Youth Squad

A community service program for everyone.

How to Get Community Service Hours for School

Community service is more than something that your mom or dad insists will look good on your high school resume. It can point you to new interests, new friends, and if you’re really lucky, maybe even a lifelong career. And yeah, okay, it’ll also look good on your resume and college applications. But how do you get community service hours? “Volunteering” is a big word. How can you be sure you’re finding opportunities that are right for you? There are always easy entry points, like the service ... continue reading...

5 Easy Meaningful Girl Scout Daisy* Activities

Begin talking to your Daisy Girl Scouts* about what it means for a project or activity to be meaningful, because this will be a big word to them at first. Explain that a meaningful project is something that will last and has an impact. It's usually not a one time project. We have compiled 5 easy and meaningful Girl Scout Daisy* Activities. A food drive is a one time project. A food bank is meaningful and lasts. Many times these types of projects go hand in hand: a food bank would not be ... continue reading...

Girl Scout* Community Service: Getting Started

Whether your troop is earning a badge, completing a Girl Scout JOURNEY*, or working towards a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award*; your troop will need to complete a Girl Scout* community service project. As a leader, your job is to guide the girls towards a project that they will see through and enjoy completing. The Youth Squad® program gives a leader many resources in narrowing down a project idea based on troop interests and skills. Discussing Girl Scout* Community Service with your ... continue reading...

Troop Tag-Alongs: Making it Work

Extracurricular programs can be exciting and rewarding for the individual child.  However, sometimes it can be a balancing act on the rest of the family.  Allowing and encouraging troop tag-alongs can mean a boost in attendance. It also creates an opportunity for scouts to be role models for their younger siblings.  With very little planning, you can include tag-alongs without making major changes in your troop activities. Where to Start If you choose to allow tag-alongs in ... continue reading...

Solving Communication Problems with Parents

How can you solve communication problems with parents? Speak to anyone who spends their days with kids, for example, a teacher, a troop leader, or a sports coach. Absolutely any group that evokes the feeling you are attempting to herd a bunch of cats. In truth, those people will tell you; "that it may be hard, and there may be challenges, but it’s amazing to see the kids grow and evolve into amazing young people.” Now, after you sit down with a nice cup of tea and reveled in the delights of ... continue reading...

Including Differently Abled Kids in Your Troop

Some kids need extra challenge and advanced learning to stay engaged. Others may need a little extra help as they aren’t quite ready for work at their grade level. Every kid is differently abled, some more than others.  But they all need the chance to be successful and feel included. Types of Differently Abled Kids Volunteering with any group can be challenging. Leading kids is not always easy but is a great way to influence them in a positive way and is very rewarding. But having ... continue reading...