the knot, instruct them to untangle the knot without releasing their
hands.
• As the facilitator, you should allow the game to be difficult. Allow and encourage everyone to
talk.
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•
•
•
Usually there is a dominant leader or two in the group. It’s OK for these people to take the lead
for a while. However, the purpose of the game is for the entire group to give opinions and make
decisions as a team to untangle the knot.
When you see people getting frustrated, ask them to freeze and then assign a leader(s) at
different points in the game.
Ask debriefing questions like:
o What did you notice other people saying or doing during the game?
o How did you feel during the game (when people weren’t working together)?
o What did you learn? How can we apply this as a troop?
B. Introduction to Girl Scouting (25 Minutes)
The Girl Scout Promise
Supplies: Newsprint/large paper, markers,
On my honor, I will try,
embellishment supplies
To serve God, and my country,
• If the troop is not new and bridged up to
To help people at all times,
Cadettes, you might feel like skipping this part.
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
Perhaps just revisit why the troop exists and
how the troop wants to conduct itself now that
they are older.
• Girl Scout Promise and Law Poster
o Say something like: Let’s stand, hold the
Girl Scout Sign (thumb and pinky held
The Girl Scout Law
together on the right hand) and recite the
I will do my best to be
Girl Scout Promise. Good posture ladies!
honest and fair,
Here we go (recite the Promise and repeat
friendly and helpful,
line by line for this first time). Excellent.
considerate and caring,
Please memorize by the next meeting.
courageous and strong,
o We will make posters now to use at our
and responsible for what I say and do,
meetings that have the Girl Scout Promise
And
to,
and Law on them. As Girl Scout Cadettes,
respect
myself and others,
you are going to make those posters to
respect authority,
reflect who you are as a group and as
use resources wisely,
individuals.
make the world a better place,
o Give the girls time to create and decorate
and be a sister to every Girl Scout.
the poster.
• Team Agreement
o Ask something like: What does the Law mean to you? How do laws impact us? Why is it
important to have laws? What would happen if there weren’t any laws? Do you think that as
a group we should have an agreement as to how we will conduct ourselves while we’re here?
o Let’s take a few minutes to come up with a Team Agreement. This agreement will consist of
what you, as a group, agree the group should accomplish. It might contain a few rules or
examples. It is important for you to come up with this agreement since your team will be in
charge of managing the troop, how we act and what we do. Think of the Girl Scout Promise
and Law as you’re coming up with the agreement. When you’re ready, write your agreement
on a piece of poster board.
o If girls are stuck, give them some ideas like the ones below.
• We will watch our body language and listen. (No eye rolling!)
• If we have a conflict with someone in the group, we can…
• If we have a different opinion, we can…
• Gossip would be hurtful because…
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C. Troop Crest (15 Minutes)
Supplies: Troop Crest Overview (page 23 in The Cadette Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting)
• Say something like: In the early days of Girl Scouting, troop crests were used to identify a troop.
As more girls became Girl Scouts and more troops formed, people started using numbers
instead of crests to identify each troop. However, girls continued to choose crests for their
troops. Which crest best shows the world what you want your group to stand for?
• Remind the troop that they discussed special characteristics about themselves at the beginning
of the meeting. They also worked together during the human knot activity, and then translated
how they want to function as a troop during the development of their Team Agreement. What
came out of all this?
• Have the girls brainstorm words that categorize their troop make up. Feel free to have a girl
record their ideas on newsprint. Then, show the troop the crests and see if something fits for
them. What do they come up with? This will be their motto for the next three years as Cadettes,
and they will receive the patch to put on their uniforms at the next meeting. (You will need to
purchase the troop crests at the Girl Scout Shop or online—you might use troop dues if you do
not yet have any money earned from product sales.)
4. Cleanup and Closing (10 Minutes)
• Have the girls clean up their areas, making sure that everything is better than how they found it (Girl
Scout Golden Rule).
• Gather the girls into a friendship circle and sing “Make New Friends” (below). Since the troop is older,
you may need to remind them that this song is a special privilege and tradition that Girl Scouts get to
experience. It is not babyish—it is something they need to know and do. Make this a solemn,
reflective time to keep the troop engaged.
• Remind the girls that the next meeting will be a ceremony, uniform decision-making as well as
learning about what they can do as Cadettes (they’ll be making a “silver” takeaway that signifies the
Silver Award).
