Welcome to Girl Scout Daisies - Basics for Daisy Troop Leaders
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Welcome to
Girl Scout Daisies
Basics for Daisy Troop Leaders
1 888.747.6945 | info@gsnwgl.org | 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.............................3-5
Uniform...................................................................................................................6
Awards and Badges............................................................................................7
Journeys.................................................................................................................. 8-9
Girl Award Record................................................................................................10-12
From Leader to Advisor......................................................................................13
Safety Resources to Know and Use..............................................................14
For Every Girl Scout.............................................................................................15
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience..........................................................16-17
Glossary..................................................................................................................18-20
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 Daisies
At the Girl Scout Daisy level (kindergarten and first
This means...
grade), girls...
They’ll enjoy going on nature walks and outdoor scavenger
Have loads of energy and need to run, walk, and play outside.
hunts.
Encouraging them to express themselves and their creativity
Are great builders and budding artists, though they are still
by making things with their hands. Girls may need assistance
developing their fine motor skills.
holding scissors, cutting in a straight line, and so on.
They might especially enjoy marching like a penguin, dancing
Love to move and dance. like a dolphin, or acting out how they might care for animals in
the jungle.
Showing instead of telling, for example, about how animals are
Are concrete thinkers and focused on the here and now. cared for. Plan visits to animal shelters, farms, or zoos; meet
care providers; or make a creative bird feeder.
Are only beginning to learn about basic number concepts, You’ll want to take opportunities to count out supplies
time, and money. together—and, perhaps, the legs on a caterpillar!
Are just beginning to write and spell, and they don’t always That having girls draw a picture of something they are trying to
have the words for what they’re thinking or feeling. communicate is easier and more meaningful for them.
Being specific and offering only one direction at a time.
Know how to follow simple directions and respond well to
Acknowledge when girls have followed directions well to
recognition for doing so.
increase their motivation to listen and follow again.
3
Daisy Meeting Activity
Daisies will keep you smiling with their enthusiasm and excitement about everything around them! Here are some girl-led
planning tips for Daisy Girl Scouts.
Balance your advice
with girl input on troop Girl Scout Daisies have a hard time
activities and decisions. perceiving the future. A month can
seem as long as a year to them.
As the leader, you’ll do long-term
planning. Invite Daisy planning help
for activity in the very near future.
To help the girls with a
Girls have a short voting process, find an item
attention span at this or picture that represents
level, so limit the Girl the activities chosen
Scout Daisy Circle to (for example, an apple Girls like what they know.
10-15 minutes. to represent going to the Daisies are less likely
apple orchard, or an empty to choose something
pizza box to represent completely unfamiliar
touring a pizzeria, etc.). Put to them. Part of your
a small container or paper responsibility as an adult
cup in front of the choices. volunteer is to open doors
Give each girl a button and and introduce the girls
have her vote by putting it to new experiences and
Too many choices are into the container of the activities. Help them try
overwhelming. Give activity she wants to do. new things by highlighting
Daisies just 2-3 options what they already know
to choose from. and connecting it to the
new thing.
4
Behavior management
Be Prepared: Prepare in advance for your meetings. Talk with co-volunteers and other helpers about the upcoming meeting’s
agenda. Be sure you understand who will do what. If you are prepared and keep the meeting moving along, the girls are less likely
to find other activities that may cause problems.
Get There Early: Have everything ready before the first girl walks through the door. This will allow you to greet the girls as they
arrive, talk to them and make them feel welcome.
Provide Positive Praise: Focus on what the girls are doing right instead of what they are doing wrong. Praise must be specific
and sincere. Try to stay positive even when things don’t go as planned. Allow the girls the opportunity to learn from simple
mistakes, as long as safety is not an issue. Frame the mistake as an opportunity to learn and think about how to do it differently
next time.
Establish an Order for Your Meetings: Create a routine to encourage cooperation and taking initiative. With time, after several
meetings, the girls will understand the expectations and know what comes next.
Use Five- and One-Minute Warnings: Daisies need to know when one activity is ending and another is about to begin. This
transition time helps them plan and not feel rushed.
