Girl Scout Daisy Start Up Kit for New Leaders

Are you a brand new Girl Scout Daisy leader or know someone who is? My Girl Scout Daisy Start Up Kit is just what she needs to get ready for her first meeting.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Summer time has always been a down time for me with my real world jobs and an up time for my onine writing. I am fortuante enough to work in a profession that is family friendly. It is also writer friendly as well. With my older daughter grown and flown and my younger two busy with jobs, college, and cosemtology school, I have more quiet time to myself. I especially enjoy my mornings writing in my shady backyard, or when the weather is not cooperative, writing in my sunroom.

This quiet time has given me the opportunity to work on my newest venture, my Teachers Pay Teachers store, Leadership Made Simple.

Image created by the author on Canva

Starting Something New

I felt like a brand new blogger all over again as I learned the ropes of Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT). When I launched my Girl Scout Leader blog in January of 2010, I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. It was only over time that I learned. And when I migrated the blog from Blogger to Wordpress, it was once again starting over.

This past December, I started watching one YouTube video after another on how TpT works, taking notes in my sprial notebook, and then trying out what I saw on my laptop over and over again. Trust me, it was frustrating, especially the technical aspects of Google Slides and learning how to "flatten" a product. As a preschool teacher, technology is not a part of my classroom. In my role as a Hebrew School teacher, we had limited technology use before Covid hit. It wasn't until March 2020 that we were forced to be experts.

Because leaders were meeting virtually, I developed a "Would You Rather" game that they could use that way. In addition, I created a free World Thinking Day Planner for their personal use and a Word Search that could be put in meeting bags with other materials.

I cannot tell you how long it took me to figuure all of that out.

I am incredibly grateful to all of the TpT YouTubers who taught me how to open up my shop, create a product, and then upload it. Without them, there would be no shop!

The Genesis of the Girl Scout Daisy Start Up Kit

We all get comfortable doing things we know how to do. I have been teaching since 1987, and I can walk into any classroom and teach a lesson. It is second nature to me. I led my daughter's troop for 13 years, so if I was going to start a new Kindergarten Daisy troop this fall, I could do it.

And as I just decribed in the previous paragraphs, I needed to learn a whole new skill set to start my Teachers Pay Teachers store. I had plenty of help from other Teacher/Authors who have videos and blog posts and materials on TpT for me to download. By no means am I am expert yet! There is still so much to learn and I am happy to master each aspect of TpT one product at a time.

Being a TpT newbie taught me how important it is to have a hand up and step-by-step guides to get started, especially to someone who had not taught with all of this new technology. It made me think about all the new leaders who will be joining the ranks this summer and fall. What is out there to guide them?

The Girl Scout Daisy Start Up Kit is Born

It took me a long time to create the Girl Scout Daisy Starter Kit, and not just beacause of the technology! I would create, edit, and then add more content. I would put it aside for a few days, and look at it again with fresh eyes and a refreshed brain. I added more content. Finally it was finished!

What is in the Girl Scout Daisy Start Up Kit?

This Girl Scout Daisy Leader Start Up Kit has everything you need to prepare for your first meeting with your troop. There are 17 pages to help you get everything together before you meet with your girls.

Included in this kit:

Preparation Before Your First Meeting Materials

First Daisy Meeting Checklist

Meeting With Your Co-Leader Checklist

10 Essential New Leader Tips

An Easy to Follow Meeting Routine

PLUS

A start to finish plan for your very first Girl Scout Daisy meeting that includes:

Name tags

Three Getting to Know You Games

Two craft choices

Craft templates

Materials list

BONUS Coloring Page

You can purchase your own Girl Scout Daisy Start Up Kit here.

TpT is having their sitewide Back to School sale next week. Follow me, make a Wish List, and get ready to buy at a discount!

What do you wish you had or you knew as a new Daisy leader?

More Pretty Girl Scout Leader Planners

*This post contains affiliate links.

As the troop year begins, getting organized is paramount in order to not feel overwhelmed. One of the things that can help you get organized and stay on track is a planner.

