Welcome to Girl Scout Brownies - Basics for Brownie Troop Leaders
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Welcome to
Girl Scout Brownies
Basics for Brownie Troop Leaders
1 888.747.6945 | info@gsnwgl.org | gsnwgl.org
REV January 2021
Thank you!
Because you’re a Girl Scout volunteer, girls have opportunities to learn about
themselves, build new friendships, and make the world a better place. Use this resource
guide to remind you of key opportunities in this grade level. Thank you for volunteering!
Contents
Understanding Healthy Development for Girl Scouts.............................3-5
Uniform...................................................................................................................6
Awards and Badges............................................................................................7
Journeys.................................................................................................................. 8-9
Girl Award Record................................................................................................10-13
From Leader to Advisor......................................................................................14
Safety Resources to Know and Use..............................................................15
For Every Girl Scout.............................................................................................16
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience..........................................................17-18
Glossary..................................................................................................................19-21
2
Understanding Healthy Development for Girl Scouts
Just being attentive to what girls are experiencing as they mature is a big help to girls. So, take some time to understand the
likes, needs, and abilities of girls in this grade level. As you listen and learn along with girls, you may find it useful to review the
highlights of their development in the chart below. Of course, each girl is an individual, so these are only guidelines that help you
get to know the girls.
Girl Scout Brownies
At the Girl Scout Brownie level (second and third grade),
This means...
girls . . .
Have lots of energy and need to run, walk, and play outside. Taking your session activities outside whenever possible.
Allowing girls to team up in small or large groups for art
Are social and enjoy working in groups.
projects and performances.
Letting girls lead, direct, and help out in activities whenever
Want to help others and appreciate being given individual
possible. Allow girls as a group to make decisions about
responsibilities for a task.
individual roles and responsibilities.
Doing more than just reading to girls about the Brownie Elf’s
adventures. Ask girls questions to gauge their understanding
Are concrete thinkers and focused on the here and now.
and allow them to role play their own pretend visit to a new
country.
Offering only one direction at a time. Also, have girls create the
Need clear directions and structure, and like knowing what to
schedule and flow of your get-togethers and share it at the
expect.
start.
Offering support only when needed. Allow girls to set schedules
Are becoming comfortable with basic number concepts, time,
for meetings or performances, count out money for a trip, and
money, and distance.
so on.
Encouraging girls to express themselves and their creativity
Are continuing to develop their fine motor skills and can tie by making things with their hands. Girls may need some
shoes, use basic tools, begin to sew, etc. assistance, however, holding scissors, threading needles, and
so on.
That girls might like to create a play about welcoming a new
Love to act in plays, create music, and dance. girl to their school, or tell a story through dance or creative
movement.
Acknowledging when the girls have listened or followed the
Know how to follow rules, listen well, and appreciate
directions well, which will increase their motivation for listening
recognition of a job done well.
and following again!
3
Brownie Meeting Activity
Brownies are ready for most anything! They’re usually ready to say “yes” to whatever troop leaders offer. So, it’s a good idea to
collect the Brownies opinions first, either in a survey, a vote, or in a Brownie Ring discussion, in order to keep the troop activity
girl-led.
You can see second and third graders bursting with pride in their achievements. It’s a great time to introduce ceremonies to
celebrate their accomplishments. A ceremony is something to mark a special occasion. Here are two ideas.
Investiture: An investiture ceremony is for welcoming a new girl to Girl Scouts. New girls receive their special Brownie pin and are
officially welcomed into the troop. Adding new members to a Brownie troop is very common, because girls are becoming more
social and seeking opportunities to be with their friends and because families are seeking extracurriculars for their daughters to
enjoy.
Make Your Own Ceremony: It’s always a good time to celebrate! Decide what you’re celebrating and invite the girls to identify a
reason to celebrate and help them build their own ceremony
• You might begin a ceremony by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, saying the Promise and Law, or singing a Girl Scout song.
• Then you might recite a poem, put on a skit, tell a story, or perform a dance.
• For a special touch, girls could light candles with the help of a Girl scout adult.
- from the Girls’ Guide to Brownie Girl Scouts Handbook
Brownies are helpers
Look for the Brownie elf in Brownie program materials. These cute little figures in their striped caps are unique to the Brownie
grade level. They present helping tasks as fun tasks, reinforcing the enjoyment that 2nd and 3rd graders find in being useful. Age-
appropriate community service activities are a popular choice to get girls out of the meeting room and using their helpful energy.
