Rising Phoenix
Troop 290
Years as a Troop Leader: 8
What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?
I enjoyed spending quality time with my daughter, and what better way to spend some additional time with her than through Girl Scouts?! I’ve enjoyed watching her interact with the other girls, have fun, and make memories. It's special to share these experiences with the girls– teaching them and learning from them as well.
What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?
Our troop has a great balance and likes to participate in different activities. Our favorite types are crafts, giving back to the community whenever possible, and going out to camp!
What kind of service projects have you done with your troop?
In the past, our troop has volunteered at different community events. For example, we have placed flags on Veterans’ graves for Veterans Day and sang Christmas carols for our friends at Phoenix Manor Senior Community.
Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.
During our last "in-person" Christmas carol event in December 2019, we had planned crafts that our older girls taught and then served cookies and cocoa to the senior residents at Phoenix Manor. Each troop in our neighborhood sang two songs, and our whole neighborhood closed the show together with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
What made this event special is that it was completely girl-led. They planned and executed it, and it made me so proud to see them confident in their abilities and manage it almost all on their own! They have learned so much, and it makes me feel good to know that I was a part of their journey.
What advice would you give other Troop Leaders?
I would advise leaders to try their best to manage their time; even being a Troop Leader a few hours a week makes an impact. As you grow as a leader, you’ll learn where to invest your time, and it will be enriching.
What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?
You don't have to reinvent the wheel. There are oodles upon oodles of resources for badge work and meeting ideas from our Council. A few resources are GSACPC’s Leaders Facebook Group page and the council website, YouTube, and Pinterest.
Help is just a click or phone call away, and someone is always willing to offer help.
What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts?
We need more adults to become leaders so we can make more impact in the lives of girls. They’re the future!
Why is it important to your troop to participate in the GS Cookie Program?
Because it helps girls learn so many life skills. One of the main and important skills they learn is setting a goal and finding the way to achieve it.
Selling cookies also helps our entire organization succeed. From the camp properties to the girl programs, and down to the individual troops – all Girl Scouts benefit from the program as proceeds stay local.
What are your troop's cookie-selling tips and tricks?
Our troop loves colorful and creative posters. We’ll get creative and add puns, create themes, or make them funny to call attention. We also make posters with photos of the cookies to make it easier for customers to shop. While out boothing we also encourage the girls to keep it professional and polite, and people respond positively to that.
What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader?
There are honestly a few moments I remember often. One that stands out is when our girls made a seven-course meal at an outdoor overnight camp trip. Every leader, troop, and girl had a job to do, and we executed it and had fun at the same time! I was so impressed. The girls have learned many skills that show in everything they do, leadership, being independent, confident, and being a team player.
Girls can do anything!!
