OUR FIRST MEETING/OUTING

Today was our first meeting/outing as Junior Girl Scouts. I didn't put this together before because I had to wait until I had finished my training and was the official leader.

I really wanted to get the girls together so they could vote on the Troop Crest and then I could go purchase the patch for everyone.

I know the girls love filling up their sash with patches so we will be trying to work as fast as we can to get as many done as the girls want to.

Due to the short notice, only two girls were able to make it to this meeting.

Trinity and Caitlin were the ones who were able to go.

Since it was so hot out, the girls decided rather then having a picnic in the park, they wanted to go to Olive Garden and then to a movie.

The meeting was held at the restaurant. We opened with the Girl Scout Pledge and Girl Scout Law.

We then went over both of them line by line and discussed what they actually meant.

Since they were pledging to obey the law they felt it was important to know what it was about.

The girls then voted on which which Crest they wanted for the Troop. It was agreed the crest would be the Waterfall.

The Waterfall is the symbol of faith and loyalty and the quest for truth.

I was very impressed with the girls picking this Crest. They actually picked it for what it stood for rather then the cuteness of the patch.

We then talked about how our Troop could make a difference in our community and a few ideas they came up with were:

1. Holding drive for blankets and toys for dogs and cats and then bringing them to the shelter.
2. Donating their old toys and clothes to a shelter or home for children.
3. Planting trees.
4. Making cards and taking them to the Senior Center at Christmas time, for those who don't have any family or friends sending them any.

We also discussed how Girl Scouts are leaders and how they should act to honor that. They felt by having good manners, helping others, being a friend to others, treating each other with respect and being a good example would be how they would show others that they are proud to be a Girl Scout.

We also talked about different places the girls would like to go as a Troop. Some ideas were, Disneyland, a Water Park, to the beach at night and have a bonfire, camping, horseback riding, hiking, swimming.

They also wanted to learn to sew and make cookies at Christmas.

I think we had a great first meeting. I was proud of how the girls stepped up and actually took control of the meeting rather then just sitting back and expecting me to come up with the ideas.

I will be contacting all the parents soon with the date of the Parent Meeting. Here we will discuss your desires for the Troop this year and to go over some of the rules from the OCGS.

I'm not sure if they had these last year or not but to be sure I felt it best to go over them.

I will also be asking how the parents can help out and get more involved this year.

Do you or someone you know have a special talent such as sewing, photography or maybe you know someone who can come share something with the girls.

Do you or someone you know work at a place that the girls could go visit? Somewhere like a police department, hospital, fire department, factory or work with animals?

We can take almost any talent or place and use it to teach the girls something and have it work towards a badge.

We will also be discussing ways we can raise money for our Troop. So please start thinking of ideas.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you all much better. I am really hoping you will all be like the girls and step up to help with the Troop and have ideas.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I will do my best to answer any and all questions and if I don't know the answer I will find out and get back to you asap.