Friendship Squeeze and Song
The friendship squeeze and song is a Girl Scout tradition. It is important to close every meeting with this
tradition to signal the end of your time together as a group. Everything that you need to say to the group
should be said before you lead the friendship squeeze and song.
Girls should cross their right arm over their left arm and hold hands. Once the song is sung, pass the
squeeze around the circle. When every hand has been gently squeezed, count 1-2-3 and have everyone
turn out of the circle while untwisting their crossed arms.
Make new friends,
but keep the old.
One is silver,
and the other is gold.
A circle is round,
it has no end.
That’s how long,
I want to be your friend.
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Troop Crests
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Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
Girl Scout Cadette Meeting #2
Girl Scout Cadettes will celebrate their membership to the Girl Scout Movement by being a part of an
investiture/rededication ceremony, receiving their troop crest, and will learn about older girl opportunities,
including the second highest award—the Girl Scout Silver Award.
Supplies:
• Attendance roster
• Pens/pencils
• Team Agreement (created at the last meeting)
• Promise and Law posters (created at the last meeting)
• Markers
• Large paper/Newsprint
• Four taper candles
• Lighter/matches
• Membership Pins (one per girl and adult)
• Troop Crests (one per girl—chosen by the troop)
• The Cadette Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting (recommended)
• Girl Scout Silver Award Workbook (found on our website)
• Newspaper/tablecloth
• Fine glitter, silver
• 1 inch metal washers (one per girl)
• Mod Podge
• Mod Podge Dimensional Magic
• Pendant jewelry bail
• Superglue
• Black jewelry cord or thin, sheer ribbon for pendant necklace
• Scissors
1. Pre-meeting (10 Minutes)
Supplies: Attendance roster, pens/pencils, taper candles, lighter/matches, membership pins,
troop crests
• Assign a girl to take attendance.
• Assign a girl to collect dues, if desired.
• Snack, if decided upon by troop.
• Set up a table in the room dedicated to the investiture/rededication ceremony. Set out the candles,
lighter, matches, membership pins and troop crests.
2. Business and Planning (10 Minutes)
Supplies: Team Agreement, Promise and Law posters
• Recite the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Girls should stand with good posture, holding the Girl Scout
Sign during the Girl Scout Promise. Then, put the sign down and recite the Girl Scout Law.
• Review the Team Agreement and the Girl Scout Promise and Law posters made by the troop.
• Ask the troop to review the activities that occurred at the last meeting. What did they like/dislike?
• Give them a brief overview of the day’s meeting (ex: ceremony, older girl opportunities, ‘‘silver
symbolic craft’’).
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3. Major Activities (70 Minutes)
A. Investiture/Rededication Ceremony (20 Minutes)
Supplies: Taper candles, lighter/matches, membership pins, troop crests
• This will be the girls’ first time experiencing a Girl Scout
ceremony. Although it was not developed by the girls,
Not a New Troop?
they can use this model at future meetings to plan
A newly bridged Girl Scout
ceremonies such as a Court of Awards for earned
Cadette troop can use this time
badges, Journey Awards and bridging. Read more
to do a rededication ceremony.
about ceremonies on pages 15---17 of The Cadette Girl’s
Have a few new girls in an “old”
Guide to Girl Scouting to help plan future ceremonies.
troop? In the rededication
ceremony, make a special
• Say something like: Since this is your first time as a
mention that new Girl Scouts
Girl Scout Cadette, you will get to participate in a Girl
are being invested with their pin.
Scout tradition-----ceremonies. The ceremony we are
Ensure the rest of the troop
having today is called an Investiture ceremony, which is
welcomes them with hugs or
a welcoming ceremony. You will receive the Girl Scout
handshakes.
Membership pin. This pin should also be worn as
identification whenever a uniform is required. Why do
Search “Girl Scout Rededication
you think that is?
Ceremonies” on the internet for
• Read the following poem to the girls while holding up
ideas.
some of the membership pins in a slow and solemn
manner:
These Girl Scout trefoils in my hand
Upon new members we will bestow,
But first the meaning that the trefoil bears.
The spirit of our Promise we must know,
Three bold leaves the trefoil wears,
Threefold the Promise that it bears,
To serve God and your country dear.
To bring to people hope and cheer
And every day in every way,
The Girl Scout Law to obey.
Then say: Please stand and signify your belief in the words of the Girl Scout Promise by
repeating with me.
