Brownie Leader

[BonnieV]

I'm starting a second grade troop this year. I would love any suggestions you all have.

Thanks,
Bonnie

[cyster]

Good for you! I would google for ideas; my friend was a troop leader from K through early middle school. She was disappointed that there wasn't more structure and there is a lot of recreating the wheel. I'll bet if you google brownie troop ideas or guide, you'll get lots of ideas.

have fun!!

[ReneeNJ]

There are lots of things on-line. Just a note -- the GS program is changing dramatically this year. I am a Junior leader. Guide Books are at a premium in our council (we can't get another book until November and we are short one). Also, the core of the program are now Journeys, not badges or try-its.

There is tons of info available from your GS Council and also from your service unit. My co-leaders and I are still getting our arms around all of this (it's my 2nd year).

Good luck!

Renee

[jknyc]

We're in our third year with a troop (started as Daisies, now Brownies, 3rd graders). Three leaders started with 13 girls. Now we have 11 girls--lost one to moving and one to change in her activity schedule.

We vowed to be the troop that took all the girls interested, no cherry picking. That's how we had 13. It was 2-3 too many.

We pretty much ignore the journeys and the books and do what our troop wants to do. It's worked for us so far. We call ourselves the rogue troop. Our local council does not offer a lot of support. Your council may be different. Once you realize that there's no one way you need to do things, you'll have fun with it!

[kd1]

We're in our third year with a troop (started as Daisies, now Brownies, 3rd graders). Three leaders started with 13 girls. Now we have 11 girls--lost one to moving and one to change in her activity schedule.

We vowed to be the troop that took all the girls interested, no cherry picking. That's how we had 13. It was 2-3 too many.

We pretty much ignore the journeys and the books and do what our troop wants to do. It's worked for us so far. We call ourselves the rogue troop. Our local council does not offer a lot of support. Your council may be different. Once you realize that there's no one way you need to do things, you'll have fun with it!

I also go rogue. I hate the journeys. I break them down to the absolute bare minimum so that they can at least earn the badge and work towards their awards that have the Journeys as a pre-requisite.

I think that if you go by their suggestions, you will have bored girls that won't stick it out. I burst out laughing a few months ago when I received my First 3 Junior Meeting handbook. It was pathetic.

I have 9 girls. 10 is my max. I did have 10 until a few weeks ago, so I may add one. I once had 12 Cub Scouts and it was too much. I have a highly coveted troop, but I just can't let it grow without sacrificing the quality.

[BonnieV]

I'm very confused about the journeys..

So you don't earn badges anymore? The support from local GS is somewhat lacking..

I appreciate your help.

[kd1]

So you don't earn badges anymore? The support from local GS is somewhat lacking..

I appreciate your help.

They discontinued the vast majority of the badges. There are a few, but they repeat year to year. So there is a Brownie First Aid Badge, Junior First Aid Badge, etc. They discontinued the badges that the girls would actually want to earn. For example, I took my troop canoeing a few weeks ago, but the small craft badge has been discontinued.

They want the girls working on the Journeys, which as far as I can tell, no one likes.

That is not to say that you can't still do those things, you just aren't going to be able to give them badges for it, unless you find them on Ebay, etc. Our Council Shop no longer carries the discontinued badges.

Unfortunately, my troop loves badges, so I'm not sure how this will go.

[jknyc]

I'm buying badges up right now. Check out local council stores online across the country. It's incredibly annoying. Nothing like an organization that runs on volunteers but doesn't listen to the volunteer feedback and makes changes to make the work harder for the volunteers.

[ReneeNJ]

We're doing the same but still having difficulties finding some things. And can I tell you that my junior troop doesn't even want to earn the new PINK badges! Pink for Daisies or even brownies but juniors? Our girls are all aghast.

Also, the new badge requirements are much more intense. No more earning badges in a meeting or two. As the Council trainer said "It's about education, not decoration". We tried to order a new badge packet for the journey they are doing and they are not available yet (not even a backorder). How long ago did they announce the new program?

Also, GSUSA and Councils have a lot of paid staff too!
Renee