Help for New Leaders
Need some help getting your feet wet, new Leader? You’re in the right place! Here you can find helpful information to make that first year great for both you and your troop. In addition to the Girl Scout handbooks and Leader’s Guides, there are other resources that will help you tremendously.
| Books | Training | Community Sources for Program Material |
| Supplies | Basic Meeting Outline | Online Resources |
Books
- Safety-Wise - This publication will explain all of the Girl Scout safety requirements.
- Leader Information Book (LIB) - This publication was written just for you. It will answer many of your questions about our council.
- Troop Ideas and Program Starters Book (TIPS Book) – This publication will help you through the first few meetings until you can attend training and get additional resources. It contains games, crafts and other activities, recipes, and sample troop meetings, as well as other important information.
- Program and Adult Education Calendar - These will give you information on upcoming events and trainings in your service center and across the council.
Additional books and other items can be checked out from your service center library or your local public library. Here are some topics to look for:
- inexpensive things to make
- cultural crafts
- crafts for young children
- recipes for outdoor cooking
- simple recipes children can make
- recipes from other countries
- ideas for healthy snacks
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Training
Adult Education is extremely important for you as a new Leader. By attending the classes listed in the Adult Education Calendar, you will learn a lot about being a Girl Scout Leader and you will meet new Leaders just like you. 
Check your Adult Education Calendar or call your Service Center Adult Education Specialist for information about these and other workshops:
Girl Scout leadership
Age-Level Training — Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette or Senior
Outdoor Education — Levels I, II, III and IV
Girl Scout Adventure — Then and Now
For additional information, see the full Training & Education page.
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"Do Right — Eat Right" and "Do Right — Don't Smoke" available from the Kentucky Cancer Program. In these areas call: Bowling Green (270) 842-0950, Louisville-Elizabethtown (502) 852-6318, Owensboro-Madisonville (270) 821-4298, and Paducah (270)442-1310.
The County Extension Office in your county has material on a wide range of subjects for children. Check your telephone book to find the number for the office in your county.
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Supplies to Help You Get Started
Every troop Leader can benefit from having some basic items close at hand while planning and conducting troop meetings. Here are some ideas for things you might put in your own "Troop Tool Box".
"Nuts & Bolts" Equipment
- First Aid Kit (essential)
- Health Forms and Insurance Forms (essential)
- 3-Ring Binder (for Leader)
- Folders (for housing information & files)
- Safety-Wise
- Leader Information Book
- Age- level handbook and corresponding Leader’s guide
- Songbook (e.g. Pocket Songbook)
- Book of Games (e.g. Games for Girl Scouts)
- Book of simple crafts
- Resources for rainy day activities
- Insurance forms
- Health forms (on back of General Permission form)
Items that might be donated
- baby food jars
- wallpaper sample books
- yarn
- felt/fabric squares
- margarine tubs with lids
- buttons
- clean, old socks
- newspapers
- grocery bags
- plastic sandwich bags
- food coloring
- glitter
- safety pins
- aluminum pie plates
Items that might be purchased
- Tissues and/or paper towels
- pencils and pens
- colored markers and crayons
- glue
- tape (transparent & masking)
- yarn
- construction paper
- newsprint (8.5" x 11" and 18" x 24")
- posterboard
- envelopes
- straws
- rubber bands
- stickers/stars
- hole puncher
- scissors
- paperclips
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Basic Meeting Outline
Remember, when working with girls, keep in mind the following:
- Let the girls take the lead in handling materials, giving directions and exploring.
- Encourage the girls to read the directions or the questions for the activity.
- Ask them what they think you should do first as a team.
- Develop questions that will make the girls think about the whys and hows.
- Eliminate competition — work as a team.
- Remember to have fun, get involved and be a partner in learning.
Start-Up
Choose a game, craft, or other activity found in the handbook or Leader's guide or in the back of the TIPS Book.
Opening
Flag Ceremony, Girl Scout Promise and Law, and a song.
Business
Collect and record dues
Conduct any business applicable to troop activities
Activities and Plans
This is the segment of your meeting in which your troop will be working on Brownie Try-Its or badges chosen by the girls. This may include outside speakers, major craft projects, games, etc., found in the handbooks or other resources. There are many songs, games, crafts ceremonies and other projects listed in the back of the TIPS Book that you may use in planning your troop meetings. Other resources are available through the council shop and your local service center library.
P.S. Don’t forget to always use your handbook.
Snack
Clean-up
Closing
"Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place."
- Girl Scouts of the USA Mission Statement
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