Welcome to Girl Ambassadors Basics for Ambassador Troop Leaders

1 888.747.6945 | [email protected] | gsnwgl.org REV January 2021 Thank you!

Because you’re a Girl Scout volunteer, girls have opportunities to learn about themselves, build new friendships, and make the world a better place. Use this resource guide to remind you of key opportunities in this grade level. Thank you for volunteering!

Contents

Understanding Healthy Development for Girl Scouts...... 3-6 Uniform...... 7 Awards and Badges...... 8 Journeys...... 9-11 Highest Award...... 12 Girl Award Record...... 13-15 From Leader to Advisor...... 16 Safety Resources to Know and Use...... 17 For Every Girl Scout...... 18 The Girl Scout Leadership Experience...... 19-20 Glossary...... 21-23

2 Understanding Healthy Development for Girl Scouts

Just being attentive to what girls are experiencing as they mature is a big help to girls. So, take some time to understand the likes, needs, and abilities of girls in this grade level. As you listen and learn along with girls, you may find it useful to review the highlights of their development in the chart below. Of course, each girl is an individual, so these are only guidelines that help you get to know the girls.

Girl Scout Ambassadors

At the Girl Scout Ambassador level (eleventh and This means... twelfth grades), girls . . .

Can see the complexity of situations and controversial Inviting girls to develop stories as a group, and then issues—they understand that problems often have no individually create endings that they later discuss and clear solution and that varying points of view may each share. have merit.

That girls are more than able to go beyond community Have strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, service to develop projects that will create sustainable and can adapt logical thinking to real-life situations. solutions in their communities. Be sure to have girls plan Ambassadors recognize and incorporate practical and follow up on these experiences through written and limitations to solutions. discussion-based reflective activities.

Spend more time with peers than with their families and That girls will enjoy teaming up in small or large groups for are very concerned about friends and relationships with art projects, performances, written activities, and take- others their age. action projects.

Encouraging girls to express their individuality in their dress, creative expression, and thinking. Remind girls Frequently enjoy expressing their individuality. frequently that there isn’t just one way to look, feel, think, or act. Assist girls in coming up with new ways of expressing their individuality. Acknowledging girls’ pressures and sharing how stress can Feel they have lots of responsibilities and pressures—from limit health, creativity, and productivity. Help girls release home, school, peers, work, etc. stress through creative expression, movement, and more traditional stress-reduction techniques.

Are continuing to navigate their increasing independence Trusting girls to plan and make key decisions, allowing and expectations from adults—at school and at home— them to experience what’s known as “fun failure.” Girls and are looking to their futures. learn from trying something new and making mistakes.

3 Ambassador Meeting Activity

High school girls and their troop leaders are encouraged to “think out of the box” regarding meetings and gatherings. Deciding the format of a high school level Girl Scout troop meeting is an essential task for the girls, and one that encourages cooperative learning and learning by doing.

Troop leaders can guide the planning by asking the girls (and themselves!): • How often can we truly get together? • What format and places will work best – bi-weekly evenings? Meeting at a coffee place? Saturday mornings? Monthly sleepovers? • What do girls want to accomplish when gathering? • How can the Girl Scout program support the girls in their lives and other activities?

Meeting Ideas from Experienced Leaders The following are successful story examples from Girl Scout leaders and their troops. Share them with the girls in your troop as a catalyst for their own decisions on how to structure their Girl Scout gatherings.

“Field Trip and meetings are often combined for us. What works really well is to hold meetings some place other than the same old location. Starbucks, a favorite pizza/burger place, or Barnes & Noble have all worked well for us. Plan a meeting around a sleepover, miniature golf, a movie, a Mall trip (makeovers are fun at cosmetic counters). We only have traditional meetings at school on occasion! New ideas for places to go just seem to pop up as we work our way through requirements on Journeys, badge work, Girl Scout Gold Award, etc.”

“My girls like to talk at meetings. Whatever I have planned, I have to make sure they can talk while they work, or the work won’t get done. And the most talkative? Of course, my own daughter!”

“Our meetings often follow this plan: • Time set at the beginning for “networking”...informal chit chat • Organized activity/focus on a theme/project/JOURNEY for a limited time • Cooperative Learning Activities • Eating • Partner work to share back to whole group on discoveries and connections

“We plan for action outside of our typical meeting time/place. We still do sleepovers for special occasions. We plan for a meal after attending a council program or a troop meeting.”

“The girls really wanted to get away from the typical opening we had done as younger Girl Scouts, with the flag, the Promise and the Law. Now we save those for special events.”

4 Field Trips and Outings Girl Scout Ambassadors value the opportunity to learn by doing through outings. When girls plan trips, they learn about setting financial goals, organizing transportation, connecting with other organizations, and ultimately discovering a larger world.