This summer, one company debuted a troop planner and it sold out immediately. A few more companies created their own, and now leaders have choices.

Available on Amazon

This planner is dated for this year.

Available on Amazon

This is the undated version.

Here are some more designs.

Training for Girl Scout Leaders

As an adult volunteer, it is important that you keep up to date with your Girl Scout training for leaders. No matter what level of scouts you guide, there are required classes that leaders must to take.

Why Take Girl Scout Leader Training?

Even though the majority of leaders are already parents, there are different developmental milestones at each level. If you are the leader for your oldest child, you have not yet gone through the social, developmental and emotional growth of that child. There are enormous differences between a kindergarten Daisy and a sixth grade Cadette.

For example, there is a 7.5 year age difference between my two daughters. I have already experienced all the joys and thrills of young adolescence, middle school, and high school with my older daughter.

Image created on Canva

Because I already have parenting experience with girls, I know what to expect. Armed with this knowledge, I will be doing my best to circumvent any of the pitfalls that I know come with girls who are in the fourth grade, the age of my Junior Girl Scout troop.

Another reason to get training is to follow the safety guidelines established by the GSUSA. You cannot simply take your troop on a camping trip. You need to take the required outdoor courses and abide by the Girl Scouts of the USA guidelines. This is not only for the safety of your girls, which is of the utmost importance, it also insures that you are not personally liable if anything happens to any of the girls while under your care.

What are the Required Leader Training Courses?

There are training classes for leaders at each level. Councils across the country call them by different names, so you will need to check your council’s website for the exact title of your required coursework.

You can check out YouTube for various Councils and their training videos. Yours might have a new one uploaded and ready for you to view.

Girl Scout Leader Training Online

The GSUSA recognizes that leaders have busy lives. One way they help new volunteers is with online scout leader training. There are different online leader training courses available at their website. You will need to register each course and get a password in order to take the online training classes.

When Should I Take Girl Scout Leader Training?

Every level of Girl Scouts has it’s own unique leadership coursework. Typically, if you are a new Daisy Girl Scout leader, you will take your training class as soon as you sign up to lead a troop. 

Photo from Pixabay

For Brownie, Junior and older girls, there are separate leadership training classes to take at each level. While it is optimal to take them at the beginning of the scouting year, it is not always possible. In my area, local training for my level is spotty. I was a Brownie leader for an entire year before the required coursework was given locally. I am happy to volunteer my time, but I refuse to drive an hour each way for a one hour training class.

If you are unsure of what courses you are required to complete, ask your contact person on your Service Unit team. She can guide you and let you know exactly classes are necessary for you to continue meeting safely with your troop.

Free Girl Scout Leader Start Up Guides from GSUSA and Other Resources for New Leaders

Updated August 2019

CONGRATULATIONS! You just signed up to become a Girl Scout Daisy leader! 

You are probably a bit nervous and wondering what to do next. You may even get the jitters before the first meeting and wonder why in the world you are doing this to yourself (you know why...it is for your daughter. That is how almost all leaders sign up).

Where does a leader start to learn how to lead? What does she have to do in order to start having meetings?

Every Council has their own website, and if you look at yours, you should find a new leader guide like the following that I found on other Council websites. The following are pretty much the same thing, just formatted a bit differently. 

Girl Scouts of West Central Florida Start Up Guide

Girl Scouts of Connecticut Orientation Troop Start Up Guide

Image from Ivorymix and used on Canva

Other Resources for Girl Scout Daisy Leaders

Of course, this blog is a terrific resource for leaders! It is based on my years of experience leading a troop (I am entering year 11 as I write this) and my three plus decades as a teacher. 

This blog post, The Most Asked Questions from New Leaders (Answers Provided), will be of some assistance. There is a list of resources at the end of the post to help you along further.

My blog post on my other Girl Scout blog, Top 3 Tips for Maintaining Your Sanity as a Girl Scout Leader, offers suggestions for you to keep yourself happy while leading.

