Favorite Girl Scout cookie flavor

[Eclipse]

I was a "professional Girl Scout" for a year and a half back in the early 90s. I started out recruiting adult volunteers (like your self) then went on to do Training. Here's my advise to you:

1. Don't try to do everything your self. Quickest way to burn out and pickest way for your council to be looking for another leader next year. See if you can recuit some parents to do 1 or 2 small things for you, just to get them involved. Things like calling to remind the girls of their meetings, filling out paperwork, getting CPR certified so they can join you on trips, etc. Every little bit helps. As an icebreaker, find out who has a hobby or job that they can share with the girls; instant meeting!

2. Get ideas from the girls on the kinds of things they want to do. Even at that age if they are first time Scouts they have ideas. Besides doing nothing, the quickest way to loose girls is to do the wrong thing. If you have a bunch of outdoorsy type girls, spending every meeting on crafts is not going to cut it.

3. Take advantage of your council sponsored meetings and trainings. I know you probably have a million and one other things to do, but go to your Service Unit Meetings (I guess that's what they still call them). You'll get to meet other experienced leaders that can give you fabulous ideas. Council sponsored training is great too. We had a fall training round up every year at our camp and leaders could walk away with a CPR certification, some basic camping skills, and other programing ideas.

4. Make sure the girls are involved in EVERYTHING. Remember, Girl Scouting is not just about having fun, but also about building leadership skills. Get the girls to collect their dues, keep a record of it, manage their budgets, take attendance, come up with meeting rules, etc. All the stuff they need to know to prepare them for the future.

5. And last but not least, make sure you get a trustworthly Cookie Mom (another thing: don't forget the Dads. We always had Dad in various leadership rolls!). Every year there is a story about some one running off with a troup's cookie money.

Most of all.....have fun and relax! Don't feel like every meeting has to be scripted. I had to fill in for a leader once on VERY short notice and I wrote down phrases on pieces of paper, broke the girls up into small groups, and had them act out the phrases while the rest of the troup guessed. They had a ball!

[SeriousAKA]

Thanks sooo much!!

@ Eclipse, you are the BEST!!!!! I will do all of this!

[carnation]

As a leader since 1970 , I would agree with the people who are urging parental involvement. Sometimes it's easier to say, "Never mind, I can do it faster and easier myself!"

However--if you don't involve them, they won't see how difficult your job is AND they will start using you as nothing more than a convenient babysitting service. Also, some of them no doubt have hidden talents that will really enrich your troops' experience. Many wise leaders make parental involvement a condition of membership for their children...in this day and age, we can't be everything for the girls anyway.

Thirty years ago, the hardest thing about leading Scouts was when you would get an occasional rotten kid. Now--and our friends in Boy Scouting agree- what makes us crazy is horrible parents who refuse to help and whose kids can do no wrong.

[SeriousAKA]

I had my first leaders meeting on Thursday and I didn't realize allof the work. I guess, being I child, I just didn't know! I'm really excited though and my sorors are going to help as well.

[Ideal08]

I, too, used to be a "professional" girl scout. I was never one as a child. But this week, I volunteered to lead a troop at my school. I remember how hard it was to recruit volunteers when I worked for the Girl Scouts, so I couldn't not volunteer.

Wish me luck!!!

Oh, and Happy (early) GS Birthday!!

[pointNclick]

My fave cookie is the Lemon Coolers. EXCELLENT with some hot tea!

pNc

[nikki1920]

I like the new ones with the chocolate on the back...I dont know what they are called but I'mma get me a case of those things.. lol.

My dad loves Samoas..eww...
My mom loves Thin Mints...

[FeeFee]

My favorite is Do-Si-Do's - the peanut butter sandwich cookies.

[Honeykiss1974]

Caramel Delights are my number one favorite. I can eat a whole box of them in one sitting.

I tried to new one (I think they are called Pinatas) and they were good - kind of a shortbread/fruity taste to them.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Thin Mints

[SummerChild]

Originally posted by Ideal08
It's that time of year again, and I'm just curious, What's your favorite (past or present) GS cookie?

Mine are Thin Mints and Trefoils (shortbread).

The peanut butter cookies!!
SC

[Gina1201]

Originally posted by Honeykiss1974
I tried to new one (I think they are called Pinatas) and they were good - kind of a shortbread/fruity taste to them.

Yes, that's the name Honeykiss. I went to the mall the other day JUST to buy some.

[NUPE4LIFE]

SAMOAS

[prayerfull]

Dang Girl Scout cookies. I forgot that I had ordered some and mine arrived the day after I started my low carb diet. THIN MINTS all the way - - I've got 4 boxes in the trunk of my car and they're staying there!

[Proverbs31]

Definitely Samoas!!!