A Little About Us...
Lori Bell, Troop Leader
My scouting experience began when I joined Brownies in 1968. I remained a youth member until 1972. After two years as an assistant Brownie Leader, I became a Leader with our Troop's first year in the Junior program. In addition, I am member of the Mercury Service Unit Team, serving as Registrar, Service Unit Cookie Chair and South Brevard Association Delegate. I have submitted my paperwork to obtain American Red Cross Canoeing Instructor Certification, American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification, and Intermediate Troop Camping training during the 03/04 troop year.
| New Leader Orientation Basic Leader (BL) I and II BL III for Brownie Program BL III for Junior Program 1st Aid/CPR Training (renewed 6/03) Outdoor Progressive Training (OPT) Basic Troop Camping (BTC) Service Unit Cookie Chair Training New Registrar Training Volunteer Management |
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Leadership Development Pin w/4 Green Leaves Mercury Service Unit Outstanding Volunteer 03 |
Mary Wells, Assistant Leader
Mrs. Wells and her daughter, Emily, joined our troop in the first year of our Junior program. Although, not registered as an adult member that first year, Mrs. Wells could be counted on to help at any troop meeting. She became a registered member of the troop last year and managed the GIFTS for Girls Campaign and the Calendar sale. She also served on the Mercury Service Unit Team, assisting me with the cookie sale. This year, Mrs. Wells will be in charge of the Unit's Product Sales and is organizing a Service Unit Community Service Project. She is planning to complete Outdoor Progression Training and Basic Troop Camping this fall. Mrs. Wells has also completed the requirements to earn the Leadership Development Pin which will be awarded to her at our 1st awards ceremony.
| New Leader Orientation Basic Leader (BL) I and II BL III for Junior Program Service Unit Cookie Chair Training |
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Meeting Dates and Times
Our troop meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. There are a couple of months when the meeting dates will be altered due to student holidays. I have secured the cafeteria as our meeting location. We meet immediately after school until 5:00 p.m. Bi-monthly planning calendars are available for each girl with meeting dates, snack schedule, upcoming events and deadlines recorded. If you don't have one, please let me know. The planning calendar is also be published on this website.
On the 2nd and 4th Mondays, except those that fall on school holidays, we will have an optional Badge Activity Day. Meeting time will be immediately after school until 5:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. This is time for your scout to work independently or in small groups on Badges and Signs. I would ask that your scout come prepared to work and have her badge book or other materials and a snack, if desired, with her.
Troop Leadership
Junior Girl Scout troops are governed by the girls based on one of the following systems: The Patrol System, for large groups, or the Executive Board or Town Meeting for small groups. We use the Town Meeting format and it seemed to work well. Each month a girl will be chosen as moderator, scribe or treasurer. These duty assignments will be annoted on the monthly planning calendar.
Uniform & Books
A uniform is not required to participate in Girl Scouts. You are, however, encouraged to purchase at least a vest or sash, unit numerals and council identification. The uniform policy of WMSS states that students may wear a Scout uniform to school on meeting days for meetings immediately after school. Previously, it was asked that with the exception of the vest or sash, you not mix the school uniform and the scout uniform components. It is also my understanding that the school staff has stated that with the exception of socks, if your child wishes to wear a uniform to school, it must be a complete uniform, not uniform pieces mixed with street clothes. It is also not required that your Scout have her own books, but it will greatly assist her in earning badges on her own. If only purchasing one book, please consider the Badge Book. All of these can be purchased at Turner's Department Store or WalMart in Indian Harbour Beach (if shopping at WalMart, numerals and council identification are available in the layaway department.)
Dues - $3.00 a month. This may be subject to change, depending on activities.
Snacks
A snack schedule will be annotated on the planning calendar that will be given to your scout at the first regular meeting. Please note the date you have been assigned to provide snacks. If your schedule will not allow you to supply the snack on your scheduled day, please let me know as far in advance as possible.
Badges
Junior Girl Scouts are eligible to earn over 100 badges covering a number of different topics. We will be working on a limited number of badges as a group during the year. We will have several small award ceremonies during the year so that the girls may wear their badges and recognition patches as they earn them. To earn a badge on her own, your scout must complete six of the listed activities for that badge. There is a section in the back of the Badge Book where badge progress is recorded. Please have her use it. I am also asking parents to initial completed work. Your scout does not have to complete every badge she begins and it is perfectly okay for her to move around the book and complete projects that appeal to her. It will be very important for your scout to bring her Badge Book to troop meetings so that her individual progress may be recorded. Badges earned independently will not be ordered unless they have been recorded and initialed by a parent in the Badge Book.
Signs
Besides badges, Junior Girl Scouts are also eligible to earn four signs. These signs are based on the program goals of Junior Girl Scouting. They are the Sign of the Star (becoming your best), the Sign of the Rainbow (building relationships), the Sign of the Sun (values), and the Sign of the World (making the world a better place). We will be working on the Sign of the Star as a group this year.
Junior Aide Award
We are very fortunate to have several younger troops who would like the assistance of those girls who are interested in earning this award. Briefly, the requirements are that they coordinate their participation with me and assist the Brownie or Daisy Troop Leader with at least 3 meetings. This opportunity will be rotated among the girls who are interested in receiving the award. Many of the girls had a great time serving as Junior Aide last year. Those who have already received the award may repeat the service after all of the girls who are interested have earned the award.
Other Awards
Junior Girl Scouts are also eligible to earn The Junior Girl Scout Leadership Award, the Girl Scout Bronze Award, and safety awards. Girls are also eligible to earn awards according to their faith. If you would like more information on the award pertaining to your faith, please let me know and I will give you the information on how to obtain the award requirements.
Recognition Patches
These are "unofficial" patches and are worn on the back of the vest or sash. Such patches include cookies and calendar sales and sports patches.
Overnighters/Sleepovers
I am will to have several of these throughout the year, if the girls would like them. If you have ideas or suggestions for locations, please let me know.
Camping
The Service Unit will be holding Camporee in the fall and hopefully the spring. It is possible for the troop to camp on it's own, if the girls are interested.
Troop Level, Council Activities
Songfest is a great event held in Merritt Island. If the girls are interested, it would be great to go!
Product Sales
QSPand Calendar Sales occur in the fall and Cookie Sales are in the spring. In order to qualify for our trip to Savannah, each girl must participate in the cookie sale plus one other fund raising event.
Service Projects
I am proposing we participate in Goodwill Good Turn Days as our Council Service Project. This was our Service Project last year and the girls earned a patch (or rocker if they had the patch) for their vest or sash. The Service Unit is also planning a beach clean-up project that we will participate in - dates for that event have not yet been established. Other projects may be done through out the year. I am also going to propose to the girls that we participate in Service to America at the Canaveral Nat'l Seashore.
Savannah
We're Ready! Savannah is a easy day trip from Brevard County. Girls travel from all over the country to visit The birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low. The majority of our funds raised last year and those that will be raised this year will be used for this trip. Girls and parents are asked to pay a security deposit and sign a participation contract. See me for more details.
If you have any questions or need to contact me...