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.
•
•
•
Using a lit candle, recite and follow the instructions as you say something like:
o Candle # 1: This candle that I light, shall shine as a symbol that Girls Scouts are true to God
and their country.
o Candle # 2: May the light of the second candle shine as a symbol that a Girl Scout’s greatest
desire is to serve those around them.
o Candle # 3: May the light of the third candle shine as a symbol that Girl Scouts are true to
their ideals as interpreted in the Girl Scout Law.
o Have each member to be invested come forward. Present their membership pin and give
them a Girl Scout handshake (hold the Girl Scout sign with your right hand and shake with
your left hand). See page 3 in The Cadette Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting for more details.
Then say: This pin tells everyone that you are a Girl Scout. I know you will wear it proudly.
Welcome to Girl Scouting! Girl Scouts, may the three leaves of the trefoil, representing the three
parts of the Promise, give you the feeling that you are part of a sisterhood that will bring you joy.
When everyone has received their pins, make a special announcement about the troop crests.
Give each girl her troop crest and have the girls remind each other why they chose their crest.
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B. Silver Award Necklace (35 Minutes)
Supplies: The Cadette Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting (Silver
Award Guidelines)/Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Silver Award
workbook, newspaper/tablecloth, fine silver glitter, metal
washers, Mod Podge, Mod Podge Dimensional Magic, pendant
jewelry bail, superglue, black jewelry cord/ribbon, scissors
• Say something like: As Girl Scout Cadettes, you have the
opportunity to earn the second highest award in Girl Scouting,
the Girl Scout Silver Award. This requires that we complete a
Journey, which we will discuss and vote upon at our next
meeting. However, to get you excited about the possibility of
earning the Silver Award, I want us to take a look at the
guidebook, and then get hands on with the silver…silver glitter,
that is! We’ll create a silver necklace as a symbolic reminder that we are now older Girl Scouts
and have more opportunities available to us such as the Silver Award. Take a few minutes to
peruse (check out) the guidebook. Are there any questions?
• As some of the girls finish looking through the guidebook(s), assign those girls to spread
newspaper or a tablecloth to cover the workstation. Have them set out supplies.
• Coat the washer in Mod Podge and smother it in glitter. Allow to dry and shake off excess. (If
drying time takes a while, move along to the next activity and come back as glitter dries.)
• Carefully apply the Mod Podge Dimensional Magic and allow to dry (it will dry clear despite its
cloudy color). Again, if drying time is needed, move to the closing with the knowledge that
cleanup will be needed later.
• Superglue the pendant jewelry bail to the back of the washer.
• String the black cord or ribbon through the pendant bail.
C. Uniform Brainstorm (15 Minutes)
Supplies: The Cadette Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting (pages 20–21), newsprint/large paper,
marker
• Say something like: I’m sure many of you are wondering about “the uniform.” What are your
thoughts on the Girl Scout Cadette uniform? Do you like it? Do you want to get a sash/vest? Is it
important for you to have a uniform—why or why not? What does a uniform signify?
• Give the troop time to digest this concept. Show them the uniform in the Girl’s Guide. Assign a
scribe to draw a line on newsprint/large paper. Have her write “pro” and “con” on either side.
Have her record pro and con answers from the troop, ensuring every girl has a voice in the
matter.
• If the troop decides they do not want a uniform, have they thought through how they will display
their earned recognitions and activity patches? Mention that the badges are only allowed to be
displayed on a sash/vest, as well as their troop crest. If they want a sash/vest but don’t want to
wear it to every meeting, what could they do instead to unify their troop? (Examples may
include wearing their silver necklaces. Each girl could also wear a matching color such as red
socks or a blue shirt.)
• The point of this activity is to encourage the concept of the uniform, and give the girls a voice in
the matter so that they are excited about being a team and representing their troop.
4. Clean up and Closing (10 Minutes)
• Return and put away all materials, put trash in trash can, and put tables and chairs back.
• Share one or two activities the girls will be doing at the next meeting (for example: voting on a
Journey, looking at popular logos, brainstorming future activities). Did the girls enjoy the activities
today? What do they wish they had done?
• Friendship Song
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Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
Girl Scout Cadette Meeting #3
Girls will develop decision-making skills in brainstorming future activities as a troop and making a choice
about the Journey they will pursue through activities from each Journey.