As girls grow, they will typically want to find adventures outside their hometown. However, don’t overlook the fact that many girls (and adults) may not have had the chance to explore attractions in their own backyard! So discuss all options. A trip to a local previously un-visited location can be economical and FUN!

Sample ideas for outings: • Festivals • Restaurant dinners (night on the town) • Bookstores – a great gathering location also • Attend a sporting event together (professional or one that one of the girls is actually playing) • Ice skating/roller skating • Musicals and plays • Jewelry studio/store that also gives classes on jewelry making/beading • Challenge courses • Museums • Radio stations/ TV stations • Real estate agent to learn about choosing an apartment • Spa days • Plan an extended trip! Please remember to consult the GSNWGL troop travel policies. For some travel opportunities, Council pre-approval is required.

Career Exploration Career exploration opportunities are ideal for Girl Scout Ambassadors. As girls make decisions for their future, such trips can be integrated into the Leadership Journeys, badges, and troop activities. Help the girls apply trip planning skills to prepare for these explorations. Do advance research on the person, the professional field, or the location. Plan out the time frame and the route to get there. Before the trip, girls can discuss the topics they want to cover and prepare specific questions to ask of business owners, politicians, or college admissions staff. After the visit, guide the girls to reflect on the experience and express what they have learned. Ask them about the new questions they now have and any changes to their personal interest in the topic.

On-site tours to businesses and organizations: Visit locations owned or managed by women. Utilize local chambers of commerce or women-focused professional development groups to find tour opportunities.

Government offices at the city, state and federal level: Visiting women government officials, whether elected or career employees, may be rewarding and memorable.

University/college campuses: Admissions offices will gladly arrange tours. The Career Services centers on campuses are also a valuable resource and provide tours and information on career planning for young adults.

Adult training programs: Girls may also be interested in touring adult education sites, such as business schools, paralegal training programs, medical/dental assistant training companies, aircraft maintenance training, floral design or apprenticeship/ journeyman programs.

All of the above: Your girls may think of others that can assist girls in making informed decisions on their career path following high school. Again, preparation and reflection following the visit will ensure that the experience provides for real exploration of the world beyond high school!

5 Girl is a learning experience. You know it’s happening when: • Girls are allowed to make mistakes (non-life-threatening). • Everyone has a chance to voice her opinion. • Brainstorming is an accepted way of generating ideas. • Girls and adults are talking with each other. • Girls are participating in self-government. • Girls and adults say “our” project. • The leader asks the girls what is going to happen. • Girls are making their own plans and adults are encouraging them. • There is evidence of compromise. • Girls are actively directing an event. • Discussions are among girls, more than between adults and girls. • Adults are close enough to answer questions when needed . . . and far enough away not to interfere. • Girls are planning complete events. • Girls encourage their friends to join the troop/group. • Girls actively participate in evaluation. • Older girls’ events have greater attendance because they have been planned by girls. • Girls take responsibility for getting consultants, drivers, and permission forms, and reading Safety Activity Checkpoints. • The leader comes back “less tired” and more relaxed than her girls. • The girls take the adults along “to drive the car and sign the checks.” • A girl says, “I can do that – I can do anything.” • An adult does not speak for the girls when the group is asked to report. • Girls and adults trust and respect one another. • Strengths are utilized; weaknesses are given an opportunity to strengthen. • Everyone’s schedules are taken into consideration. • Meetings run smoothly and in a timely fashion with everyone participating. • Both sides live up to agreements and project commitments. • Responsibilities are rotated equally or agreed upon democratically. • Girls have equal voice in decision making. • Adults can let go of their own ideas, traditions, histories, and stereotypes

Statements collected from Cadette, Senior and Ambassador girls and leaders.

6 Girl ScoutGi Ambassadorrl Sco uVestt andAmbassador Sash Vest & Sash Visit GSNWGL’s online shop for all your official Girl Scout merchandise needs. Click on the name or image of insignia to find out more information and to purchase. Visit www.girlscoutshop.com for all your Official Girl Scout merchandise needs.

American Flag Patch

Girl Scout Council Identification Set

Troop Crest Ambassador Insignia Tab

Troop Numerals World Trefoil Pin

Membership Stars and Discs Girl Scout Gold Award, Silver Award and

Bronze Award Pins fall ter 10 Year Award Pin Wa Waterfall Girl Scout Membership Pin Bridge to Girl Scout Ambassador Award Membership Numeral Guard

Bridge to Girl Scout Journey Pins Senior Award Ambassador Journey Award Bridge to Girl Scout Pins and Badges

r 2 Yea n Pi ith Fa or r 1 Yea bassad Cadette Award m Ambassador Outdoor A Place your Journey awards above your Brownie Wings Journey Award Badges Year 1 Year 2 badges. Ambassador Faith Pin Senior Journey Award Torch Awards Pins and Badges Counselor in Training (CIT) I Award Pin Counselor in Training (CIT) II Award Pin Cadette Journey Award Volunteer in Training (VIT) Award Pin Girl Scout Ambassador Vest & Sash Badges Click on the name or image of insignia to find out more information and to purchase. Cookie Sale Activity Pin Visit www.girlscoutshop.comMy Promise, My forFaith all your Pins Official Girl Scout merchandise needs.

