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Where can I buy Girl Scout products?
You can purchase most Girl Scout merchandise locally through Girl Scout Shops at all Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland offices or nationally through the Web site. http://shop.girlscouts.org/
Do you have a toll-free number?
Yes, the toll-free numbers for our offices are:
Emporia Office: (800) 342-4532
Garden City Office: (888) 900-7061
Hays Office: (888) 811-8832
Hutchinson Office: (800) 495-5166
Salina Office: (800) 888-0872
Wichita Office: (888) 472-3683
Does a leader need first-aid training?
The troop needs a person trained in first aid for camping and certain other activities which include camping, as noted in Girl Scouts of the USA 's "Safety-Wise" publication. Girl Scouts recommends that an adult trained in first aid be with your troop. Every troop should also have a first-aid kit as well.
Does a leader need to wear a uniform?
No. However, there are times when it is appropriate and you will want to wear a uniform.
Where can I get activity ideas?
Talk with the girls in your group and find out what activities they're interested in. Have them look through the handbook and awards book for their age level and see what piques their interest. Also share with them upcoming council and service area events and see if they'd like to attend.
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When can I take my Brownie Girl Scouts camping?
The camping experience is based on progression. Guidelines for progression can be found in "Leader-Wise" book, pages 42 to 43. If you're camping at a non-Girl Scout facility, check with the Girl Scout Council to see if the site meets "Safety-Wise" guidelines. Begin with some backyard camping or family camping to start the learning progression.
What food should we take for troop camping?
Select food items that most of the girls like to eat. Cooking and cleaning up for a large group takes lots of time. For breakfast, a meal of fruit, cereal, toast and juice can start the day off with minimal preparation time. Lunch can be sandwiches, chips, carrot sticks and cookies. For dinner, plan a one-pot meal or cook spaghetti and sauce. Ice cream is a great, yummy dessert. Prepare healthy snacks, and have water, juice or milk available. Make sure you have alternatives for people with food allergies or who are on special diets. If you are going to be hiking, plan on having some high-energy snacks, like GORP (found in the "Brownie Girl Scout Handbook.") Sometimes the activities that you do (like those who earn a Try-It or badge) will determine the kinds of food you plan to eat, because the food preparation becomes part of the program activity.
Why can't Daisy Girl Scouts sell cookies?
The activities involved in cookie sales require a range of skills, including arithmetic, reading comprehension, writing, problem-solving, planning and social skills not typically possessed by girls of Daisy Girl Scout age.
Do we have to participate in Girl Scout Cookie activities as a troop?
With the exception of Daisy troops, all are expected to participate in the cookies sales. Otherwise, no — participation is completely voluntary. However, girls report that they enjoy taking part in cookie activities and they like running a project on their own. Cookie activities are also one of the easiest ways for troops to earn money for trips and events. When you take part in Girl Scout Cookie activities, keep in mind that, as with other Girl Scout program activities, each girl must have parental permission to sell cookies and the group should follow all council and "Safety-Wise" guidelines. Information resources include the "Family Reference Guide," "Troop Manager Guide" and this Web site.
Do I need special training to take a nature walk with girls?
No, but if you decide to cook a meal outdoors or stay overnight, you do need extra training. Outdoor training is enjoyable and enables you to do many fun activities, indoors and out. If you are unable to go for the training, ask one of the parents to help out by taking it.
Some of the girls want to do STUDIO 2B, others want to earn Interest Project Patches (IPPs) and Leadership Awards. Do we have to split up the troop?
There is no need to split up the troop. A diversity of interests will help it thrive. Within one troop, some girls can be using the Interest Project Book and others can be using the STUDIO 2B Focus Books. Some girls may consider themselves Teen Girl Scouts and some girls can call themselves STUDIO 2B members, depending on what they choose. Or, girls can consider themselves both and work on all different types of projects. They can all co-exist. You don't have to pit the "old" against the "new." Just help girls mix and match based on their interests. That is the STUDIO 2B approach in a nutshell.
I am the leader of my daughter's troop. How do I give her room to grow on her own?
While many mothers become leaders to be closer to their daughters, it is good that you recognize 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 into groups, try to have your daughter work with another adult as much as possible.
Can I count a Girl Scout ages 14 to 17 as an adult when preparing to meet adult/girl ratios necessary at meetings or on trips?
No, a girl should never be left alone to supervise younger girls. It is unfair to her, the girls, and the parents, who expect adult supervision. Although she may seem as mature as many adults and may be close to her 18th birthday, she is still a girl member and not legally an adult.
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How can I get parents to pick their children up on time?
Communicate with the parents of the girls in your troop and help them communicate with each other. Help parents network with one another so they can carpool and possibly alternate pickups. If one set of parents is chronically late, suggest they find another person to pick up their children. Never leave a child at the meeting place by herself. If necessary, work out a drop-off point (with a relative or guardian) for girls who live on your route home.
