Think outside the box! (Girl Scout event ideas)

I love camp! Camp inspires, brings youth together through teamwork and it's just a lot of fun! I believe that camp is also very therapeutic, not only for the kids, but for the volunteers, counselors, interns and staff as well. That's why many people are camp crazy and even though many camp directors and staff make less money (or work for free) than corporate jobs, people stay in the business because it truly is a career that makes you feel like you are making a difference. The benefit of camps is that the theme and focus of the camp can vary from sports to college prep. Sky's the limit, regarding possibilities for program content in camps. The benefit of camp is that the program content doesn't have to be as strict as academic models and in fact, camp programs teach usable skills but in a fun way. Girl Scout camp is no different. Many councils are encouraging more volunteer run camps. Of course the benefit for councils is that volunteer camps require no funds from th

I am an unlikely Girl Scout Service Unit Manager, or so I thought. I didn't beg for the job, nor did I ever aspire to be a free employee leading hundreds of girls and leaders. I loved running my daughters troop, but went to the monthly service unit meetings as my obligation and thought that you must be a little bit wise and a little bit crazy to be a service unit manager. As I've now learned, it's really more like a lot crazy and the wise part will come, only after becoming a service unit manager. I accepted the position when nobody else would. The competitor in me just didn't want to see my local service unit go down in flames. All of the parents claimed they were too busy and too tapped out juggling kids and responsibilities, to assume the responsibility. I had those excuses (or reasons) too, but luckily, I had no idea what I was signing on for, so I said "Ummmmm, okay...I'll do it." That first service unit meeting as service unit manager was a bit

Camp Will Keep Us Together!  (link) Every spring, I lead a PA teen leadership retreat at our local Hyatt hotel. This year was our second retreat. We had approximately 65 girls attend, ages 10 years old and up. I had Junior PAs, and PAs. The retreat was a huge success! The teen girls are craving more programming that speaks to their interests. The workshops were informative, interactive and lots of fun! The girls created their own camp model in mock board meetings, they worked in teams to write their own camp song and presented their camps/songs in front of the entire group. We did lots of team building and ice-breakers and stressed that everything they learned at the retreat is something they can do at camp with their tribes of younger scouts. The girls also learned about setting goals, showing appreciation and learned that being a leader means many things. The girls slept over night at our local Hyatt, slumber party style. I booked 14 hotel rooms, had chaperones volunteer to stay

Anyone who has a Girl Scout or leads Girl Scouts will eventually hear about PA's. What is a PA? The PA is a Program Aid who receives leadership training which teaches them to assist younger scouts at events and at camp. What age level can girls attend PA training and become PA's? Girls in 7th grade and older are qualified to become PA's, according to GSUSA. However, girls can attend PA training toward the end of 6th grade, since many Girl Scout summer camps need PA's to assist with their programs. The camps are also a great opportunity for the PA girls to begin their leadership experience actually leading younger scouts. I have a pilot program idea however, that addresses the needs of today's girls and could help our tween girls stay in scouting. In 2014, GSUSA reported that there was a decline in membership of over 400,000 girls and adults. The result equates to a 6% decline in girl members in 2014.     As a service unit manager, I have watched as area service u