Family Engagement Guide to
Girl Scouts
Inspire • Connect • Engage
St. Lawrence
We are a network: Jefferson
Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA, a national organization, to administer the Girl Scout program in 24 counties of New York and two in Pennsylvania.
Watertown
We’re the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. We offer every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure and success. We are dedicated to serving our council membership. Your support stays local and gives girls across our region the opportunity to experience the magic of Girl Scouting.
Oswego Wayne
Oneida Little Falls
Cicero Seneca Falls
Yates
Seneca
NY
Auburn
Onondaga Syracuse
Cayuga
Madison HOOVER
Cooperstown
Chenango
COMSTOCK
Otsego
Ithaca Cortland
Allegany
Steuben Corning
Schuyler
Tompkins
Chemung Horseheads
Tioga
Norwich
Broome AMAHAMI
Delaware
Johnson City
Sayre
PA
Tioga
■ Service Centers
Bradford
☙ Adventure Centers
Cicero* 8170 Thompson Road Cicero, NY 13039-9393 T: 315.698.9400 • F: 315.698.9500
Seneca Falls 12 N. Park St. Seneca Falls, NY 13148 T: 315.698.9400
Amahami 434 Page Pond Rd. Deposit, NY 13754
Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Please call or email the staff member you wish to meet with to arrange an appointment.
Comstock 1419 Taughannock Blvd. Ithaca, NY 14850
Watertown 131 Washington Street, Suite 306 Watertown, NY 13601-2604 T: 315.782.1890
Hoover 2065 Song Lake Crossing Rd. Tully, NY 13159
Please call or email the staff member you wish to meet with to arrange an appointment.
Trefoil 168 Rose Rd. Harrisville, NY 13648
Horseheads* 226 Colonial Drive Horseheads, NY 14845-8531 T: 607.796.6202 • F: 607.796.2462 Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m.– 5 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Johnson City* Oakdale Mall Suite 52 601–635 Harry L Drive Johnson City, NY 13790-1245 T: 607.724.6572 • F: 607.724.6575 Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m.– 5 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
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Rome
Rochester
Ontario
Herkimer
Lewis
GSNYPENN is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit that fundraises to manage the operations of programs, camps and other council-led activities. Within GSNYPENN are Service Units – entities governed by our council policies, and managed by volunteers who support the day-to-day operations of our troops. Troops are groups of girls led by adult volunteers who have been background checked by the council.
TREFOIL
Harrisville
*Includes a full service Girl Scout Store. Call for hours.
In Girl Scouts, we raise awesome girls with confidence who are not only dreamers but doers. Girls are connecting in so many ways to become the leaders who will change the world and make it a better place!
Make Girl Scouts Part of Your Family Girl Scouts can help your girl be happier, healthier, more successful in school and more satisfied with her life. But it’s not just your girl who benefits when you join—Girl Scouts makes family life better by: • Reinforcing the values you’re teaching at home • Offering fun and meaningful bonding experiences you’ll cherish forever • Deepening your family’s connection to the community • Supporting you and yours with tailor-made family resources and advice on navigating today’s complex world
READY, SET, REGISTER! 1 Visit gsnypenn.org/join 2 Click the “Join” button 3 Complete the online form • If you know your troop number, enter it. • If you don’t know the troop number, you can search your area. • If a troop is not available, consider starting one or joining as an Independently Registered Member (IRM). 4 Submit your form 5 Call 1.855.213.8555 for assistance and reference “troop registration” 6 Once you’re in a troop, the leader should contact you for your parent/caregiver meeting
GIRL SCOUTS IS ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE AND VALUABLE. Girl Scouts is a great value! The annual membership for Girl Scouts is $25 and paid directly to GSUSA. All girls and adult volunteers are required to hold a membership in the national organization in order to participate in local Girl Scout programming. Financial Assistance is available to help with the cost of membership, event fees or even to attend camp. To request Financial Assistance, complete the online form found at gsnypenn.org/forms. 3
THE GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE When it comes to a girl’s future, anything is possible! Girls can do or be anything they choose and need strong leadership skills to experience the world with confidence. At Girl Scouts, we teach girls to lead and have a deep understanding of the leadership abilities that will help them be successful. • The Girl Scout experience is designed to be girl-led. Decision making, compromise and communication are essential elements to developing strong leaders. • We encourage girls to learn by doing. We ask them to take a risk—try it out and see how it works. • Girl Scouts is a cooperative experience—girls work together to discover, connect and take action in their community.