Teach values
Teach the meaning of the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Write out the Girl Scout Promise on a big sheet of paper. Recite it as you are
writing it. Tell the girls that part of becoming a Girl Scout Brownie is learning the Girl Scout Promise and Law. The Promise and Law
guide everything we do as Girl Scouts. Talk about what it means and ask the following questions:
• What is a promise?
• Why is it important to keep our promises?
• What if we forget?
• What do the words, “I will try” mean?
Once girls have memorized the Girl Scout Promise, read the Girl Scout Law to them. Talk about what it means and ask the
following questions:
• What does fair mean?
• What did they do during the day that was friendly to another person?
• What does it mean to be courageous?
• What does it mean to be respectful?
• What does “being a sister to every Girl Scout” mean?
4
Be fair
Be fair with an “It and Other” can. Girl Scout Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts are very concerned about fairness. Have each girl
decorate and write her name on a wide craft stick and put it in a small can or envelope. When you need to select someone to
do something, you’ll draw a name from the “It” can. When the task is complete, put the craft stick in the “Other” can. This will
continue when special help is needed until all the names in the “It” can have been used. Then all the sticks will be transferred
from the “Other” can back to the “It” can and you’ll start all over again.
Create an inclusive environment. Brownies love their best friends and they sometimes forget to include everyone. Be observant
for intentional bullying and unintentional exclusion. Use the Girl Scout Law language of “Be A Sister to Every Girl Scout” to foster
troop connections and affection. Rotate seating arrangements and small groups often.
The Brownie Smile Song
Girl Scouts love to sing, and we have a very special Girl Scout song just for Brownies. Here’s a link to an online video so you can
practice prior to the meeting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lcpeM-KiDE
The Brownie Smile Song
I’ve got something in my pocket I’m sure you couldn’t guess it
It belongs across my face. If you guessed a long, long while,
I keep it very close at hand, So I’ll take it out and put it on,
In a most convenient place. It’s a great big Brownie smile!
5
Girl Scout Brownie Vest and Sash Girl Scout Brownie Ve
Visit GSNWGL’s online shop for all your official Girl Scout merchandise needs.
Click on the name or image of insignia to find out more in
Visit www.girlscoutshop.com for all your Official Girl Sc
American Flag Patch Brownie Insignia Tab
World Trefoil Pin
Girl Scout Council Identification Set
Girl Scout Brownie
Membership Pin
Troop Crest
Journey Summit
Troop Numerals Bee
Award Pins
Membership Stars and Discs
Bridge to Girl Scout Brownie Award
My Promise, My Faith Pins MY
PROMISE
MY
FAITH
MY
PROMISE
MY
FAITH
Journey Award Badges
Cookie Sale Activity Pin
Safety Award Pin
GirlGirlScout Brownie Vest & Sash
Scout Brownie Badges
Click on the name or image of insignia to find out more information and to purchase. Place your first Journey
World Thinking Day
Visit www.girlscoutshop.com for Award
all your Official Girl Scout merchandise needs. awards at the bottom of
your vest. As you earn
Global Action Award additional Journey awards,
work your way up.
If your Journey awards
Brownie Insignia Tab
and badges don’t fit on
World Trefoil Pin
the front of your vest or
Girl Scout Brownie
Membership Pin sash, you can wear them
on the back.
e
Be
Journey Summit
Bee
Award Pins
MY ISE
OM
PR MY
ITH
FA
MY ISE
OM
PR MY
ITH
FA
MY
Journey Award Badges
PROMISE
MY
FAITH
Place your
Journey
awards above
your badges.
Place your first Journey
awards at the bottom of
your vest. As you earn
additional Journey awards,
work your way up.
If your Journey awards
and badges don’t fit on
the front of your vest or
sash, you can wear them
on the back.
