GSTOP Leader's Guide

LE A DER’S GUIDE

Welcome from the CEO

About Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains

Our Locations

Map of Council

Girl Scout Promise, Law, and Mission

Pillars of Girl Scouts

Girl Scout Traditions

Grade Levels

Badgework

Girl Scout Uniforms

Volunteer

Getting Started

Checklist for Girl Scout Troop

Troop Meetings

Troop Committee

Preparing for your First Troop Meeting

Service Unit Support and Participation

Volunteer Toolkit

Girl Scouts Year At-a-Glance

Girl-Led Progression Keeping Girl Scouts Safe and First Aid CPR & First Aid

Transporting Girl Scouts

Recruitment and Retention of Members

Retail

Outdoor Progression

Outdoor Training Progression

Girl Scout Camps

Summer Camps

Troop Camping

Travel Progression

Overnight Trip Requirements

Safety Activity Checkpoints for Outdoors

Entrepreneurship

Financial Literacy

Fall Product Program

Cookie Program

Activities for Girl Scouts

Sample Badges for Girl Scouts

Life Skills

Activities for Girl Scouts

Sample Badges for Girl Scouts

Troop Finances

Money Management

Financial Reports

Troop Bank Account

Tips for Finding a Bank

Navigating the Website, gs-top.org

Troop Year Plans

Volunteer Toolkit gsLearn

Volunteer Essentials Girl Scouts Lingo

Safety Activity Checkpoints

Search Forms Online

Frequently Accessed Forms

A Letter From the CEO

Welcome to Girl Scouts.

You are embarking on a great adventure helping shape the future leaders of our communities.

We are excited about the Girl Scout year, and we are even more thrilled that you are taking steps to become the best Troop leader you can be.

Volunteers are at the heart of Girl Scouting, as you make a difference in the life of young Girl Scouts - one meeting, one event, one day at a time.

Thank you!

We hope you enjoy this Leader Resource Guide. Use it as a resource to help you along your way. Whether you need a reminder about Girl Scout to adult ratios for events, tips for which outdoor activity would be best, or how to reserve space at one of our four camp properties, this resource was created with you in mind.

You also have a connection to Girl Scout staff, service unit volunteers, and your fellow troop families to help you along the way. You do not have to do anything alone. Take advantage of shared minds of all who have come before you and who are starting this journey with you.

Thank you again for your commitment to becoming a Girl Scout volunteer.

Let’s go ful ll the Girl Scout mission to build girls of courage, con dence, and character, who make the world a better place.

You may just nd, that you too are making the world a better place by being a Girl Scout volunteer.

In Girl Scouting,

Becky Burton CEO, Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains

Camp Kiwanis

Camp Rio Blanco*

Camp Timberlake

Stevens Ranch

GSTOP Corporate Of ce

Our Locations

Abilene

4150 Southwest Dr. #140

Abilene, TX 79606

Program Center

Staff Of ce

Amarillo

7620 Hillside Rd, Ste. 300

Amarillo, TX 79119

Retail Shop

Staff Of ce

Fort Worth

4901 Briarhaven Rd. Fort Worth, TX 76109

Program Center

Retail Shop

Staff Of ce

Lubbock

2567 74th St.

Lubbock, TX 79423

Program Center

Retail Shop

About Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains

Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains (GSTOP) spans 78 counties in north and west Texas along with the three counties of the Oklahoma panhandle. The 81 counties cover 79,000 square miles.

Girl Scout of ces and staff are located in Abilene, Amarillo, Fort Worth, Lubbock, Southlake, and Wichita Falls.

The Corporate Of ce, known as the Sandy Kautz Leadership Center, is located in Fort Worth.

GSTOP is home to four camp properties: Camp Kiwanis, Camp Rio Blanco, Stevens Ranch, and Camp Timberlake.

2225 W. Southlake Blvd, #441

Southlake, TX 76092

Program Center

Retail Shop

Staff Of ce

Wichita Falls

2106 Kemp Blvd.

Wichita Falls, TX 76309

Program Center

Retail Shop

Staff Of ce

Staff Of ce Southlake

La Promesa de Girl Scouts

Por mi honor yo trataré: De servir a Dios* y a mi patria, Ayudar a las personas en todo momento, Y vivir conforme a la Ley de Girl Scouts.

*Los miembros pueden sustituir la palabra Dios de acuerdo con sus propias creencias espirituales.

La Ley de Girl Scouts

Yo me esforzaré por: ser honrada y justa cordial y servicial, considerada y compasiva, valiente y fuerte, y responsable de lo que digo y hago. Y porrespetarme a mí misma y a los demás, respetar la autoridad, usar los recursos de manera prudente, hacer del mundo un lugar mejor, y ser hermana de cada una de las Girl Scouts.

Girl Scout Mission

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, con dence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Girl Scout Promise

On my honor, I will try: To serve God* and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

*Members may substitute for the word God in accordance with their own spiritual beliefs.

Girl Scout Law

I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely,

The Four Pillars of Girl Scouting

Entrepreneurship

Research shows that girls are actively interested in becoming entrepreneurs, developing nancially stable futures, and using their skills to make a big impact on the world. Through the entrepreneurship pillar, which includes the world-famous Girl Scout Cookie Program, Girl Scouts learn vital business skills to:

•Discover how to set and achieve realistic goals in their lives and future

•Make better decisions and build stronger interpersonal skills

•Develop a valuable work ethic and a sense of empathy for others

STEM

Research shows that girls are interested in STEM and excel at it. Girl Scouts lets girls see that STEM can help make the world a better place. They participate in activities focused on robotics, coding, cybersecurity, app development, and more as they:

•Become better problem-solvers and critical thinkers

•Have con dence in their STEM skills and abilities

•Get excited about STEM subjects and want to learn more about them

•Learn the importance and relevance of STEM to people and society and options for their own career paths

Life Skills

Girl Scout badges covering topics like civic engagement, healthy living, and communication skills help Girl Scouts grow in con dence as they develop the skills to lead their best life.

Through Life Skills programs, Girl Scouts:

•Gain the skills and the inspiration to accept challenges and overcome obstacles

•Develop greater con dence and a stronger sense of self

•Are happier overall and display more positive values throughout life

Outdoors

Studies show that girls today are not spending nearly enough time outdoors. Technology and structured activities leave less time for girls to get outside and enjoy nature. Girl Scouts create their own outdoor adventures and appreciation for nature and out-of-doors through travel, camp, and troop activities.

When Girl Scouts get outside, they:

•Discover that they can better solve problems and overcome challenges

•Develop leadership skills, build social bonds, and are happier overall

•Become team players and care more about protecting our environment

Girl Scout Traditions

Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts, understood how special words and signs helped Girl Scouts feel they are members of a group. Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from around the world share special signs like a handshake, a squeeze, a motto, and a slogan. These special signs overcome barriers of language and culture as they remind us of the values we live by as members of Girl Scouts.

The Girl Scout Sign

The Girl Scout Sign is made when reciting the Girl Scout Promise and Law. The sign is formed with the right hand, by using the thumb to hold down the

The Friendship Circle

motto reminds Girl Scouts to be prepared to help others in need in their community and around the world.

The Friendship Circle involves Girl Scouts standing in a circle, crossing their right arms over their left, and clasping hands with their friends on both sides.

The Girl Scout Slogan

The Girl Scout slogan is “Do a good turn daily.” In the early days of Girl Scouting, girls tied a knot in their neckerchiefs. They could not untie the knot until a good deed was accomplished. Today, the slogan is a reminder of the many ways girls can contribute to the lives of others.

Quiet Sign

The Girl Scout Handshake

Another form of greeting between Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is the Girl Scout handshake. Girls raise their right hand in the Girl Scout sign and shake using their left hand, denoting friendliness and loyalty.

The Quiet Sign is a way to silence a crowd without shouting at anyone. The sign is made by raising the right hand with all ve ngers extended. It refers to the original Fifth Law of Girl Scouting: A Girl Scout is courteous to others. An alternative seen often is simply raising the Girl Scout Sign.

Kaper Charts

A Kaper Chart is a Girl Scout tradition for dividing up troop responsibilities among the girls. Each job or chore is called a Kaper. A Kaper Chart is a list of assignments, similar to a chore list. Examples of Kapers are cleaning up or taking out trash. Kapers can also be fun tasks like the Girl Scout Promise leader, activity helper, snack helper, and Friendship Squeeze leader. Using a Kaper system right from the start helps build leadership and ownership in troop activities to assist management. This can be meetings or used at camp.

The Friendship Squeeze

Girl Scout Uniforms

Girl Scouts at each level have one recommended element (tunic, sash, or vest) for the display of of cial pins and awards which should be worn when girls participate in ceremonies or of cially

To end meetings and activities with the Friendship Squeeze, everyone gathers in the Friendship Circle. Each girl crosses her right arm over her left and holds hands with the person on either side. Once everyone is silent, the leader or a girl starts the Friendship Squeeze by gently squeezing the hand of the person next to her right. One by one, each girl passes on the squeeze until it travels around the full circle. Some troops also tie in “Girl Scout Twist Out” by raising their hands above their heads and slowly loosening and letting go of the hands of the person next to them as they turn around and say “Girl Scout Out.”

