How to Become a Girl Scout Troop Leader

Thousands of girls around the world become Girl Scouts each year, but there are far more girls who would benefit from scouting than there are troops to take them. This is because, like many organizations, there is often a shortage of volunteers. If you have a daughter who is interested in scouting, it can be a huge benefit to you and to her if you get involved as a Girl Scout leader.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 1

   Be sure you meet all the requirements. The Girl Scouts require that you be 18 to be a troop leader, although older teens are welcome to participate as volunteers in non-leadership roles. Although many people don't realize this, you don't have to be female to lead a Girl Scout troop; both men and women are welcome. However, if you are male, you'll be required to have a female co-leader present in your troop.

2. 2

   Contact your local Girl Scout council. The Girl Scouts of America is a group that is divided into many smaller councils, sometimes several within each state. Use the Council Finder on the Girls Scouts home page to figure out which council oversees your area.

3. 3

   Find a co-leader. This may be another parent whose daughter is interested in scouting, or it may be a volunteer who doesn't have a child in scouting at all. Many people get involved in scouting because of the positive experience they had as a scout when they were young. While you may feel it's easier to do everything yourself, it's far better to have a co-leader to share the responsibilities.

4. 4

   Take Girl Scout leadership training classes. A number of classes are offered, particularly at the council level, in which adults interested in volunteering can learn about how to best lead girls in scouting. Also, first aid classes and CPR certification are required and made available by the organization.

5. 5

   Get registered as a Girl Scout adult member. It only costs a few dollars a year, and allows you to experience all the benefits that troop leadership entails. It also is a safety precaution on the part of the local councils. All adults and girls should be registered each year.

6. 6

   Have fun. There are so many opportunities available to Girl Scouts these days, that there's nothing a girl can't do if she's given a chance. Take a few hours out of your schedule and make a commitment to help girls grow through scouting.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a number of girls interested in scouting, ask their parents to be part of a volunteer committee to oversee troop activities. This gets them involved as more than just bystanders.
• Be cautious about parents who want to use your scout troop as an after-school babysitting service. Make sure all parents know that girls need to be picked up on time but don't ever punish a girl for her parents' lack of attentiveness.

Resources

• Girl Scouts Council Finder

on 10/11/2009 great article rrc5*