Supplies:
• Attendance roster
• Promise and Law posters
• Team Agreement
• Tape
• Markers
• Large paper/Newsprint
• Scissors
• Pens/Pencils
• Glue
• Paper
• The Cadette Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting (recommended)
• Girl Scout Cadette Program Overview (page 18 of this packet)
• Program Opportunities for Girls and Adults (recommended)
• MEdia materials
o Logo Evolution (several sets for girls to share) (page 19–22 of this packet)
o Magazines for collage making (10–15 age-appropriate magazines)
o Blank paper/cardstock (one per girl)
•
aMAZE! materials
o Circle of Friends worksheet (page 17 of this packet)/large paper with two concentric circles
•
Breathe! materials
o Small fan
1. Pre-meeting (10 Minutes)
Supplies: Attendance roster, pen/pencil, Team Agreement, Promise and Law posters, tape
• Assign a girl to take attendance. Ensure each girl is properly registered, or else they won’t be allowed
to attend further meetings.
• Snack, if decided upon by troop.
• Assign a girl to collect dues, if desired.
• Assign a few girls to prepare materials for the day’s activities.
2. Opening Business and Planning (10 Minutes)
• Recite the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
• Review the Team Agreement. Have the girls read versus you reading to them.
• Ask the girls if they remember what they will be doing today.
• Choose a girl to say something like: This week we will jump into the Journeys-----and you get to
choose which way we go. There are three Journeys-----aMAZE! (focused on relational aggression,
bullying and how to take action to impact your school or community), Breathe! (focused on air
quality, the environment and our impact on both) and MEdia (focused on leadership, media and the
impact that media has on how you perceive yourself and others).
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•
Give the girls the chance to review the different activities for each Journey listed below and vote on
which activity for each Journey they would like to do for the meeting. There are two examples for
each Journey.
3. Major Activities (50–60 Minutes)—In this section, the girls will choose one activity per Journey.
A. Option One: MEdia—Logo Evolution (15 Minutes)
Supplies: Logo Evolution examples
• Say something like: Logos are often the first impression of a brand or company that its
consumers associate with what that brand is. Think of some of your favorite brands. Have the
girls call out their favorite brands (e.g. Gap, Aeropostale or Starbucks).
• Go through the Logo Evolution sheets.
o Page 19—Do the girls recognize the logo on the first page?
o The answer is Xerox (pronounced zeer-ox)!
• Ask something like: What does a logo say about a company? What kind of identity does this
lend to the product? To the company?
• Ask something like: What would cause a company to change their logo or the logo of one of
their products? How can this change be received? Check out the Logo Revolution examples. Go
through each example with the girls.
o Discuss the logo, and continue down the page. Discuss the next logo, ask something like:
How has this logo changed over the years? What differences do you see in the logos? What
can those changes convey to the consumers? Do you think companies purposefully create
an unrealistic image so that people will buy their product?
B. Option Two: MEdia—My Image Collage (25 Minutes)
Supplies: Blank paper/cardstock, markers, scissors, glue, magazines
• Have the girls create a collage using magazines to cut out logos that catch their eye, or represent
themselves.
• Spread some magazines out for the girls to look through. Have the girls cut out six items that
they think are wants and/or needs. They should glue them on their paper or cardstock, then
decorate with markers and their name.
• Ask something like:
o Why did you choose those logos? (Answers may include: I liked the colors, the shapes, the
lettering, the simplicity/ complexity or I know the brand.)
o What do your logos say about you? (Do you have popular tastes like Sketchers, Nike, Vera
Bradley, Apple? Are you more practical? Do you like store brands? Why? How do these
logos convey messages?)
o Which logos represent wants? Needs?
o Would it be easy or hard to change your image? (Yes, it can be easy, if you want it to be!)
What are some ways you can quickly do so? (Possible answers are changing your attitude,
working with your parents to come up with a solution, changing schools, trying a new sport,
joining a new group, getting your hair cut or listening to a friend.) The overall goal is to have
the girls conclude that their image is in their hands. Every day we make the choice to keep,
find or change our image.
C. Option One: aMAZE!—Circle of Friends (20 Minutes)
Supplies: Large paper/Newsprint, markers, pens/pencils, Circle of Friends worksheet
• Ask something like: How many of you have a best friend? How many have more than one best
friend? Maybe some of you have good friends too, and then friends you like and hang out with,
who aren’t as close to you as your best friend. Let’s talk about how we pick our friends. What are
the qualities you look for in a friend? Ask for a girl volunteer to write answers on large
paper/newsprint.