Making New Friends

At the end of each Girl Scout Meeting, nish by singing “Make New Friends.” Do this with the Friendship Circle and nish up with the Friendship Squeeze. There are numerous videos on YouTube that demonstrate this song.

“Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver, and the other gold. A circle is round, it has no end. That’s how long I want to be your friend.

A circle is round. It has no end. That’s how long I want to be your friend.”

SWAPS

SWAPS (Special Whatchamacallits

Affectionately Pinned Somewhere), the tradition of Girl Scouts exchanging keepsakes, started long ago when Girl Scouts and Girl Guides rst gathered for fun, music, and making new friends. Today, SWAPS are the perfect way for Girl Scouts to meet each other and promote friendship. Each one is a memory of a special event or Girl Scout Sister.

Girl Scout Levels

Grades Badges

Kindergarten -1st Grade

Badgework

2nd - 3rd Grade

4th - 5th Grade

6th - 8th Grade

9th - 10th Grade

11th - 12th Grade

As a Girl Scout, there are hundreds of ways to discover something new or take a current passion to the next level. Through badges, Girl Scouts show the world their accomplishments.

Girl Scout badges fall under the categories of the four Girl Scout pillars: STEM, Outdoors, Life Skills, and Entrepreneurship. Each badge is built for the speci c age-level in mind.

Earned badges are placed on the front of the Girl Scout vest or sash to show each individual Girl Scout’s accomplishments. Badge shapes differ based upon the Girl Scout level as seen in the shapes above.

Use the GSUSA Badge Explorer to help Girl Scouts determine what badges they want to earn.

Girl Scout Uniforms

Girl Scouts from each grade level, as well as volunteers, have one of cial uniform item (a sash, vest, or tunic) to display badges, pins, awards, and other insignia. This item is required when you participate in ceremonies or of cially represent Girl Scouts. You can wear your sash, vest, or tunic over of cial Girl Scout gear or over a white shirt and khaki pants or skirt. Depending on grade level, of cial uniform items may be blue, brown, green, or khaki.

Badges are always placed on the front of the vest, tunic, or sash, while fun patches are placed on the back.

Volunteers wear the two highest awards/pins they have earned as Girl Scout volunteers.

On the front right side of a vest or tunic and the top front of the sash, the order of placement is as follows:

•American Flag Patch

•Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains Identi cation Set

•Troop Numerals

•Membership Stars and Discs

On the left side of a vest, tunic, or on the left front side of shirt when wearing a sash, the order of placement is as

Scan the QR Code to review the Uniform Diagrams brochure for full details on proper placement.

Volunteer Essentials

Volunteer Essentials is designed to support busy troop volunteers on the go. You can easily nd what you need to get started on your Girl Scout journey and search for answers throughout the troop year. Think of it as your encyclopedia to Girl Scout volunteering.

We recommend reviewing Volunteer Essentials so you’re familiar with what information is available and where to nd it when you need it!

As an appointed volunteer, you agree to follow the council policies and procedures found in Volunteer Essentials. Scan the QR code to nd more information!

Girl Scout-to-Adult Ratio

Every time Girl Scouts gather, the Girl Scout to Adult ratio must be followed to provide proper supervision and guidance for all involved. A Girl Scout troop must have a minimum of ve Girl Scouts and two, unrelated, registered, background-checked, and trained adult leaders/volunteers.

Knowing how many adult volunteers are needed for Girl Scout events is key to ensuring Girl Scouts have fun and stay safe, no matter their age level. Use this handy chart to understand the required ratio provided by Girl Scouts. Be aware that ratio numbers are determined by the youngest grade level in your group.

Two unrelated troop leaders (at least one of whom is female) for this number of girls:

Plus one additional approved volunteer for each additional number of this many girls:

One troop leader and one unrelated approved volunteer (at least one of whom is female) for this number of girls:

Plus one additional troop leader approved volunteer for each additional number of this many girls:

Two unrelated approved volunteers (at least one of whom is female) for this number of girls:

Plus one additional approved volunteer for each additional number of this many girls:

Inclusion in Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains Diversity Statement:

Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains and our Girl Scouts of the USA sisterhood stand for all to ensure inclusion, diversity, equity, and access as we equip girls with courage, con dence, and character. We believe racism and hate have no place here, as Girl Scouts is a place for all girls to belong.

We can acknowledge that we don’t always have the answers, but as Girl Scouts, we must ensure that we are present for all our girls and volunteers. We must ensure that we continue to build women leaders who are prepared to lead their communities, especially in times of crisis. Let our actions speak louder than words. A pivotal part of Girl Scouting is teaching and helping girls, as well as volunteers, to Take Action to make the world a better place.

Adopted by the GSTOP Board of Directors 12/08/2021

Working With All Girl Scouts

Talk about inclusion with Girl Scouts of different backgrounds.

Create an environment that values and respects diversity. Foster a belief in your troop that everyone bene ts from having a

Make sure all Girl Scouts have the opportunity to fully engage in activities and have access to opportunities and information. This may mean helping girls overcome barriers to participation, adjusting activities, or even changing how you

Be conscious of and avoid using generalized statements about groups or types of people and don’t refer to a person based on a particular characteristic like race, gender, ability, sexual orientation, education, socioeconomic status, or

Communicating with Council

Contact Customer Care:

Email: customercare@gs-top.org

Website: Complete the Contact Us form online

Call during regular business hours: 1-800-582-7272

Business Hours:

M-Th 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

F – 8-11:30 a.m.

Follow us on social media:

Facebook – @GirlScoutsTop

Instagram – @GirlScoutsTop

X – @topgirlscouts

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/gs-top

YouTube - youtube.com/user/GirlScoutsTXOKPL

Retail Shops

Retail shop hours vary by location.

To ensure you have the most up-to-date hours, please contact the retail shop nearest you to verify hours.

Amarillo

7620 Hillside Rd, Ste. 300 Amarillo, TX 79119

Retail Shop

Southlake

2225 W. Southlake Blvd, #441 Southlake, TX 76092

Monthly Emails

Each month, GSTOP sends emails sharing activities and important updates to our members based upon their involvement with Girl Scouts.

September - May:

Daisy, Brownie, Junior Troop Scoop: Sent to Girl Scout families with Daisy, Brownie, or Junior Girl Scouts. Cadette, Senior, Ambassador Troop Scoop: Sent to Girl Scout families with Cadette, Senior, or Ambassador Girl Scouts.

GSTOP Connections: Sent to registered volunteers, Lifetime Members, and self-selected Girl Scout alums.

Year-round:

News from the TOP: a general monthly email sharing details about upcoming activities and events.

Please note: Emails from GSTOP are sent to adult email addresses only.

Leader Basics

Being a Girl Scout troop leader is an incredible journey for you and your Girl Scouts. Together, you will shape the future through all you do today. Along the way, you’ll hone your own leadership style and discover that you will achieve more than you thought possible.

In Girl Scouting, leadership is not about being in charge or having a title; it’s recognizing that you’re part of a team and understanding the team’s needs and interests.

You - A Girl Scout Leader!

con dence in the process.

You’re not expected to know everything about Girl Scouting, but you should know where to go for information - and to ask for help when you need it.

Working with Co-Leaders

Getting started with your co-leaders is the rst important step in a successful troop experience. Here are some key things to keep in mind when planning the year with your co-leader.

Meet up to chat and get to know each other. Share individual strengths, hobbies, education, skills, interests, and work schedules.

Make sure both troop leaders have completed their New Leader Learning Path with GSTOP and any optional trainings on gsLearn.

Review the Volunteer Toolkit together - make sure you both have access and decide who will edit or update which parts.

Divide tasks evenly between both troop leaders. Make sure tasks are speci c. Working together is better.

How will you initially communicate with families? Email, text, social media group, etc.

Who will handle the troop nances/troop bank account?

How will you work with your own Girl Scout?

Who will handle paperwork? (Registrations, medical forms, permission slips, etc.)

Who will lead meetings?

Determine if your troop will collect dues. Have a discussion with families about dues at the parent/caregiver meeting.

Figure out logistics of what support you need from parents/caregivers. Delegating these tasks up front will help troop leaders organize and plan the troop year more effectively by involving troop volunteers.

Can someone share a special skill?

Other support to think about: managing product program, purchasing supplies, snacks, setting up eld trips, etc.

Trainings and Workshops for New Leaders

Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains (GSTOP) offers a variety of training for leaders, both new and returning.

All trainings can be found either on the Events and Activities tab on the GSTOP website or through gsLearn, the online learning portal for Girl Scout volunteers found within your MyGS login.

New Leader Learning Path

A required training hosted by GSTOP for all new Girl Scout leaders, the New Leader Learning Path is designed to help you get started in your new role or learn more about your current role. The learning path provides an overview consisting of: the foundation of Girl Scouting, GSTOP demographics and structure, GSTOP policies and safety guidelines, managing your leader role experience, guiding your troop experience, and the importance of the GSLE.

CPR/First Aid

Every Girl Scout troop must have at least one adult member who is CPR/First Aid certi ed at every troop gathering. GSTOP offers training throughout the year for those who are interested in becoming certi ed.