Provide a Snack: Snack time allows the girls to share and relax together. Snack time should be simple and appropriate to when
your troop meets. For example, if it is close to dinnertime, you may serve just juice instead of cookies and juice.
But she’s my daughter
Surprisingly, it may be the volunteer’s own daughter that displays disruptive behavior during troop activities! It’s important to
remember how difficult it can be for girls to share their mom with so many other girls, all vying for the leader’s attention. And
adults, trying not to show favoritism toward their daughters, may inadvertently go to the other extreme and never choose their
daughters for special jobs, etc. Consider the following.
Have the girls Prepare your Employ the “It and Other” container or envelopes to
assist in picking daughter prior pick girls for special tasks, treats, etc. Have each girl
camp names or to the meeting decorate and write her name on a wide craft stick
nicknames for the and explain that and put it in a small container or envelope. When
troop volunteers your attention you need to select a girl for a task, draw a name
that all the girls, will be on all the from the “It” container. When the task is complete,
including your own girls, not just her. put the craft stick in the “Other” container. This will
daughter, can call Perhaps plan continue each time special help is needed until all
you during troop a special time the names in the “It” container have been used.
activities. This for her after the Then transfer all the sticks from the “Other” jar
removes “Mom” meeting. back to the “It” jar and start all over again.
from the picture!
Make a deal with your co-leader! “Trade” daughters during troop activities.
Don’t use your daughter to practice crafts or other troop activities prior to the troop
meeting. Let her be surprised, too!
5
Evaluation Tools
Asking Daisies questions can be a challenge. Remember, they need things to be concrete. Listen to the girls and build your
questions based on what the girls are saying about their experience. Give examples.
Sentence Starter: Have the girls sit in a circle either as a large group or, if you have enough adults, break the girls into smaller
groups. Create some sentence starters and have the girls fill in the blank. For example, “The best part about the field trip was…”,
“The funniest thing about our activity was…”, or “The part I liked best was…”
Draw a Picture: Give each girl a piece of paper and crayons or markers and ask her to draw a picture of what was the best part
of the activity for her. Once complete, have the girls share what their pictures show.
Rate It! Have the girls use facial expressions or different signals to rate how they feel about an activity or idea.
• Smile or Frown
• Thumbs up or Thumbs down
• Clap once or clap twice
• Stand up or sit down
Hello and Good-Bye Games
Try this opening game with Daisies, called 1-2-3 Hello. You and the girls join hands in a circle. Say “1-2-3” while walking towards
the center. As you meet in the center, raise hands and all say “Hello, Girl Scout Daisies” or some other chosen greeting. Then walk
backward to reform the circle and sit down in a Daisy Circle for the business part of your meeting.
At the end of your meeting, try this closing game, called 1-2-3 Good-bye. Everyone joins hands in the Friendship circle fashion
(right arm over left arm). Say “1-2-3” while walking towards the center. As you meet in the center, raise hands, then twist around
to straighten arms and face away from one another, and say “Goodbye, Girl Scout Daisies!” or some other chosen greeting.
I’m a Girl Scout Daisy song
Girl Scouts love to sing, and we have a very special Girl Scout song just for Daisies. Here’s a link to an online video so you can
practice prior to the meeting. https://youtu.be/QbJeZSTvdm8
I’m a Daisy Girl Scout
I’m a Girl Scout Daisy, take a look at me.
I’m a Girl Scout Daisy, happy as can be.
Having fun and sharing, each and every day.
I’m a Girl Scout Daisy, hip, hip, hooray!
I’m a Girl Scout Daisy, take a look at me.
I’m a Girl Scout Daisy, happy as can be.
We’re going on a journey, with friends along the way.
I’m a Girl Scout Daisy, hip, hip, hooray!
6
Girl Scout Daisy Tunic and Vest Girl Scout Daisy Tun
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 inf
Visit www.girlscoutshop.com for all your Official Girl Sc
Daisy Insignia Tab
American Flag Patch
World Trefoil Pin
Girl Scout Council Identification Set Girl Scout Daisy Membership Pin
Troop Numerals Journey Summit Award Pin
Membership Stars and Discs
Cookie Sale Activity Pin Cookie Business Leaves
My Promise, My Faith Pins
Year One
Year One Year Two
Year Two
DaisyDaisy
Faith Faith
Pin Pin
World Thinking Day Award
Safety Award Pin
Global Action Award
Petal and Promise Center Set
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your vest. As you earn
additional Journey awards,
work your way up.
