Creating the kind of environment in which girls are unafraid to try new things and to be who they want to be starts with you! By meeting your girls where they are, you’ll help them develop the leadership skills they’ll use now and as they grow.
It sounds simple, but just being attentive to what girls are experiencing as they mature is a big help to them—and to you, as you guide and mentor them!
You’ll experience different joys and challenges with each Girl Scout level, but here are some guidelines for meeting girls’ needs and abilities at different grade levels; you’ll also find these listed in the adult guide of each leadership Journey.
Girl Scout Daisies
A safe space is where girls feel they can be themselves, without explanation or judgment. As a volunteer, you create an environment that 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 confidentiality is respected and girls can express their true selves.
Recognizing and Supporting Each Girl
You're a role model and a mentor to your girls. Since you play
an important role in their lives, they need to know that you consider
each of them an important person too. They can weather a poor meeting
place or an activity that flops, but they cannot endure being ignored
or rejected.
Promoting Fairness
Girls are sensitive to injustice. They forgive mistakes if they
are sure you are trying to be fair. They look for fairness in how
responsibilities are shared, in handling of disagreements, and in your
responses to performance and accomplishment.
Building Trust
Girls need your belief in them and your support when they try
new things. You’ll also need to show them that you won’t betray their confidence.
Inspiring Open Communication
Girls want someone who will listen to what they think, feel,
and want to do. They like having someone they can talk to about the
important things happening in their lives.
Managing Conflict
Conflicts and disagreements are an inevitable part of life, but
if handled constructively, they show girls that they can overcome
their differences, exercise diplomacy, and improve their communication
and relationships. Respecting others and being a sister to every Girl
Scout means that shouting, verbal abuse, or physical confrontations
are never warranted and cannot be tolerated in the Girl Scout environment.
When a conflict arises between girls or a girl and a volunteer, get those involved to sit down together and talk calmly and in a nonjudgmental manner. (Each party may need some time—a few days or a week—to calm down before being able to do this.) Talking in this way might feel uncomfortable and difficult now, but it lays the groundwork for working well together in the future. Whatever you do, do not spread your complaint around to others—that won’t help the situation and causes only embarrassment and anger.
If a conflict persists, be sure you explain the matter to your volunteer support team. If the supervisor cannot resolve the issues satisfactorily (or if the problem involves the supervisor), the issue can be taken to the next level of supervision and, ultimately, to your council if you need extra help.
Make sure your words and intentions create connection with the girls. Keep in mind how important the following attitudes are.
Listen
Listening to girls, as opposed to telling them what to think,
feel, or do (no “you shoulds”) is the first step in building a
trusting relationship and helping them take ownership of their Girl
Scout experience.
Be Honest
If you’re not comfortable with a topic or activity, it’s OK to
say so! No one expects you to be an expert on every topic. Ask for
alternatives or seek out volunteers with the required expertise.
Owning up to mistakes—and apologizing for them—goes a long way with girls.
Be Open to Real Issues
Outside of Girl Scouts, girls may be dealing with issues like
relationships, peer pressure, school, money, drugs, and other serious
topics. When you don’t know, listen. Also seek help from your council
if you need assistance or more information than you currently have.
Show Respect
Girls often say that their best experiences were the ones where
adults treated them as equal partners. Being spoken to as young
adults reinforces that their opinions matter and that they deserve respect.
Offer Options
Girls’ needs and interests change and being flexible shows them
that you respect them and their busy lives. Be ready with
age-appropriate guidance and parameters no matter what the girls
choose to do.
Stay Current
Show your girls that you’re interested in their world by asking
them about the TV shows and movies they like; the books, magazines, or
blogs they read; the social media influencers they follow;
and the music they listen to.
Remember to LUTE: Listen, Understand, Tolerate, and
Empathize
Try using the LUTE method to thoughtfully respond when
a girl is upset, angry, or confused.
Listen: Hear her out, ask for details, and reflect back what you hear; try “What happened next?” or “What did she say?”
Understand: Show that you understand where she’s coming from with comments such as, “So what I hear you saying is . . .” or “I understand why you’re unhappy,” or “Your feelings are hurt; mine would be, too.”
