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?

10 Craft Items Daisy Leaders Should Have

*This post contains affiliate links.

Updated October 2019

If you are a new troop leader or a seasoned one starting a new Girl Scout Daisy troop, there are certain essential items that you should have on hand.  These materials should stay in your leader bag or your your separate craft bag. While there are some leaders, like my older daughter's, who insisted that every girl in her troop have her own craft supply box, I did not. It was one more thing to remind the parents to get each year and to remember to bring in their Responsibility Bag.

Photo from Pixabay and edited by the author in Canva

The best and most cost effective thing for leaders to do is purchase craft items during the summer Back to School season. Save your receipts to get reimbursed...no matter how inexpensive these items are, you should not have to spend your own money to finance troop activities. While once in awhile I did spend a buck or two at the Dollar Store for a last minute item and did not ask for my money back, I did not lay out big money. Volunteering my time was my most valuable asset.

Here are some great items to have. Buy several now when they are at their lowest prices of the year!

Thick Washable Markers

As a mom, a teacher and a leader, I know first hand the importance of washable markers when working with young children. It gets everywhere!

Available on Amazon

This box of Crayola Markers is an incredible deal. For one low price, you get a variety of shades that every girl can use. One box is perfect for a troop.

Thin Washable Markers

Yes, there is a difference between thick and thin markers. It is hard to outline and get into smaller places with a thick marker. This set of 100 washable markers is perfect for troops.

Available on Amazon

Elmer's Glue Sticks

Over my three decades plus of teaching, I have come to one conclusion-my glue needs to be Elmer's. I have tried other brands, and in my opinion, nothing compares to this classic from my childhood.

Available at Walmart

By far, this 30 pack is the best price. There is free shipping, so you have nothing extra to pay!

Elmer's Washable Glue

Sometimes liquid glue in a bottle is the better choice. Again, I go with the classic Elmer's Washable Glue in a bottle.

Available at Walmart

Colored Pencils

Coloring is calming and soothing...as long as you let the girls use the colors of their choice. I am not a fan of dictating what color to use-let the girls make the sun purple if they choose!

Walmart has many different options in their colored pencil department. 

This set and other available at Walmart

Glitter Watercolor Paint Set

Why glitter paint? First of all, you should not use glitter with young children, as it gets everywhere! My school has a policy that we cannot use glitter for that reason. However, glitter paint is contained glitter.

Besides, every person needs a bit of glitter in her life!

Glitter Watercolor Set Available on Amazon

Construction Paper

Paper is a must have item, with 8 x 11 being the classic size.

This assortment and others are available at Walmart

Scissors

Another must have item that is at its best price now are kid scissors. What kind should you buy? My preference for kindergarten and first grade are blunt scissors. The girls can use pointy ones once they reach second grade.

This two pack of blunt scissors and others are available at Walmart

Pink Erasers

Whether you are writing or crafting, having a few large pink erasers on hand for the girls to use is essential.

This 3 pack of erasers and others are available at Walmart

Stickers

There are so many gorgeous stickers to use for projects!  My favorite for Daisy Scouts are these glitter foam stickers.

Available on Amazon

Do you have anything that you need to have in your leader craft bag?

3 Summer Meeting Ideas for Girl Scout Daisies

I have been a teacher since 1987. In my younger days, July and August were a time for me to do temp work and tutor children. When our children arrived, these two months were for us to hang out and play.

Photo from Pixabay and edited by the author in Canva

After decades as an educator, as soon as the calendar changes to June, my mind and body begin to unwind. While I am very busy with my synagogue volunteer work and my family obligations, summer meetings were something that, until last summer, I did not do.

When my troop was younger, I needed a break (you can read about the pros and cons of summer meetings in this blog post). With only three Girl Scout Seniors left in my troop, and all with busy high school schedules, summer meetings are a time for us to catch up, go on field trips, and do a required Journey for the Gold Award. Meetings over the school year are tough to schedule.

For leaders of younger scouts, you do not need to have a meeting if you do not want to. If you do meet, here is a blog post with three fun ideas for a summer Girl Scout meeting.

Need some more ideas? Here are a few.

Go Fruit Picking

Photo from Pixabay

If you live near a farm that has a Pick Your Own fruit, you can schedule that for one morning of fun (it's cooler in the early hours of the day).

Pizza Party

Photo from Pixabay

Invite the girls over to your house for a pizza party! You can buy premade dough or pie crusts and the girls can make their own pizzas with the toppings you provide. Place each on foil with the child's name in Sharpie so that the girls get their own pizza creation.

Did you know that you could put pizza on the grill? Place the pies on foil pans and put on the grill. DELICIOUS and no need to heat your oven!

Or you can have the girls make solar ovens and then cook their pizza! There are many ways to do this...just search and find which method would work best for you.

In your backyard, play some games and just enjoy being together. No agenda necessary!

No Bake Party

There are tons of delicious no bake recipes for kids. The girls can have a good time learning basic kitchen skills and eating what they have made.

You can have them decorate chef hats or aprons as a craft.

What will your troop be doing this summer?