6
Girl Scout Brownie Awards and Badges
Skill Building Badges
Brownie Brownie Girl Budding Bugs Cabin Camper Celebrating Computer Dancer Democracy for
First Aid Scout Way Entrepreneur Community Expert Brownies
Eco Friend Fair Play Give Back Hiker Home Scientist Household Elf Inventor Making Friends Meet My
Customers
Money Manager My Best Self My Family Story My Great Day Letterboxer Making Games Outdoor Art Outdoor Painting
Creator Adventurer
Pets Philanthropist Potter Senses Snacks Space Science Snow or Climbing STEM Career Trail Adventure
Adventurer Adventure Exploration
Progressive Badges
Robotics Cybersecurity
Designing Programming Showcasing Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity:
Robots Robots Robots Basics Safeguards Investigator
Coding for Good Automotive Engineering
Coding Basics Digital Game App Automotive Automotive Automotive
Design Development Design Engineering Manufacturing
Mechanical Engineering
Leap Bot Design Fling Flyer Design Race Car Design
Challenge Challenge Challenge
7
Girl Scout Brownie Journeys
What’s a Journey? It’s a themed collection of activities and leadership exploration completed over several troop meetings. It ends
with a Take Action project and the experience of creating a small change to make the world a better place. Journey awards are
earned as a set, unlike badges which are earned individually. Use the Journey curriculum books from the Girl Scout Shop or the
Year Plans in the Volunteer Toolkit to guide you and the girls through the activities.
It’s Your World – Change It! Brownie Quest
This is a leadership theme Journey. Brownies will travel along two colorful trails of fun and mystery, exploring individuality and
being part of a troop. Girls learn how to take care of themselves, their family, their Girl Scout sisters, and their community—
and do a Take Action project to show caring for others.
+ + + =
Discover Key Connect Key Take Action Key Brownie Quest
Award
It’s Your Planet – Love It! WOW! Wonders of Water
This is an environmental theme Journey. Brownies dive in to learn about the water cycle and make their own rainbows as
they explore themes of LOVE, SAVE, and SHARE around the precious resource of water. Girls complete a Take Action project
to share what they know and make a difference in water use at home, at school, and in their community.
+ + + =
LOVE Water SAVE Water SHARE Water WOW!
It’s Your Story – Tell It! A World of Girls
This Journey focuses on storytelling and creative expression. Brownies learn about girls around the world and how stories
can create positive change in the world. Girls put their storytelling skills to work in the Take Action project that shares the
important story they choose to tell.
+ + + =
Hear a Story Change a Story Tell a Story Better World
for Girls
8Outdoor Brownie Journey - Find it on the Volunteer Toolkit
Brownies will learn all about the outdoors! Prepare for hikes by learning to follow trail signs and maps, packing the right gear,
and sleeping under the stars on a troop camping trip. They choose a Take Action project to use their skills to help others enjoy
their favorite outdoor area!
Brownie First Aid Hiker Cabin Camper Take Action
Outdoor STEM Journey - Find it on the Volunteer Toolkit
Brownies find out how citizen scientists make observations and collect data in their community. They’ll work with scientists
to receive feedback on their research. Girls will sharpen their observation skills through games and a SciStarter project. The
Brownie Take Action project will demonstrate how research helps others.
Think Like a Take Action
Citizen Scientist
Computer Science Journey - Find it on the Volunteer Toolkit
Brownies discover how programmers use computational thinking to solve problems, exploring paper programming,
algorithms, variables, functions, and rapid prototyping. Brownies use their Take Action project to search for patterns
and help others.
Think Like a Take Action
Programmer
Engineering Journey - Find it on the Volunteer Toolkit
Brownies learn how engineers use design thinking to solve problems. They try three design thinking activities: design and
build an assistive device, a water collection device, and a device that can launch a ball across a room. Their Take Action
project uses problem solving skills to help others.
Think Like an Take Action
Engineer
9Girl Scout Brownie
Award Record for:
Leaders may choose to keep a record of individual girl achievement in the Volunteer Toolkit or use this form.
It’s Your World – Change It! Brownie Quest Journey
Award Date Completed Date Received
The Discover Key
The Connect Key
The Take Action Key
The Brownie Quest Award
It’s Your Planet – Love It! Wow! Wonders of Water Journey
Award Date Completed Date Received
LOVE Water
SAVE Water
SHARE Water
WOW!
