Welcome to Junior Training! Your Trainer:

Expectations Before I leave today, I need to learn about or how to….

Class Content Developmental characteristics of 8 to10 year olds Behavior management techniques Helping girls cope with difficult situations

Class Content, cont. Resources for program activities Applying Girl Ownership to the planning of troop activities Adapting program activities to meet girls’ needs Junior Girl Scout Awards

Characteristics of Juniors Self aware Adolescence/Changes Social Skills Loss of Self Esteem Loss of Confidence

DISCUSSION How can you help a girl learn leadership skills? How can you help her boost her self-esteem? How could you be sensitive to a Junior Girl Scout with special needs? What types of games do Junior Girl Scouts like to play? What are the benefits of multi-age troops for Junior Girl Scouts?

Let’s All Just Get Along Behavior Management Safety-Wise, pages 18-21 Let’s All Just Get Along With Each Other! Prevention: heading off the possibility of a behavior problem before it happens. Intervention: taking action when inappropriate behavior occurs.

Girls feel secure, trusted and valued. Girls can learn to discipline themselves if the following are true of your troop/group: Girls feel secure, trusted and valued. Girls understand the rules, know the rules are not arbitrary, and know why the rules exist. Girls are involved in planning their activities. Girls will not usually jeopardize an activity they want to do. The girls like each other and like you.

Conflict Resolution Mediation Active Listening Time Out Role Reversal Skillful Listening Applying the Girl Scout Law Junior GS Leader Guide Book, pages 52-53

TECHNIQUES WORK WELL WHEN…. GIRLS TRUST EACH OTHER AND YOU. GIRLS HAVE POSITIVE FEELINGS OF SELF ESTEEM

BUT ARE HARDER TO APPLY WHEN….. GIRLS ARE COMPETITIVE. GIRLS USE PUT DOWNS WHEN TALKING TO EACH OTHER. Try “The Bug List”

DISCUSSION How do you let people know that they are bugging you? How do you get them to stop? What do you do that bugs others? How would you like them to tell you to stop? How could you apply one of the techniques?

What’s Your Role? Teaching Supporting – Use Girl Ownership Nurturing Multicultural World

IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT GIRLS MAY FEEL COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING SENSITIVE ISSUES, EITHER AS A GROUP OR INDIVIDUALLY WITH A LEADER. THERE MAY BE SITUATIONS WHERE A LEADER MUST TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF A CHILD. THESE ISSUES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Sensitive Issues Human Sexuality Dating Child Abuse Eating Disorders Suicide Drug and Alcohol Abuse Safety-Wise pages 40-43 Green Pages, pages 5-6

SUPPOSE ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF YOUR TROOP TELLS YOU SHE IS BEING ABUSED. How can you, as the troop leader, help her? How can the troop help her? What does this tell you in general about dealing with Sensitive Issues? How might you apply what you’ve learned in your troop?

Inclusiveness Diversity is more than just racial… ….it is a goal that Girl Scouting strives toward. To do so, we must actively work toward embracing diversity!

Using Program Resources Meet developmental needs of girls Meet Girl Scout Program Goals

Become – Belong – Believe - Build Discover – Connect – Take Action! Four Program Goals Developing Self-Potential Relating to Others Developing Values Contributing to Society Become – Belong – Believe - Build Journeys Discover – Connect – Take Action!

More Resources

MORE Resources

Even MORE Resources

Just what do we do at meetings? Games Songs Crafts Science Projects Ceremonies Sports Service Projects Work on Girl Scout Awards

MEETING IDEAS Pre-Meeting Activity (15 min before) Opening Activity (3 min) Troop Business/Planning Activity (10 min) Major Activities (10 min each) Snack, optional (15 min) Announcements Closing SEE SAMPLE IN HANDOUT

Girl Ownership

Planning Troop Meetings Troop Government Patrol System Executive Board Town Meeting Kaper Charts Girl Ownership

PATROL SYSTEM Troop is divided into smaller units called patrols (5-8 girls) Each patrol elects Patrol Leader responsible for running their patrol meetings. All troop business can be handled in these patrols. Chores may be divided up with each patrol responsible for its own task. Patrol leaders get together periodically (1x month) to discuss troop issues and make group decisions (Court of Honor). Each patrol gives input to Patrol Leader who presents their viewpoint at the Court of Honor