SENSE OF SELF: Girls have confidence in themselves and their abilities, and form positive identities.
POSITIVE VALUES: Girls act ethically, honestly, and responsibly, and show concern for others.
CHALLENGE SEEKING: Girls learn to take appropriate risks, try things even if they might fail and learn from mistakes.
Girl Scout Leadership Experience Outcomes: 4
COMMUNITY PROBLEM SOLVING: Girls desire to contribute to the world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify problems in the community and create “action plans” to solve them.
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS: Girls develop and maintain healthy relationships by communicating their feelings directly and resolving conflicts constructively.
You want to see her happy, confident, strong and ready to succeed. So do we.
AMBASSADORS 11th-12th SENIORS 9th-10th
DAISIES K-1st Learn they can care for animals and themselves and to protect Earth’s treasures.
BROWNIES 2nd-3rd Go on a quest to find the three keys to leadership. They explore their place in the wide world of girls.
JUNIORS 4th-5th Learn that leaders need power—their own, their team’s and their community’s. Juniors are encouraged to achieve their
BRONZE AWARD.
CADETTES 6th-8th Develop relationship skills needed to be leaders in their life and their world. Cadettes are encouraged to achieve their
SILVER AWARD.
Raise their voices to advocate for issues they care about.
Have a vision and lead the world closer to it. Girls use their sisterhood to better themselves and the world.
They actively move their dreams forward and learn that leaders aim for justice.
Seniors are encouraged to achieve their
Ambassadors are encouraged to achieve their
GOLD AWARD,
GOLD AWARD,
the highest award earned by a Girl Scout.
the highest award earned by a Girl Scout.
GROWING WITH GIRL SCOUTS:
A life-long leadership journey
Whether making new friends, riding horses, building robots, traveling or just having fun, she’ll find her place here. From in-person and virtual troop meetings and activities to summer camp and council-wide events, opportunities abound in your Girl Scout experience. We encourage you to stay connected with us from kindergarten through high school when she earns her Gold Award—the highest achievement in Girl Scouts.
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WAYS TO PARTICIPATE
1 Join a troop 2 Have an outdoor adventure or head to camp – you’ll develop skills it’s hard to get anywhere else! 3 Travel the country – maybe even the world! 4 Create your own experience – sign up for short series and one-time events! 5 Become a Juliette or Individually Registered Member (IRM)
THE TROOP EXPERIENCE Troops are led by volunteers. Please expect your Troop Leader to contact you within two to four weeks after you complete your registration. Troop Leaders must pass a background check and complete an orientation prior to their first troop meeting. Every troop experience is different. We encourage you to talk to your Troop Leader to understand what is offered throughout the year, and what troop dues or activity fees might be required. Through their troop, girls will have the chance to earn badges and patches throughout the year for their accomplishments. Troop Leaders will guide girls through the badge program and Journeys as girls accumulate skills and advance through each level. We strive to teach our girls real-world skills and more – we’re out to show them that it’s their inner strength that counts. From troop meetings to resident camps, our programs inspire continuous learning and spark innovation to solve everyday challenges.
What is a Juliette? Individually Registered Members (IRMs)—a.k.a. Juliettes—are registered girl members in grades K-12 who are not affiliated with a troop and complete Girl Scout activities with the guidance of an adult mentor. They participate in a way that fits their schedule, attending events and participating in activities that meet their needs and interests. Juliettes can do anything Girl Scouts in a troop can do!