It’s Your Story – Tell It! A World of Girls Journey
Award Date Completed Date Received
Hear a Story
Tell a Story
Change a Story
Better World for Girls Award
Outdoor Brownie Journey
Badge Date Completed Date Received
Brownie First Aid
Hiker
Cabin Camper
Take Action Award
Outdoor STEM Brownie Journey
Award Date Completed Date Received
Think Like a Citizen Scientist
Take Action Award
Computer Science Brownie Journey
Award Date Completed Date Received
Think Like a Programmer
Take Action Award
10Girl Scout Brownie
Award Record, Page 2
Engineering Brownie Journey
Award Date Completed Date Received
Think Like an Engineer
Take Action Award
Girl Scout Brownie Progressive Badges: Mechanical Engineering
Badge Requirements Date Completed Date Received
Fling Flyer Design Challenge 1 2 3 4 5
Leap Bot Design Challenge 1 2 3 4 5
Race Car Design Challenge 1 2 3 4 5
Girl Scout Brownie Progressive Badges: Robotics Engineering
Badge Requirements Date Completed Date Received
Programming Robots 1 2 3 4 5
Designing Robots 1 2 3 4 5
Showcasing Robots 1 2 3 4 5
Girl Scout Brownie Progressive Badges: Cybersecurity
Badge Requirements Date Completed Date Received
Cybersecurity Basics 1 2 3 4 5
Cybersecurity Safeguards 1 2 3 4 5
Cybersecurity Investigator 1 2 3 4 5
Girl Scout Brownie Progressive Badges: Coding for Good
Badge Requirements Date Completed Date Received
Coding Basics 1 2 3 4 5
Digital Game Design 1 2 3 4 5
App Development 1 2 3 4 5
Girl Scout Brownie Progressive Badges: Automotive Engineering
Badge Requirements Date Completed Date Received
Automotive Design 1 2 3 4 5
Automotive Engineering 1 2 3 4 5
Automotive Manufacturing 1 2 3 4 5
11Girl Scout Brownie
Award Record, Page 3
Girl Scout Brownie Skill Building Badges
Badge Requirements Date Completed Date Received
Brownie First Aid 1 2 3 4 5
Brownie Girl Scout Way 1 2 3 4 5
Budding Entrepreneur 1 2 3 4 5
Bugs 1 2 3 4 5
Cabin Camper 1 2 3 4 5
Celebrating Community 1 2 3 4 5
Computer Expert 1 2 3 4 5
Dancer 1 2 3 4 5
Democracy for Brownies 1 2 3 4 5
Eco Friend 1 2 3 4 5
Fair Play 1 2 3 4 5
Give Back 1 2 3 4 5
Hiker 1 2 3 4 5
Home Scientist 1 2 3 4 5
Household Elf 1 2 3 4 5
Inventor 1 2 3 4 5
Making Friends 1 2 3 4 5
Meet My Customers 1 2 3 4 5
Money Manager 1 2 3 4 5
My Best Self 1 2 3 4 5
My Family Story 1 2 3 4 5
My Great Day 1 2 3 4 5
Letterboxer 1 2 3 4 5
Making Games 1 2 3 4 5
Outdoor Art Creator 1 2 3 4 5
Outdoor Adventurer 1 2 3 4 5
Painting 1 2 3 4 5
Pets 1 2 3 4 5
Philanthropist 1 2 3 4 5
Potter 1 2 3 4 5
Senses 1 2 3 4 5
Snacks 1 2 3 4 5
Space Science Adventurer 1 2 3 4 5
Snow or Climbing Adventure 1 2 3 4 5
STEM Career Exploration 1 2 3 4 5
Trail Adventure 1 2 3 4 5
12Girl Scout Brownie
Award Record, Page 4
Other Awards for Girl Scout Brownies
Award Steps Date Completed Date Received
International Friendship Pin
Safety Award 1 2 3 4 5
My Promise My Faith (Year 1) 1 2 3 4 5
My Promise My Faith (Year 2) 1 2 3 4 5
Global Action Award
World Thinking Day Award
Brownie Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin - Year 1
Brownie Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin - Year 2
Medal of Honor
Bronze Cross
Brownie Journey Summit Award 1 2 3
Bridge to Girl Scout Junior Award 1 2
13From Leader to Advisor
Progression of leadership
Progression of skills and abilities is a guiding principle in
Girl Scouts at every grade level and it applies to volunteer
leadership, too! Adult volunteers slowly transition from
leader to advisor as girls develop their own leadership skills.
