Meeting Lesson Plan: Tula the Tulip

I was so impressed with how the girls handled our talk on being honest, so I wanted to dive straight into the Red Petal (Courageous and Strong). At this age, “courage” isn’t just about being a superhero; it’s about trying something new even when your knees feel a little shaky!

Here is how I structured our hour to help the girls find their inner strength:
Goal: To understand that being courageous means trying new things and being strong means sticking with them. Materials: Tula the Tulip story, red construction paper, “Bravery” stickers or stamps, and obstacles for our “Confidence Course.”

0:00 – 0:10 | Arrival & Opening Circle

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

As the girls arrived, I had them draw a picture of themselves doing something “brave,” like riding a bike or swimming.

The Girl Scout Promise: We stood in our Daisy Circle and recited the promise with extra loud, “strong” voices.
The Law: We shouted the line for today: “I will do my best to be… courageous and strong.”
Check-in: I asked each girl to name one thing they were afraid of when they were “little” (like the dark) that they aren’t afraid of anymore.

0:10 – 0:25 | Story Time: Tula’s New Challenge

I read the story of Tula the Tulip, who has to be brave when things don’t go exactly as planned.
Interactive Element: I told the girls to flex their muscles like a “Strong Girl” every time Tula tried something difficult.
Discussion: We talked about how being “strong” isn’t just about how much you can lift—it’s about “heart strength,” which helps you keep trying when a task is hard.

0:25 – 0:45 | Practice: The “Confidence Course”

To put courage into action, I set up a mini obstacle course in our meeting space.
The Challenge: I included a “Balance Beam” (just a line of blue tape on the floor), a “Tunnel of Bravery” (a pop-up tunnel or a blanket over chairs), and a “Public Speaking Station” where they had to say their name and a favorite color into a toy microphone.
Activity: I cheered them on, reminding them that it’s okay to feel nervous! We practiced taking a “courageous breath” (a deep breath in and a slow breath out) before starting each section.

0:45 – 0:55 | Craft: The “Shield of Strength”

We decorated red paper shields to take home.
I had them write (or help them write) one thing they want to be brave enough to try this month.
The Lesson: I told them that whenever they feel scared, they can look at their shield and remember that they are a “Courageous Daisy.”
Service Connection: We discussed how being “strong” also means standing up for a friend if someone is being unkind.

0:55 – 1:00 | Clean-up & Closing Circle

Clean-up: We did a “Strong Girl” clean-up, seeing who could carry the “heavy” (but safe!) bins back to the closet.
Friendship Circle: We formed our circle and joined hands.
Friendship Squeeze: I started the squeeze, and when it got back to me, we all flexed our arms and said, “I am courageous and strong!” before heading home.

Leader Note: If you need more ways to celebrate their progress, these Daisy Girl Scout Swaps are perfect for keeping the girls excited about their new petals!