| General Information on Girl Scouting | Green Oaks Service Unit Information | Volunteering in Girl Scouts |
|
| General Information on Girl Scouting | Green Oaks Service Unit Information | Volunteering in Girl Scouts |
|
Program What day, time and place does the troop meet?
The times and place for a Girl Scout meeting differs by each troop. There are often a number of troops at a school, each meeting at different times. Usually a troop will meet at the elementary school that the majority of the girls attend. The meeting are mostly held in the evening since the majority of our leaders have daytime jobs. The time and place of your daughter's meetings depends on which troop she joins.
What will they do during the meetings?
Troop program is decided upon by the leaders and girls of each individual troop. Girl Scouts offers a wide variety of badges, patches and try-its for the girls to earn. Beginning in the Fall of 2008 there will be brand new leadership journeys for the girls to work on. There are also other GSUSA recognitions such as the Challenge Award, Cookie Pin, Safety Award, etc. Along with earning insignia the girls work on crafts, learn songs, play games and are taught leadership and lifetime skills
Money How much does it cost?
When a girl joins Girl Scouts she pays a $10 registration fee which goes directly to National GSUSA. Each troop will charge dues and sometimes an activity or start up fee. This amount differs with each individual troop. There are sometimes assessment fees for activities such as field trips and camping. If a girl cannot afford to pay these costs Citrus Council offers financial assistance for those that qualify.
What about uniforms and books?
The only uniform "required" for a Girl Scout is her Girl Scout pin which is given to her during her investiture. It is recommended that each girl have a place to put her insignia on i.e. Daisy tunic, Brownie vest or sash but not mandatory. Any other uniform items such as tops, pants, socks etc. are up to each individual girl. It is also recommended that each Girl Scout have her own handbook to work from. For further information please see GSUSA's page on Uniforms.
What does the money from Fall Products and Cookie Sales pay for?
The fundraising monies are used to pay for the recognitions the girls earn (badges, patches etc.), events that the troop has (ceremonies, parties etc.) and activities that they go on (camping, field trips etc.). Sometimes when a troop is planning a big trip such as Savannah they will save their money for a few years to pay for the event.
What is GIFTs for Girls and why should I donate to it?
GIFTS for Girls is a Council wide fundraiser that helps pay for things such as maintaining the four program centers, Mah-Kah-Wee, Riverpoint, Celia Little Lane and the Melbourne Scout House used exclusively by Girl Scouts. It also helps to underwrite training costs to prepare leaders for their troops, train instructors for canoeing, archery, etc. and Council events such as core camping, badge/patch/try-it workshops and out of town trips. Donating to GIFTs for Girls helps Citrus Council offer an excellent program to your daughter.
Parental Involvement What kind of involvement is expected of each parent?
Girl Scouts is not a babysitting service. Parents are expected to actively support their daughter's troop. Each troop needs two registered adults to hold meeting. They are usually the leader (01) and CO-leader (02. A troop can have more then one CO-leader. Adults are also needed as in troop committee positions such as Fall Product and Cookie Chairs, Camping Moms, Crafts Moms, Chaperones for field trips, Badges/Patch/Try-it workshop instructors and any other position as needed upon by each individual troop. The more active adult involvement a troop has the better it will be.
Do I have to register?
All leaders, CO-leaders and adults who handle money must register and fill out background checks as adult Girl Scouts. It is highly recommended that other adults do also since it provides insurance to cover any injuries during a Girl Scout activity.
Can I attend all my daughter's meetings and events?
Yes, if you are the leader or CO-leader. Yes, if you are providing a service for the troop such as leading a workshop or chaperoning an event. However, if you just want to go and observe that may be all right for the first few meetings but after that parents are encouraged to stay home and let their daughters merge with their troops. Parents who hang around meetings and talk or worse yet, interfere, disrupt meetings and make it impossible for the leaders to provide good programs for the troop.