Volunteer Toolkit Workshop

Designed for the new user, this workshop demonstrates the functions, uses, and access to the Volunteer Toolkit.

Outdoor 101

Required for any volunteer wishing to take their troop outdoors. This training covers the eight basic outdoor skills, as well as explains the girl progression in the outdoors. Safety procedures are also included in this training. Additional training is required for camping and overnight trips.

Volunteer Leadership Summit

Each August, GSTOP hosts an in-person Volunteer Leadership Summit to bring together Girl Scout volunteers from across the council. This is a day of celebration, peer-to-peer networking, and hands-on learning; it also features a community partner showcase.

As new leaders begin their troop year, GSTOP offers a variety of trainings either online, in-person, or through gsLearn, the GSUSA online learning portal. These trainings are accessible to registered volunteers through their MyGS account. Additional

Setting Up a Troop Bank Account

No matter how much your troop plans to save or spend, you’ll need a safe place to deposit your troop dues, product program proceeds, and other funds. If you’ve stepped up to lead an existing troop, you may inherit a checking account, but with a new troop, you’ll want to open a new bank account. For existing troops, you follow the same process to change signers on an existing Troop Bank Account.

For GSTOP, the rst step in setting up a Troop Bank Account starts with a Bank Letter Request.

The bank letter is used for opening, changing signers, or closing a Troop Bank Account.

Bank Letter Requests require at least two, non-related, registered, and background-checked adults to serve as signers on the account.

Here are a few helpful tips you can take to the bank:

Try to nd a bank that has low fees and/or free checking.

Designate a “troop treasurer.” This person is responsible for troop funds and keeping a daily account of expenditures.

Ensure your bank account issues two debit cards to use during activities or trips. These transactions are easier to track at the end of the year.

Have the second signer hold onto the additional debit card in case the main card is lost.

Handle a lost troop debit card the same way you would a personal debit card: cancel it immediately.

Keep troop funds in the bank before an activity or trip and pay for as many items as possible in advance of your departure.

Make sure the bank includes the Troop number on the account.

Make sure the address for bank statements is the home address of one of the signers of the account.

Remember that all funds collected, raised, earned, or otherwise received in the name of and for the bene t of Girl Scouting belong to the troop and must be used for the purposes of Girl Scouting. Funds are administered through the troop and do not belong to individuals.

Checklist for Well-Rounded Girl Scout Troop

Host an investiture ceremony/guardian meeting at the beginning of the year. Let the Girl Scouts do the planning and invite their whole families to attend. (See Traditions/Celebrations section)

Start each meeting with the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Ask Girl Scouts to share examples of how they have used the Promise and Law in their lives since the last meeting. Help the Girl Scouts decide what they want to do this year in their Troop. What badges and awards do they want to earn? What events would they like to attend?

Attend a GSTOP-sponsored event to try new things and meet other Girl Scouts.

Attend a community-sponsored event to explore your community and connect with the experts.

Set a goal to earn badges and fun patches.

Participate in the Fall Product and/or Cookie Program to build to your Troop budget to achieve the Girl Scouts’ goals. Get the Girl Scouts outdoors! Complete an age-appropriate outdoor experience or simply go for a hike in a local park or hold your Troop meeting outdoors.

Recognize Girl Scouts’ accomplishments. Host a bridging ceremony at the end of the year for those Girl Scouts moving up to the next level. Invite the families to attend while letting the Girl Scouts take the lead on the event itself. (See Traditions / Celebrations section)

Troop Meetings

As a troop leadership team, work together to determine meeting day, time, and location.

Consider the Girl Scouts in your troop:

•Do they all attend the same school?

•What is the most central or convenient location for all?

•What is the best time of day for the meeting for Girl Scouts, co-leaders, and guardian support?

The meeting place needs to provide a safe, clean, and secure environment that allows for the participation of all girls. Consider meeting rooms at schools, houses of worship, libraries, community buildings, childcare facilities, or local businesses. For teens, rotating meetings at coffee houses, bookstores, or other places girls enjoy spending time is an option.

Below are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a location:

Safety: Meeting spaces should be safe, secure, clean, properly heated and cooled, free from hazards with all exits clearly marked

Cost: Free or low cost to use

Availability: Average troop meetings range between 1-2 hours, twice a month; some troops choose to meet weekly

Facilities: Sanitary and accessible restrooms

Accessible: Accommodates those with all abilities

Make a list of possible locations, then call to check on availability and con rm the meeting dates/times. Staff and local volunteers in your service unit can help provide suggestions, if needed. Please call Customer Care, 800-582-7272, with the time and location of your meetings when con rmed, so we can update your troop record.

Troop Committee: Essentials to Adult Involvement

Forming your troop committee utilizing adults and guardians of girl members ensures involvement from everyone in the troop. This also makes your role as a troop leader less stressful when others are there to provide support and help.

The term “troop committee” is used to describe the adult leadership team for the Girl Scout Troop. All troop support volunteers must be registered and background-checked Girl Scout members.

Adult support is vital to the experience the girls have in the troop setting. The leadership structure and distribution of duties will depend on the size of the troop and can be customized based on the skills, interests, and availability of adults to best meet their needs and the needs of the girls.

Top 5 Advantages to Organizing a Troop Committee

Prevents burn out.

Troop Leaders (2)*: plan meetings, help girls have fun with a purpose, keep

First-Aider (1)*: an adult member that is certi ed in CPR and First Aid and attends all troop activities

Sometimes people take on too much; reduce stress by sharing the load.

Every superhero needs a sidekick. Lean on your troop committee for help.

Even busy adults can support the troop by identifying their areas of interest.

Allows adults to give back to their community.

Adult involvement provides opportunities for quality family time.

Driver/Chaperone: drive to eld trips, keep girls focused on fun, learning, and safety during trips and other activities.

Additional Roles: Troop Treasurer, Snack Coordinator, Outdoor-Trained Adult

Fall and Cookie Product Program

Chairs (can be the same person or two different individuals): help the troop have a great fall product and Cookie Program, manage product program funds, gather permission forms, help girls set and achieve goals.

*Required volunteer positions for all troops.

Setting Troop Expectations with Volunteers

and Guardians

Decide on the day, time, frequency, meeting location, and communication method for troop meetings.

Create a tentative year calendar of meetings and scheduled activities, taking into consideration events the Service Unit has already planned. Pencil in as much information as possible, including Service Unit and council events. Use this calendar at your parent/caregiver meeting to discuss with families what they would like to do during the year.

Schedule your parent/caregiver meeting.

Discuss expectations for group and individual behavior management so it is consistent and utilizes positive behavior reinforcement. It is often helpful if leaders swap responsibility for each other’s daughter while at Girl Scouts.

Establish troop rules with the Girl Scouts at their rst troop meeting.

Learn and agree how to handle con ict appropriately and consistently while modeling the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

Keep communication open and work together to problem solve.

Remember, Girl Scouts is exible; you don’t have to stick to a rigid schedule.

Identify your troop leadership roles (i.e. selecting a coordinator and the most ef cient form of communication).

Scan the QR code to learn more about keeping families engaged.

Preparing for Your First Troop Parent/Caregiver Meeting

Depending on the ages of your Girl Scouts, you might take the lead in guiding the structure and experiences of your troop—from how and when meetings are held to how the troop communicates, from steering girl-led activities to setting nancial expectations. You’ll make these decisions collaboratively with your volunteer team or co-leaders, as well as with input from the girls and their parents/caregivers.

Use the questions below to guide your conversations with your troop committee volunteers or co-leaders before discussing these topics with parents and caregivers.

When will we meet and for how long? How frequently should we schedule troop meetings?

Create a tentative calendar of meetings and scheduled activities. Take into consideration events the Service Unit has already planned. Pencil in as much information as possible, including Service Unit and Council events. Use this calendar at your guardian meeting to discuss with families what they would like to do during the year.

Where will we meet?

Your meeting space should be somewhere safe, clean, and secure that allows all girls to participate. Some great meeting space ideas include schools, places of worship, libraries, and community centers. If working with teens, consider meeting at coffee shops, bookstores, or another place they enjoy.

Which components of the uniform will families need to purchase? Which uniform components will the troop provide for each girl?

Will our troop be a single-grade level or facilitated as a multi-level troop with girls of many grade levels combined into one troop? If multi-level, how will we make sure they each get an age-appropriate experience?

How will we keep troop activities and decisions girl-led?

Use the Volunteer Toolkit to help you through this process by exploring options for activities and reviewing the meeting plans and resource lists.

How often are we going to communicate with troop families?

Which channels will we use to keep families in the loop?

Effective communication will help set expectations and clarify parent/caregiver responsibilities.

Will our troop charge dues, use product program proceeds, and/or charge per activity?

How much money will we need to cover supplies and activities?

What should our nancial plan look like?

Discuss expectations for group and individual behavior management so it is consistent and utilizes positive reinforcement. It is often helpful if leaders swap responsibility for each other’s daughter/related Girl Scout while at Girl Scout activities.

Learn and agree how to handle con ict appropriately and consistently while modeling the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

Schedule the Guardian Meeting.