EXECUTIVE BOARD Consist of the “officers” of the troop. President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer Everyone should have opportunity to participate at some time throughout the year. Board members meet on regular basis to decide matters for the troop. Method needs to be devised for troop members to give input to Executive Board (suggestion box). Works well with smaller troops

TOWN MEETING Entire troop makes its decisions together. Moderator is needed to lead group discussions. Officers may be elected if troop feels there is a need. Works well in small groups

TROOP GOVERNMENT Although it might seem more efficient to do things yourself, growth in Girl Scouting isn’t about efficiency, it’s about the leadership skills and self-confidence girls develop by playing an active role in troop decision-making! Girls can (and should) learn to make decisions, accept the consequences of those decisions and help plan activities for her troop.

IMPLEMENTING GAP Have each patrol choose one Badge for the year. Have girls deliberate and select one or two GSCNC-sponsored activities for the season and get a few ideas for SWAPS. Have troop set up a budget for their activities, develop higher goals for product sales, and plan a more elaborate activity.

TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR TROOP Complete Volunteer Appointment process Have registration form signed for each girl Register additional girls/adults as they join Communicate with parents regularly Signed permission slips for all troop activities held outside regular troop meeting BEFORE participation. Use Safety-Wise in planning all activities. Keep individual girl records up-to-date. Participate in SU, Association, and Council events File mid-year and end of year financial report

IT’S NOT MAGIC Managing your troop doesn’t take magic! ORGANIZE, DELEGATE, and GAP, GAP, GAP!

Break Time!

TROOP FINANCING Dues: encourage girls to consider starting out with small amount ($5) or collect small amounts each meeting. Or – instead of dues – have parent purchase one item for the troop. Product Sales (cookies, calendars) Financial Aid Troop treasurer or treasurer for each patrol. Be sensitive to girls who cannot participate. Budget for year-end recognitions and badges SET GOALS!!!!

Uniforms, Awards & Insignia

Badges – points to consider INTERESTS!!!??? Skill levels? Needs? Resources? Safety? What are the guidelines?

Philosophy of Awards Try new things New Experiences, not perfection It’s about having FUN, not earning every award possible just for the sake of earning it Ideally done in groups You determine when an award is earned.

WHAT’S THE MESSAGE? LEADERS AND GIRLS WORK IN PARTNERSHIP TO PLAN AND CARRY OUT PROGRAM ACTIVITIES FOR JUNIOR GIRL SCOUTS

WHAT’S THE MESSAGE? PROGRAM CAN AND SHOULD BE ADAPTED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL GIRLS AND FAMILIES. DIVERSITY IS AN IMPORTANT AND DESIRABLE GOAL THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED BY DESIGNING ACTIVITIES FOR A DIVERSE AUDIENCE.

JUNIOR AIDE AWARD READY – talk with person helping you to become a Junior Aide; find a troop of younger girls you can work with GET SET – talk to leader of troop to find out what you can do to help lead at least 3 meetings. GO – meet with younger girls and guide activities you chose to do.

LEADERSHIP AWARD Link to Leadership: read “Adventures in Girl Scouting” – what leadership qualities would you like to develop? Succeed at Service: give service (at least 6hrs) to a community, school, religious, or Girl Scout organization Position Yourself: serve in leadership position for at least one month. Mentor (Teach) Others: share what you have learned at your troop meeting. Describe leadership experiences helped you develop the qualities in step 1.

THE BRONZE AWARD IS THE HIGHEST AWARD THAT CAN BE EARNED BY A JUNIOR GIRL SCOUT. ANY JUNIOR GIRL SCOUT MAY EARN THIS AWARD BUT NO WORK TOWARDS ANY REQUIREMENTS MAY BEGIN PRIOR TO BECOMING A JUNIOR GIRL SCOUT.

REQUIREMENTS Earn two badges that are related to the Bronze Award project. Complete one of the Girl Scout signs. Earn EITHER the Junior Aide Patch GS Leadership Award Two of these badges: Girl Scouting in the USA, Girl Scouting Around the World, Girl Scouting in My Future, or Lead On.

The Bronze Award Project Design, carry out, and report on a Girl Scout Bronze Award Project! See handout for project ideas!!!!

