Girl Scout Family Passport 2020-2021 - Girl Scouts of Nation's Capital
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Girl Scout Family Passport
2020-2021
2020-21 Family Passport - Page 1
THE GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Girl Scouts are:
Go-getters: Dream big. Then take action. We teach girls to create their
own opportunities to learn, imagine and make things happen.
Innovators: When we give a girl the right problems to solve, she brings
inspiration and innovation until she’s tackled them. Now, and later.
Risk-takers: Speak up with an idea. Test out a new skill. We empower
girls to take risks on a daily basis—and “I can’t” isn’t in our vocabulary.
Leaders: Our girls don’t say “why me?” They say, “Watch me!” We
teach girls to see challenges as opportunities.
Girls in Girl Scouts achieve the following outcomes through
the Girl Scout Leadership Experience:
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 learn to take appropriate risks, try things
even if they might fail, and learn from mistakes.
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.
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS:
Girls develop and maintain healthy relationships by communicating
their feelings directly and resolving conflicts constructively.
2020-21 Family Passport - Page 2
GROWING WITH GIRL SCOUTS
A life-long leadership journey
You want to see her happy, confident,
strong and ready to succeed.
So do we.
AMBASSADORS
11TH & 12TH
• Prepare for a
SENIORS lifetime of
9TH & 10TH advocacy and
leadership
CADETTES • Take action on
projects to • Scholarships,
JUNIORS 6TH - 8TH Internships, and
change the
4TH & 5TH • Travel world Camp CEO
BROWNIES • Patrol • Careers and • Zip lines, white • Sisterhood that
DAISIES 2ND & 3RD Leadership STEM water rafting lasts through
K & 1ST • Archery • Backpacking • Congressional school and
• Earn
beyond
• Learn Badges • Kayaking Aide
Promise
• Learn skills • Take action
and Law
• Try camping Seniors are Ambassadors
• Earn Cadettes are encouraged are encouraged
Petals • Serve others Juniors are encouraged to achieve their to achieve their
• Outdoor encouraged to to achieve GOLD AWARD, GOLD AWARD,
adventure achieve their their the highest the highest
2 BRONZE SILVER award earned award earned
• Field trips
AWARD. AWARD. by a Girl Scout. by a Girl Scout.
2020-21 Family Passport - Page 3
THE FOUNDATIONAL GIRL EXPERIENCE
What should our troop do in a Girl Scout year?
The Girls:
Badges and Earned Awards:
o Earn at least 4 badges or two badges and a Journey – try something new!
o Have girls select at least 3 field trips to try new experiences
o Do at least two Service Projects
o Set a budget at the beginning of the year based on the girls’ plans
Entrepreneurship
o Earn fall money through Fall Product: Girls set goals to earn for what they want to do
o Set goals to participate in the Cookie program to build troop funds for spring and summer
Outdoors
o Participate in the outdoors at least twice in a year –
Examples: Outdoor badge, hike, field trip, service project, backyard campout, troop
camping, encampment – Remember progression!
Traditions
o Celebrate Girl Scout traditions by honoring events such as Thinking day, Juliette Low’s
Birthday, Girl Scout Birthday, Investiture, Rededication, Court of Awards, and more!
The Troop Committee (family volunteers!):
The Basics
o Have at least 6 girls to start with space for at least 12
Add leaders to go higher if the troop wants!
o Meet a minimum of twice a month
o Create a safe space where girls and adults work together
Volunteering
o Have every family volunteer in some capacity with the troop
o Hold 2 parent meetings per year to ensure troop volunteers and celebrate girls’
accomplishments
Finances
o Turn in bank statements to Service Unit Money Manager monthly with receipts
o Ensure representation at every monthly Service Unit meeting for your
troop to get support and ideas, and to help plan local programs, outdoor
campouts and more for your troop and troops in your area.