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•
•
Hand out the “Circle of Friends” worksheet to each girl and encourage them to share markers. If
printing is not an option, swap out the worksheets for large paper, and draw two concentric
circles.
Explain that the circle represents their circle of friends. Ask the girls to write the words in the very
center circle that describe the qualities they look for in friends. (They can use the newsprint list
for help.) Next, in the second ring, ask the girls to write words that they feel describe the qualities
they bring to friendships.
When the girls have finished their circles, divide them into groups of three to four girls to share
what they wrote with their small group.
Ask debriefing questions like:
o Did you notice any similarities in what you look for in friends?
o Are there qualities you feel you bring to your friendship that your friends don’t reciprocate or vice
versa?
o How can you be the kind of friend that you want to have?
D. Option Two: aMAZE!—Girl Code (20 Minutes)
Supplies: Paper, markers
• While the girls are finishing their Circle of Friends discussion in small groups, distribute one piece
of paper and markers to each group. Ask for the whole group’s attention, and say something
like:: Friendship can be difficult under the best of circumstances, and sometimes there are
unwritten rules or things we simply expect our friends to know and live by. Is there an unwritten
code? Sometimes, when we don’t follow the unwritten codes of friendships, we experience
conflict with our friends and we may not understand why.
• Ask something like:: Can someone give me an example of an unwritten rule of friendship—
something you just expect someone else to know? For example, do you expect your friend to
keep your life details private? Is your friend allowed to tease your siblings? If you give a friend
some money, do you expect her to pay you back, and if so, how soon? How long does your friend
have to wait before she can date your ex-boyfriend? What unwritten rules of friendship do you
have?
• Explain that the girls will stay in their small groups and work together to discuss the unwritten
rules of friendship and list as many of them as possible.
• Once the groups are done, bring the group back together and give each group the chance to
present their Girl Codes to the rest of the girls. See how many groups have the same or similar
statements written down.
Ask debriefing questions like:
o Why is it important to know what you want or need from your friends?
o Did you learn something about your friends or friendships here today? If so, what?
o Why is it important to choose your friends wisely?
o How can we improve our friendships?
E. Option One: Breathe!—Air is Here, There and Everywhere (15 Minutes)
Supplies: Small fan
• In this activity, girls will get to experiment with the air that is around them. You will need a small
fan for this activity.
• As a group, try the following steps:
o Turn on the fan. If there are ceiling fans, turn those on too. Have the girls move closer. Say
something like: Can you see the air now? Depending on the light, they may be able to see
the air moving in front of the fan.
o Say something like: Can you feel the air? How does it feel? Encourage them to enjoy the
breeze and think about what’s in it.
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o If no one has mentioned the word “wind” yet, say something like:
What’s moving air called?
o Keep the discussion going by asking the girls to name the times and ways
they’ve experienced wind.
When it clears the air.
When it messes up my hair.
When a hurricane hits or dry winds fan fires.
When I ride in a car with the windows down.
o Encourage the girls to think about how wind can be harnessed as a
sustainable, alternative form of energy—wind power.
F. Option Three: Breathe!—Check Your Noise Level (20 Minutes)
• Say something like: Speaking of sound, let’s talk about noise. What kind of
noise do you make? Can’t think of any? It’s time to get aware. We’re going
to learn about all the big and little noises that we all make day to day—and
whose airspace we’re invading.
• Gather the girls into a circle. Ask them to turn off all devices. All of them. It’s
only for a few minutes. Ask something like: How many of you have turned
off your phones and devices for a day? A weekend? A week? Was it
hard/easy? Did you discover anything new about yourself? If you haven’t
tried it, let’s try to make some time. As a group, do you think we should have “no gadget areas?”
You might be surprised at how nice it can be to make some silent spaces. Without making any
noise at all, how would we communicate? (Answers may include sign language and hand written
notes.)
• Savoring the silence (an introduction to meditation):
o Say something like: Take a deep breath and imagine silence. How about a whole evening of
silence. No phones, no screaming, no email, no texting or talking, no TV or computer games.
Let your mind wander. Where does it go? Let your body daydream. Do you sense anything?