Tolerate: You can tolerate the feelings that she just can’t handle right now on her own. Let her know that you’re there to listen and accept how she is feeling about the situation. Say something like: “Try talking to me about it. I’ll listen," or “I know you’re mad—talking it out helps,” or “I can handle it—say whatever you want to.”
Empathize: Let her know you can imagine feeling what she’s feeling with comments such as, “I’m sure that really hurts” or “I can imagine how painful this is for you.”
Addressing the Needs of Older Girls
Let these simple tips guide you in working with teenage girls:
It’s an amazing feeling when your girls put their trust in you—and
when they do, they may come to you with some of the issues they face,
such as bullying, peer pressure, dating, athletic and academic
performance, and more. Some of these issues may be considered
sensitive by families, and they may have opinions or input about how,
and whether, Girl Scouts should cover these topics with their
girl.
Girl Scouts welcomes and serves girls and families from a wide spectrum of faiths and cultures. When girls wish to participate in discussions or activities that could be considered sensitive—even for some—put the topic on hold until you have spoken with parents and received guidance from your council.
When Girl Scout activities involve sensitive issues, your role is that of a caring adult volunteer who can help girls acquire skills and knowledge in a supportive atmosphere, not someone who advocates a particular position.
GSUSA does not take a position or develop materials on issues relating to human sexuality, birth control, or abortion. We feel our role is to help girls develop self-confidence and good decision-making skills that will help them make wise choices in all areas of their lives. We believe parents and caregivers, along with schools and faith communities, are the primary sources of information on these topics.
Parents/guardians make all decisions regarding their girl’s participation in Girl Scout program that may be of a sensitive nature. As a volunteer leader, you must get written parental permission for any locally planned program offering that could be considered sensitive. Included on the permission form should be the topic of the activity, any specific content that might create controversy, and any action steps the girls will take when the activity is complete. Be sure to have a form for each girl, and keep the forms on hand in case a problem arises. For activities not sponsored by Girl Scouts, find out in advance (from organizers or other volunteers who may be familiar with the content) what will be presented, and follow your council’s guidelines for obtaining written permission.
Report Concerns
There may be times when you worry about the health and
well-being of girls in your group. Alcohol, drugs, sex, bullying,
abuse, depression, and eating disorders are some of the issues girls
may encounter. You are on the frontlines of girls’ lives, and you are
in a unique position to identify a situation in which a girl may need
help. If you believe a girl is at risk of hurting herself or others,
your role is to promptly bring that information to her
parent/caregiver or the council so she can get the expert assistance
she needs. Your concern about a girl’s well-being and safety is taken
seriously, and your council will guide you in addressing these concerns.
Here are a few signs that could indicate a girl needs expert
help:
You Witness or Experience Abuse
Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois supports and maintains environments free of child abuse and neglect. All states require certain professionals and institutions to report suspected child abuse. Failure to report suspected child abuse can result in criminal and/or civil liability. All states require the report to be made to some type of law enforcement authority or child protection agency.
Reporting to a parent or relative will not satisfy the reporter's legal duty under the statutes. The following guidelines outline how reporting should happen in GSNI.
While volunteers are not mandated reporters within GSNI, we would encourage them to report suspected child abuse and/or neglect. GSNI requires all staff members to act as mandated reporters.
While not required, volunteers may find the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) online training module or online manual useful.
Ideally the person with the most direct knowledge of the suspected abuse should be the one to call the DCFS Hotline, however, this is not a requirement. Volunteers suspecting child abuse have two options:
1) REPORT CHILD ABUSE TO DCFS: Volunteers who suspect abuse or neglect may contact the DCFS Hotline Number at 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873) directly.
A GSNI volunteer who has made a report based on information discovered during a Girl Scout activity is also asked to provide to GSNI a confidential incident report (written or verbal) outlining their DCFS report immediately after reporting to DCFS.
2) REPORT CHILD ABUSE TO GSNI: If a volunteer suspects child abuse and is not comfortable calling the hotline, they may contact one of the following: your Member Support Specialist or GSNI’s Customer Care line. If calling the Customer Care line, please let them know you are concerned about a possible child abuse situation, and they will either connect you directly with an appropriate staff member or have the staff member call you back as quickly as possible. Once possible child abuse is reported to a GSNI staff member, the staff member is mandated to report it to DCFS.