Want to include additional Girl Scouts in your troop? Provide your Troop Membership Information to let us know to list you in the Troop Opportunity Catalog.

Service Unit Support and Participation

Every troop in Girl Scouts belongs to a Service Unit. The Service Unit provides additional volunteer support to all troops within their geographic area.

Service Units are a great volunteer resource for new and experienced Girl Scout troop leaders.

Attending monthly Service Unit meetings allows leaders to network together and meet other Girl Scout leaders in their area.

Participation in Service Units is not required to be a Girl Scout leader. It is highly recommended that all troops send at least one representative to the Service Unit meetings.

Every Service Unit has a service unit leadership team of volunteers, much like a troop leadership team.

Volunteer Toolkit

The Volunteer Toolkit is a customizable planning tool where you can nd suggested meeting plans for most badges, access activity guides and badge requirements, track your Girl Scouts’ achievements, and so much more. It’s the digital planning assistant that will help you power a fun- lled—and organized—Girl Scout year.

You’ll nd the Volunteer Toolkit via the left menu bar of MyGS in My Account. It’s accessible on any desktop, tablet, or mobile device.

Fall

October 31: Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday!

Fall Product Program is a great way to earn startup funds for your troop and build

Winter

Participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. It’s a great way to earn money for your troop, develop nancial skills, and have the Girl Scouts help offset costs of Girl Scout summer camp and travel trips.

Register for Summer Camp!

February 22: World Thinking Day. Honor our international Girl Scout and Girl Guide sisters by remembering that GSUSA is a part of the global community. Visit girlscouts.org/worldthinkingday to learn more.

Spring

Girl Scout Week: Celebrated each March. This week, celebrated Sunday through Saturday, always includes the Girl Scout birthday (when Juliette Gordon Low of cially registered the rst troop) on March 12.

Girl Scout Sunday and Girl Scout Sabbath: Provides an opportunity to attend a place of worship and be recognized as Girl Scouts. Celebrated the Sunday and Saturday of Girl Scout Week.

Court of Awards Ceremony: Celebrate awards with a girl-designed ceremony. Ending the troop year with a gathering is a great way to re-engage guardians and share the girls’ successes from the year. If your troop is moving to a new Girl Scout level in the fall, this ceremony may include bridging.

Membership Renewal: Late spring is a great time to register for the coming Girl Scout year. There are often incentives associated with early registration.

April 1: Pre-K girls may join as long as they are going into Kindergarten at the beginning of the new school year.

Gold Award Celebration: Each spring, GSTOP recognizes and celebrates all Girl Scouts who have earned a higher award in the past 12 months. Special recognition is given to all Gold Award Girl Scouts.

Summer

Mid-June: Troop nancial reports are due to GSTOP.

Attend summer camp: Girl Scouts can attend summer Girl Scout camp on their own or with a friend.

Travel: GSTOP and GSUSA offer a variety of Girl Scout trips available to older Girl Scouts.

Start planning for next year: How will you engage your Girl Scouts/are their schedules getting busier? How will the troop leadership team make sure girls still have room for Girl Scouting?

Enjoy the summer: Many troops take the summer off, but that doesn’t mean you have to. It’s a great time to take a troop trip or enjoy the outdoors.

Girl-Led Progression

Girl Scout programming is designed to be progressive and it’s what makes Girl Scouting fun and effective! By building on the knowledge and skills they gain year after year, your girls’ con dence will grow exponentially, and they’ll be eager to try new things and take on new challenges. As a volunteer, you will cultivate a supportive, nonjudgmental space where your Girl Scouts can test their skills and be unafraid to fail.

Keep in mind that progression drives success for your troop. In the following links, we’ve outlined some suggestions that will help you determine when your girls are ready for their next outdoor challenge, troop trip, or cookie-selling challenge.

Girl Processes

Girls in Action Adult Facilitation Adults in Action

Given opportunities to freely express feelings, opinions, and choices.

Express what activities they want to do, how they would like to do them, and act on these opinions.

Strategize how to do an activity or action project, then determine the goal and what resources will be needed.

Initiate activities, take responsibility for organizing and implementing them, and clean them up with little input from adults.

Articulate reasons behind decisions and re ect on their implications and impacts. Girls participate in activities that challenge their assumptions in positive ways.

Choose a song for the group to sing.

Decide they would like to learn to make banana boats; come up with ideas of how and where they can learn it.

Devise their own questions, pose own problems, and generate ideas of how to answer/solve them.

Choose a badge to earn, identify the requirements, and make and organize a plan to complete them.

Make phone calls, budgets, schedules, and gather resources for service projects and other activities.

Represent Girl Scouts to other troops, community organizations, buisnesses, and others.

Identify activities or decisions that girls can take the lead on in each meeting.

Gives girls opportunities to generate ideas and only provide options if girls are unable to think on their own.

Model and provide strategies for solving problems and making decisions.

Make a list of activities for the meeting and ask girls to vote using show of hands.

Assist girls in deciding what tasks to put on their kaper chart and how each task can be done.

Pose open-ended questions to guide conversation: “Why do you want to do this activity? How can we do it?”

Observe girl planning and give input when asked. Give positive feedback: “I trust your opinion on...” or “You’re really good at ___; I think you’ll do that well.”

Encourage girls to volunteer for activities and responsibilities without being asked.

Model self-control, independence, a sense of humor, and a positive and con dent attitude.

Encourage girls to choose projects and activities related to community service and outreach. Pose questions and ask girls to think critically about issues.

Keeping Girls Safe and First Aid

The emotional and physical safety and well-being of Girl Scouts is our top priority. Safety Activity Checkpoints outline the Safety Standards and Guidelines used in Girl Scouting, which apply to all Girl Scout activities. All volunteers should review the Safety Activity Checkpoints manual when planning activities with girls in order to manage safety and risk in Girl Scout-sanctioned activities.

Multi-Cultural Community Celebrations

Want to expand your troops multi-cultural knowledge?

Take a look at how GSUSA celebrates all Girl Scouts.

Creating a Safe Space

As a volunteer, the environment you create is just as important as the activities girls do—it’s the key to developing the sort of group that girls want to be part of! Cultivate a space where con dentiality is respected, and girls can express their true selves. A safe space is where girls feel that they can be themselves without explanation or judgment.

Keeping Girls Safe with Certain Activities

Safety Activity Checkpoints provide guidance for speci c activities a Girl Scout troop may want to partake in. These checkpoints ensure the safety of all involved.

CPR & First Aid

Every Girl Scout troop must have a registered adult that is CPR/First Aid-certi ed and attends every troop activity. Training is provided by GSTOP throughout the year and may also be obtained through organizations such as American Red Cross or American Heart Association. Once training has been completed, submit documentation of the training to Customer Care via email to ensure that the troop record is updated with the current Troop First Aider information. If you have a volunteer that is certi ed in CPR/First Aid/AED, that volunteer can submit a copy of their card to the Volunteer Experience Specialist. It will be attached to their Girl Scout member account and the troop.

Make sure a general rst aid kit is available at your troop meeting place and accompanies Girl Scout members on any troop activity.

Transporting Girl Scouts

How guardians decide to transport Girl Scouts between home and Girl Scout meeting places is the guardian’s decision and responsibility.

For planned Girl Scout eld trips and other activities in which a group will be transported in privately owned vehicles, arrange quali ed drivers and ensure:

Drivers are at least 21 years of age, have a safe driving record, a valid license, and the vehicle is properly registered and has insurance coverage.

If a group is traveling in one or more vehicles, there must be at least two unrelated, registered, background-checked members in each vehicle/group, one of whom is female.

No youth member may drive other members to, from, or during activities or eld trips.

Recruitment and Retention of Members

Each year, Girl Scout troops have the opportunity to grow their membership through membership recruitment opportunities. These opportunities allow new Girl Scouts to form a new troop or join an existing troop near them.

Provide your Troop Membership Information to share information about your troop and list you in the Troop Opportunity Catalog. The Troop Opportunity Catalog allows new Girl Scouts to nd a troop near them. It is important to keep your troop information up-to-date by emailing CustomerCare@gs-top.org. Please provide meeting locations, date, time, frequency, desired number of girls, and levels desired.

Special Events

Annual Meeting

Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains hosts an annual meeting each year to provide an update on the Council. Anytime Council bylaws need to be updated, the Council presents bylaws at the annual meeting for a membership vote. The Board of Directors, Board Development Committee, and national delegates are also elected at the annual meeting. Voting members of Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains are any registered Girl Scout age 14 and above.

Fundraising Events

Women of Distinction

Desserts First

Amarillo and Fort Worth Lubbock

The Girl Scouts annual Women of Distinction program brings together and recognizes a group of purpose-driven leaders in business, government, education, and philanthropy; like our girls, they are dedicated to service and leadership. Join us for this year’s Women of Distinction, as we come together to honor our incredible Woman of Distinction, Rising Star, Outstanding Community Partner, Lifetime Achievement, and Man Enough to Be a Girl Scout honorees. These leaders serve as examples to our Girl Scouts by modeling the positive changes that our girls can make in the world.