Ambassador Community Safety Award Pin American Flag Patch Service Bar Girl Scout Council Identification Set Global Action Award Ambassador Insignia Tab Troop Crest Ambassador Service to Girl World Trefoil Pin Cadette Leadership in Action Troop Numerals Scouting Bar Membership Stars and Discs Girl Scout Gold Award, (LiA) Award Badges Silver Award and

Bronze Award Pins fall ter 10 Year Award Pin Girl Scout Ambassador Wa Waterfall Girl Scout Membership Pin Bridge to Girl Scout Badges If your awards and badges Ambassador Award Membership Numeral Guard

Bridge to Girl Scout Journey Summit Award Pins don’t fit on the front of your Senior Award Girl Scout Senior Badges Ambassador Journey Award vest or sash, you can wear Bridge to Girl Scout Pins and Badges

r 2 Yea n Pi th them on the back. i Fa or r 1 Yea bassad Cadette Award m World Thinking DaAmyb aAsswadaorr Oudtdoor A Place your Journey awards above your Brownie Wings Journey Award Badges Year 1 Year 2 badges. Ambassador Faith Pin Senior Journey Award Torch Awards Girl Scout CadettPinse Badges and Badges Counselor in Training (CIT) I Award Pin Counselor in Training (CIT) II Award Pin Cadette Journey Award Volunteer in Training (VIT) Award Pin Badges

My Promise, My Faith Pins Cookie Sale Activity Pin

Ambassador Community Safety Award Pin Service Bar Global Action Award Ambassador Service to Girl Cadette Leadership in Action Scouting Bar (LiA) Award Badges Girl Scout Ambassador Badges If your awards and badges don’t fit on the front of your Girl Scout Senior Badges vest or sash, you can wear them on the back. World Thinking Day Award 7

Girl Scout Cadette Badges Girl Scout Ambassador Awards and Badges

Skill Building Badges

Ambassador Ambassador Coaching College Democracy for Dinner Party Eco Advocate Entrepreneur First Aid Girl Scout Way Knowledge Ambassadors Accelerator

Good Credit On My Own Outdoor P&L Photographer Public Policy Research & Snow or Climbing Art Master Development Adventure

Space Science Survival Trail Adventure Ultimate Water Master Camper Recreation Challenge

Progressive Badges Robotics Cybersecurity

Designing Programming Showcasing Cybersecurity Cybersecurity Cybersecurity Robots Robots Robots Basics Safeguards Investigator

Coding for Good

Coding Basics Digital Game App Design Development

8 Girl Scout Ambassador Journeys

What’s a Journey? It’s a themed collection of activities and leadership exploration completed over several troop meetings. It ends with a Take Action project and the experience of creating a small change to make the world a better place. Journey awards are earned as a set, unlike badges which are earned individually. Use the Journey curriculum books from the Girl Scout Shop or the Year Plans in the Volunteer Toolkit to guide you and the girls through the activities.

It’s Your World --Change It! Your Voice, Your World How often have you seen something that really needed to be changed and wondered, “Why isn’t someone doing something about that?” This journey gives Girl Scout Ambassadors a way to be that someone—an advocate with the power to start the first flutter of real and lasting change. While creating their own “butterfly effect,” they’ll gain an array of skills—such as networking, planning and learning to speak up for what they believe—that will benefit them as they prepare for life beyond high school. Girls can earn the Girl Scout Advocate Award.

Activity Ideas for the Your Voice, Your World Journey • Meet with the mayor of your city or another elected official • Attend a debate The Girl Scout Advocate Award • Play some improvisational games • Learn about the Healthy Media Act and what you can do to advocate

It’s Your Planet – Love It! Justice Through the ages and across the world, people have yearned for justice. And yet justice—for Earth and all its inhabitants—continues to elude us. As Ambassadors do the math and create their own unique equation for justice, they will find that they are also networking and gathering ideas for college and careers.

Activity ideas for the Justice Journey • Visit a nature area where you explored as a child • Shadow an adult who has a career in environmental science • Write to a legislator about environmental legislation • Invite a guest speaker to come talk to your troop about evaluations, survey techniques and outcomes The Sage • Research a big environmental issue Award

9 It’s Your Story – Tell It! BLISS: Live It! Give It! Ambassadors learn to dream big, now and for their future, and begin their legacy as leaders who help others achieve their dreams too.