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Juliettes can: • Complete Girl Scout Journeys & badges • Attend in-person & virtual Girl Scout events & activities • Help others through Community Service • Participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program • Earn Girl Scouting’s Highest Awards • Travel with Girl Scout Destinations (ages 11-17)
VARIATIONS OF A TROOP
Troop Coordinator/Troop Mentor
Traditional Two unrelated adults lead a troop. Other parents volunteer help as needed.
(This works well in a multi-level troop.) One adult acts as the “administrator,” responding to emails, planning the troop calendar, etc. Other parent volunteers lead specific grade levels, meetings or activities based on skill or preference.
Girl-Led One adult acts as the “leader,” but each girl and parent rotates leading meetings, activities and events. This is a great option to promote the “girl-led” experience, as they get to teach their friends a new skill. Also a great option to rotate locations, purchasing supplies and snacks to cut down on troop dues.
Team-Led All parents volunteer as Troop Leaders, and evenly divide responsibility by interest and/ or skill set.
GIRL SCOUTING AT HOME Every Girl Scout and troop is different. Troops can host meetings and activities in a way that best fits girls’ schedules. Many create a unique troop dynamic by mixing in-person and virtual. Visit gsnypenn.org/gshome for resources to help your family, your girl and her troop. 7
ACTIVITIES TO KEEP HER ENGAGED! Council & Partner Programming Our council and community program partners offer a variety of in-person and virtual programming for troops and girls to participate in as individuals or with their families throughout the year. To learn more: • Check out upcoming events at gsnypenn.org/programs • Visit our GSNYPENN Live! group on Facebook • View program videos on our YouTube channel • Stay up to date on upcoming opportunities—we’ll communicate offerings through our all member e-newsletters, printed collateral and social media channels
Patch & Badge Challenges GSNYPENN offers a variety of fun patch and earned badge challenges, all on your honor. Girls complete a series of activities and earn points for each based on their Girl Scout level. Once they accumulate the required number of points, order/purchase the patch or badge to place on their uniform. Examples of challenges include Make New Friends, Food Badge, Stay at Home, Get Outside, Compassionate Connections and Science. Learn more at gsnypenn.org/challenges.
Girl Advisory Board (GAB) This select group of girls works as an advisory group that partners with our Council CEO and staff members on projects ranging from program development to research and marketing. GAB members also have the opportunity to make recommendations to and share their ideas with GSNYPENN’s Board of Directors. By facilitating youthadult partnerships, these leadership opportunities allow GAB members to influence decision-making processes in our council.
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THE GIRL SCOUT COOKIE PROGRAM When Girl Scouts participate in the cookie program, their troops earn proceeds from each package sold. Troops decide how their cookie funds are spent, from funding a troop camping trip to their Bronze Award. In the last few years the average profit per troop was over $1,000. The cookie program also gives Girl Scouts the opportunity to earn badges. Participation in the cookie program is optional, but highly encouraged. More information can be found online at gsnypenn.org/cookies. Troop Leaders receive information about getting started in the cookie program in early winter. In preparation for the program, which runs through the end of Mach, we encourage you to ask for parent help early! Helping can be as simple as picking up cookies for the troop, managing the online software system (eBudde) or hosting a cookie rally. Ask another volunteer to take the lead for your troop by being the Troop Cookie Manager (TCM). The TCM is an extremely valuable member of your troop leadership team, taking ownership of this important program while you continue normal troop operations.
Five Skills of the Cookie Program
GOAL SETTING
GOAL SETTING How to develop a business plan
DECISION MAKING
DECISION MAKING Think critically and solve problems
MONEY MANAGEMENT
MONEY MANAGEMENT Directly handle customer money
PEOPLE SKILLS
BUSINESS ETHICS
PEOPLE SKILLS Engage with members of the community and develop confidence
BUSINESS ETHICS Develop positive values like honesty and integrity
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest financial literacy program in the world! Your girl will transform through participation in the cookie program designed to develop these five critical life skills. 9
GET OUTSIDE AT OUR ADVENTURE CENTERS Exploration and adventure are essential components to a robust Girl Scout experience. Our council offers many options to suit the needs and interests of your Girl Scout. Learn more at gsnypenn.org/outdoors.