Focus on mentoring and fostering girl independence and
help them plan the ways they will discover, connect, and
take action to make their world a better place.
For example, younger girls need lots of direction from adults,
but that doesn’t mean they can’t help with small tasks and
small decisions. Watch that you don’t make all the decisions
for them.
Motivating older girls and their diverging interests is a
balancing act between being a leader and an advisor. As girls
grow, they don’t always want to be told what to do, yet they
still need your direction and oversight. Prompt them with
questions, support them, and encourage them to set the
course for their troop.
Foster girl/adult planning in all grade levels by:
• Asking questions, rather than providing answers
• Guiding, rather than directing
• Advising, rather than judging
• Helping a girl think through a decision, rather than deciding for her
The balance of adult responsibility and girl responsibility will be changing constantly. You’ll feel it in the short-term for each
activity you organize. You’ll see it in the long-term for each year you are together. Be inspired by thinking about how volunteer
leaders everywhere are trying to build skills in younger troops that will foster confidence and ability in older girl troops. Let that
idea influence your choices in offering age-appropriate decision-making opportunities. Take the long view! Enjoy the journey of
getting to know your girls and the emerging strengths they will share with one another and the world!
Girl Leadership Changes with Age
Girls’ definitions of leadership also differ with age (see the chart below). The Girl Scout Research Institute focus groups reveal that
as girls grow and develop new skills and ideas about the world, leading moves from a more singular approach with elementary
school age girls (girls lead with action—what I can do) to influencing others at the middle school level (girls lead with voice—how
I can impact others). As girls enter high school their ideas about leadership become inner-directed again with an emphasis on
confidence (girls lead with vision–who I am as a leader) as they seek to validate their own ideas and become comfortable acting
on them.
Elementary School Middle School High School
Girls Lead with Action Girls Lead with Voice Girls Lead with Vision
If I help my friend, she will feel If I were my best self, I’d be a Leaders make the world better for themselves
better, and I will too. public speaker. and others around them.
“Helping younger kids” “Having good communication “How to resolve conflicts”
“Being a good friend” skills” “Being clear on my values/actions”
“Being a good model” “Speaking up for myself” “Being comfortable making
“Teaching other kids the things “How to resolve conflicts” decisions”
I know” “Being a good role model” “Communicating with others”
“How to take care of my “Influencing others” “Planning and organizing”
family” “How to take care of my family” “Having a sense of purpose”
“Having a positive attitude toward change”
14Safety Resources to Know and Use
Use the tools below to help you run safe Girl Scout meetings and activities.
Volunteer Essentials
Reference Volunteer Essentials to find full details for internet safety, financial safety, travel safety, and creating emotionally safe
spaces for girls. gsnwgl.org/VolunteerResources
Adult-to-girl ratios
From camping weekends to cookie booths, adult volunteers must always be present to ensure their girls have fun and stay safe,
no matter their grade level. Not sure just how many adults you’ll need for your activity? The helpful chart below breaks down the
minimum number of volunteers needed to supervise a specific number of girls.
Group Meetings Events, Travel, and Camping
Two unrelated One additional Two unrelated One additional
Girl Scout Level volunteers (at least volunteer to volunteers (at least one of volunteer to each
one of whom is each additional: whom is female) for this additional:
female) for every: number of girls:
Daisies (grades K-1) 12 6 6 4
Brownies (grades 2-3) 20 8 12 6
Juniors (grades 4-5) 25 10 16 8
Cadettes (grades 6-8) 25 12 20 10
Seniors (grades 9-10) 30 15 24 12
Ambassadors (grades 11-12) 30 15 24 12
Safety Activity Checkpoints and Safety Guidelines
In Girl Scouting, the emotional and physical safety and well-being of girls is our top priority. All volunteers should review the Safety
Guidelines and the Safety Activity Checkpoints manual when planning activities with girls in order to manage safety and risk in
Girl Scout-sanctioned activities. Find them on our website at gsnwgl.org/Forms
Health History Forms
Every girl and adult member in your troop must complete a health history form. Find them on our website at gsnwgl.org/Forms
GSNWGL Emergency Procedures
Keep a copy of the emergency procedures with you at all times.