Activity Ideas for the Bliss: Live It! Give It! Journey • Talk about who are the “dreamers” in your community; invite one to be a guest speaker at your troop meeting • Visit the local chamber of commerce to find information about small businesses and female business owners • Have a movie night and watch a movie related to big dreamers: October Sky, Hoosiers, Stand and Deliver, Pursuit of Happiness, etc. The Dream • Meet with a career counselor to discuss how he/she helps others to reach their dreams Maker Award • Visit a park or vista where beauty inspires you

Outdoor Ambassador Journey – Find it on the Volunteer Tool Kit Ambassadors bring art and the outdoors together and get inspired by the beauty in nature. They study the impact of water and the role it plays in their own lives and the entire world. Next they walk out with their camping crew to test their skills in the wild with limited supplies, creating a memory of independence and adventure. Finally, they Take Action to create an outdoor experience for others.

Outdoor Water Survival Take Action Art Master Camper

Engineering Journey – Find it on the Volunteer Tool Kit On this Journey, Ambassadors learn how engineers solve problems. They use the Design Thinking Process to complete three hands-on design challenges, including designing prototypes of a product for animal enrichment, a zip-line course, and mobility equipment for an amputee. Girls use the design thinking process to complete a Take Action project.

Think Like an Take Action Engineer

10 Computer Science Journey – Find it on the Volunteer Tool Kit Girls learn how computers help us solve problems, create a binary message device, and use Venn diagrams to organize community issues. They write an algorithm to play a card game. Then they design an app to solve a problem. Girls use their computational thinking to design and complete a Take Action project.

Think Like a Take Action Programmer

Outdoor STEM Journey – Find it on the Volunteer Tool Kit Ambassadors learn how scientists use the scientific method to find answers to scientific questions and solve problems, and they learn about citizen science and how it helps other people, animals, and the environment. They design a way to test a hypothesis they have about their environment, and they gather and analyze data for a citizen scientist project of their choosing. Finally, they use their citizen science skills to take action to address a problem.

Think Like Take Action a Citizen Scientist

11 Girl Scout Gold Award

Gold Award Girl Scouts are the dreamers and the doers who take “make the world a better place” to the next level. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable—proof that not only can she make a difference, but that she already has.

Seniors and Ambassadors who earn the Gold Award tackle issues that are dear to them and drive lasting change in their communities and beyond. Think of the Gold Award as a key that can open doors to scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college, and amazing career opportunities.

Download the GSNWGL Gold Award guidelines packet to find out how to help your girls go for Gold! www.gsnwgl.org/forms Leaders, girls, and their parents can find Gold Award training events on the GSNWGL Activities page, www.gsnwgl.org/activities

You can pursue your Girl Scout Gold Award if: • You’re in high school (ninth through twelfth grade, or equivalent) • You’re registered as a Girl Scout Senior or Girl Scout Ambassador • You have completed two Senior or Ambassador Journeys OR earned the Girl Scout Silver Award and completed one Senior or Ambassador Journey

Girl Scout Gold Award Steps 1. Identify an issue 2. Investigate your issue thoroughly 3. Get help and build your team 4. Create a plan 5. Present your plan and gather feedback 6. Take action 7. Educate and inspire

12 Girl Scout Ambassador Award Record for:

Leaders may choose to keep a record of individual girl achievement in the Volunteer Toolkit or use this form.

It’s Your World – Change It! Your Voice Your World Journey Award Date Completed Date Received The Girl Scout Advocate

It’s Your Planet – Love It! Justice Journey Award Date Completed Date Received The Sage

It’s Your Story – Tell It! Bliss: Live It! Give It! Journey Award Date Completed Date Received The Dream Maker

Outdoor Ambassador Journey Badge Date Completed Date Received Outdoor Art Master Water Survival Camper Take Action Award

Computer Science Ambassador Journey Award Date Completed Date Received Think Like a Programmer Take Action Award

Engineering Ambassador Journey Award Date Completed Date Received Think Like an Engineer Take Action Award

Outdoor STEM Ambassador Journey Award Date Completed Date Received Think Like a Citizen Scientist Take Action Award

13 Girl Scout Ambassador Award Record, Page 2

Girl Scout Ambassador Progressive Badges: Robotics Badge Requirements Date Completed Date Received Programming Robots 1 2 3 4 5 Designing Robots 1 2 3 4 5 Showcasing Robots 1 2 3 4 5