2020-21 Family Passport - Page 4
IT TAKES A TEAM
GIRL’S RESPONSIBILITY TO THE TROOP
• Follow the Girl Scout Promise & Law
• Be willing to try, be confident and supportive towards her troop peers
• Attend and participate in meetings and events
• Listen to others in the troop and show respect for what they are saying
• Be prepared and conduct herself in a safe manner
• Respect troop leaders and other volunteers
LEADER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO THE TROOP
• Follow the Girl Scout Promise & Law
• Let girls lead – ensure girls of every age take an active and grade-appropriate role in
deciding the what, when, where, why, and how of their Girl Scout plans and dreams.
• Create an inclusive environment where girls and families feel welcome
• Take required training to provide a well-rounded and safe program
• Respect and listen to every participant and serve as a role model
• Utilize volunteer resources such as the Volunteer Toolkit
• Ensure troop representation at all Service Unit Meetings ensuring all girls and adults
are registered members, troop finances are in guidelines and troop is a part of the
Girl Scout community
FAMILY’S RESPONSIBILITY TO THE TROOP
• Volunteer: there are 9 Troop roles that make each troop run. Every family can
volunteer in some capacity.
• Register: ensure your Girl Scout is a registered member and re-register each year
through your MY GS account. (www.gscnc.org and click on My GS button to log in!)
• Be on time: Ensure your child is dropped off and picked up from meetings and events
on time.
• Stay connected: talk with your troop leaders, turn in permission slips on time, and
understand that troop leaders are volunteers too.
• Help locally: attend monthly Service Unit meetings for your troop to help plan local
programs, outdoor campouts and more for your troop and troops in your area.
• Your Troops Plans: Stay connected by looking at troop meeting plans in the
Volunteer Tool Kit (click on MYGS on gscnc.org). Log in to help your daughter meet
badge requirements when she misses a meeting, see troop meeting guides to help
plan a badge or shop for supplies for the troop!
2020-21 Family Passport - Page 5
COVID-19 and Girl Scouts: Safety Guidelines
Nothing is more important to Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital than the safety of girl and adult members. To
ensure the safety of our members, GSCNC has developed comprehensive guidelines for gatherings. The
full text can be found on gscnc.org, but below are important pieces to know to keep your family and others
safe.
Stepped Approach: GSCNC is taking a stepped approach to COVID guidelines as the situation
continues to change rapidly. Guidance for steps 1-3 is currently published. Steps IV and V will be
published as significant forward progress occurs to reduce transmission of the virus. While each step
increases the total number of participants at in-person events, Steps 1 – 3 all have the required safety
guidelines in common.
Required Safety Guidelines to attend events. Members who are unable or unwilling to meet these
guidelines should participate in virtual opportunities. Complete guidelines can be found at gscnc.org, but
here are some key pieces of our safety plan:
o Health Requirements for Participants at In-Person Gatherings:
Have no symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle
pain, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, or gastrointestinal issues such as nausea,
diarrhea, and vomiting.
Have not had a fever over 100 degrees without the use of fever-reducing medications within the
last 72 hours.
Have not had a known COVID-19 exposure
Have not traveled away from home for non-essential trips within the last 14 days
Have not traveled on a cruise ship within the last 14 days
o Required Prescreen Form
All attendees are required to complete a signed prescreen form the day of the gathering
All organizers are required to retain copies of pre-screen forms for 90 days after the event
o Mandatory Face Coverings
Members are required to wear a face mask or cloth face covering that covers nose, mouth, and
chin, at in-person events
o Social Distancing
All members are expected to keep social distancing
Meeting plans to prepare younger girls for social distancing requirements are available for
troops to use with girls
o Cleaning
Troops are responsible for disinfecting high touch surfaces before and after gatherings.
Be sure to check gscnc.org for the most current COVID-19 guidelines!
2020-21 Family Passport - Page 6
COVID-19 and Girl Scouts: Virtual Programming
Troop Meetings
Troops can choose to meet virtually on platforms that work best for their families.
• Girl Scouts partners with Zoom to provide platforms without time limits for $36 annually.
• Free platforms such as Google Meet are also acceptable for troop use
For Daisy, Brownie, and Junior troops starting their Girl Scout year, a pre-planned series is available. Each
series starts with a parent meeting to communicate troop plans and guidelines, then dives into girl meetings – all
in preparation for a safe and engaging in-person experience after the first set of meetings!