In the event of serious injury, emergency, or fatality during a Girl Scout activity, DIAL 9-1-1 first, then: Call 888.747.6945. If you
receive a voice message, PRESS “9” for your call to be routed to the emergency answering service.
Be prepared with the following info:
• Caller name / phone number / location
• Nature of the emergency
• Name / age / condition of injured party(s)
• What action has been taken so far
A council spokesperson will call you ASAP. If asked by media to comment, direct them to speak to the council-appointed
spokesperson ONLY.
First Aid
Make sure a general first aid kit is available at your meeting place and accompanies girls on any activity. Assemble your own kit
if a fully stocked kit is not available at your meeting site. Per the Safety Activity Checkpoints, most activities require the presence
of someone trained in adult and pediatric first aid and CPR. If your activity destination does not provide a staff person with this
training, bring along your own First Aider. A First Aider is a Girl Scout volunteer who has completed Girl Scout approved adult and
pediatric first aid and CPR training.
15For Every Girl Scout
Take the time to help girls learn these values and traditions.
Girl Scout Promise Girl Scout Law
On my honor, I will try: I will do my best to be
To serve God* and my country, honest and fair,
To help people at all times, friendly and helpful,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law. considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
*Individuals are free to substitute their own wording responsible for what I say and do,
for “God” that best reflects their spiritual beliefs. and to
respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
Girl Scout Mission be a sister to every Girl Scout.
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and
character, who make the world a better place.
Girl Scout Motto
Be prepared.
Girl Scout Sign
Hold the right hand up at shoulder
height with the middle three fingers
pointed to the sky and the thumb Girl Scout Slogan
pressed down over the pinky finger. Do a good turn daily.
Make the Girl Scout sign while saying
the Girl Scout Promise and the Girl
Scout Law, and using the Girl Scout handshake.
Girl Scout Handshake
Shake left hands and make the Girl Scout
sign with the right hand.
Girl Scout-y Helpful Things to Know
Quip: “Girl Scouts leave a place better than they found it.”
Quip: “Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout.”
The quiet sign is the signal to be silent in a group. The person in charge raises their right hand high into the sky. All girls
and adults raise their right hands, stop talking, and stay quiet.
The buddy system is a safety practice to keep girls in pairs when they are outside of the troop meeting space. Trios are
sometimes nicknamed a truddy, as in, “Girls, stay with your buddy, or stay with your truddy!”
The Friendship Circle is a circle of Girl Scouts who clasp hands, crossing their right arm over the left. The circle
represents the unbroken chain of friendship among Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all over the world. It’s often how troops
close their meeting.
16The Girl Scout Leadership Experience
-from Volunteer Essentials, “The Girl Scout Leadership Experience”
At Girl Scouts, everything centers around the girl. It’s what makes Girl Scouts truly unique - our program is designed by, with,
and for girls.
Three Keys to Leadership
What girls do in Girl Scouting fits within the three keys: discover, connect and take action.
Discover
When girls do exciting badge activities, earn a Girl Scout Journey award, attend an amazing event, or go camping,
you are helping them discover who they are, what they care about, and what their talents are.
Connect
Girls connect when they collaborate with other people, learn from others, and expand their horizons. This helps
them care about, inspire, and team with others locally and globally.
Take Action
With your guidance, these budding leaders will connect with and care about others, and they’ll be eager to take
action to make the world a better place.
Three Girl Scout Processes
How do girls learn in Girl Scouts? The GSLE draws on three unique processes that help girls unlock the leader within.
Girl-led
This means girls of every age take an active and age-appropriate role in figuring out the what, where, when, why,
and how of all the exciting troop activities they’ll do. The girl-led process is critically important to the GSLE—when
girls know their voice matters, they feel empowered to make decisions and they stay engaged in their activities.
Learning by Doing
Girls enjoy hands-on activities and learn by doing. Then, after reflecting on their activities, girls gain a deeper
understanding of the concepts and skills the activities require.
Cooperative Learning
Through cooperative learning, girls learn to share knowledge and skills in an atmosphere of respect and coopera-
tion as they work toward a common goal.
As a volunteer, you’ll draw on these Girl Scout processes as you lead girls of any age. Girl-led at the Daisy level will look very
different from the Ambassador level, of course. What’s most important is that girls make decisions about the activities they do
together and make choices within that activity. As they learn from their successes and failures—and gain a major confidence
boost in the process—their girl-led process will give them the opportunity to lead within their peer group. By the time girls are
Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors, they’ll be able to use the leadership skills they’ve developed to mentor and assist younger
Girl Scouts.
