TROOP PROGRAM

GIRL SCOUT PROGRAM GOALS: The four Programs goals are the areas in which we focus our program to give girls the opportunity to grow as a result of their participation in Girl Scouting.

Develop to her full potential
Relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect
Develop values to guide her actions and to provide the foundation for sound decision-making
Contribute to the improvement of society through the use of her abilities and leadership skills, working in cooperation with others

SERVICE UNIT SUPERTROOP GOALS: This is a program designed by our Service Unit to outline an “ideal” troop. Troops that follow this program naturally keep more girls because they are active troops with a well-rounded program. Requirements include ceremonies, outdoor activities, service projects, and level interaction. There are also leadership requirements such as attending monthly Leader Meetings, attending training, and participating in fundraiser. We earned this award for the 2001-02 and 2002-03 school years.

HOW WE ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS

LEADERSHIP: As scouts grow older, we try to shift more and more of the planning and ideas from adults to girls. This still requires some adult idea input, but once the scouts seize upon the idea, we will encourage them to be active participants in the planning. We want the girls to take responsibility more and more for running the troop. Girls will be given leadership jobs within the troop – everything from attendance taking to Patrol Leader. This will be a gradual progression this year as we prepare them to bridge to Junior Girl Scouts.

PROGRESSION: Brownie Girl Scouts are typically 6-8 years old (grade 1-3). In March 2003 we will start preparing troop members for bridging to Junior Girl Scouts. Junior Girl Scouts are typically 8-11 years old (grades 3-6). Parents of 2^nd grade girls will have to decide whether their daughter will remain a Brownie for an additional year or bridge with the 3^rd graders. If the younger girls are to remain Brownies, we will need a parent to volunteer to be a co-leader and run the Brownie activities for the 2003-2004 school year.

FIELD TRIPS & EVENTS: There are normally 5-6 events per year. Last year’s events included Christmas in the Park, Sweetheart (father/daughter) Dance, Thinking Day International Market, Orienteering (compass & map) hikes, and San Jose Fire Department safety instruction. We generally plan a couple of summer activities as well. During the summer of 2002, we visited the Winchester Mystery House, Oakland Zoo, and Raging Waters, as well as camped at Mt. Madonna.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: Not every person is comfortable in the out-of-doors, but millions of girls who have passed through Girl Scouting say camping is what they remember the most. First, if your daughter absolutely does not like to go camping, that’s ok. She can be an active member of our troop and elect to not go on our campouts. Camping gives girls an exposure to nature they don’t get in their backyard, but more significantly, the things we do at campouts (hiking, firebuilding, outdoor cooking, etc.) gives them self-confidence that adults who go with me can visibly see form before our eyes on our camping weekends.

In 2001-02, we took 3 overnight trips: two local overnights at Rainbow’s End in November 2001 and February 2002 and camping at Mt. Madonna in August 2002. For the 2002-2003 program year, we had an October camping trip in Soquel, a February overnight at Rainbow’s End, a May camping trip to Junior Camporee, and a summer camping trip in Monterey.

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