Smell anything? What do you see? Feel your body slowly releasing from your toes, to your
legs, your knees, hips, belly, shoulders to your neck and head. Relax your face. How does it
feel to be just in the moment? Have the girls “come back.”
o Charades—another way. Now, have the girl’s think of what sounds they like. Have them take
turns acting out what that sound is. No talking! No noises! Once everyone has had their turn,
have them act out noises they don’t like.
4. Vote and Brainstorm (15 Minutes)
Supplies: Paper, pens/pencils, The Cadette Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting, Girl Scout Cadette
Program Overview, Program Opportunities for Girls and Adults
• Now it’s time to vote on which Journey the girls would like to pursue first. You might have them do a
secret vote, a heads down hands up vote, or a verbal vote. Say something like: Today we sampled
all three Journeys:
o MEdia, which is focused on leadership, media and the impact that media has on how we perceive
ourselves and others.
o aMAZE!, which is focused on relational aggression, bullying, and how we can take action to
impact our school and local community.
o Breathe!, which is focused on air quality, the environment and our impact on both.
•
Have an official vote and announce the results. Make sure that there is a consensus. Consensus
does not mean that everyone agrees perfectly. Rather, it means that everyone is okay with the
decision and feels their voice has been heard.
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•
Review The Cadette Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting for ideas for activities to
complement their Journey. Refer to pages 6–8 for ideas to get the troop
brainstorming what else they want to do (i.e.: trips, cookies, outdoor). Have girls
break into patrols (small groups of three to four) to discuss some ideas. Give them
paper for recording. You can also refer to Girl Scout Cadette Program Overview on
page 18 of this sample meeting packet for more earned recognitions to add to the
activities. Add in a copy of the troop’s Program Opportunities for Girls and Adults
for additional activities.
5. Cleanup and Closing (15 Minutes)
• Hold a discussion about the brainstorm and voting the troop just completed. What
did they like? Dislike? What are they excited about? You might have a discussion at
the next meeting about how much money it will all cost and how they will earn the
money (i.e.: Product Sales). Keep the discussion short and sweet though. Or, infuse
interaction into it because the girls will start thinking that meetings are like school.
• Having a consistent closing at each meeting creates uniformity and reinforces what
Girl Scouting is all about. Talk with the girls on what they would like their closing
ceremony to be during each session. It can be different each time, or you can do the
same thing each time as a tradition.
• Friendship song and squeeze.
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Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
Circle Of Friends
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Girl Scout Cadette
Program Overview
As Girl Scout Cadettes, girls have many options to explore their world through the Girl Scout Leadership
Experience.
Badges: Girls can earn a variety of badges based on subjects that interest them.
Leader in Action (LiA): You can earn a Leader in Action (LiA) award by
assisting a Girl Scout Brownie group on any of their National Leadership
Journeys.
Program Aide (PA): You can earn your PA pin by earning your LiA in
combination with a specific PA Training course and working with
younger girls.
The Girl Scout Silver Award: The highest award a Girl Scout Cadette
can earn—gives you the chance to show that you are a leader who is
organized, determined and dedicated to improving your community.
Silver Torch Award: Recognizes Girl Scout Cadettes who act as leaders
in their communities.
Cadette Service to Girl Scouting Bar: Awarded to girls who volunteer
20 hours to the Girl Scout Organization.
Cadette Community Service Bar: Awarded to girls who
volunteer 20 hours with an organization of her choice.
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Morton Salt
The Morton Umbrella Girl got her
start in 1914. The logo was
produced as part of a series of
ads in Good Housekeeping. The
concept was that Morton Salt—
unlike regular salt of the day—
poured without clumps, even in
damp weather. The company
added magnesium carbonate as
an absorbing agent to ensure
that its table salt poured freely
(it had since been changed to
calcium silicate).
At first, the advertising agency
suggested “Even in rainy
weather, it flows freely” as the
company’s motto. Morton felt
that it was too long, and the
motto was changed to the
catchier “When it Rains it Pours.”
Hmmmm…
•
•
•
•
How has this logo changed?
Should logos really matter that much?
Is it just like judging a book by its cover,or judging a person by the way she looks rather than what’s inside?
Why or why not?
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Notice how the Girl Scouts has changed its
look over the years. What has changed?
What similarities have remained?
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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, 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 and/or snacks. Most adult volunteers should
complete our application, background check and should
register as an “03–Troop Committee Member.” 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 this
document).
6. Have the troop decide upon some simple field trips such as
service unit events 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!
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