Girl Scout Ambassador Progressive Badges: Cybersecurity Badge Requirements Date Completed Date Received Cybersecurity Basics 1 2 3 4 5 Cybersecurity Safeguards 1 2 3 4 5 Cybersecurity Investigator 1 2 3 4 5

Girl Scout Ambassador Progressive Badges: Coding for Good Badge Requirements Date Completed Date Received Coding Basics 1 2 3 4 5 Digital Game Design 1 2 3 4 5 App Development 1 2 3 4 5

14 Girl Scout Ambassador Award Record, Page 3

Girl Scout Ambassador Skill Building Badges Badge Requirements Date Completed Date Received Ambassador First Aid 1 2 3 4 5 Ambassador Girl Scout Way 1 2 3 4 5 Coaching 1 2 3 4 5 College Knowledge 1 2 3 4 5 Democracy for Ambassadors 1 2 3 4 5 Dinner Party 1 2 3 4 5 Eco Advocate 1 2 3 4 5 Entrepreneur Accelerator 1 2 3 4 5 Good Credit 1 2 3 4 5 On My Own 1 2 3 4 5 Outdoor Art Master 1 2 3 4 5 P&L 1 2 3 4 5 Photographer 1 2 3 4 5 Public Policy 1 2 3 4 5 Research and Development 1 2 3 4 5 Snow or Climbing Adventure 1 2 3 4 5 Space Science Master 1 2 3 4 5 Survival Camper 1 2 3 4 5 Trail Adventure 1 2 3 4 5 Ultimate Recreation Challenge 1 2 3 4 5 Water 1 2 3 4 5

Other Awards for Girl Scout Ambassadors Award Requirements Date Completed Date Received International Friendship Pin Safety Award 1 2 3 4 5 My Promise My Faith (Year 1) 1 2 3 4 5 My Promise My Faith (Year 2) 1 2 3 4 5 Global Action Award World Thinking Day Award Ambassador Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin - Year 1 Ambassador Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin - Year 2 Medal of Honor Bronze Cross Gold Torch Award 1 2 Ambassador Community Service Bar Ambassador Service to Girl Scouting Bar Counselor in Training I 1 2 Counselor in Training II 1 2 Volunteer in Training 1 2 3 Ambassador Journey Summit Award 1 2 3 Girl Scout Gold Award 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 15 Bridge to Girl Scout Adult Award 1 2 From Leader to Advisor

Progression of leadership Progression of skills and abilities is a guiding principle in Girl Scouts at every grade level and it applies to volunteer leadership, too! Adult volunteers slowly transition from leader to advisor as girls develop their own leadership skills. Focus on mentoring and fostering girl independence and help them plan the ways they will discover, connect, and take action to make their world a better place.

For example, younger girls need lots of direction from adults, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help with small tasks and small decisions. Watch that you don’t make all the decisions for them.

Motivating older girls and their diverging interests is a balancing act between being a leader and an advisor. As girls grow, they don’t always want to be told what to do, yet they still need your direction and oversight. Prompt them with questions, support them, and encourage them to set the course for their troop.

Foster girl/adult planning in all grade levels by: • Asking questions, rather than providing answers • Guiding, rather than directing • Advising, rather than judging • Helping a girl think through a decision, rather than deciding for her

The balance of adult responsibility and girl responsibility will be changing constantly. You’ll feel it in the short-term for each activity you organize. You’ll see it in the long-term for each year you are together. Be inspired by thinking about how volunteer leaders everywhere are trying to build skills in younger troops that will foster confidence and ability in older girl troops. Let that idea influence your choices in offering age-appropriate decision-making opportunities. Take the long view! Enjoy the journey of getting to know your girls and the emerging strengths they will share with one another and the world! Girl Leadership Changes with Age

Girls’ definitions of leadership also differ with age (see the chart below). The Girl Scout Research Institute focus groups reveal that as girls grow and develop new skills and ideas about the world, leading moves from a more singular approach with elementary school age girls (girls lead with action—what I can do) to influencing others at the middle school level (girls lead with voice—how I can impact others). As girls enter high school their ideas about leadership become inner-directed again with an emphasis on confidence (girls lead with vision–who I am as a leader) as they seek to validate their own ideas and become comfortable acting on them.

Elementary School Middle School High School Girls Lead with Action Girls Lead with Voice Girls Lead with Vision

If I help my friend, she will feel If I were my best self, I’d be a Leaders make the world better for themselves better, and I will too. public speaker. and others around them.

“Helping younger kids” “Having good communication “How to resolve conflicts” “Being a good friend” skills” “Being clear on my values/actions” “Being a good model” “Speaking up for myself” “Being comfortable making “Teaching other kids the things “How to resolve conflicts” decisions” I know” “Being a good role model” “Communicating with others” “How to take care of my “Influencing others” “Planning and organizing” family” “How to take care of my family” “Having a sense of purpose” “Having a positive attitude toward change” 16 Safety Resources to Know and Use Use the tools below to help you run safe Girl Scout meetings and activities.