Each virtual series includes:
Girl Scout Hands-on
Parent Meeting: Traditions: Entrepreneurship Engagement:
Girl-Led
Discuss COVID Safety practice: Girl Scout Program: Girls connect with
Programming:
guidelines, troop mask-wearing, Promise & Law, making plans and one another and
needs and plans, founder's earning the way Girls make
hand-washing, their leaders
and setting decisions on what
and social birthday there with through
expectations for they want to
distancing celebration, entrepreneurship interactive &
all. creating special learn and earn
program hands-on
troop traditions experiences!
Once your troop has completed your first set of meetings, choose from over 100
pre-developed virtual troop meeting presentations, or get creative and build your own!
Virtual Meeting scripts and plans can be found on gsLearn – in the same place Troop
Leaders take their online training (log in through MyGS).
Looking for other
opportunities to supplement
your Girl Scout’s day? Check
our events calendar at
gscnc.org for all types of
virtual events:
- Family campouts
- Badge-earning workshops
- Program-partner events
focusing on STEM,
Entrepreneurship, Life
Skills, College Readiness!
- And plenty more!
2020-21 Family Passport - Page 7
Nine Volunteer Roles for FAMILIES!
Training and mentorship is available and required for every role and together, families ensure
that girls receive the best possible leadership experience to plan, earn and do!
o Troop Leaders: Help girls make decisions and decide what badges, activities, service they want to do
All troops must have two unrelated adult troop leaders, one of whom is female. No adult is alone with girls at any time.
o Driver/Chaperone: Make plans and arrange carpool and health forms for girl-decided field trips and service
projects
o Troop Cookie Manager: Help girls set goals and participate in Cookie Program to ensure troop earns
money for girl-planned activities
o Troop Money Manager: Help girls to develop plan to utilize and earn money according to Girl Scout
guidelines, communicate debits and credits with families, and be a signer on troop bank account
o Troop Fall Product Chair: Help girls set goals and participate in Fall Product Program to ensure troop
earns money for fall and winter expenses prior to Cookie program
o Troop SHARE Chair: Family giving representative ensures all families have an opportunity to donate
o Campout/Cookout Qualified Adult: Prepare girls for progressive outdoor experiences and take
campout/cookout training
o First Aider: Certified in child and adult CPR and first aid; accompany troop on camping and other outings
o Friends and Family Volunteer: Snack parent, shopper for supplies and badges, Service Unit meeting rep
All volunteer roles require background screening for the safety of your Girl Scout and other adult volunteers, with the exception
of Friends and Family Volunteers who are not working directly with girls or troop finances.
No Girl Scout goes alone:
volunteers help and appoint troops!
Every troop belongs to a Service Unit. Service Units are managed by local volunteers who
help resolve issues and ensure troops are operating according to Volunteer Essentials. These
volunteers provide an additional resource beyond your troop leader and can give advice and
solve problems. Some examples of Service Unit member support include:
o Service Unit Managers: Hold monthly support, training and program meetings in local area – troop
representation is required. Resolves conflict as needed.
o Service Unit Registrar: Helps girls and adults through registration and background screening process
o Service Unit Money Manager: Trains Troop Money Manager (should NOT be troop leaders), collects
monthly bank statements from troop and follows up to ensure proper money guidelines
o Service Unit Welcome Specialist: Welcomes all troop volunteers and connects them with training and SU
Support
o Service Unit Troop Organizers: Connected with a school or house of worship, helps form and reform
troops; places girls in existing troops; helps ensure all families are excited to join
Girls can join any troop – not just at their school or house of worship!
2020-21 Family Passport - Page 8
GIRL SCOUT VOLUNTEER/PARENT
RESOURCES
The Volunteer Toolkit (VTK)
o Online tool - accessed through MYGS at gscnc.org
o Meeting guides with scripts and shopping lists
o Attendance tracker
o Badge and recognition tracker
o Established meeting plans can be viewed by parents when child misses a meeting
o And MORE!!!!