Advice to Girl Scout Leaders Both Veteran and New is an article I wrote after leading my troop for six years and being totally burnt out. I stepped down as head leader and became the co-leader I always wanted (and needed) to have. Presently, I am not a leader in name, but I am the one who runs all the meetings for my troop since the head leader is too busy as she now owns her own business. With only three girls in my troop, it is not hard for me to run meetings and it is fun, not stressful. The other two moms are super supportive and help whenever it is needed. This is how scouting is meant to be.

5 Ways You Are Making Your Life as a Girl Scout Leader More Difficult Than it Needs to Be was written because of what I have read in the Girl Scout Facebook groups that I belong to. Leaders stress over the same things no matter where they live. I shared my thoughts on how to make leading less stressful.

I also have a list of 14 Facebook Groups Girl Scout Leaders Should Join. I strongly suggest that you DO NOT join all 14! Start with the Girl Scout Daisy page and Girl Scout Gab. One is focused on where you are and one is great for general questions. Both have files that you can use for your troop.

Do you have any other resources to share?

Your Very First Girl Scout Daisy Meeting

Your very first Girl Scout Daisy meeting does not need to be stressful. Here is a quick and easy idea for new leaders to use.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Updated August 2021

The time is fast approaching for your very first Daisy Girl Scout Meeting. Before you let the feeling of panic set in, take a deep breath and get yourself prepared.

Do Your Paperwork and Get the Training

Before you schedule your very first Girl Scout Daisy meeting, you need to have all of your paperwork completed and handed in. Many Councils now offer online training that you can do at your convenience. 

Check that you have all of the girls' forms and that you have been scheduled for a specific meeting place and time. If you have not been assigned a meeting place, you may not get together with your girls. Contact the Service Unit team member in charge of this task and get a printout of your meeting schedule. My troop always met in the art room of the elementary school where most of the girls went, so the school secretary and custodians also had the schedule as well. Everyone needs to be on the same page so your space is not given to someone else at the time you will be meeting.

Photo created by the author on Canva

Clip art by Clipartino on Etsy

All of the required new Leader Training workshops need to be taken before you have your first Daisy meeting. Keep any paperwork proving you have completed your training in your leader binder so you always know where it is. Failure to do these two things will lead to problems if, heaven forbid, a girl becomes injured while under your care. The Girl Scouts of the USA does have insurance, but only covers incidents if everything is done properly.

Meet the Parents

You will want to have parents attending the first troop meeting. This way your co-leader and you can share your goals and expectations with girls and their parents. You can also ask for volunteers, as they will be needed for busy crafts, as well as asking a parent to be the troop treasurer. Any volunteer at a meeting must be registered and background checked! Have any necessary paperwork and information ready to be handed out to parents who want to assist. No paperwork=no helping at meetings. It is that simple. 

Since many parents work or have other children who need to be watched, emailing the parents a few weeks in advance of your first Daisy meeting will help them clear their calendars. Advance notice is always very much appreciated and puts you in their good graces.

First Daisy Meeting 

You need to prepare a craft that the girls can do on their own during your very first Daisy meeting. This way you can speak to the parents without too many interruptions.

This article will give you a list of leader essentials that you will need for every meeting.

Here is what I did at my first troop meeting:

I bought a large piece of white poster board. In my favorite Cherry Liney font I typed up "Daisy Troop _____" (our troop number). I glued it in an arc and then glued a large blue circle for the center of the petal.

I cut and pasted a petal shape and printed it onto card stock (you can also do this free hand). I cut out enough for each girl and a few extra (always do that-young girls will make mistakes!).

While the parents and I spoke, each girl used magic markers to write her name and decorate the petal. It was easy to check on the girls, as they were at the next table.

When all of the girls were done, each glued her petal around the center. I brought this poster to each of our meetings throughout our first year. It can be converted to a Kaper Chart if you want and you can also add Daisy stickers.

Available on Amazon

At the end of our very first Daisy Girl Scout meeting, we sang "Make New Friends", did the "Friendship Squeeze" and went home.  I wish I had brought my camera so we had a keepsake for our Girl Scout scrapbook.  Don't forget to bring yours and start documenting your troop's journey!