Volunteer Essentials Reference Volunteer Essentials to find full details for internet safety, financial safety, travel safety, and creating emotionally safe spaces for girls. gsnwgl.org/VolunteerResources

Adult-to-girl ratios From camping weekends to cookie booths, adult volunteers must always be present to ensure their girls have fun and stay safe, no matter their grade level. Not sure just how many adults you’ll need for your activity? The helpful chart below breaks down the minimum number of volunteers needed to supervise a specific number of girls.

Group Meetings Events, Travel, and Camping Two unrelated One additional Two unrelated One additional Girl Scout Level volunteers (at least volunteer to volunteers (at least one of volunteer to each one of whom is each additional: whom is female) for this additional: female) for every: number of girls: Daisies (grades K-1) 12 6 6 4 (grades 2-3) 20 8 12 6 Juniors (grades 4-5) 25 10 16 8 Cadettes (grades 6-8) 25 12 20 10 Seniors (grades 9-10) 30 15 24 12 Ambassadors (grades 11-12) 30 15 24 12

Safety Activity Checkpoints and Safety Guidelines In Girl Scouting, the emotional and physical safety and well-being of girls is our top priority. All volunteers should review the Safety Guidelines and the Safety Activity Checkpoints manual when planning activities with girls in order to manage safety and risk in Girl Scout-sanctioned activities. Find them on our website at gsnwgl.org/Forms

Health History Forms Every girl and adult member in your troop must complete a health history form. Find them on our website at gsnwgl.org/Forms

GSNWGL Emergency Procedures Keep a copy of the emergency procedures with you at all times.

In the event of serious injury, emergency, or fatality during a Girl Scout activity, DIAL 9-1-1 first, then: Call 888.747.6945. If you receive a voice message, PRESS “9” for your call to be routed to the emergency answering service.

Be prepared with the following info: • Caller name / phone number / location • Nature of the emergency • Name / age / condition of injured party(s) • What action has been taken so far

A council spokesperson will call you ASAP. If asked by media to comment, direct them to speak to the council-appointed spokesperson ONLY.

First Aid Make sure a general first aid kit is available at your meeting place and accompanies girls on any activity. Assemble your own kit if a fully stocked kit is not available at your meeting site. Per the Safety Activity Checkpoints, most activities require the presence of someone trained in adult and pediatric first aid and CPR. If your activity destination does not provide a staff person with this training, bring along your own First Aider. A First Aider is a Girl Scout volunteer who has completed Girl Scout approved adult and pediatric first aid and CPR training. 17 For Every Girl Scout Take the time to help girls learn these values and traditions.

Girl Girl On my honor, I will try: I will do my best to be To serve God* and my country, honest and fair, To help people at all times, friendly and helpful, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and *Individuals are free to substitute their own wording responsible for what I say and do, for “God” that best reflects their spiritual beliefs. and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and Girl Scout Mission be a sister to every Girl Scout. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Girl Be prepared. Girl Scout Sign Hold the right hand up at shoulder height with the middle three fingers pointed to the sky and the thumb Girl Scout Slogan pressed down over the pinky finger. Do a good turn daily. Make the Girl Scout sign while saying the Girl Scout Promise and the Girl Scout Law, and using the Girl Scout handshake. Girl Scout Handshake Shake left hands and make the Girl Scout sign with the right hand. Girl Scout-y Helpful Things to Know Quip: “Girl Scouts leave a place better than they found it.” Quip: “Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout.” The quiet sign is the signal to be silent in a group. The person in charge raises their right hand high into the sky. All girls and adults raise their right hands, stop talking, and stay quiet. The buddy system is a safety practice to keep girls in pairs when they are outside of the troop meeting space. Trios are sometimes nicknamed a truddy, as in, “Girls, stay with your buddy, or stay with your truddy!” The Friendship Circle is a circle of Girl Scouts who clasp hands, crossing their right arm over the left. The circle represents the unbroken chain of friendship among Girl Scouts and all over the world. It’s often how troops close their meeting.

18 The Girl Scout Leadership Experience -from Volunteer Essentials, “The Girl Scout Leadership Experience”

At Girl Scouts, everything centers around the girl. It’s what makes Girl Scouts truly unique - our program is designed by, with, and for girls.

Three Keys to Leadership What girls do in Girl Scouting fits within the three keys: discover, connect and take action.

Discover When girls do exciting badge activities, earn a Girl Scout Journey award, attend an amazing event, or go camping, you are helping them discover who they are, what they care about, and what their talents are.