The Girl Scout Insider - LIST OF Girl Scout PROGRAMS to sign up to attend or make
arrangements when convenient for the troop – Mailed twice a year!
Volunteer Essentials - THE GUIDE to volunteering, camps, troop finances and more – Go to
Volunteer Tool Kit under resources – Updated annually – Hard copy given to troop leaders each year!
Safety Activity Checkpoints - Safety requirements for all activities – go to Volunteer Tool Kit under
resources
Council-hosted Activities on events calendar on www.gscnc.org for troop signup!
Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital hosts numerous signature events including DC Step Show, Girl Scout day
at the Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum, Girl Scout Day at the Nationals and more. Families OR
troops or both can participate in these opportunities.
Girl Scout Training – Training is available and required for most troop committee positions. The mix
of online and in-person training ensures you have the tools you need to succeed and help your girls
have fantastic Girl Scout year! For training requirements and how to sign up for training, connect with
your Service Unit Welcome Specialist.
2020-21 Family Passport - Page 9
UNIFORMS AND BOOKS
What’s required for a Girl Scout uniform?
• To be in uniform, all a Girl Scout needs are her official Girl
Scout pins. Pins are awarded at an investiture ceremony a few
weeks after girls start troop meetings.
• Earned recognitions (badges) show your girl’s progress and
what she is learning. Vests and sashes are great to record and
show what girls have earned.
• Girl Guide and Journey books for each girl are available to
help her earn these important recognitions and record her
achievements.
• Looking for one-stop shopping? Purchase a My Girl Scout Kit
with all items girls need for the start of the Girl Scout year.
The Girl Scout shop has all the items you need: go in-person, or order online or over the phone.
Check out the Girl Scout shop at www.gscnc.org\shop for more information.
Badges and Patches: What’s the Difference?
BADGES PATCHES
are symbols that indicate an increase in are emblems signifying
knowledge or skill in a particular subject. participation in a
Badges can be earned at every age level. Girl Scout activity. Patches
Badges should be placed on the front of are placed on the back of
the sash or vest. the sash or vest.
Volunteer as a FRIENDS AND FAMILY “Troop Shopper” and pick up
supplies from your local Girl Scout store when needed.
2020-21 Family Passport - Page 10THE GIRL SCOUT COOKIE PROGRAM:
5 skills girls LEARN when they earn their way
instead of having a check written!
It’s the largest financial literacy program in the world! Your girl will transform through
participation in the Cookie Program designed to develop five critical skills:
GOAL MONEY
MAKING ETHICS
how to think directly engage with develop
critically handle members of positive
and solve customer the community values like
plan problems money and develop honesty and
confidence integrity
Earn funds for the start of the year by participating in the Fall Product Program! This
program gives girls the same amazing entrepreneurship skills as the cookie program and helps
fund their dreams in first months of the Girl Scout year.
Remember: troops earn proceeds for plans girls make together!
• Troop proceeds are used together as a team
• No one girl is entitled to more funds based on the amount of cookies they sell
• All proceeds become property of the troop
Ready to support your girl’s entrepreneurial goals and dreams?
Volunteer as her TROOP COOKIE MANAGER or FALL PRODUCT CHAIR
and help her troop become tomorrow’s business leaders.
2020-21 Family Passport - Page 11ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, VALUABLE
Membership Troop Dues Uniforms
Registration
$25 recommended,
and Books
girls earn beyond
$25 for maximum
$50 My Girl Scout
Kits available in the
each year leadership benefit Girl Scout shop
Girl Scouts is committed to welcoming all girls. Financial assistance is available
for all of the above – if your girl needs it, we’ll support it. Program grants are
available if troop money earning falls short.
Financially savvy?
Volunteer as her TROOP MONEY MANAGER to help girls plan, budget, and
earn money to fund their experiences.
Girl Scout Nation’s Capital’s family giving campaign, SHARE, provides families
with an opportunity to donate funds for those in need.
Excited to give back to girls?
