Millis Girl Scouts
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FAQs

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What type of activities will my daughter get to do in Girl Scouts?

The choices of activities are endless but the troop program is determined by the girls in partnership with their leaders.

What can you say to persuade me that Girl Scouts would offer my daughter as much as piano class, soccer team and/or ballet?

Think of the Girl Scouts as the crown of your daughter’s activities. Within Girl Scouts they can certainly pursue music, sports and other activities. But Girl Scouts adds an extra dimension. This is an organization by girls, for girls, devoted to building self esteem, strong values and social conscience. The inner strength and sense of self assuredness they gain through Girl Scouts will stay with them long after they have hung up their ballet slippers or soccer spikes.

What can you say to reassure me that my daughter will be in a safe environment?

Girl Scouts is the one place that has been synonymous with the word safety. And we do not take this reputation for granted. Girl Scout troop leaders undergo comprehensive training to enable them not only to conduct activities in a safe manner, but make each girl feel safe and secure in the troop environment. And we place emphasis on encouraging girls to make the right choices for themselves.

Does my daughter have to wear a uniform?

Although we are proud of the identity and sense of team that can come from wearing a uniform, the uniforms are optional and it is up to the troops and girls themselves to choose what to wear. There are many ways for girls to identify themselves--from t-shirts and stretch pants to vests and accessories. But the point of the uniform is that it says they are a member of this great team committed to girls, the number one girl’s organization in the world. What’s the bottom line? That Girl Scouts are ALWAYS in style!

Why is Girl Scouts worth my daughter’s time and my money?

At Girl Scouts, we develop leaders through dedication to and development of character, conduct and community service. At a time of increasing demands and diminishing dollars at schools, Girl Scouts continues to be a major player in character development. With all the social pressures on girls today, it’s vital to have a haven for our daughters to go to learn, earn and turn into strong women of tomorrow.

Do Girl Scouts have a particular religious affiliation?

We are nonsectarian. In fact, we welcome Girl Scouts from diverse backgrounds. Diversity truly is the fabric that helps weave the rich tapestry known worldwide as the Girl Scouts.

How proactive do you go out and recruit girls from all ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds?

Our mission is to make Girl Scouting available to every girl, everywhere. Just about anywhere you find girls, you’ll find Girl Scouts, whether it is in neighborhood troops and schools or on the Internet. We serve girls who live in foster homes and whose mothers are in prison. We’re reaching out to girls in migrant communities and homeless shelters. And though we are proud of our progress, we are still not satisfied; we’re constantly seeking new ways to reach out and meet the needs of all of today’s girls.

Troop Composition

What is the recommended size of a troop?

Daisy: 5-15 girls
Brownie: 15-25 girls
Junior: 15-30 girls
Cadette: 10-30 girls
Senior: 10-30 girls

What is the girl to adult ratio for a regular troop meeting?

Daisy: 10 girls to 2 adults plus 1 adult for each additional 5 girls
Brownie: 20 girls to 2 adults plus 1 adult for each additional 8 girls
Junior: 25 girls to 2 adults plus 1 adult for each additional 10 girls
Cadette: 25 girls to 2 adults plus 1 adult for each additional 12 girls
Senior: 30 girls to 2 adults plus 1 adult for each additional 15 girls

What is the girl to adult ratio for field trips?

Daisy: 5 girls to 2 adults plus 1 adult for each additional 3 girls
Brownie: 12 girls to 2 adults plus 1 adult for each additional 6 girls
Juniors: 16 girls to 2 adults plus 1 adult for each additional 8 girls
Cadette: 20 girls to 2 adults plus 1 adult for each additional 10 girls
Senior: 24 girls to 2 adults plus 1 adult for each additional 12 girls

Can men be troop leaders or assistant leaders?

Yes; however, at least one member of the leadership team must be an adult female over 18 (not related to the male) and should be present at all troop meetings and field trips. Men may only participate in overnight trips if separate sleeping quarters and bathrooms are available.

How often should a troop meet?

This varies from troop to troop depending on the schedules of the girls and their leaders. Some troops might only meet once a month while others may meet once a week.

Should all the parents in a troop be registered?

Parents who work with the troop on a regular basis should be registered. These include, but are not limited to:

Troop Leader(s)
Assistant Leader(s)
Troop Cookie Chair
Troop First Aider
Troop Camper
Drivers for field trips
Any adult helping at troop meetings on a regular basis

Can siblings attend troop meetings?

Troop meetings are for the girls and adults registered to the troop. Since leaders and their assistants need to focus their attention on the girls in the troop, they are strongly discouraged from bringing their other children to troop meetings. However, in some extenuating circumstances, a leader and/or assistant may need to do so because childcare is not available. Siblings are not allowed to go on field trips.

Can family members attend Girl Scout events?

Girl Scout events are usually for registered Girl Scouts only. However, there are some events where parents and siblings are invited. The calendar section of this website contains specifications for each event.

What can parents do to help a troop?

Parents can assist the troop leader(s) in many different ways. They can volunteer to be the troop cookie manager, first aider, or camper. Often, additional drivers are needed for field trips. Many troop leaders and/or their assistants have other children who need to be cared for during troop meetings or field trips. Parents can share their knowledge or expertise on a particular subject to help the girls complete a Try-it or badge. One of the greatest things a parent can do to help a troop leader is ensuring their daughter is prepared for troop meetings (has uniform, dues, any applicable paperwork that needs to be returned, etc.).  Another way parents can help is to stay informed of Girl Scout events by visiting this website periodically and passing the information along to other troop members who do not have access to the Internet.

Troop Money

Does the annual membership fee paid at registration go to the troop?

No, the annual membership fee goes to Girl Scouts USA to register girls and adults to be Girl Scouts. Part of this fee pays for insurance premiums for the girls and adults.

How does the troop get money?

The troop gets money by collecting troop dues and by selling Council-sponsored products such as cookies, calendars, or magazines. Troops may also do two additional fund raising activities per year such as bake sales, car washes, yard sales, recycling beverage cans, etc. provided they participated in the annual cookie sale. Troops cannot raise money by participating in product demonstration sales, raffles, games of chance, or by directly soliciting cash.  (Daisy troops cannot participate in any fund raisers or collect troop dues; please see the answer to the next question for more information.)   

Can troop dues be paid once a year?

Troop dues should ideally be collected at every meeting so that the girls can learn the responsibility of handling money. The exception to this is Daisy troops (Daisy Girl Scouts are not allowed to handle money; therefore Daisy leaders may request a lump sum payment of dues at the beginning of the year.)

Can a troop accept donations?

A troop can accept unsolicited donations of money or supplies. Donating craft items or supplies for the troop first aid kit is a great way to help a new troop with a limited amount of money in their treasury.

Who decides how troop funds should be spent?

The girls in the troop, with the guidance of their leader(s), decide how to spend troop funds.

Can a girl attend an event if she doesn't have the money to attend?

A girl should never be excluded from attending an event due to a financial hardship. Financial aid is available for all Council-sponsored events (including summer camp) by submitting a financial aid form (found in the forms library at http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/forms.html?cat=6718) Financial aid for citywide and troop events can be arranged through your troop leader(s). All requests are kept confidential.

Can money earned through fund raising be applied to the girl who "earned the money?"

Money earned through fund raising should become part of the troop treasury and be used to finance trips and activities for the entire troop.



Millis MA Girl Scouts * 02054
Girl Scouts of Eastern MA - Central Region
 
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