Summer Resident Camp
Troop Camp
Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways manages four Adventure Center properties designed for overnight camping. Summer camps are for girls 2nd grade and older, range from three to six days and vary from cabins to pitch tents. From outdoor adventures on the lake, to camp songs, kayaking, equestrian skill development and more, there is something for every girl at camp. Explore our camps at gsnypenn.org/ summercamp.
Troop Leaders may plan weekend campouts at any of our camp properties. We encourage you to chaperone and experience camp with us! Troop camping is open to girls of all ages. For safety, Troop Leader or another adult volunteer is required to complete training prior to a troop camp out. Learn more at gsnypenn.org/ troopcamp.
Summer Day Camp Girls who are not ready to spend overnights away from home or parents looking for something close by can experience the adventure, fun and excitement of camp through our volunteer-led summer day camps.
See map on page 2 for camp locations.
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Family Camp Our staff can lead your entire family in classic camp activities at our properties. We provide everything you need to experience camp the way it’s meant to be. Extend your experience into an overnight and you’ll get a whole unit to yourselves. Learn more at gsnypenn.org/familycamp.
VOLUNTEERS LEAD TOGETHER Girl Scouts is a volunteer-led organization. We need parents, community leaders and other caring adults to invest in the lives of girls. You are the heart and soul of our Movement. Our volunteers are equipped with resources to provide troops with a robust experience. We equip you to be leaders – modeling the attributes we want to build in our girls. Girl Scout Volunteers: • Have a positive impact on girls • Build self confidence • Apply their talents • Give back to their community • Develop their leadership skills • Build their network • Make a difference If you’re interested in leading a troop, visit us at gsnypenn.org/volunteer. Your Troop Leader can also use your help! Let her know if you’re willing to lend a hand managing troop meetings, supporting the Girl Scout Cookie Program or chaperoning events.
Four Hours, For Her. Troops excel when parents take part. Parents, friends and other family members can provide time, experience and ideas to a new troop. Girls who have family support and participation in their Girl Scout adventures are more likely to stay in Girl Scouts. Consider volunteering four hours this year for her! AND… Girls can earn our For Hours, For Her patch for every four hours a parent/guardian volunteers with her troop. Family volunteers can: • Manage the troop's Cookie Program as a Troop Cookie Manager • Coordinate communication (i.e. Facebook group, parent emails, etc.) • Volunteer to get First Aid certified to help with activities • Manage troop funds and bank account as the Troop Treasurer • Offer to host and facilitate meetings or coordinate the use of a local venue (church, library, rec center, school, etc.) • Organize badge work for the troop; rotate leading badge activities • Organize community service projects and activities for the troop • Provide snacks and more!
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GIRL’S RESPONSIBILITY TO THE TROOP • Follow the Girl Scout Promise & Law • Be willing to take risks, be confident and supportive towards her troop peers • Attend and participate in meetings and events • Listen to others in the troop and show respect for what they are saying • Be prepared and conduct herself in a safe manner • Respect Troop Leaders and other volunteers
LEADER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO THE TROOP • Follow the Girl Scout Promise & Law
• Let girls lead – ensure girls of every age take an active and grade-appropriate role in deciding the what, where, when, why and how of what they do • Create an inclusive environment where girls and families feel welcome and connected to the troop • Provide a well-rounded and safe program following Girl Scout guidelines • Listen to and respect every participant and serve as a role model • Utilize volunteer resources such as the Volunteer Toolkit and contact the Service Unit or GSNYPENN when they need support • Be trained by GSNYPENN in order to have the best experiences
FAMILY’S RESPONSIBILITY TO THE TROOP • Volunteer with your troop – your Troop Leader cannot do it alone • Support your Girl Scout through all facets of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience • Encourage her to take risks and try new things • Be a cheerleader and allow her to take the lead • Attend council events with your Girl Scout and encourage active participation in troop meetings • Have questions? Start with your Troop Leader. Council is also here to help! • Stay current – once you’ve become a member, log into MyGS—your Girl Scout Community found at the top of our website at gsnypenn.org. This member community allows you to update your contact information with Girl Scouts, renew your membership(s), add volunteer roles and see troop information when populated by your Troop Leader in the VTK. • Stay connected through our social media channels, council emails and website
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Need help? Call our council at 1.855.213.8555 or email info@gsnypenn.org.