Updated First Daisy Meeting Ideas for 2021

Need more Girl Scout Daisy first meeting ideas?

Available at Teachers Pay Teachers

This Girl Scout Daisy Leader Start Up Kit has everything you need to prepare for your first meeting with your troop. There are 17 pages to help you get it all together before you meet with your girls.

Included in this kit:

Preparation Before Your First Meeting Materials
First Daisy Meeting Checklist
Meeting With Your Co-Leader Checklist
10 Essential New Leader Tips
An Easy to Follow Meeting Routine

A start to finish plan for your very first Girl Scout Daisy meeting that includes:

Name tags

Three Getting to Know You Games

Two craft choices

Craft templates

Materials list

PLUS:

BONUS Coloring Page

Updated New Daisy Leader-Tips for Running a Successful Troop Book

*This post contains affiliate links.

Back in 2012, I decided to sit down and write a book for brand new Daisy leaders. While I had many articles on this topic across the internet on my own blogs and other websites, there was still a lot of information that I had not covered, especially in the area of starting your troop.

Since it's publication back in June 2012, it has had only one update, and that was back in 2013. A lot has changed in scouting since then, and I have also changed as well. My troop, which consists of four 9th graders, are now Girl Scout Seniors. We have had big changes within our ranks, and the girls are so much more mature and able to do more than when I first became a leader.

The Daisy program has expanded to include three earned badges, which will make their debut this fall. Facebook groups have popped up to help out leaders of all levels. Other leaders have created blogs to share what they do with their troop. I started this blog in 2014 to help Daisy leaders, as your concerns are unique. I want to give other leaders a helping hand. It is possible to lead as long as I have. 

Available on Amazon

In this 2017 update, I have added three new chapters and expanded the original twelve to include more ideas on how to earn the petals. There is an updated resource guide in the back. And while there is a chapter devoted to the Journeys program, there are no lesson plans or links on how to do those in the book. I am a firm believer that year one for Daisy leaders should be focused on petals, the way the program used to be run. As new troop leaders, you have enough on your plate planning, organizing and running meetings to meet the smaller goal of earning a petal at each meeting. Journeys are more intensive. Give yourself some slack and wait a year to do one if you are so inclined.

If you are new to being a leader and want to learn more, this easy to read guide at your side will help you take the necessary steps to becoming the best leader you can be.

Free Daisy Girl Scout Coloring Pages

Updated November 2019

One of the most important things I learned during my first year as an elementary school teacher was classroom management. My second grade class had 25 children, and some of them had some very real behavioral issues (Yeah, welcome to teaching. Why give these kids to the teacher across the hall who had over 20 years experience under her belt? But I digress...)

Managing your troop of kindergarten and first grade Daisy Scouts is necessary for your meetings to run smoothly. For someone like myself who has been doing this for a living since 1987, it comes as second nature . For those who have never been in charge of a large group of children, the task can seem overwhelming.

Photos from Pixabay

This is where good management comes in. Children will get themselves into mischief or misbehave if they are bored or undirected. If there is nothing to do, then they will find something to do...and it may not be to your liking.

There are two times during a meeting when girls typically get into trouble. The first is when the meeting starts. Latecomers take you off task, and waiting for them to arrive causes the others to get antsy. You can use free Girl Scout coloring pages as a "sponge" activity to get the girls who have already arrived on task. Have the girls at the table with the crayons or markers and the page you have run off. Have your co-leader at the table talk about the page, which can be one for earning a petal and a springboard for your meeting.

If your troop meets after school like mine did so latecomers are not an issue, then you can use free Daisy coloring pages for those who finish early the craft or activity that you planned. Again, have your co-leader or parent volunteer sit with the girls to keep them focused.

Here are some websites to find your free Daisy Girl Scout coloring pages.