In all cases, please preserve confidentiality of all reports made to the hotline. Discuss only with the appropriate GSNI staff member and with DCFS/law enforcement personnel.
You want the girls in your troop to have fun, be inspired, take risks, and learn about themselves and the world this year—that’s why you’re a Girl Scout troop leader or troop volunteer! The thing is, parents and caregivers want the same thing for their girls, but getting families to pitch in and play an active role in the troop while also enhancing the experience for their own girl can be tricky for many volunteers. It doesn’t have to be this way!
Girl Scouting provides the best opportunities for girls when
families step up and play an active part in the troop. Without
meaningful support from parents and caregivers, it’s difficult for a
troop to be all it can be. Plus, girls feel a special sense of pride
when their families take part and show interest in the things they are
doing.
What Is a Parent and Caregiver Meeting?
It’s the first meeting you have to start each troop
year—whether you are a new or returning troop. It is valuable for all troops.
Why Hold a Meeting?
Kicking off each year with a parent and caregiver meeting sets
the troop up for success. Outlining clear expectations, building a
team, and engaging parents in the Girl Scout experience is a great way
to start off on the right foot. When parents are involved, leaders
have support, the troop has a plan, and girls benefit! The meeting helps:
Check out our step-by-step guide and “Parents & Caregivers Meeting Outline” on the Volunteer Toolkit. This 60–90 minute meeting will make all the difference in the year ahead.
For even more tips on working with troop families, check out Girl Scouts’ Tips for Troop Leaders hub.
Make the Ask(s)
The main reason people don’t take action is because they were
never asked to in the first place. That’s why hearing one out of three
Girl Scout parents say no one had communicated expectations around
involvement with their girl’s troop is so troubling. Parents may have
many talents, but they’re certainly not mind readers! If you’re
nervous about getting turned down, don’t be. Sure, a few parents might
be unable to lend a hand, but the helpers you do get will be worth
their weight in gold. And just because someone wasn’t available a
month or two ago doesn’t mean they won’t be free to help now. Loop
back, follow up, and ask again!
Make Sense of “Why”
Explain that not only does the whole troop benefit with extra
help from parents and other caregivers, but also that girls feel a
special sense of pride in seeing their own family member step up and
take a leadership role. Getting involved can strengthen the
caregiver/girl bond and is a meaningful way to show daughters that
they are a priority in their parents’ lives.
Make It Quick and Easy
Everybody’s got a full plate these days, so instead of starting
conversations with a list of tasks or responsibilities that parents
and other caregivers could take on (which can be intimidating!), ask
how much time each week they might be able to dedicate to the troop,
then go from there. For instance, if a troop mom or dad has 15 minutes
each week to spare, they could organize and manage the calendar for
troop snacks and carpools. If a grandparent has one to two hours, they
could assist with leading the troop through a specific badge on a
topic they’re already comfortable with. For more ways parents and
other caregivers can help out when faced with a tricky schedule, check
out the Family Resources tab in the Volunteer Toolkit.
GSNI recommends any parent volunteer who will be volunteering with the troop 50% or more of the time should be a Girl Scout Adult Member and background checked.
Make Family Part of the Formula
While Girl Scout programming is always focused on the girls
themselves, it’s important and helpful to open up a few events to
their families throughout the year. Inviting the whole crew to
celebrate her accomplishments in Girl Scouting—whether at a holiday
open house, a bridging ceremony, or a fun “reverse meeting” where
girls take the role of leaders and guide the adults, including
caregivers, through an activity—will help parents better understand
the value of Girl Scouts and they’ll be more likely to invest their
time and talents to the troop.
That said, there’s no need to wait for one of these special events to engage families in their girls’ Girl Scout lives! Keep communication lines open throughout the year—whether it’s through your troop’s social media page, personal emails, or in-person chats—to keep parents in the loop on what the girls are doing and learning during each meeting, and encourage them to let their daughters “be the experts” at home, explaining or teaching the new skills they’ve learned.
