Frequently Asked Questions

Uniforms

A: No girl has to purchase a uniform. Wearing the Girl Scout Membership Pin shows that you are a Girl Scout. Insignia, however, can only be displayed on sashes or vests. When asked to represent Girl Scouts in public, girls should be in uniform or dress for the occasion, with something that identifies them as a Girl Scout. For example, if girls are asked to put on a flag ceremony, they should be in full uniform. If they are out planting trees at a public event, a Girl Scout T-shirt or a Girl Scout hat or button may be best. If troop members don't have uniforms and they want to do a formal flag ceremony, they can make arrangements through their service unit to borrow uniforms for the event.

The council office should also be able to help the troop connect with girls who have flown up or use a uniform recycling closet. Uniforms are a good investment. They last for three years usually, and Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts can wear theirs for up to five years. Most schools that require uniforms will let Girl Scouts wear their uniforms on meeting days.

Q: Where do I place pins and badges on the uniform?

A.   Brownie Vest
       Junior Vest
       Cadette/Senior Vest

A: Girls can register as individual members; however, this solution is not the best, particularly for younger girls, who will miss out on the socialization and teamwork necessary for building leadership skills. Although older girls who do not have troops often register as individual members, they might belong to a planning board, be an assistant trainer, or be working on a leadership project involving younger girls. Often councils will have special interest groups, school day Girl Scouting, Web troops, or other ways of bringing Girl Scouting to girls who might not otherwise be able to join.

Parents

Q: How can I get parents to pick their children up on time?

A: Help parents realize that you are volunteering your services as a leader and are not a childcare facility. It is really important to make this clear at your parent meetings. Help parents to network with one another so that they can carpool and possibly switch with each other on pickups. Suggest they find an alternate person to pick up children. Never leave a child at the meeting place on her own. Arrange to switch off the closing responsibility with other parents. Possibly have a drop-off point (with a relative or guardian) for girls if they live on your route home.

Product Sales

Q: Can Daisy Girl Scouts sell cookies?

A: No. Daisy Girl Scouts are too young to handle money and be responsible for the sale of products.

Q: Do we have to participate in the Girl Scout Cookie^® Sale as a troop?

A: Each girl must have parental permission to sell cookies. Your council may have policies about how troops raise funds for their activities. Check with the council to see what its rules are.

Training

Q: Do I need to wear a uniform as a leader?

A: No, but it sets an example for girls and gives you a way to say that you are proud to be a Girl Scout. You may decide to be a trainer or a council delegate or be asked to represent your council in the community—uniforms are very appropriate for any of these activities. For adults, as well as girls, the variety of uniforms provides for both active and formal occasions.

Q: Do I have to have training to be a leader/co-leader?

A:  It is recommended by National that all leaders take "Basic Leader Training".  However, Farthest North Girl Scout Council requires leaders and co-leaders to take this course.

Q: Do I need first-aid training as a leader?

A: It is recommended that an adult trained in first aid be with your troop. A first-aid-trained person is needed for camping and certain other activities, as noted in Safety-Wise. The troop should have a first-aid kit as well. Even though it is recommended by National, Farthest North Girl Scout Council requires it.

Q: Where can I purchase official insignia?

A: Earned proficiency awards like Brownie Girl Scout Try-Its and Junior Girl Scout badges may only be purchased by Girl Scout leaders from local Girl Scout councils or the national organization.

Management

Q: Where can I get help with my troop?

A: Parents, other adults, sponsors, your community, and your Girl Scout council are great resources. The biggest mistake people make is not asking for help.

Q: I have a girl who constantly disrupts our meetings. What do I do?

A: She may be acting out for a number of reasons. You need to have a non-confrontational meeting with her. Note the behaviors that are causing a disruption and ask her to help you find a way around them. Try to check out what her interests are, and give her troop responsibilities. If the girl has no friends in the troop, you might ask your most mature girl(s) to take the lone one under her wing. Many girls who act out need ways to express their energy, a lot of understanding, and the chance to feel a part of the group. Try for some one-on-one time with the girl and be her friend. Help her to understand how she can be a part of the group and focus her energy in a positive manner.

Q: The girls' families cannot afford much money for activities. What do we do, especially at the first of the troop year?

A: Many activities require little or no money. As the girls decide the kinds of projects they want to do, make a list of what is needed. Find a troop sponsor that might help finance public transportation or admission fees for a field trip. Use recycled materials for projects. Involve the families and neighborhood in collecting aluminum cans for recycling to provide funds for the troop treasury. Give girls a scavenger hunt list for basic items around the house, like scissors, string, glue, pieces of fabric, and foil. Look for projects that can be adapted. Start early in creating a goal and budget for the troop's Girl Scout product sale. At a parent meeting, have a giving tree, where parents select pictures of items hanging on a tree to donate or have others donate to the troop. Check out the guidelines for council financial aid so you can request it for what you need most.

Q: I am having problems with my co-leader. What do I do?

A: For any problem with a co-leader, you need to communicate with each other. Get a clear idea of what the troop will be doing throughout the year, and divide the responsibilities. Arrange for backup if one of you gets sick or is out of town. If you are in a situation that is uncomfortable for you, chances are it is the same for her. You might even ask your service unit manager or council area manager to sit down with both of you. Problems in leadership reflect in the girls' experience. Do not let adult hassles become an issue for girls or their families. It is a no-win situation and is the antithesis of the Promise and Law.

Q: My daughter is in my troop. How do I give her room to grow on her own?

A: While many mothers become leaders to be closer to their daughters, it is good that you recognize that she has a need to grow on her own as well. What's most important is to treat her as you would any other girl in the troop. Family misunderstandings need to be resolved outside of the troop. When dividing up girls, try to have your daughter work with another adult as much as possible.

Q: One of the moms who helps at troop meetings brings her little boy. He is really disruptive. What do we do?

A: She needs to find childcare so that she can concentrate her attention on the girls when she is there. You might ask your area manager to recommend a Senior Girl Scout who is willing to assist with childcare once a month or ask another parent for childcare help.

Q: Can I count a Senior Girl Scout as an adult when preparing to meet adult/girl ratios necessary at meetings or on trips?

A: No. Although she may be as mature as many adults, she is still a girl member and not legally an adult. An older girl should never be left alone to supervise younger girls. It is unfair to her, the girls, and the parents, who expect adult supervision.

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