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Daisy Insignia Tab
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Cookie Business Leaves
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7
Girl Scout Daisy Awards and Badges
Petals and Leaves
Financial Literacy Leaves Cookie Business Leaves
Daisy Petals Money Counts Making Choices Count It Up Talk It Up
Skill Building Badges
Buddy Camper Democracy for Eco Learner Good Neighbor Outdoor Art Space Science Toy Business Trail Adventure Snow or Climbing
Daisies Maker Explorer Designer Adventure
Progressive Badges
Robotics Cybersecurity
What Robots Do How Robots Move Design a Robot Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity:
Basics Safeguards Investigator
Coding for Good Automotive Engineering
Coding Basics Digital Game App Automotive Design Automotive Automotive
Design Development Engineering Manufacturing
Mechanical Engineering
Board Game Roller Coaster Model Car
Design Challenge Design Challenge Design Challenge
8Girl Scout Daisy 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! Welcome to the Daisy Flower Garden.
This is a leadership theme Journey. Girl Scout Daisies will especially enjoy meeting the colorful,
global characters who teach them the Girl Scout Law. Explore the world of gardening—plant a
mini-garden, learn about composting, find out how ladybugs help flowers, take a field trip to a
public garden, or talk to a beekeeper. Daisies plan a Take Action project, such as planting
vegetables in a community garden or flowers at a nearby hospital.
Watering Can Award ▪Golden Honey Bee Award ▪ Amazing Daisy Award
It’s Your Planet – Love It! Between Earth and Sky.
This is an environmental theme Journey. Daisies will focus on using the keys to leadership for the good
of the earth and all its inhabitants. Explore nature and learn how to keep the Earth healthy—visit a park
or farm, talk to a scientist, or make origami butterflies to celebrate nature. Plan a Take Action project,
such as planting a tree, creating a garden for a children’s hospital, or putting on a play about protecting
the Earth.
Blue Bucket Award ▪ Firefly Award ▪ Clover Award
It’s Your Story – Tell It! 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals!
This Journey focuses on storytelling and creative expression. Daisies will learn just how much they
can care for animals and for themselves – and just how good that makes them feel. Find out what
animals need and how to care for them—go on nature walks to observe animals; visit a farm, zoo,
or animal shelter; or create an animal sculpture. Plan a Take Action project that teaches others how
to care for animals.
Birdbath Award ▪ Red Robin Award ▪ Tula Award
Outdoor Daisy Journey - Find it on the Volunteer Toolkit
Girl Scout Daisies will explore the wonders of camping and learn how to make art outdoors. Then they’ll do a Take Action
project to make their favorite outdoor place better for everyone!
Outdoor Buddy Camper Take Action
Art Maker
9Outdoor STEM Journey - Find it on the Volunteer Toolkit
Daisies will do hands-on activities to learn about the scientific method. They’ll learn how to observe closely, record their
observations and analyze what they’ve learned. They’ll then put what they’ve learned into practice by doing a citizen science
Take Action project.
Think Like a Take Action
Citizen Scientist
Computer Science Journey - Find it on the Volunteer Toolkit
Daisies will do hands-on activities to learn how computer programmers think through problems. They’ll learn to follow and
create algorithms, break big problems down into smaller ones, and persist when faced with challenges. Then they’ll plan a
Take Action project to use computational skills to help others.
Think Like a Take Action
Programmer
Engineering Journey - Find it on the Volunteer Toolkit
Daisies learn the Design Thinking Process through hands-on activities, including brainstorming, designing prototypes, testing
and improving their designs. Daisies come to understand that engineers think failure is a good thing because every time a
design fails, you learn something and can make it better. They’ll plan a Take Action project to use their design thinking skills to
help others.