Connect Girls connect when they collaborate with other people, learn from others, and expand their horizons. This helps them care about, inspire, and team with others locally and globally.

Take Action With your guidance, these budding leaders will connect with and care about others, and they’ll be eager to take action to make the world a better place.

Three Girl Scout Processes How do girls learn in Girl Scouts? The GSLE draws on three unique processes that help girls unlock the leader within.

Girl-led This means girls of every age take an active and age-appropriate role in figuring out the what, where, when, why, and how of all the exciting troop activities they’ll do. The girl-led process is critically important to the GSLE—when girls know their voice matters, they feel empowered to make decisions and they stay engaged in their activities.

Learning by Doing Girls enjoy hands-on activities and learn by doing. Then, after reflecting on their activities, girls gain a deeper understanding of the concepts and skills the activities require.

Cooperative Learning Through cooperative learning, girls learn to share knowledge and skills in an atmosphere of respect and coopera- tion as they work toward a common goal.

As a volunteer, you’ll draw on these Girl Scout processes as you lead girls of any age. Girl-led at the Daisy level will look very different from the Ambassador level, of course. What’s most important is that girls make decisions about the activities they do together and make choices within that activity. As they learn from their successes and failures—and gain a major confidence boost in the process—their girl-led process will give them the opportunity to lead within their peer group. By the time girls are Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors, they’ll be able to use the leadership skills they’ve developed to mentor and assist younger Girl Scouts.

19 One last tip about using the processes: Girls’ time in Girl Scouting isn’t a to-do list, so please don’t ever feel that checking activities off a list is more important than tuning in to what interests the girls and sparks their imaginations. Projects don’t have to come out perfectly—in fact, it’s a valuable learning experience when they don’t—and girls don’t have to fill their vests and sashes with badges. What matters most is the fun and learning that happens as girls make experiences their own, so don’t be afraid to step back and let your girls take the lead.

The Five Outcomes The Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) is what girls do and how they do it. When girls participate in the GSLE, they experience five measurable leadership benefits or outcomes that will fuel their success. And although girls may start building their leadership skills in school and on sports teams, research shows that the courage, confidence, and character they develop as Girl Scouts stay with them throughout their lives.

Being a Girl Scout helps girls thrive in five key ways.

Strong Sense of Self Girls have confidence in themselves and their abilities and form positive identities.

Positive Values Girls act ethically, honestly, and responsibly, and show concern for others.

Challenge Seeking Girls take appropriate risks, try things even if they might fail, and learn from mistakes.

Healthy Relationships Girls develop and maintain healthy relationships by communicating their feelings directly and resolving conflicts constructively.

Community Problem Solving Girls desire to contribute to the world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify problems in the community, and create “action plans” to solve them.

As a leader, encourage the girls in these areas and praise them when they demonstrate these behaviors.

20 Girl Scout Glossary No doubt about it – there will be times you don’t understand what Girl Scouts are talking about! Here are definitions of frequently used terms in Girl Scouting.

Award: Official recognition for Girl Scout achievements and accomplishments. Awards are placed on the front of the uniform. They may be badges or pins.

Badge: Official recognition for Girl Scout achievement, to indicate increased knowledge and skill in a particular subject. Badges are placed on the front of the uniform.

Ceremonies: • Bridging: The move from one program level of Girl Scouting to the next (e.g. from Girl Scout Daisy to Girl Scout Brownie). • Court of Awards: A ceremony that can be held any time during the year to present earned awards of petals, leaves, Journeys, badges, awards, fun patches and any other kind of recognition the girls choose to include. • Girl Scouts’ Own: A quiet inspirational ceremony organized around a theme selected by the girls • Investiture: A special ceremony in which a new member makes her Girl Scout Promise and receives her membership pin. • Re-dedication A special ceremony for girls or adults, previously invested, to renew their commitment to the Girl Scout Promise.

Community organizer: A volunteer who oversees Girl Scouting in a community.

Customer Care: A team of staff ready to answer all your questions! Contact them at [email protected] or 888.747.6945.

Day camp: Girls attend summer camp during the day without staying overnight. Different Day Camp opportunities are offered each year.

Daisy Flower Friends: The Flower Friends represent the 10 different lines of the Girl Scout Law and guide Daisies through their Journeys and petals.

Girl Guides: The original name for Girl Scouts, and a term still used in many other countries.

Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE): The Girl Scout program model that engages girls by developing the skills, knowledge, and values needed to be leaders for today and tomorrow.

Grade levels: Daisies (girls in grades K-1), Brownies (grades 2-3), Juniors (grades 4-5), Cadettes (grades 6-8), Seniors (grades 9-10), and Ambassadors (grades 11-12).

GSUSA: Girl Scouts of the United States of America, the national organization which holds the charter for each regional council.