17One last tip about using the processes: Girls’ time in Girl Scouting isn’t a to-do list, so please don’t ever feel that checking
activities off a list is more important than tuning in to what interests the girls and sparks their imaginations. Projects don’t have to
come out perfectly—in fact, it’s a valuable learning experience when they don’t—and girls don’t have to fill their vests and sashes
with badges. What matters most is the fun and learning that happens as girls make experiences their own, so don’t be afraid to
step back and let your girls take the lead.
The Five Outcomes
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) is what girls do and how they do it. When girls participate in the GSLE, they
experience five measurable leadership benefits or outcomes that will fuel their success. And although girls may start building
their leadership skills in school and on sports teams, research shows that the courage, confidence, and character they develop as
Girl Scouts stay with them throughout their lives.
Being a Girl Scout helps girls thrive in five key ways.
Strong Sense of Self
Girls have confidence in themselves and their abilities and form positive identities.
Positive Values
Girls act ethically, honestly, and responsibly, and show concern for others.
Challenge Seeking
Girls take appropriate risks, try things even if they might fail, and learn from mistakes.
Healthy Relationships
Girls develop and maintain healthy relationships by communicating their feelings directly and resolving conflicts
constructively.
Community Problem Solving
Girls desire to contribute to the world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify problems in the
community, and create “action plans” to solve them.
As a leader, encourage the girls in these areas and praise them when they demonstrate these behaviors.
18Girl Scout Glossary
No doubt about it – there will be times you don’t understand what Girl Scouts are talking about!
Here are definitions of frequently used terms in Girl Scouting.
Award: Official recognition for Girl Scout achievements and accomplishments. Awards are placed on the front of the uniform.
They may be badges or pins.
Badge: Official recognition for Girl Scout achievement, to indicate increased knowledge and skill in a particular subject.
Badges are placed on the front of the uniform.
Ceremonies:
• Bridging: The move from one program level of Girl Scouting to the next (e.g. from Girl Scout Daisy to Girl Scout Brownie).
• Court of Awards: A ceremony that can be held any time during the year to present earned awards of petals, leaves,
Journeys, badges, awards, fun patches and any other kind of recognition the girls choose to include.
• Girl Scouts’ Own: A quiet inspirational ceremony organized around a theme selected by the girls
• Investiture: A special ceremony in which a new member makes her Girl Scout Promise and receives her
membership pin.
• Re-dedication A special ceremony for girls or adults, previously invested, to renew their commitment to the Girl Scout
Promise.
Community organizer: A volunteer who oversees Girl Scouting in a community.
Customer Care: A team of staff ready to answer all your questions! Contact them at info@gsnwgl.org or 888.747.6945.
Day camp: Girls attend summer camp during the day without staying overnight. Different Day Camp opportunities are offered
each year.
Daisy Flower Friends: The Flower Friends represent the 10 different lines of the Girl Scout Law and guide Daisies through their
Journeys and petals.
Girl Guides: The original name for Girl Scouts, and a term still used in many other countries.
Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE): The Girl Scout program model that engages girls by developing the skills,
knowledge, and values needed to be leaders for today and tomorrow.
Grade levels: Daisies (girls in grades K-1), Brownies (grades 2-3), Juniors (grades 4-5), Cadettes (grades 6-8),
Seniors (grades 9-10), and Ambassadors (grades 11-12).
GSUSA: Girl Scouts of the United States of America, the national organization which holds the charter for each regional council.
Highest awards:
• Girl Scout Bronze Award: The highest award a Girl Scout Junior may earn.
• Girl Scout Silver Award: The highest award a Girl Scout Cadette may earn.
• Girl Scout Gold Award: The highest award a Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador may earn, the highest award in Girl Scouting.
19Girl Scout Glossary
Holidays:
• World Thinking Day: February 22, celebrated by Girl Guides and Girl Scouts throughout the world. It encourages
girls to remember their sisters around the globe through special projects, international programs, activities, or pen
pal correspondence. Girls can earn an award for the front of the uniform.
• Girl Scout birthday: March 12, 1912 marks the first Girl Scout meeting in Savannah, GA.