Think Like an Take Action
Engineer
10Girl Scout Daisy
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! Welcome to the Daisy Flower Garden Daisy Journey
Award Date Completed Date Received
The Watering Can
The Golden Honey Bee
The Amazing Daisy
It’s Your Planet – Love It! Between Earth and Sky Daisy Journey
Award Date Completed Date Received
The Blue Bucket
The Firefly
The Clover
It’s Your Story – Tell It! 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals! Daisy Journey
Award Date Completed Date Received
The Birdbath
The Red Robin
The Tula
Outdoor Daisy Journey
Badge Date Completed Date Received
Outdoor Art Maker
Buddy Camper
Take Action Award
Outdoor STEM Daisy Journey
Award Date Completed Date Received
Think Like a Citizen Scientist
Take Action Award
Computer Science Daisy Journey
Award Date Completed Date Received
Think Like a Programmer
Take Action Award
Engineering Daisy Journey
Award Date Completed Date Received
Think Like an Engineer
Take Action Award
11Girl Scout Daisy
Award Record, Page 2
Girl Scout Daisy Promise Center, Learning Petals, and Financial Literacy & Cookie Business Leaves
Award Date Completed Date Received
Amazing Daisy Promise Center
Lupe Petal - Honest and Fair
Sunny Petal - Friendly and Helpful
Zinni Petal - Considerate and Caring
Tula Petal - Courageous and Strong
Mari Petal - Responsible for What I Say
and Do
Gloria Petal - Respect Myself and Others
Gerri Petal - Respect Authority
Clover Petal - Use Resources Wisely
Rosie Petal - Make the World a Better
Place
Vi Petal- Be a Sister to Every Girl Scout
Money Counts Leaf
Making Choices Leaf
Count it Up Leaf
Talk it Up Leaf
Girl Scout Daisy Progressive Badges: Robotics
Badge Requirements Date Completed Date Received
What Robots Do 1 2 3
How Robots Move 1 2 3
Design a Robot 1 2 3
Girl Scout Daisy Progressive Badges: Cybersecurity
Badge Requirements Date Completed Date Received
Cybersecurity Basics 1 2 3
Cybersecurity Safeguards 1 2 3
Cybersecurity Investigator 1 2 3
Girl Scout Daisy Progressive Badges: Coding for Good
Badge Requirements Date Completed Date Received
Coding Basics 1 2 3
Digital Game Design 1 2 3
App Development 1 2 3
12Girl Scout Daisy
Award Record, Page 3
Girl Scout Daisy Progressive Badges: Automotive Engineering
Badge Requirements Date Completed Date Received
Automotive Design 1 2 3
Automotive Engineering 1 2 3
Automotive Manufacturing 1 2 3
Girl Scout Daisy Progressive Badges: Mechanical Engineering
Badge Requirements Date Completed Date Received
Board Game Design Challenge 1 2 3
Roller Coaster Design Challenge 1 2 3
Model Car Design Challenge 1 2 3
Girl Scout Daisy Skill Building Badges
Badge Requirements Date Completed Date Received
Buddy Camper 1 2 3
Democracy for Daisies 1 2 3
Eco Learner 1 2 3
Good Neighbor 1 2 3
Outdoor Art Maker 1 2 3
Snow or Climbing Adventure 1 2 3
Space Science Explorer 1 2 3
Toy Business Designer 1 2 3
Trail Adventure 1 2 3
Other Awards for Girl Scout Daisies
Award Requirements Date Completed Date Received
Safety Award 1 2 3
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
Daisy Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin - Year 1
Daisy Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin - Year 2
Bridge to Girl Scout Brownie Award 1 2
13From 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”
14Safety 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
Brownies (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.
15For Every Girl Scout
Take the time to help girls learn these values and traditions.
Girl Scout Promise Girl Scout Law
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 Scout Motto
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 Girl Guides all over the world. It’s often how troops
close their meeting.
16The 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.
17One 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.
18Girl 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 info@gsnwgl.org 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.
19Girl Scout Glossary
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 Scout Leader’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.
20Girl Scout Glossary
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
(Pax Lodge), India (Sangam), and Switzerland (Our Chalet). The fifth World Center (Kusafiri) 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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