Desserts First features local chefs who create Girl Scout Cookie-inspired desserts along with tasty wine pairings. This is a fun evening of desserts, wine, silent auction, comradery, and helping the Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains achieve our mission of building girls of courage, con dence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Con ict Resolution Suggestions

Con icts happen. When they do, we offer these suggestions to mediate a con ict within your troop.

Maintain respectful, open communication with all parties throughout the problem-solving process.

Circle back around to how the Girl Scouts and/or volunteers are modeling the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

Put it in writing. All parties should agree to the solution and the time frame as well as what next steps will be taken if the solution proves ineffective.

GSTOP encourages the problem-solving of concerns to occur with the parties most directly involved in the situation, but there are times when council staff assistance is necessary. This may include:

The safety and well-being of the girls and their assets are at risk

The safety and well-being of adult volunteers, guardians, or community members are at risk

Problem-solving attempts with parties directly involved were unsuccessful

The initial issue or concern has escalated in seriousness or urgency

If these suggestions do not resolve this problem, please contact your Volunteer Experience Specialist or email Customercare@gs-top.org.

Highest Awards in Girl Scouting

Girl Scout Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors have the opportunity to take action in their communities to make a lasting impact through the Girl Scout Highest Awards.

The rst step in earning a Highest Award is to complete the Highest Award interest form to let GSTOP know you are ready. This form also allows GSTOP to know if any accommodations or special factors could help in the completion of the project. For example: A Girl Scout

Girl Scout Bronze Award

Junior Girl Scouts team up with fellow Girl Scouts to explore their community, discover a need or issue they care about, and work together to address it. It’s a chance to create a plan and make an impact on the community they live in.

You can become a Bronze Award Girl Scout if you: Are in fourth or fth grade Are a registered Girl Scout Junior Have completed a Junior Journey

GSTOP offers a self-paced Bronze Award Training Workshop to help get your Bronze Award started.

Girl Scout Gold Award

Gold Award Girl Scouts use everything they’ve learned as a Girl Scout to solve a problem in their community to make a lasting change.

You can become a Gold Award Girl Scout if you: Are in ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade

Are a registered Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador

Have completed two Senior or Ambassador Journeys OR have earned the Girl Scout Silver Award and completed one Senior or Ambassador Journey

GSTOP offers a self-paced Gold Award Training Workshop to help get your Gold Award started.

Outdoors & Travel

Whether you’re discovering the wildlife in your own backyard, swimming in a lake for the rst time at summer camp or being a citizen scientist and observing bees in their natural habitat, every outdoor adventure grows your Girl Scouts’ “I’ve got this” attitude.

GSUSA offers this handy outdoor progression chart to help determine what your Girl Scouts are ready to take on in the world outdoors.

Outdoor Progression

Progression allows girls to learn the skills they need to become competent in the outdoors, including how to plan and organize outdoor activities. Acknowledge a girl's mastery of an outdoor skill and invite her to challenge herself further by taking that next step up and out! Outdoor fun can be endless when girls lead.

Explore Out

Explore Out

Plan and take a short and easy hike.

LOOK OUT

Share past experiences in the outdoors.

Talk about favorite outdoor places and why they're special.

Wonder what else can be seen in the outdoors.

Meet Out

Step outside to look, listen, feel, and smell.

Share what was observed.

Learn more about what was discovered.

Plan and take a short walk outside.

Discuss being prepared for the weather. Do activities to explore nature.

Plan and carry out an indoor sleepover.

Discuss what to take in a day pack.

Dress for the weather.

Plan a healthy snack or lunch.

Learn how to stay safe in the outdoors.

Cook Out

Plan and cook a simple meal outdoors.

Make a list of gear and food supplies needed.

Learn and practice skills needed to cook a meal.

Review outdoor cooking safety. Practice hand and dish sanitation.

Create a Kaper Chart for the cookout.

Camp Out

Plan and take a 1- to 2-night camping trip.

Adventure Out

Adventure Out

Plan and take an outdoor trip for several days.

Learn and practice a new outdoor skill.

Sleep Out

Sleep Out

Plan and carry out an overnight in a cabin/ backyard.

Discuss what to pack for the sleep out.

Learn to use and care for camping gear.

Learn and practice new outdoor skills.

Plan a menu with a new cooking skill.

Discuss campsite organization.

Plan time for fun activities.

Take more responsibility for planning.

Learn and practice a new outdoor skill.

Learn a new outdoor cooking skill.

Plan a food budget, then buy and pack food.

Practice campsite set up.

Plan an agenda that includes fun activities.

Explore/protect the surrounding environment.

Learn a new outdoor cooking skill.

Develop first-aid skills and use safety check points.

Budget, schedule, and make arrangements.

Participate in an environmental service project.

Teach and inspire others about the outdoors.

Imagine new experiences to be had outdoors.

Practice all Leave No Trace principles.

Outdoor Training Progression

Training for volunteers is essential for a successful outdoor progression within the troop. These training courses are to be taken prior to any troop campout and must be completed in the following order.

Outdoor 101: This is the rst required training for any volunteer wishing to take a troop outdoors. Upon completion, you will be able to identify the 8 Basic Outdoor Skills (for example, Outdoor Manners: Leave No Trace and Dressing for the Outdoors). You will also learn about girl progression in the outdoors, “Look Out,” “Meet Out,” and other outdoor progression steps to prepare your Girl Scouts for the world outdoors. Safety procedures are also included in this training. Outdoor 101 training is the prerequisite to Cabin/Tent Camping training.

Cabin/Tent Camping Training: This is an active participation outdoor course. Participants will learn how to safely build a camp re, plan yummy one pot meals for your troop, properly care for equipment, tie basic knots, and "Leave No Trace." Learn how to choose a tent, places to tent camp, tent safety, what knots to use, and proper care of a tent. Prerequisite: Outdoor 101.

Primitive Camping Training: You will learn advanced cooking skills, compass and map orientation, emergency shelter construction, lashing skills, and plant foraging with identi cation. Must attend one in-town session and one camping session. Prerequisites: Outdoor 101 and Cabin/Tent Camping Training.

Summer Adventures

Summer Adventures offer Girl Scouts a variety of ways to enjoy the outdoors through overnight and day camps.

GSTOP camps offer archery, ropes challenge courses, horseback riding, horsemanship training, hiking, swimming, arts and crafts, and many Girl Scout camping traditions.

Whether spending the week at overnight camp or spending the day at day camp, Girl Scout camps are made for summer and for Girl Scouts.

Camp sessions run June and July annually.

GSTOP is home to four unique Girl Scout camp properties. Each camp offers a variety of activities for Girl Scouts. Our camps are nestled into incredible natural geographic terrain, providing authentic experiences for all Girl Scouts. The Summer Camp Guide is the best way to see what Girl Scouts do at GSTOP summer camps.

Stevens Ranch

Camp Rio Blanco

On its 118 acres in Crosbyton, TX, Camp Rio Blanco offers hiking, archery, and nature studies. This facility is capable of hosting troop camping.

Camp Timberlake

GirlScoutC

Camping is a character-building experience that girls can try out for short periods of time. Outdoor settings provide us with a remarkable opportunity to take girls from many backgrounds and put them together on neutral territory and let them get to know one another. Where else can they so easily mingle, have fun, learn new skills place where the best in Girl Scouting converges is Girl Scout camp. Fun, challenges, adventures, and friendships setting are small versions -child-sized versions -- of real life. The camping program captures the essence of everything Girl Scouting stands for and helps girls ‘to do.’ It is up to us to make certain that this important part of Girl Scouting remains part of the future of the girls in the movement.

-Mary Rose Main Past National Executive Director, GSUSA

Travel

Whether through a local eld trip or independent travel, the Girl Scout travel progression allows girls to learn the skills they need to become competent travelers.

GSTOP welcomes girls to travel with other girls from GSTOP on adventures built speci cally for Girl Scouts. GSTOP is excited to offer GSTOP-sponsored and GSTOP-partner travel opportunities.

Girl Scouts are also encouraged to apply for GSUSA Destinations, the ultimate adventure program for Girl Scouts ages 11 and older.

Travel Progression

Progression allows girls to learn the skills they need to become competent travelers, including how to plan and organize trips. Travel fun can be endless when girls lead.

Day Trips

Take an all-day trip!

Get your travel feet wet! Walk to a nearby garden, or take a short ride to a rehouse or other local spot.

Keep it girl-led: girls choose the location.

Keep it girl-led: girls choose the location and activity (perhaps working toward a badge) and make plans for lunch.

Overnights

Start with one night, maybe at a camp or museum. Progress to a weekend trip in a nearby city or state park.

Keep it girl-led: girls plan the activity and meals, create travel games, and pack their own overnight bags.

Regional Trips

Spend three to four nights away somewhere a few hours from home.

Keep it girl-led: girls plan key details of the trip, such as the activities, the budget, the route, and lodging.

(Extended trip insurance required.)

National Trips

Travel the country! Trips often last a week or more. Girls should think beyond a typical vacation location and consider historical sites, museums, or national parks!

Keep it girl-led: girls lead the entire planning process and might add a community service or Take Action project.

(Extended trip insurance required.)

Independent Travel International Trips

Travel the world! These life-changing trips usually take one to three years to prepare. Consider visiting a WAGGGS World Centre!