• Girl Scout Week: An annual celebration during the week of March 12, the Girl Scout birthday.
• Girl Scout Leader’s Day: April 22, a special day to honor Girl Scout leaders.
• National Bridging Week: A week to highlight girls in Girl Scouting as they move up, or bridge, to the next grade level.
• Founder’s Day: Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday, October 31.
Journeys: A themed collection of activities and leadership exploration completed over several troop meetings. It ends with a
Take Action project and the experience of creating a small change to make the world a better place. A Journey is a prerequisite to
earning a Highest Award.
Journey Summit Award: A special award pin earned by girls who complete three Journeys in one grade level.
Juliette Gordon Low: The founder of the American Girl Scout movement. She formed the first troop meeting in Savannah,
Georgia on March 12, 1912. Her nickname was Daisy.
Kaper chart: The Girl Scout version of a chore chart. They’re commonly used for troop meeting tasks or camping chores to
encourage leadership, responsibility, and accountability.
Leaves: Awards earned by Girl Scout Daisies. There are two Cookie Business leaves and two Financial Literacy leaves.
MyGS: The online troop management portal to access digital tools available to members, including member profiles, the
Volunteer Toolkit, events, and gsLearn.
My Promise My Faith: Girls in grades K-12 earn this award pin by exploring the Girl Scout Law and how it relates to the teachings
of their own faith tradition.
Petals: Awards earned by Girl Scout Daisies. Each petal represents a line of the Girl Scout Law.
Program Aide: A Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and/or Ambassador who has been trained to assist younger Girl Scout groups with
songs, games, crafts, ceremonies, or outdoor activities.
Resident camp: A multiple-night camp experience at a Girl Scout camp facility. Different Resident Camp opportunities are
offered each year.
Safety Activity Checkpoints: GSUSA’s safety program standards. Find them on our website at gsnwgl.org/Forms
School organizer: A volunteer who oversees Girl Scouting in a school.
Sit-upon: A handmade seat cushion to use outdoors. Use it when the ground is hard or damp to keep clothes clean and dry.
Service areas: A smaller geographic area within Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes. Each service area builds awareness
of Girl Scouts within their community and hosts events for girls and leaders.
Service Area Manager (SAM): A volunteer leadership position for the service area. This volunteer partners with staff and other
service area volunteers to support and strengthen Girl Scouts in that region.
20Girl Scout Glossary
Service Area team: A volunteer leadership team member for a service area, working to support and strengthen Girl Scouts in
that region.
SWAPS: “Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.” These are keepsakes exchanged among girls to promote
friendship, connection, and understanding.
Tag-a-longs: An informal name for a child who is not a Girl Scout but is present during a Girl Scout event.
Trainer: Sometimes called a facilitator, this experienced volunteer assists with regional and/or Council-wide trainings.
Trefoil: The international symbol of Girl Scouting; the three leaves of the trefoil represent the three parts of the Girl Scout Promise.
Troop camping: Camping with your own troop and leaders.
Volunteer Toolkit (VTK): The Volunteer Toolkit is a digital planning tool full of resources and content to plan your year and keep it
going smoothly! Fully customizable, the toolkit is accessible by phone, tablet or desktop.
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS): An international educational association of more than ten million
Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 150 countries. Learn more at www.WAGGGS.org
World Trefoil Pin: A pin worn by all Girl Scouts and Girl Guides that symbolizes our global sisterhood.
World Centers: Five program activity centers owned by WAGGGS. The centers are located in Mexico (Our Cabana), England
(Pax Lodge), India (Sangam), and Switzerland (Our Chalet). The fifth World Center (Kusafiri) rotates locations in Africa.
Thank you!
Girl Scouts’ mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Since 1912, girls have explored new fields of knowledge, learned valuable skills, and developed strong core values
through Girl Scouts. Today Girl Scouts is, as it always has been, the organization best positioned to help girls de-
velop the important leadership skills they need to become successful adults. At Girl Scouts, guided by supportive
adults and peers, girls develop their leadership potential through age-appropriate activities that enable them to
discover their values, skills, and the world around them; connect with others in a multicultural environment; and
take action to make a difference in their world. These activities are designed to be girl led, cooperative, and hands-
on processes that create high-quality experiences conducive to learning.
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