Advice for New Leaders from Experienced Leaders

If you could give a new leader one piece of advice, what would it be?

We’ve included some patch suggestions to give to participants. See all our fun patches.

From Laura
It’s totally worth it. Just do it. No need to be perfect, just do your best.

From Cassie:
Set boundaries during cookie season or times when parents can come and go. If you don’t have a cookie boss, then you will have to do it. Make sure to get outside and do activities as a troop.

Pamela’s Advice:
Manage Troop Funds wisely. Monitor spending your own money.

From Flower:
Remember in all things “Do it for the scouts, not the parents, not the Volunteers.”

Ashley responds:
Choose your co-leaders wisely. They will be there to lift you up.

Lynn says:
Build a strong team with as many parents as possible with a wide variety of responsibilities and if they are not critical to the meeting, ask them to drop off and leave.

From Lana:
Participate in local service unit leader meetings and in.local service unit planned events . Emphasize the Girl Scouts is a LIFE LONG activity – they learning skills they can use as adults – and are not competitive! Sports are fine but focus on the ‘good/skilled’ kids get to play and win – Girl Scouts acknowledges everyone has different talents and can excel.

More from Lana:
Don’t allow parents to just sit and hang out at meetings. They need to help – or they sit outside the meeting area (as long as you are in girl-adult ratio.) Have them sing songs, help with crafts, assist the girls learning the Promise/Law/Flag Ceremony, collect permission slips or dues, etc.

Jennifer’s Advice:
Start with a Parent/Caregiver Meeting. Pass around a clipboard with sign-ups for responsibilities. Not an online sign up. On paper. Think of everything you want help with. Every family should claim one responsibility.

From Anna:
Girl Scouts and society has changed over time, you dont have to do it “like they used to”. Lead the girls in a consistent & caring manner, and stick with the basic ideas of the Promise & Law. Do what the girls are interested in.

Carrie says:
Don’t isolate from the parents. Don’t let cookie sales become competitive (IME it isn’t the girls that will have issues with this). Enjoy it while they are little. Mine are graduating this year and I so miss those early years. Don’t be afraid to let the girls lead. Sometimes they will fall down, but those lessons are what will let them learn to fly!

From Tabitha:
It will be stressful but it will be a great experience with lots of fun.

Jen’s Advice:
Take a breath and give yourself grace. Remember they are just kids and want to make friends and have fun. They won’t necessarily even know if you missed something or if an activity went awry. There is no right way to girl scout.

Go with the flow, iterate and make changes as you learn, and enjoy the moments.

Tory’s Reply:
Set expectations for the parents immediately and do your best with them. (Communication expectations for involvement etc) take care to not put extra things on your own child – don’t tell them what’s going on, if the troop doesn’t know, don’t make them be a guinea pig for new activities, and don’t treat them different than others.

From Catlyn:
Don’t give up because of lack of support from council. The girls don’t see your struggles. Give them your best and they will learn and grow alongside you. You don’t have to do everything… Choose what works for your girls. Let them make decisions.

Becca says:
Let the girls lead!!! I have a group of 12th graders, 6 of em. Largest group of 12th graders since I’ve been involved. It’s because I let them choose what to do and support them

Dawn’s Advice:
I had a really tough time with girls being unkind and finding their place around 6th grade. For our town, that is the first year of middle school. I almost threw the towel in but got some excellent support from a dear friend. My troop focused the entire year in the girl scout law, supporting each other in badges like good sportsmanship and field day, which the girls worked in small teams to host themselves for the rest of the troop (and also earn a fun patch that says superleader!) My girls are a pretty great group now and are going into high school next year, 11 strong!

From Leighann:
Girl Scouts is what you make it! If you let girls lead, they will lead. If you mix fun and learning, they will have fun and learn. If it’s all about badges and no activities, it’ll be badges and no activities.

Mildred says:
Every year is fun. They get easier as you collect supplies and gain experience. The best part is older girls helping younger passing the baton of scouting.

Debbie Replied:
Don’t spend your own money on meeting supplies. Send a list of needed supplies to your parents for donations.

Laura’s Input:
Best advice I ever got was about setting clear signals of beginning amd end of meeting and that leaders leave at same time as everyone else. Get a roll of paper to put in table for those who arrive early to color or draw. If there is a theme, share it so kids have inspiration. As they get older tic tac toe, dot and word games are fun are fun too. Start all meetings on time with promise and pledge. Set alarm for 15 minutes before end of meeting. Everyone cleans up what they are working on. Everyone packs their own stuff and troop supplies and brings everything near the exit. Then a friendship circle. In the circle you can review meeting and/ give reminders about upcoming activities. If you need to give out patches or badges between court of awards, this is the time so it’s at least somewhat ceremonial. One idea is to put the patches on a safety pin and pin it to vest so they don’t get lost. When the circle breaks it is clear to all that the meeting has ended and everyone walks out together, helping leaders bring stuff to car. This advice has been a game changer for me as a leader and I wish I heard it sooner.

Elizabeth’s advice:
Have a backup plan for when meetings don’t go to plan. Have 3. And don’t try to do it all yourself.

Sharin says:
There are no patch/badge police. Have fun with it and let things slide!

Karen’s reply:
Make a code of conduct with the girls. Limited it to no more than 5. They determine the consequences.

Sandy’s Input:

I guess I had more than one bit of advice but still thought I would share them all. 

Keep breathing. We all started out not knowing much. The girls will let you know what they want to do when they are ready to do it.

Keep in mind that earning badges and doing patch programs is just a part of the GS experience. Let them explore the topics that interest them while showing them how to realize their strengths and abilities.

As a leader, take the time to sit back and enjoy the growth you are witnessing in the things they are learning to do. You will be amazed by whet they are capable of.

Don’t forget to allow them to be leaders along the way, taking responsibility for activities and/or events.

When you need help, ask for it before things get tougher. Other leaders have all been there before and are more than willing to help out.

Make sure you are checking in with your Service Unit/council staff advisor to get information about council events your troop can participate in. It’s a great way for everyone to learn new things and widen the circle of those who you can reach out to for help.

Olivia’s advice:
Pinterest is great, for ideas for meetings and ceremonies and whatnot BUT don’t get caught up in it, especially if you’re spending a ton of money on “esthetic” because that’s not what Girl Scouts is about. Nothing wrong with breaking out your camping dishes for a bridging ceremony. Take them home and wash them afterwards. No need for an elaborate bouquet to present earned badges and patches, a ziplock bag works just fine. Don’t get caught up in perfecT.

Traci’s Input:
Relax… plug into your Service Unit meetings and events to network with local leaders who have local answers. You’re growing in knowledge while your troop is growing in knowledge. You don’t have to start with all the answers

---

At the end of the day, remember that there is no “right” way to lead a troop. Your scouts won’t remember the Pinterest-perfect decorations or the meeting where everything went exactly according to plan; they will remember the friendships they made and the confidence they built because you showed up for them. Take a deep breath, lean on your co-leaders, and don’t be afraid to let the girls take the lead—sometimes the best lessons come from the moments that weren’t in the handbook. You’ve got this, and we’re here to support you every step of the way with the resources and fun patches you need to make this year a success.