How to Plan a Girl Scout Meeting

Girl Scout 
verb

Being a Girl Scout is something you DO, and it is an EXPERIENCE that no girl should miss!

As we zoom towards the new year, many leaders are already in the trenches, planning meetings, and holding meetings.  For some leaders, this comes naturally - and for some...it's a labor of love.

Everyone does it differently.  But there are some parts of the meeting that are pretty standard.  There are typically six parts of a girl scout meeting.  Those parts are: 

1. Start up
1. Otherwise known as pre-meeting activities. These are the things one sets out to occupy girls as they arrive, until it is time to start the meeting.  They vary with age - for instance, I set out coloring pages for my Daisies.  Cadettes, or older girls, may not need anything set out, as they can usually handle entertaining themselves.  This may also be a good time to have girls vote on things of importance - like which badge do you want to work on next, or and upcoming trip - please select your top three choices so we can discuss the most popular ones as a group.  This should be simple, and easy to pick up - AND - if you make this part FUN, it is a great incentive for girls to arrive on time!
2. Opening
1. This is the official call to order for your meeting.  Everyone does this differently, but it should be something to bring the girls together.  In the past, I have gathered my girls in a circle, and we've recited the promise.  However, historically, girl scouts have started their meeting with both a recitation of the promise, as well as a flag ceremony.  I have neglected to do this, because of an incorrect assumption that it was pretty time consuming.  I recently chatted with another leader at length, and she really delved into how her troop handles a flag ceremony, and it literally took TWO minutes.  So, we will be adding that this year.  Some other suggestions are starting with a song or game.
3. Troop Business
1. I am a big fan of troop business.  This is when I collect forms, and I suppose if you collect dues, you would do this at this time as well.  You can touch on old business - 'Just a reminder girls, permission forms are due next week.  Cookies start Jan 12th.  Etc.'  Any simple decision making or planning is done at this point as well.
   *I have found, in discussion with other leaders, this is the most common section to be dropped when it comes to meeting planning.*
4. Activity
1. This is self explanatory.  The activity portion is when you will handle the crafts, badge work, etc for the meeting.  This is the meat of the meeting.
5. Clean up
1. This is self explanatory.  This is time designated for the girls to clean up and put the meeting space back the way it was before they had their meeting.  Girl scouts always leave a place looking cleaner than they found it.  It is important that all of your girls are involved with this step, and many troops find kaper chart to be useful for these tasks.
6. Closing
1. This signifies the ending of the meeting.  It is a great time to reiterate the girls accomplishments during the meeting, and let them know what to expect in upcoming meetings.  It is also a great idea to do some sort of feel good activity.  Some troops like to sing a song - my troop does a friendship circle complete with a friendship squeeze.

Now that we have all of that hammered out, some people find it useful to use a template to plan their meetings.  Personally, I like to use a laminated paper that I can write on with dry erase markers, then erase and use again for the next meeting.  

To find a copy of the form I printed and laminated (helloooooo Fedex!) so that I could reuse often, please click here!

Some leaders prefer a paper copy they can write on, and save.  Some like to hand these to the girls to run their own meeting, and lets be honest.  Some leaders prefer a cute, well organized meeting planner that is not only useful, but also makes them smile.  

If you are that leader, please click here to find a copy of a meeting planning for that a fellow leader has created and shared with all of us to use.  And while you use it, give a little shout out to Angela Brooks who has been so kind as to share with all of us.

As always, my resources are your resources.  Please feel free to use these as you find useful.  You will never find a fee, or a link to Etsy or Teachers Pay Teachers for the resources found on this site - leaders devote enough time and effort to their girls - no need to reach into your pocketbook as well.

Did you use these planners? How did they work for you?  Do you have another awesome resource you use for planning? Comment and let me know - the more information we have, the merrier!