Service Unit: La Promesa
Troop: 3389, Cadettes
- Years as a GS: 5
- Years as Troop Leader: 4
What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?
I love to see girls take an active role in their own future. I
became a leader to help girls develop those leadership skills and
encourage them to try activities they may not have been exposed to,
especially in STEM.
What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their
favorite thing to do?
Our troop has a variety of interests. Most of our girls love
the outdoors and STEM-related activities. Working in a scientific
field, I love to see the girls excited about sciences and how we
impact our environment.
What kind of service projects have you done with your troop?
In addition to the outdoors, our troop loves animals! We have
worked with a local horse rescue to help them create a sustainable
source of food for their rescues. In addition, we have helped our
local community with cleanup projects and food donations. A few of our
girls are currently working to educate the community about fostering
animals to help end euthanizing animals.
Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.
I love to see the girls bond at encampments. Recently we
attended our Service Unit's Encampment and the girls (almost half new
to our troop) bonded over a pine cone competition. They developed
their own game and were in tears with laughter at the end. That is
what makes me come back to being a leader every year.
What advice would you give fellow Troop Leaders?
Having older girls certainly can bring its own challenges, but
sometimes you need to step back and let the girls figure it out.
Guidance is key but they need to be able to come to their own
conclusions. While they learn independence and make choices on their
own, I have learned to be flexible and take a step back while letting
them lead.
What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?
There is not one-size-fits-all to Girl Scouting. Let the girls
tell you their interests and help them explore new options. The most
important thing is to let the girls take ownership of their Girl Scout Journey.
What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities
with the Girl Scouts?
Community volunteers help make all the programming possible.
"Many hands make light work" is our Service Team's motto and
volunteers help make our girl programming and Girl Scout Cookie
Program a success.
Tell us in your own words, why it is important to participate in
the Cookie Program?
Our troop sells both Fall Product and Girl Scout Cookies. These
programs help girls learn goal setting, business development and
customer service. I have seen girls blossom during product sales and
learn to take an active role in their business success.
What are your troop's cookie-selling tips and tricks?
Don't be afraid to ask businesses to be able to booth in front
of their stores. Self-scheduled booths brought in a significant amount
of our troop's total sales. Plus, you can build a relationship with a
business and they can be a resource later for your troop.
What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader?
One of the most inspiring moments has been watching girls find
something they are so deeply passionate about and wanting to be that
driving force for change within their community.