Coloring Book Fun

Colortime

Making Friends (Superhero Girl Scout Law Coloring Pages)

Twisty Noodle

AZ Coloring

Best of Coloring

Supercoloring

For Girls (from Girl Scout website)

Remember, if you are printing at a local store like Staples, save your receipt so you can be reimbursed. You might want to run off several meetings worth at a time to save yourself a trip. Girls who miss the meeting can be given the extra paper the next time she shows up.

Resources for Brand New Daisy Leaders

Updated October 2019

You signed up to lead a Daisy Girl Scout troop-congratulations! It felt exciting as you made the decision and went through the training, and now as the school year begins and your first meeting is looming on the horizon, you may be feeling a sense of panic.

I am here to tell you to relax! I was once in your shoes, as was every other leader of a Daisy troop. Breathe...it will be fine. Remember that your audience is a group of kindergarten or first grade girls, and they are fairly easy to please.

Below are a list of resources for you to use, with links provided.

Photo from Pexels

Your First Daisy Girl Scout Meeting

Although it feels like a million years ago (my Cadette troop is entering eighth grade now!), this is what we did for our very first meeting. The parents were there as I set the tone for what my expectations were for the troop. It was a learning experience for us all, and I am proud to say that of the six girls who were there, three are still a part of the troop!

4 Steps to Successful Meetings

This blog post highlights four things for you to do to ensure that your Daisy meetings go smoothly.

New Daisy Girl Scout Leader Checklist

In this blog post, I have listed all of the things you need to think about before you have your first meeting. Don't play this by ear...it helps to parents and you stay on the same page when it comes to various policies.

Photo from Pexels

Frequently Asked Question that New Leaders Need to Have Answered

When you start your troop, you are going to have lots of questions. While some answers are different depending on the Council you are in, here are 7 questions that are on the minds of most new leaders. You can read them and the answers in this blog post.

Establishing a Good Relationship With Your Co-leader

The most important relationship you have during your time with Girl Scouts, besides the one you have with the girls, is with your co-leader. It is important to delegate tasks so you are not doing everything. And I will emphasize to put whatever you decide to do in writing. Memory is fleeting, and whatever you have in writing in a time stamped email after your meet with your partner will leave no denying what was promised. Take this tidbit from my own personal experience.

This blog post will help you navigate this new relationship.

Photo from Pixabay

10 Things You Need to Know to Have a Successful Troop

This article shares what you need to do to have a successful troop that will hopefully stay together for a long time!

Your First 8 Daisy Meetings All Planned for You

This blog post plans out your first eight Daisy Girl Scout meetings. Except for earning the Blue Promise Center, there is no special order for you to earn petals. Use this as a guide, as well as my other blog post outlining your second 8 meetings for winter and spring.

As I begin my ninth year as a Girl Scout leader, I am so happy that I began this volunteer role all those years ago. It has been a fulfilling experience, and as you embark on your journey, take a deep breath and don't forget to enjoy yourself!

10 Frequently Asked Girl Scout Daisy Leader Questions (With Answers)

Updated September 2022

As adults, we oftentimes forget that learning something new can be a challenge. We are so used to doing things and being successful right away, that we forget the learning curve that comes with each new skill set we acquire.

Leading a group of Daisy Girl Scout is probably a very new experience for everyone reading this blog post. You have questions-lots of them. 

Here are some of the most common questions I have seen over the years. You can always check with your Service Unit Manager for your local answers if you feel they may differ from these.

1. Do you have to earn the petals in any special order?

No, you do not. You should start with the Blue Promise Center simply because all of the petals go around it.

2. Can you earn more than one Daisy petal at a meeting?

While every petal deserves a meeting of its own, there are times when you need to overlap the activities to earn your petals and finish the Daisy. This is true if you are starting as a second year Daisy leader or if you have had meetings cancelled due to inclement weather-which happens to me at least once a year.

There are no Girl Scout police that will rip petals off of a child's tunic or vest if you do this on occasion. Feel free to go ahead and do what works best for your girls and your timetable. There are several articles on my blog with meeting plans to earn multiple Daisy petals with one activity.