What happens if a girl doesn't bring her signed parent permission slip and she comes to the pickup point for a trip anyway?
Establish the habit of checking with girls before their parents leave. If girls arrive on their own, saying their parents forgot, or they forgot, someone has to take them home or to a place where a responsible adult will watch them. Parents need to know what will happen if their girl comes without a permission slip. One time is all it will take for both parent and child to learn that the rules cannot be bent. Readying yourself for this contingency is very important, and be sure to have additional adults at all meetings and events so you are not left responsible for taking girls home alone.
I have a girl who constantly disrupts our meetings. What do I do?
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. Many girls who act out need to learn appropriate ways to express their energy. Find out what her interests are, and give her troop responsibilities that match them. 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. Try for some one-on-one time with the girl and be her friend. Help her to understand how she can be part of the group and focus her energy in a positive manner.
The girls' families cannot afford much money for activities. What do we do, especially in the first part of the troop year?
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. 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 you can adapt. Start early in creating a goal and budget for the troop's Girl Scout council-sponsored product sale/cookie activities. Financial assistance is available.
I am having problems with my co-leader. What do I do?
If you are in a situation that is uncomfortable for you, chances are it is the same for her. Communicate with each other. You might ask your service unit manager or field director to sit down with both of you. Find out what each of you expect from the other and from the experience of leading a Girl Scout troop. Find ways to incorporate more parents in troop leadership.
My co-leader smokes, and it bothers the girls during our troop meetings. What do we do?
One of the safety guidelines in Girl Scouts of the USA's "Safety-Wise" publication clearly states that smoking is injurious to girls' health and that adults working with girls should not smoke at Girl Scout activities. Discuss this situation with your service unit manager or field director if you feel uncomfortable talking with your co-leader about it.
One of the moms who helps at troop meetings brings her little boy. He is really disruptive. What do I do?
She needs to find child care so that she can concentrate her attention on the girls when she is there. You might ask your service unit manager to recommend a Girl Scout age 14 to 17 who is willing to assist with child care once a month or ask another parent for child-care help.
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Where can I get ideas for ceremonies?
"Ceremonies in Girl Scouting" is a great resource for you and the girls in your troop. It's available through the Council Shop (link) You might find special ideas at leader training and other workshops and your monthly leader meetings.
I want to use material from Girl Scout handbooks, LEADER magazine and other Girl Scout copyrighted publications. How do I get permission?
Complete the Request for Permission to Reprint GSUSA Copyrighted Material form enclosed in our Communications in Girl Scouting booklet and submit it by fax to (212) 852-8080. You can also e-mail your specific request or concern to trademarks@girlscouts.org.
Can I take photos, illustrations or text from the Girl Scout Web site without permission?
No. Almost all photos, illustrations and text on this site are copyrighted by Girl Scouts of the USA and require permission for use, even on a Girl Scout council site. Some material are copyrighted by third parties and may not be available for use. Always ask for permission first.
Do I need permission to use the Girl Scout service mark on my Girl Scout troop or service unit Web site?
Yes, you do need permission to include the service mark on your site. You should work directly with staff at the Girl Scout Center for approval and assistance. Council staff may then contact trademarks@girlscouts.org.
Do I need permission to use badges, symbols and Try-It earned awards on my Web site?
The use of official insignia (all of which is trademarked) is highly restrictive. You may submit your plans for proposed use to trademarks@girlscouts.org.
What is the proper use of the Girl Scout service mark?
Many rules and regulations govern the use of the service mark. Our published "Graphic Guidelines" manual outlines these procedures. To review the guidelines, please contact the Marketing and Communications office at our Operational Headquarters in Wichita . You may also e-mail Girl Scouts of the USA at trademarks@girlscouts.org
Can I use pictures appearing in LEADER magazine or illustrations from Girl Scout handbooks?
No, Girl Scouts of the USA does not give permission for use of illustrations, photographs or artwork from its publications.
Is there a Web site with Girl Scout songs that I can use without permission?
No. Before using any Girl Scout songs, you should check to determine their copyright status. If a song is copyrighted, you cannot use it without permission.
Can I request a listing of songs, such as graces or camp or action songs?
No, such a listing is not available. If you want to use songs in a certain category, then you must be specific about the title of each one.
Am I allowed to use only the words (not the music) of copyrighted songs without permission?
No, copyright laws cover both the words and music of a song. Permission must be granted.
What should I do on World Thinking Day?
You'll find some ideas and activities in the World Thinking Day section at www.girlscouts.org
What international resources can I use with my Girl Scout troop?
Check out our International Resources list. Also take our World Thinking Day Tour and use the map showing regions of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts to find ideas from different member countries. www.girlscouts.org
Do you have a specific question? Ann Sanders, director of membership services, can help!
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