QUESTIONS? If you’re looking for information or assistance, we’re here to help! Common questions and concerns may include: • Joining and getting started with Girl Scouts • Managing your troop • Registering for council events and activities • Financial Assistance • In-store and online retail services • Uniform questions Here are three easy ways to reach us: 1 Email - Contact us via email at info@gsnypenn.org. Emailing this address creates a customer service case – you can create a case any day of the week, at any hour. Staff will respond to your case during business hours. 2 Call - Call us at 1.855.213.8555 and press option 2 to speak directly with someone from the Customer Care team during business hours. 3 Chat - Our online chat feature allows us to serve you quickly right from our website! Visit gsnypenn.org and look for the “Let’s Chat” window in the lower right-hand corner. This feature is accessible from any of our webpages (not just the homepage) and is available during business hours for an immediate response.
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SHOP FOR YOUR GIRL SCOUT It’s easy to shop for your Girl Scout! Our stores offer in-store and online services to purchase the merchandise every girl needs to support her experience and everything a volunteer needs as well. We carry uniforms, badges, patches, pins, scarfs and more. We also carry a variety of specially branded items to connect your girl to the fun of being a Girl Scout, like clothing, accessories and camp gear. Your Troop Leader will talk with parents about uniforms during the family meeting or at your girl’s first troop meeting. Uniforms are optional, many troops decide together which pieces they want to wear. We make it easy to get everything you need! • Visit our store in-person or online at gsnypenn.org/shop • Call-in or email your order, we’ll ship it or arrange for you to pick it up • Have our store at your meeting or event, contact us at least 3 weeks before to check availability Contact us at store@gsnypenn.org or 1.855.213.8555 to speak with a retail associate.
What’s the difference? Badges are official and earned symbols that indicate an increase in knowledge or skill in a particular subject. Badges can be earned at every age level. Badges should be placed on the front of the sash or vest.
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Patches are emblems signifying participation in a Girl Scout activity. Patches are placed on the back of the sash or vest. Think of it as a scrapbook of her Girl Scout experience.
GOVERNING STRUCTURE Troops
Volunteer-supervised groups of girls who participate in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
Service Units
Volunteers who support the work of troops within a given territory.
Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways (GSNYPENN) Independent 501(c)3 nonprofit chartered by GSUSA operating under the direction of a local Board of Directors and overseeing all Service Units and troops within a given territory.
Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) A national organization supporting the work of more than 100 councils across the U.S. for more than 100 years. Headquartered in New York City.
ABOUT MY TROOP Keep all vital information about your troop here for future reference. Troop #
Program Grade Level:
Service Unit:
Meeting Day and Time:
Meeting Location:
Procedure in troop if parent/guardian is late picking up daughter in emergency situations:
Prior notice by parent or guardian is required if another person is to pick up your child. Troop Dues: Amount $
per
Leaders/Volunteers Contact Information: Name: Phone:
Email:
Name: Phone:
Email:
Name: Phone:
Email:
Service Unit Contact: Name: Phone:
Email:
My GS Log-in information: User ID:
Password:
Notes:
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5 Steps to Start Her Girl Scouts Journey! Ǔ Register your girl(s) and yourself (pg. 3) Ǔ Get Girl Scouting—as soon as she’s registered, she can start her adventure and participate in opportunities (pg. 8-10) Ǔ Learn more about getting involved (pg. 11-12) Ǔ Attend parent/caregiver meeting Ǔ Enjoy your Girl Scout year!
gsnypenn