3. Do I have to do a Journey?

Plain and simple, no you do not. In fact, Journeys are not required for anything until the girls' Junior year AND if they want to earn the Bronze Award. If the girls do not want to earn higher level awards, then your troop never needs to do a Journey as they get older. It is a choice, and one that is far in your troop's future.

My troop only did a Journey as 5th grade Juniors so we could earn the Bronze Award. Presently, we are slowly doing the aMaze Journey for those who want to earn the Silver Award.

Image created on Canva

4. We earned all the petals our first year. What do we do for the second if we do not want to do a Journey?

There are so many activities that your troop can do. There are Girl Scout holidays like Founder's Day, World Thinking Day and Girl Scout Week to dive into. 

There are Daisy badges to earn (check out my website devoted to earning Daisy badges)

There are community service projects you can work on and you can go on field trips. There are Council events for you to participate in, so check your Council's website.

Of course, selling Girl Scout cookies will keep you busy as well! Meetings to bling your booth and teach the girls about what to do while selling and how to speak to people are meeting ideas for mid-year.

It also does not hurt to redo a petal activity using a different lesson, especially the one about being a sister to every Girl Scout. Stamp out cliques and cattiness from the beginning.

Photo from Pixabay

5. Do Daisy Scouts have to sell cookies or participate in the QSP Magazine/Nut fundraiser?

Again, the answer is no. Fundraisers are optional activities. Most first year Daisy leaders are just getting started in late fall, after nut sales and right before cookies. How can you make little girls sell cookies and they have no clue what being a Girl Scout is all about?

You are also new and learning the ropes. Cookie selling is stressful, even for experienced leaders. Learn how to be a good leader first. Get a year with your troop under your belt. Collect dues from the girls and visit Pinterest for easy and inexpensive craft ideas.

6. Can I meet with my troop alone? I have no co-leader.

No! You are setting yourself up for a potential lawsuit. No co-leader means no troop meetings.

7. Who buys petals if they get lost?

If a child or parent loses a Daisy petal, then it is their responsibility to replace it. You are volunteering your time to run meetings, you are not a personal shopper. Parents can go on eBay to buy a replacement or take a trip to the Girl Scout store.

8. How do I handle parents who do not RSVP to events?

This is a tough one because while you do not want to punish a girl for her parents' lack of action, you cannot spend your precious time chasing after people. If this is your first year as a leader, you need to draw your line in the sand NOW. How you handle parents this year is how they will be expecting you to handle them in the future. If you are not firm now, you will get more pushback when you decide to get a backbone.

If there is an RSVP date and you have not heard from a parent, the girl does not get to go. Period. This is not on you, this is on the parent.

9. Who pays for events?

Another issue leaders face is using money to pay for events and the girls are no shows. Parents should either pay for all or part of an event. Parents need to have some skin in the game, as very few people value things that are free. It is not them, but the troop, that is out the money if you do not charge them anything.

A written policy also needs to be in place about the girls not showing up. You may want to have parents accountable for the other half of the money that the troop laid out if the girl does not attend.

10. When should I hand out badges and petals?

Young girls need immediate and positive reinforcement. I do not understand leaders who hold onto petals and badges for months to hold a Court of Awards. That is simply one more thing to do (two if you get all Pinteresty about it). Hand them out as they are earned. Save yourself time and effort and let the girls wear what they have earned as soon as they have earned it.

For more information about starting out, you can read:

Visit my Teachers Pay Teachers Shop, Leadership Made Simple

10 Tips for Starting a Daisy Troop

10 Craft Items Every Daisy Leader Must Have

The Ultimate New Daisy Girl Scout Leader Checklist

First Daisy Girl Scout Meeting Idea-Girls Help Make the Kaper Chart

Your Very First Daisy Girl Scout Meeting

The Ultimate Girl Scout Daisy Investiture Guide

Girl Scout Daisy Meeting Plans September to December

More Tips for Brand New Daisy Scout Leaders

In my last post, I gave all of you a checklist for starting your Daisy troop.

Here are ten more tips for those of you who are just learning the ropes of being a leader.  

Which ones have you found to be the most useful?