Keep it girl-led: girls download the Global Travel Toolkit and plan their entire trip (including learning about the language, culture, passports and visas, exchange rates, etc.).

(Extended trip insurance required.)

Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador girls with travel experience can travel nationally or internationally independently through counciloffered travel opportunities or GSUSA’s Destinations program. Check with your council, or visit the Girl Scout Destinations website!

Check with your council about age requirements. Girls should have experience at every level of the progression before moving on to the next level. For regional travel, girls must be Juniors or older.

For national and international trips, girls must be Cadettes or older.

When moving up to each level of the progression, consider girls’ independence, exibility, decision making, group skills, and cross cultural skills.

Overnight Trips

Safety Activity Checkpoints

Safety Activity

Checkpoints encompass many activities and adventures.

Ensure that you are following GSUSA/GSTOP protocols when planning your outdoor activities by following the approved checkpoints.

Troop Trips are a great way to spend time together as a troop outside of a troop meeting. In order to participate in a troop trip, a troop trip packet must be submitted to Council.

All overnight troop trips must be approved in writing by GSTOP staff.

The Troop Trip application is a two-part application.

Part 1 provides Council with the date, location, number of registered girls and adults attending, the name of the rst-aid certi ed volunteer, proposed budget, and the name of the adult volunteer who has completed Outdoor 101 training, which does cover Troop Trips. If the trip includes camping, an adult volunteer will also need to have completed Camping/Tent Training.

If the trip has elements of high risks, this section must be completed. Make sure to have an additional person as the First Aid/CPR person if you oversee the trip.

Part 2 is sent to Council at least three weeks prior to the trip with the following information:

Detailed travel arrangements, including private cars or vehicle leasing report, airline information, and/or cruise information. Details Troop Information Form with both registered girl and parent/caregiver signatures. Plus, a copy of the Troop Participant Agreement signed by each girl and guardian. Troop Participation Roster, which includes family contact information. At this time, the Mutual of Omaha Insurance Information for Troop Trips needs to be completed and paid. Insurance is needed when: Traveling out of the state.

High risk activities are involved, including parades. Traveling for more than two nights.

Parents/Caregivers need to be reminded that if the Girl Scout becomes sick, injured, or has behavior issues that cannot be resolved, it is the responsibility of the family to come pick up the Girl Scout at the troop’s current location. Minor Girl Scouts cannot travel alone, and chaperones are on the trip to supervise the group of Girl Scouts on the trip.

Click here to complete the Troop Trip Packet

Entrepreneurship

Financial Literacy

Our youth-led entrepreneurship programs teach Girl Scouts practical life skills—all while having a great time with friends.

Research shows that girls are actively interested in becoming entrepreneurs, developing nancially stable futures, and using their skills to make a big impact on the world.

But there are stumbling blocks on a girl’s path, including fear of failure, concerns about bringing big ideas to life, and the perception that men are more likely to be entrepreneurs than women. While entrepreneurship may not be right for every girl, every Girl Scout will bene tand maybe even discover a future career path! - by learning to think like an entrepreneur.

Girl Scouts need the space and support to grow so they can learn to make sound nancial decisions and develop a healthy relationship with money. The Financial Literacy badges help Girl Scouts of all ages learn and practice nancial literacy skills like budget creation, goal setting, decision-making, and teamwork through hands-on activities.

Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy activities for all ages.

Fall Product Program

The Fall Product Program gives troops a chance to earn startup money for the new membership year. This is a great time to check your MyGS account to ensure you are opted-in to receive GSUSA and GSTOP emails.

In addition to providing startup funds, the fall product program provides girls with valuable skills, including customer service, organization, creative problem solving, money handling, marketing savvy, and goal-setting. Whether she’s taking online orders, going door-to-door, or working a booth sale with her Girl Scout sisters, the fall product program gives girls the chance to put their skills into action, show off their Girl Scout spirit, and let their con dence soar as they interact with customers.

This 100% online Girl Delivery friends and family program allows Girl Scouts to gain experience running their rst online business by taking all payments online, while customers have the choice to have items direct-shipped or delivered by the Girl Scout.

Girl Scout Cookie Program

The iconic Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurship business in the world.

When you sell Girl Scout Cookies, you’re doing more than helping your customers stock up on delicious treats (and having lots of fun).

You have a goal in mind: to power life-changing programs, experiences, and learning for yourself and your troop all year long.

Because no matter what obstacles pop up, we know that you’ll face them with resiliency and creativity—it’s the Girl Scout way.

As a Troop Leader, you are vital to the success of your troop members’ program experience. With the help of your Troop Cookie Chair, you and all adult volunteers in your troop have the power to instill strong business ethics in your Girl Scouts through this program.

To make nding information about the program easier on Girl Scouts, Volunteers, and Families, we’ve split our cookie resources on our website into the following categories:

For Cookie Sellers For Troop Cookie Chairs and Volunteers

Scan here for Cookie

Scan

Five Essential Skills

Girl Scouts as young as ve develop ve essential skills through the Girl Scout Cookie Program - skills that will help them be successful today and throughout their lives:

Goal Setting.

Girls learn to create a plan to reach their goals.

Decision Making.

Girls learn to make decisions on their own and as a team.

Money Management.

Girls learn to create a budget and handle money.

People Skills.

Girls nd their voice and up their con dence through customer interactions that build relationships.

Business

Ethics. Girls learn to act responsibly and honestly, both in business and in life.

Scan here for Cookie Volunteers!

here for Cookie Families!

Sellers!

STEM

As the world continues to become more technology-driven and today’s workforce looks to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for new ideas and discoveries, it is more important now than ever to harness the unique insights, skills, and potential of girls.

The current generation of girls will soon enter a fast-changing workforce in need of innovative thinkers. This presents an enormous opportunity for Girl Scouts to dream big and do even bigger. However, according to the Girl Scout Research Institute’s Generation STEM report, 74% of teen girls are interested in STEM, but their interest fades as they move through middle and high school. That’s why inspiring and exposing girls to even more unique opportunities will help them lead, break barriers, and create positive change in their communities and world. If she can see it, she can be it!

A brighter future for us all can be a reality, thanks to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Research shows that girls are keenly interested in STEM and excel at it. Yet, for a variety of reasons, girls often don’t pursue STEM—starting as early as elementary school.

Girl Scouts lets your girl see that STEM can help her make the world a better place! When girls participate in focused STEM programs, they are more interested in STEM and careers in tech—including app development, robotics, coding, and cybersecurity—and they:

Become better problem-solvers and critical thinkers (OR learn to think scienti cally to solve problems)

Have con dence in their STEM skills and abilities

Get excited about STEM subjects and want to learn more about them

Learn the importance and relevance of STEM to people and society and options for their own career paths

STEM badges include activities such as automotive design, coding for good, cybersecurity, and digital leadership. All STEM badges are created speci cally with each age level of Girl Scouts in mind.

Utilize the Girl Scouts Badge Explorer to nd STEM badges that will work for your troop.

Life Skills

Girl Scout badges covering topics like civic engagement, healthy living, and communication skills help Girl Scouts grow in con dence as they develop the skills to lead their best life!

Whether by exercising and staying healthy, developing strong relationships with family and peers, advocating on behalf of others, protecting our environment, or exploring careers that can truly change the world for the better, girls:

Gain the skills and the inspiration to accept challenges and overcome obstacles

Develop greater con dence and a stronger sense of self

Are happier overall and display more positive values throughout life

Life Skills badges include Daisy Petals, Inside Government, Girl Scout Way, and First Aid.

Utilize the Girl Scouts Badge Explorer to nd Life Skills badges that will work for your troop.

Money Management

Your Girl Scout troop will plan and nance its own activities, and you’ll coach your girls as they earn and manage troop funds. Troop activities are powered by proceeds earned through council-sponsored product program activities (such as the Girl Scout Cookie Program), group money-earning activities (council-approved, of course), and any dues your troop may charge.

Remember that all funds collected, raised, earned, or otherwise received in the name of and for the bene t of Girl Scouting belong to the troop and must be used for the purposes of Girl Scouting activities. Funds are administered through the troop and do not belong to individuals.

Utilizing the Troop Finances section of Volunteer Essentials helps guide the troop through the ins and outs of troop nances.

Some troops choose to have a Troop Treasurer, an adult volunteer responsible for the record keeping and bank account of the troop. Adding a Troop Treasurer provides accountability along with checks and balances to keep your troop on track.

Transparency of funds to the troop as a whole is vital to the success of the troop.

For Product Programs, chairs for both fall and cookie programs are recommended. These chairs work with the Troop Treasurer to manage the funds of the troop during their speci c programs.

Troop proceeds may be used to pay for future year memberships, troop community service

Financial Reports

Annual nancial reports are due to GSTOP by June 15 each membership year. This report is accessible online through the Volunteer Toolkit. Financial reports should also be shared regularly with the troop to show where troop funds are being allocated.

Troop Finances

Troop Bank Account

No matter how much your troop plans to save or spend, you’ll need a safe place to deposit your troop dues, product program proceeds, and other funds. If you’ve stepped up to lead an existing troop, you may inherit a checking account, but with a new troop, you’ll want to open a new bank account. For existing troops, you follow the same process to change signers on an existing Troop Bank Account.

