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Raise your hand. Accept the challenge. Embrace your bold.

If you can dream it, you can do it. The only question is, what’s next?

Here is a guide to what your Girl Scout can expect in the next few weeks as she kicks off her new Girl Scout journey.

Troop Formation Meeting

If you have joined an existing troop, a troop volunteer will be reaching out to discuss troop meeting information over the next two weeks. If your girl is being placed into a newly formed troop, you’ll need to attend the Troop Formation Meeting. A staff member will reach out via email with meeting information.

During this meeting, we will be asking for parents and caregivers to volunteer to become your troop’s co-leader! Not ready to take the lead? There are many other roles needed for a troop to be successful.

Co-Leader: Work with a group of girls and mentor them as they make new friends and develop connections that will last a lifetime. (Minimum 2 required.)

Treasurer: Maintain the troop checking account, keep accurate records, and communicate financial information with troop members and council.

Fall Product Coordinator: Coordinate the annual Fall Product Program at the troop level. You’ll receive training and then guide the troop through the program.

Cookie Coordinator: Coordinate the annual Cookie Program at the troop level. You’ll receive training and then guide the troop through the program.

Helper: Provide extra support to the troop as needed. Work with girls at troop meetings, drive girls, coordinate field trips, supervise cookie booths, or other support as needed by troop volunteers.

To become an approved Girl Scout volunteer, adults need to complete a membership registration and agree to a background check. Processing, approval, and training can take up to 30 days, so don’t be alarmed if you don’t hear from your co-leaders about meeting as a troop right away.

Troop Formation Timeline

While your Girl Scout is diving into the Changemakers Patch Program and making her way through the Activity Magazine, our team is hard at work getting her new troop leaders onboarded and trained.

Here is a timeline of what a troop co-leader’s onboarding looks like and how it can impact when a troop can have its first meeting.

NOTE: All troops are required to have two co-leaders to get started.

Day 1-7
Troop co-leader registers as an adult member of Girl Scouts and completes criminal background check.

Day 7-21
Troop co-leaders completes online training to learn how to lead a troop.

Day 21-30
Troop co-leader reaches out to troop members and schedules first troop meeting.

If you don't hear from your troop co-leader at the end of this timeframe, please contact us.

Changemakers Patch Program & Activity Magazine

Are you ready to be a changemaker?

Keep an eye on your mailbox over the next few weeks! Your Girl Scout will be receiving her first fun patch and activity magazine. These girl-led activities will introduce her to the Girl Scout Promise, Girl Scout Law, and badges she can earn with her troop, or on her own!

At Girl Scouts, every girl and volunteer has the power to change the world. Get ready for fun and adventure, because you are going to make the world a better place—today and for the next generation.

No need to wait for your fun patch to arrive, get started now!

Resources

Resources

Patch Program Requirements (PDF)
Complete steps with links on earning the Girl Scout Changemakers patch.

Girl Scout Law Craft (PDF)
Girl Scout Promise & Sign Craft (PDF)
Badge Design (PDF)
Girl Scout Activity Sheets (PDF)
SWAPS (PDF)

Stay Connected

There is a lot going on at Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons. Don’t miss out on the fun! Below are several ways to learn about Girl Scouts and discover all the opportunities that are waiting.

Girl Scouts Connected Email

Don’t miss out on programs and council updates near you! Each month, we send out our Girl Scouts Connected Program Newsletter via email that highlights all the programs in your area along with important news and updates. We also send emails periodically with important program dates, deadlines, and retail promotions.

Make sure you’re OPTED IN to our emails and text messages. Check your email status in your MyGS account and navigate to the bottom of the My Profile page.
Note that if you registered for Girl Scouts by paper, your MyGS account may not yet be created. On the login page, simply click the “Forgot Password” link to get started.

Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons Member Connect Facebook Group

Get important updates from council and connect with other volunteers and members within our council. Ask questions, share stories, and connect with others as you continue your Girl Scout journey.

Council News

From registration deadlines and retail promotions to program highlights and upcoming events, stay up-to-date on all things Girl Scouts with Council News.

Get Involved

Attend Free "Blast Off into Girl Scouts" Virtual Event

3..2..1.. Blast off! Calling all new Girl Scouts! Join us to kick of your Girl Scout adventure with a bang by exploring all the opportunities available. Learn about Girl Scout traditions, including the Girl Scout Promise and Law, and traditional songs. Girls will also get a head start on earning the Space Science Badge and receive step-by-step instructions to finish the badge at home. Select your date of choice to register.

Dates	Registration Deadline	Grade Level
Tuesday, December 12	11/30/2023	Daisy (K-1)/Brownie (2-3)
Thursday, February 22	2/8/2024	Daisy (K-1)/Brownie (2-3)

Register for Events

Start her adventure now by finding an event that interests your Girl Scout. Girl Scouts can register and attend any event on their own. Use the advanced search to find events near you and search options to find events by date, location, or program level.

Product Programs

Jump start your Girl Scout’s journey by earning troop funds to help pay for her upcoming experiences by participating in one of our product programs.

Fall Product Program: Girl Scouts connect with family and friends to sell nuts, chocolate, magazines, and more. This program takes place annually in October.
Cookie Program: Girl Scouts tap into their inner entrepreneur to sell our iconic Girl Scout Cookies earning rewards and troop funds. The program takes place annually in February and March.

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