Highest awards: • Girl Scout Bronze Award: The highest award a Girl Scout Junior may earn. • Girl Scout Silver Award: The highest award a Girl Scout Cadette may earn. • Girl Scout Gold Award: The highest award a Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador may earn, the highest award in Girl Scouting.

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Holidays: • World Thinking Day: February 22, celebrated by Girl Guides and Girl Scouts throughout the world. It encourages girls to remember their sisters around the globe through special projects, international programs, activities, or pen pal correspondence. Girls can earn an award for the front of the uniform. • Girl Scout birthday: March 12, 1912 marks the first Girl Scout meeting in Savannah, GA. • Girl Scout Week: An annual celebration during the week of March 12, the Girl Scout birthday. • Girl ’s Day: April 22, a special day to honor Girl Scout leaders. • National Bridging Week: A week to highlight girls in Girl Scouting as they move up, or bridge, to the next grade level. • Founder’s Day: Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday, October 31.

Journeys: A themed collection of activities and leadership exploration completed over several troop meetings. It ends with a Take Action project and the experience of creating a small change to make the world a better place. A Journey is a prerequisite to earning a Highest Award.

Journey Summit Award: A special award pin earned by girls who complete three Journeys in one grade level.

Juliette Gordon Low: The founder of the American Girl Scout movement. She formed the first troop meeting in Savannah, Georgia on March 12, 1912. Her nickname was Daisy.

Kaper chart: The Girl Scout version of a chore chart. They’re commonly used for troop meeting tasks or camping chores to encourage leadership, responsibility, and accountability.

Leaves: Awards earned by Girl Scout Daisies. There are two Cookie Business leaves and two Financial Literacy leaves.

MyGS: The online troop management portal to access digital tools available to members, including member profiles, the Volunteer Toolkit, events, and gsLearn.

My Promise My Faith: Girls in grades K-12 earn this award pin by exploring the Girl Scout Law and how it relates to the teachings of their own faith tradition.

Petals: Awards earned by Girl Scout Daisies. Each petal represents a line of the Girl Scout Law.

Program Aide: A Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and/or Ambassador who has been trained to assist younger Girl Scout groups with songs, games, crafts, ceremonies, or outdoor activities.

Resident camp: A multiple-night camp experience at a Girl Scout camp facility. Different Resident Camp opportunities are offered each year.

Safety Activity Checkpoints: GSUSA’s safety program standards. Find them on our website at gsnwgl.org/Forms

School organizer: A volunteer who oversees Girl Scouting in a school.

Sit-upon: A handmade seat cushion to use outdoors. Use it when the ground is hard or damp to keep clothes clean and dry.

Service areas: A smaller geographic area within Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes. Each service area builds awareness of Girl Scouts within their community and hosts events for girls and leaders.

Service Area Manager (SAM): A volunteer leadership position for the service area. This volunteer partners with staff and other service area volunteers to support and strengthen Girl Scouts in that region.

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Service Area team: A volunteer leadership team member for a service area, working to support and strengthen Girl Scouts in that region.

SWAPS: “Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.” These are keepsakes exchanged among girls to promote friendship, connection, and understanding.

Tag-a-longs: An informal name for a child who is not a Girl Scout but is present during a Girl Scout event.

Trainer: Sometimes called a facilitator, this experienced volunteer assists with regional and/or Council-wide trainings.

Trefoil: The international symbol of Girl Scouting; the three leaves of the trefoil represent the three parts of the Girl Scout Promise.

Troop camping: Camping with your own troop and leaders.

Volunteer Toolkit (VTK): The Volunteer Toolkit is a digital planning tool full of resources and content to plan your year and keep it going smoothly! Fully customizable, the toolkit is accessible by phone, tablet or desktop.

World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS): An international educational association of more than ten million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 150 countries. Learn more at www.WAGGGS.org

World Trefoil Pin: A pin worn by all Girl Scouts and Girl Guides that symbolizes our global sisterhood.

World Centers: Five program activity centers owned by WAGGGS. The centers are located in Mexico (Our Cabana), England (), India (Sangam), and Switzerland (). The fifth World Center () rotates locations in Africa.

Thank you!

Girl Scouts’ mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Since 1912, girls have explored new fields of knowledge, learned valuable skills, and developed strong core values through Girl Scouts. Today Girl Scouts is, as it always has been, the organization best positioned to help girls de- velop the important leadership skills they need to become successful adults. At Girl Scouts, guided by supportive adults and peers, girls develop their leadership potential through age-appropriate activities that enable them to discover their values, skills, and the world around them; connect with others in a multicultural environment; and take action to make a difference in their world. These activities are designed to be girl led, cooperative, and hands- on processes that create high-quality experiences conducive to learning.

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