Ceremonies Investiture/Rededication Court of Awards Bridging Scouts’ Own

INVESTITURE An investiture is a ceremony to officially welcome a new girl or adult into Girl Scouting. The new member recites the GS promise and receives her Girl Scout pin.

REDEDICATION Rededication is done each year by all members of the Girl Scouts. At this ceremony, everyone reaffirms his/her commitment to Girl Scouting. The investiture and rededication ceremonies may be done separately or together. Usually, when a new girl is invested into a troop, everyone is present for the ceremony. Therefore, this is a good time for the entire troop to rededicate themselves.

COURT OF AWARDS Court of awards ceremony is a special time to honor and present girls with badges and awards they have earned. Often parents, family members and friends are invited so they too can share in recognizing a job well done. It can be held any time during the year and as often as the girls would like. The last Court of Awards is also a good time to recognize all of the adults that helped during the year with troop activities.

BRIDGING TO CADETTES Bridging is the GS way of helping girls make and mark the transition as they move from one program level to another. Bridging activities helps girls look back on achievements at the current level and prepare for new adventures and responsibilities at the next level.

BRIDGING REQUIREMENTS Visit www.studio2b.org. Go to the different pages. What did you like? Check out the destinations page. Which ones interest you? If possible, speak to a girl who has been on a destination. Participate in a service project, camping, or hiking trip with GS 11-17. Help plan your bridging ceremony. Look through some Studio 2B resources. Pick three activities that interest you. Do one of them. Find out about council-sponsored opportunities for Girl Scouts 11-17. Participate in a council or SU activity where GS 11-17 are also taking part. Talk about your experience. Learn about Program Aide opportunities. Find out what training is available. Learn about the GS Silver Award. If possible, speak to a girl who has been involved with one or both of these activities. If a girl has not been able to complete her Bronze Award by the end of fifth grade, she can choose to remain a Junior Girl Scout to complete the award.

SCOUTS OWN A “Scouts Own” is an inspirational ceremony, usually built around a central theme, such as friendship, world peace, save the earth, or appreciation of the world around u s. Just about any topic consistent with the principles and program goals of Girl Scouting is appropriate. The important thing is that it be the work of the girls themselves – from start to finish. Suggestions: Hold it somewhere away from normal activities. In a meeting place, go to a corner that is not otherwise used. Have a gateway. As the group files into the Scouts Own area through this gateway, nobody speaks unless absolutely necessary (and then only in hushed tones). This makes it a serious ceremony, rather than a get-together, with a lot of chatter. After ceremony is over, the group returns through this gateway silently.

IT’S YOUR WORLD – CHANGE IT! Agent of Change Power. In this journey, there’s a whole spiral of it waiting for Girl Scout Juniors. The journey is filled with ceremonies and circles, real-life heroines, and special new characters, including the fashion-savvy spider named Dez. Along the way, girls learn how their own power combines into team power and then moves out to become community power (kind of like how Dez weaves her web from the inside out). The journey’s centerpiece is a comic story of girl heroines who will inspire the Juniors as they take action to improve their own community.

JOURNEY AWARDS This Junior journey is filled with fun and friendship. From its start to its closing celebration, the girls will move from a deeper understanding of themselves to exploring how powerful they are as a team, to realizing the added strength they gain by reaching out in the wider community to take action with its members. Agent of Change offers girls a chance to earn three awards and record progress throughout the journey in their own ''Award Tracker.''

POWER OF ONE AWARD Girls will discover and share the powerful story of a forgotten woman or girl from around the world who mobilized others and made a difference, discover all the ways their own strengths and powers help them create change in the world, and discover what the Girl Scout Law and true ''heroines'' have in common

POWER OF TEAM AWARD Girls connect with their Girl Scout crew to create a ''super girl'' story in which the characters take one small situation they care about and strive for long-lasting community change. Girls will also make a team decision and write their team hopes for a Take Action Project that reaches into a community network to solve a problem together with community members

POWER OF COMMUNITY To earn The Power of Community Award, girls take action on their plan, reach out, join others and get them involved, and start something that snowballs into a change in their world. Girls join in their Girl Scout Junior circle to reflect on what they accomplished and celebrate it.

You’re Ready to Lead! Closing Ceremony Questions Evaluations Training Cards