For GSTOP, the rst step in setting up a Troop Bank Account starts with a Bank Letter Request.

The bank letter is used for opening, changing signers, or closing a Troop Bank Account.

Bank Letter Requests require at least two, non-related, registered, and background-checked adults to serve as signers on the account.

Here are a few helpful tips you can take to the bank:

Try to nd a bank that has low fees and/or free checking.

Designate a “troop treasurer.” This person is responsible for troop funds and for keeping a daily account of expenditures.

Ensure your bank account issues two debit cards to use during activities or trips. These transactions are easier to track at the end of the year.

Have the second signer hold onto the additional debit card in case the main card is lost.

Handle a lost troop debit card the same way you would a personal debit card: cancel it immediately.

Keep troop funds in the bank before an activity or trip and pay for as many items as possible in advance of your departure.

Make sure the bank includes the Troop number on the account.

Make sure the address for bank statements is the home address of one of the signers of the account.

Remember that all funds collected, raised, earned, or otherwise received in the name of and for the bene t of Girl Scouting belong to the troop and must be used for the purposes of Girl Scouting. Funds are administered through the troop and do not belong to individuals.

Adult Recognition and Awards

Adult Recognitions

What are Adult Recognitions?

Each year, Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains celebrates Girl Scout adult volunteers, Service Units, Troops, and girl members with achievement awards.

Nominations are taken each spring and awards are presented annually at either the Volunteer Leadership Summit or at fall Service Unit Meetings.

GSTOP Awards and Recognitions

Each year, Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains celebrates Girl Scout adult volunteers, Service Units, Troops, and girl members with achievement awards. Each award requires a nomination form and endorsements to be considered for acceptance.

Bobbie Heckathorn Cookie Sale Award

Honors volunteers who have service including service unit and/or council leadership during the Girl Scout Cookie Program; planned, promoted, and/or carried out a new or unique cookie program beyond the troop level or nancial and inventory management that carries out the purpose of the cookie program; and have performed service for more than two previous membership years. Two endorsements required.

Camping Award

Honors volunteers who planned, promoted and/or carried out a new or unique camping program beyond the troop level that carries out the purpose of Girl Scouting, were instrumental in the development and use of camping facilities, and have completed the following outdoor education classes:

Outdoor 101

Cabin/Tent Training

Backpacking

Archery

Two endorsements required.

Community Supporter

Do you know a Girl Scout community partner who goes above and beyond? Does a business help your troop or service unit during the latest cookie season, offer meeting room space, or other items? Then that partner is the perfect candidate for a Community Supporter special recognition.

Family Involvement Award

Honors volunteers who live within the same family unit and have actively contributed to the growth and enrichment of the Girl Scout Movement. Nominations should explain how the family coordinated or participated in a service project, cookie program, and/or been on the service unit team. Nominations should also include how the family has contributed to Girl Scouts programs in at least one of the following areas:

Enterpreneurship

Life Skills

Outdoor

STEM

Two endorsements required.

Glenella Scarborough Outstanding Volunteer Facilitator Award

Honors volunteers who have displayed a positive attitude and had a positive in uence in dealing with adult volunteers; are experts in subject matter and council policy as it applies to adult learning opportunities provided; display facilitation skills that are outstanding, above and beyond the expectations for the position; and have performed service as a learning facilitator over an extended period of time or have been instrumental in the development and use of new instructional services or programs. Two endorsements required.

Going Green Award

Honors volunteers who have planned, promoted, and carried out a new or unique STEM program for girls beyond the troop level, as in service unit or council level. The honoree has been instrumental in one of the STEM areas to educate and develop girls’ interest in STEM Career Exploration. The volunteer has partnered with a STEM expert or organization to create unique STEM opportunities that have the ability to grow and sustain for at least three years ful lling the purpose of Girl Scouting. Two endorsements required.

Program Award

Honors volunteers who planned, promoted, and carried out a new or unique program activity beyond the troop level that ful lls the purpose of Girl Scouting at the service unit, multiple service units, or council level. Nominations should include how the volunteer promoted the program or event, as well as explain the sustainability of the program or event. Two endorsements required.

Sandy Kautz Excellence in Membership Development Award

Honors volunteers who have innovated through new recruitment projects, collaborations with other groups, or new recruitment methods, resulting in increased diversity in membership; have participated in a unique service unit outreach project that increased membership and retention; have enhanced the diversity of the service unit's racial, ethnic, age, geographic, socioeconomic, and/or religious or cultural makeup; demonstrate understanding, respect, and appreciation of other cultures, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds; are sensitive to diverse backgrounds; and have realized improved recruitment, retention, and improved diversity that impact the entire council or Girl Scout organization, providing an example for other individuals or groups. This award can be given to an individual or a group from the same service unit. Two endorsements required.

Marian Hardy Service to Volunteers Award

Honors volunteers who have provided consistently remarkable high-caliber service in the areas of recruitment, development, and/or retention of adult volunteers (e.g. positively affected recruitment and retention in adult membership through ongoing commitment and service) and have been instrumental in retaining adults through the quality of support provided year after year. Two endorsements required.

Unsung Hero Award

Honors volunteers who are hard-working, passionate, and dedicated to Girl Scouts and who actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior. Two endorsements required.

Impact Award

This award, selected by the executive leadership of Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains, honors a GSTOP volunteer committee whose leadership and enthusiasm for Girl Scouts has ignited a ame of excellence that passed to all members of the council, as well as the community outside of Girl Scouts. The committee has provided signi cant, outstanding services to Girl Scouts and the community through other groups or organizations while serving as a role model for compassion, service, and striving to make the world a better place. The committee has been active for at least three years with demonstrated impact.

Troop Cookie Chair Award

This award recognizes a Troop Cookie Chair with at least two years of experience who has developed and reached personal troop goals, kept “Smart Cookies” updated throughout the program, has no outstanding balance in the troop, created a troop “Cookie Team,” and developed successful communication with volunteers in the troop.

Emerging Star

This award honors a leader with between six months and three years of service to GSTOP who has completed New Leader Path Training, three additional trainings through GSLearn, actively participates with Volunteer Experience staff and SU Troop Mentor, participates in the Cookie Program with the troop, and completes at least three badges/petals during the current membership year.

GSUSA Awards

GSUSA Awards are given at the local level, approved by the Board of Directors approved, and shared with the national of ce. All GSUSA Awards require a nomination plus personal endorsements to be considered.

Volunteer of Excellence Award

Honors volunteers who have contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience through use of the National Program Portfolio, or who have contributed outstanding service in support of the council's mission delivery to girl and adult members in one or more of the following functional areas: membership development, community cultivation, volunteer relations and support, program, leadership and governance, fund development, council support service (e.g. information technology, customer service, merchandising); and actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behaviors. Two endorsements required.

Appreciation Pin

Honors previous recipients of the Volunteer of Excellence Award that have provided outstanding service - above and beyond the expectations of the position - to at least one geographic area within the council; have signi cantly contributed to meeting one or more council goals in membership growth and retention, fund development, or increased community visibility; and actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior. Three endorsements required. Nominees must have already received the Volunteer of Excellence Award.

Honor Pin

Honors adult members who have signi cantly contributed to meeting one or more council goals in membership growth and retention, fund development, or increased community visibility in two or more geographic areas within the council, and actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior. Three endorsements required. Nominees must have already received the Appreciation Pin.

Thanks Badge

Honors adult members who have provided service that is truly outstanding and that bene ts the total council or the entire Girl Scout organization; have provided service so signi cantly above and beyond that no other award would be appropriate; have taken a leadership role at the council level in one or more of the following areas during the previous four years: increasing membership growth and retention, increasing the percentage of adult-generated funding in the total council income, increasing innovative program opportunities council-wide, developing broad participation in policy-in uencing through the democratic process, and/or ensuring inclusive behavior is recognized, understood, and practiced at all levels. Three endorsements required. Nominees must have already received the Honor Pin.

Thanks Badge II

Honors adult members who have previously been recognized with the Thanks Badge who have taken a leadership role in developing a model that has been replicated at the national level in one or more of the following areas during the previous three years: membership, program, fund development, pluralism, marketing communication, strategic leadership, and/or human resources. Three endorsements required. Nominees must have already received the Thanks Badge.

President’s Volunteer Service Award

Download the excel le to help you keep track of your hours.

Click here to submit your application.

Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains is a certifying partner of the Presidential Volunteer Service award that recognizes student and adult volunteers who have achieved the required number of hours of service over a 12-month time or cumulative hours over the course of a lifetime.

Applications are accepted annually May 1-April 30.

Click here to learn more about the award and requirements.

See the chart below for hours required to earn awards in each age group.

Navigating the GSTOP website

Most of the information you will need can be found in one of three places on the website: Volunteer Section Events Calendar Forms and Documents

Use the graphics below to help you understand the best way to access these parts of the GSTOP website. We encourage you to spend time familiarizing yourself with the website; it serves as a home to a host of information bene cial to all Girl Scouts.

Need to nd it quick? Use these helpful tips!

