Troop Meeting Planner

Although meetings vary from age level to age level on length and activities, many times the basic meeting structure is the same. Following are the basic parts of a meeting (that can be used at all levels) which can be moved around and adjusted for your own troop's needs. As the girls get older, they can plan more and more components of the basic meeting until at the Older Girl level (Cadettes/Seniors), they should be able to plan an entire meeting themselves.

 

  1. Early Bird or pre-Opening: Something for the girls to do when they arrive with little leader direction. Girls seldom arrive all at the same time to meetings and many times the leader is busy setting up the final touches for the meeting. This activity gives them something positive to do with their energy rather than run around. Some examples might be:
  2. Opening
    3. : Something to officially start the meeting. Some examples might be:
  3. Business: Take Attendance, collect dues, brainstorm ideas, make plans, vote on decisions
  4. Activity: The project for the day whether it is doing a service project, making a craft, working on a recognition or???
  5. Snack: Sometimes younger troops like to use their snack as their Early-bird activity, especially if the girls meet right after school and are hungry.
  6. Clean-Up: Remember, Girl Scouts leave a place better than they found it and it is the responsibility of the girls, not the leaders, to clean up after themselves.
  7. Announcements
    8. : Reminders of upcoming activities, Permission slips due, hand out newsletter (if any)
  8. Closing
    9. : Something to officially signal that the meeting is over. Some suggestions might be:
  9. Emergency Activities: It is always a good idea to have 2-3 extra activities (songs or games) waiting in the wings in case the planned activities go faster than planned.

Remember that meetings do not always fit into this plan and the girls and leaders may need to be flexible in their implementation of the planned program.

 

Below are sample meeting plans for the first month of a brand new troop (Daisy, Brownie, & Junior). These activities could be adapted to continuing troops since it is always good to reinforce the Girl Scout basics each year. The Investiture then becomes a Rededication if all girls are continuing Scouts rather than new. A combination Investiture/Rededication may be used for a troop with both new and continuing girls. Below you will also find a Meeting Planning Sheet which can be printed out to plan your own meetings as well as tips for teaching crafts and games.

 

Meeting Menu

First Month of Daisy Meetings

 Tips for Teaching Crafts
First Month of Brownie Meetings Tips for Teaching Songs
First Month of Junior Meetings Tips for Teaching Games
Misc. Activity Descriptions Meeting Planning Sheet

 

 

Daisy Meetings

Games listed in PURPLE are found in Games for Girl Scouts, 3rd Edition
Activities listed in GREEN are found in Misc. Activity Descriptions

First Meeting

Second Meeting

Third Meeting

Fourth Meeting

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Brownie Meetings

Games listed in PURPLE are found in Games for Girl Scouts, 3rd Edition
Activities listed in GREEN are found in Misc. Activity Descriptions

First Meeting

Second Meeting

Third Meeting

Fourth Meeting

Back to Meeting Menu

Junior Meetings

Games listed in PURPLE are found in Games for Girl Scouts, 3rd Edition
Activities listed in GREEN are found in Misc. Activity Descriptions

First Meeting

Second Meeting

 

Third Meeting

Fourth Meeting

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Tips for Teaching Games

  1. Choose games according to the ages, interests, and abilities of the group you are working with. Make sure you choose a game appropriate to the site you will be using.
  2. Know the game well so you don't have to refer to notes while you are teaching
  3. Make sure you collect all the supplies and equipment you will need for the game.
  4. Explain the game briefly and get them playing it as soon as possible. Ask for questions before you begin.
  5. If the game is complicated, teach a portion at a time letting the girls play each portion as you teach it.
  6. Let the girls have fun with the game but stop when necessary to clear up any rules or to answer questions regarding the action of the game.
  7. Stop the game after a reasonable amount of time even if some girls are begging to continue.
  8. Make sure you make any adaptations in the action or the rules of the game to accommodate girls with special needs in the group.
  9. Make sure you check the playing area for any safety hazzards as well as evaluate the game for potential safety problems before you play the game with the girls.

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Tips for Teaching Songs

  1. Be familiar with the song so you don't need to use a song sheet or book as a "crutch".
  2. Sing the song through first.
  3. Say the words phrase by phrase and have the group repeat.
  4. Sing the words phrase by phrase and have the group repeat.
  5. Sing the song together 3 times or until known - but don't wear it out.
  6. If a song has several verses, teach one verse at a time.
  7. Being with simple songs and move on to more difficult ones later on.
  8. You give the starting note. Avoid pitching the song too high or too low.
  9. Songs may be taught using tapes or CD's as well, just follow the procedure above.

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Tips for Teaching Crafts

Crafts can be a fun addition to a meeting. In fact, many times, recognition work can be accomplished with "crafts". Therefore, included here are some hints on teaching crafts to children.

  1. Be sure to include any safety instructions that are necessary for the activity. If you are working with young Brownie or Daisy Girl Scouts, don't assume too much. They may not know how to hold the scissors or the fact that they shouldn't run with them.
  2. Give adequate instructions for the activity. Keep these instructions simple. If the activity is simple, little instruction my be necessary; however, it is very involved or is a new activity, give the instructions twice and then ask if there are any questions. For extremely complicated activities it may be necessary to break the instructions into sections and teach one section at a time.
  3. Have enough equipment and supplies on hand. At most, two people can share supplies. More than that and the girls tend to get frustrated at having to wait and the activity is less enjoyable.
  4. Be sure that the craft is suitable for the age child you are working with. If the project is too difficult, the child will become frustrated. If it is too simple, the child may become bored.
  5. Allow enough time for the activity. Remember that different girls work at different speeds and most girls will take longer to make a craft than you can make it yourself. Having something extra to do for those who finish early is also a good idea or you could have them help the girls who have not finished yet.
  6. If necessary, prepare your meeting for the craft activity. Covering surfaces for messy projects will make clean-up much easier. If supplies can be divided in advance it is easier to hand them out.
  7. Do the activity yourself before you give it to the girls to complete. This way, you will be able to identify the pitfalls and problems that may occur with a particular craft. You can also adjust, if necessary, the directions to make the project easier.

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