Volunteer as her TROOP SHARE CHAIR so all families know how to donate
and support girls in Girl Scouts.
2020-21 Family Passport - Page 12GET OUTSIDE AT GIRL SCOUT CAMP!
Day Use at our Camp Properties – Easy, Free, and Around the Corner
The outdoors is closer than you think! Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital owns EIGHT (8) beautiful
camp properties – maps and high adventure at each camp found in Volunteer Essentials on
Volunteer Tool Kit! Each property is just used by Girl Scouts. Take your troop for a day and
check out the lodges, high adventure, and hiking trails.
Troops and Service Unit Camping (Encampments)
Troops plan weekend campouts to any of our camp properties throughout the school year for girls
of all ages. Service Units also offer camping experiences called encampments. Troop and
Service Unit Encampments do need trained Camp out /Cookout Qualified adults and
participation by adults may be limited to ensure maximum numbers of girls are able to attend.
Summer Resident Camp & Day/Twilight Camp
Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital manages eight camp properties designed for overnight camping.
Summer sleep away camp programs are held at four of those properties, and day/evening camps
are held across our region. Programs vary in length and experience with registration opening
each year in January. From outdoor adventures, art and STEM, to camp songs, kayaking, and
more, there is something for every girl at camp. Explore our camps at gscnc.org/camp.
Can’t wait to make sure your girl gets outside?
Volunteer as her CAMPOUT/COOKOUT ADULT to teach her outdoor skills
and a love of nature.
Keep them safe!
Volunteer as her TROOP FIRST AIDER to keep girls (and adults) healthy
and safe on your adventures.
2020-21 Family Passport - Page 13Know ABOUT MY TROOP
Keep all the vital information about your troop here for your future reference.
Troop # Program Grade Level:
Service Unit:
Troop Meeting Day and Time:
Meeting Location:
Procedure in troop if parent/guardian is late picking up daughter in emergency situations:
Prior notice by parent or guardian is required if another person is to pick up your child.
Troop Dues: Amount $ per
Leaders/Volunteers Contact Information:
Name:
Phone: Email:
Name:
Phone: Email:
Name:
Phone: Email:
Volunteer Role I’ve Chosen: Troop Leader Troop Money Manager Troop Fall Product Chair
Driver/Chaperone (Field Trip Coordinator) Troop Cookie Manager
Outdoor Trained Adult First Aider (field trips) Troop SHARE Leader
Friends and Family (SU meeting Rep, snack parent)
My GS Log-in information:
User ID: Password:
Notes:
QUESTIONS?
Service Unit Manager Contact for questions:
Name:
Phone: Email:
Council support: customercare@gscnc.org, 202-237-1670, 800-523-7898
Financial help with Troop dues, uniform or books: surveymonkey.com/r/GSCNC_FA
2020-21 Family Passport - Page 14READY, SET, REGISTER
The Girl Scout membership year runs from October 1 – September 30. Girls join and troops form
all year round!
Want to start your own troop with another unrelated adult? Just call 202-237-1670
and we will connect you with a staff member to walk you through the steps, support
available, and provide you with a NEW LEADER PASSPORT, the companion to the Family
Passport!
TO FIND A TROOP:
o log on to gscnc.org/join and
o click on “Start the Fun Today”.
o Fill out basic girl information and zip code to get Troop Catalog
o Enter Troop number or driving radius to bring up troops with spaces open
o Hover over Troop number to get a description of what girls like to do in that troop
o Select the day, time and troop that is right for you
o Select an adult volunteer role for that troop and pay for memberships or request
financial assistance
NOTES
2020-21 Family Passport - Page 15For information about joining and getting started with Girl Scouts, and also for
Financial help with Troop dues, uniform or books: email membershipsupport@gscnc.org
[GRAB YOUR READER’S
ATTENTION WITH A GREAT
QUOTE FROM THE
DOCUMENT OR USE THIS
SPACE TO EMPHASIZE A
KEY POINT. TO PLACE THIS
TEXT BOX ANYWHERE ON
THE PAGE, JUST DRAG IT.]
The 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.
The 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.
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