Volunteer Toolkit gsLearn

The Volunteer Toolkit is a customizable planning tool where you can nd suggested meeting plans for most badges, access activity guides and badge requirements, track your Girl Scouts’ achievements, and so much more. It’s the digital planning assistant that will help you power a fun- lled—and organized—Girl Scout year. You’ll nd the Volunteer Toolkit via the left menu bar of MyGS in My Account. It’s accessible on any desktop, tablet, or mobile device. In addition, a Volunteer Experience Specialist will host a training workshop twice a

gsLearn is full of essential volunteer trainings and courses, like how to lead activities the Girl Scout way, safety procedures, and advice for guiding Girl Scouts at every grade level. You’ll nd gsLearn via the left menu bar of MyGS in My Account. It’s accessible on any desktop, tablet, or mobile device, and it will be populated with any trainings you should view.

Troop Year Plans: These helpful plans guide you through each troop meeting.

Volunteer Essentials: The go-to guide for busy troop leaders. As a Troop Leader, you are a key part of making Girl Scouts a space where your troop can take the lead, be themselves, and try new things.

Safety Activity Checkpoints: These checkpoints let volunteers know best practices for all Girl Scout activities.

Girl Scouts Lingo

We know we use a lot of lingo speci c to Girl Scouts. Use this handy-dandy list to help you know what the acronym or saying means to Girl Scouts.

Mission: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, con dence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Girl Scout Promise: On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Girl Scout Law: I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly, and helpful, considerate, and caring, courageous, and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

GSUSA: pronounced g-s-u-s-a. Girl Scouts of the USA, the national Girl Scout of ce.

GSTOP: pronounced g-stop or g-s-t-o-p. Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains

Badges/Patches: Girl Scout badges and patches—believe it or not, there is a difference between the two.

Badges are awards girls earn by completing skill-building activities.

Area Of ce Locations

AB: Abilene

AMA: Amarillo

FTW: Fort Worth

LB: Lubbock

SL: Southlake

WF: Wichita Falls

There are level-appropriate badges in each Journey and Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting.

Badges are worn on the front of the sash or vest.

Patches are given to Girl Scouts for participating in fun events, activities, or other programs.

Patches are worn on the back of vests or sashes.

Cookie Bakers

There are two cookie bakers that supply all Girl Scout cookies for the Cookie Program. Each council manages its own agreement with their selected baker.

ABC Baker – GSTOP uses this baker.

Little Brownie Baker (LBB) – Dallas Council uses this baker.

Cookie Credits: Term used for cookie packages sold by girls during the Cookie Program. Cookie Credits can be used for travel, camp, and GSTOP retail shop purchases.

Cookie Chair: A registered background-checked Girl Scout adult who leads the cookie program for either a troop or service unit and serves as a resource for parents during the cookie program.

Cooperative learning: How the girls learn in their troop setting by working and growing together.

DEI/RJ: The abbreviation used for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Racial Justice

Girl Scout levels:

Daisies: Kindergarten – 1st grade

Brownies: 2nd – 3rd grade

Juniors: 4th – 5th grade

Cadettes: 6th – 8th grade

Seniors: 9th – 10th grade

Ambassadors: 11th – 12th grade

Desserts First: An annual fundraising event in Lubbock featuring Girl Scout cookie creations prepared by local chefs. Chefs compete for the title of Best Overall Creation, Most Unique Use of Cookie, Best Presentation, and People’s Choice.

Destinations: Girl Scout Destinations are the ultimate adventure for individual Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts! Adventures are planned by GSUSA, and Girls must apply to participate.

DIVA: A Girl Scout who sells a set number of cookie packages each year showcasing her success in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Girl Scouts who reach this level receive special recognition as a Cookie DIVA and are invited on a GSTOP overnight trip with other DIVAs from across GSTOP.

Extended Membership: Girl Scouts offers an Extended Year Membership for NEW girl and adult members, which will allow them to purchase an 18-month Girl Scout membership at a prorated cost. This new membership option allows new girls and adults to join Girl Scouts in the spring and summer and bene t from paying a reduced rate for the partial year in which they are joining.

GE: Girl Experience.

Girl-led: Girls, not the adults, take the lead.

gsLearn: GSUSA’s online training portal.

GSAS: Girl Scouts at School. A staff-led program in Fort Worth, Amarillo, and Lubbock to bring Girl Scouts to girls who would otherwise not have the opportunity to participate in Girl Scouts. Also known as CPD and Community Partnership.

GSLE: Girl Scout Leadership Experience. What we call the Girl Scout program experience.

Highest Awards: Based on age, this is the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn through Take Action projects.

Bronze Award: Highest award a Girl Scout Junior can achieve.

Silver Award: Highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can achieve.

Gold Award: Highest award a Girl Scout can achieve. Gold Award Girl Scouts are Girl Scout Seniors or Ambassadors.

Investiture: An investiture ceremony welcomes all new members to Girl Scouts for the rst time.

IRM/IRG: Individually Registered Member/Girl not connected to a troop. Also known as Juliettes.

Journeys: A learning path that leads girls through speci c steps including a Take Action project to earn badges.

LIA – Leader in Action: Earn a Leader in Action (LiA) award by assisting a Brownie group with any of their National Leadership Journeys.

Learning by doing: Hands-on activities.

PP: Product Program. Includes Fall Program and Cookie Program.

Program Center: Located in Fort Worth, Southlake, Abilene, and Amarillo, a Program Center offers space for troops and service units to reserve to host programs, meetings, or special events.

Servicemark: The term used for the GSUSA and GSTOP logos (trefoil and full name).

Service Unit: A volunteer-led team that supports troops in their area.

Service Unit Manager (SUM): A registered background-checked Girl Scout adult who leads a service unit.

SWAPS: Stands for “Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.” They are small tokens of friendship that Girl Scouts exchange with one another. Each SWAP uniquely re ects a fellow Girl Scout, their troop, or a memory of a special event.

Trefoil: The of cial symbol of Girl Scouting.

Troop: A group of at least 5 girls and 2 trained adult leaders who form a Girl Scout unit in a speci c area.

Troop Leader/Troop Volunteer: A registered, background-checked, trained, registered Girl Scout volunteer who works directly with a troop.

Women of Distinction (WOD): An annual fundraising event in Amarillo and Fort Worth that honors exceptional individuals who serve as role models for the next generation of female leaders. Award categories are Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, Outstanding Community Partner, Man Enough To Be a Girl Scout, and Woman of Distinction.

World Thinking Day: Celebrated in February. The aim of World Thinking Day is to bring together young people from across the world to celebrate international fun and friendship, as well as focus on the year’s global theme. Each year, the theme for World Thinking Day changes; for example, a recent theme was "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion."

Pillars:

The four key areas that GSLE focus on: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Outdoors

Life Skills Entrepreneurship

VE: Volunteer Experience.

VTK: The Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) is a comprehensive digital tool accessible via the web on your home computers, smartphones, and tablets that provides troop leaders, service unit volunteers, parents, and Juliettes/individually registered members with access to Girl Scout programming, badge and award requirements, meeting plans, resources, and more.

GSTOP Camps & Camp Terminology

Camps:

CK: Camp Kiwanis, located in Amarillo, TX

CRB: Camp Rio Blanco, located in Crosbyton, TX

CT: Camp Timberlake, located in Azle, TX

SR: Stevens Ranch, located in Nemo, TX

Camp Name: A nickname used by camp staff in lieu of the person’s real name.

CIT: Counselor-in-Training, used at camp.

PA: Program Aide, used at camp.

Tri-Annual Convention/National Girl Scout Convention: Gathering of Girl Scouts of the USA membership every three years to vote on issues important to the Girl Scout Movement and elect national leaders for the next triennium.

Annual Meeting: The of cial corporate business meeting for members of Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains. Typically takes place in April.

Corporation: A Girl Scout council is a corporation legally established as such in the state in which it carries on its operations. The council's corporate existence is legally established in the state when the council prepares and les with the state its original articles of incorporation.

Simultaneously, the council (corporation) prepares bylaws, which are the rules and regulations established to govern the corporation.

Council: One of Girl Scouts of the USA's local af liates, with authority over Girl Scouting in speci c section of the country. Council membership includes all girls and adults the council has registered and its corporate body, nominating committee, and board members, committees and task groups, as well as its employed staff.

NOTE: Capitalize the "c" in "council" when the word is part of an of cial name (e.g. Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains Council).

Forms and Documents

GSTOP has a number of forms and documents accessible via the website for troop leaders and volunteers to successfully manage their troop.

Some are downloadable PDFs. Some are online submissions. Either way, forms and documents help keep Girl Scouts safe and in line with GSUSA and GSTOP guidelines.

Accident/Incident Report

Activity of Insurance Adult

Coverage

Adult Awards and Recognitions

Adult Learning Opportunity

Bank Letter

Blue Book of Basics Documents

Financial Assistance for Retail and/or Summer Camp

First Year Road Map

Girl Health Form English/Spanish

Health History

Membership and Numeral Guard

Mutual of Omaha Insurance

Information for non-member

coverage

Presidential Service Award

Registration

Troop Information

Service Unit Event Application

Troop Activity/Activity Permission

Form

Troop Money Earning Project

Troop Trip Packet