For Volunteers | The Trailhead

Creating a Fun (and Realistic!) Schedule for your Girl Scout Year

by Heather Ng | Sep 27, 2022 | For Volunteers, New Troop Leaders, Troop Basics

Have you ever gotten to the point in your Girl Scout year where you realize you’re a bit overwhelmed and can’t believe you signed up for this job?

Supporting Gender-Expansive Girl Scouts

by Melanie Bleyler | Jun 14, 2022 | Building Strong Girls, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, For Volunteers, New Troop Leaders, Troop Basics, Volunteer Training

I didn’t know when I started volunteering that my troop contained queer and gender-expansive youth, or that learning to provide a safe space for them would be part of my work as a troop leader. The journey that my Troop and I have been on has only expanded my love of being their Troop Leader.

Girl Scout Alum Trailblazer: Michele Gee

by Tiffany Eng | May 24, 2022 | For Volunteers, From The Field, Ideas & Inspiration, Uncategorized

It’s no surprise that Bay Area Girl Scout alum Michele Gee has pursued a career making our world a better place. After reading about her in a recent profile by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, we were eager to reach out and ask her to reflect on her years as a Girl Scout. We also wanted to hear more about her experience leading people and programs for the most visited unit of the National Park Service in the country, and the largest urban park in the world.

How Girl Scouting Supports Her Mental Health

by Molly Conway | May 3, 2022 | Building Strong Girls, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, For Volunteers

May is Mental Health Month, which is a great reason to discuss some of the ways that Girl Scouting can cultivate mental health for girls and the adults they grow up to be.

Help Your Girl Scout Troop Discover New Interests with Special Guests

by Tiffany Eng | Mar 15, 2022 | For Volunteers, Ideas & Inspiration

My go-to super-leader strategy is: The Special Guest. I love to invite women from the community (and beyond) who have a connection to our current badgework or troop activities to visit virtually or in-person and talk about their work. 

Black History Month: Celebrating Josephine Baker, a model of Girl Scout Values

by Shawun Anderson | Feb 28, 2022 | Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, For Volunteers, G.I.R.L. Power, Ideas & Inspiration

To celebrate Black History month, we’d like to talk a little bit about Josephine Baker and her amazing life. Although she wasn’t a Girl Scout, Baker was an incredible woman who perfectly exemplified what it means to be a Girl Scout: honest, friendly, helpful, courageous, and being responsible for what one says or does.

Lunar New Year Cookie Tips: Advice from a Special Girl Scout Guest

by Tiffany Eng | Feb 1, 2022 | Cookies & Fall Product Program, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, For Volunteers, Ideas & Inspiration

I was inspired to reach out and invite Alicia after seeing her gorgeous Instagram photos of custom fortune cookies created just for the Lunar New Year. Who better to motivate the girls during cookie season than a professional cookie “entreprenHER“ with her own online storefront?

How to Support Indigenous Communities While Giving Thanks

by Herna Cruz-Louie | Nov 23, 2021 | Ceremonies & Celebrations, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, For Volunteers, Ideas & Inspiration, Uncategorized

Is it okay for me and my loved ones to give thanks on what many Indigenous and Native American People consider to be a day of mourning? The answer is yes—and as a Girl Scout leader, I also commit to do the work of supporting Indigenous and Native American communities using Girl Scouts of Northern California’s Culture Code for Equity & Belonging: