Daisy- Girl Scout troup worth it or wait unitil after kindergarten for Brownies?
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Anonymous
| How involved for parent and child is the "Daisy" program? |
Anonymous
| Every troop is different but usually well worth the effort. Brownies doesn't start until 2nd grade now so your daughter would miss out on 2 years of fun with her friends. |
Anonymous
| My DD did this and I hated it. Perhaps it was her troop but it seemed like it required a lot of work from the parents, in reality the mothers. Lots of projects that needed assistance. Lots of busy work. I concluded that as a mother you have to be really into this sort of thing -- and there are moms that are -- or it isn't worth it. |
Anonymous
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Your daughter will get out of girl scouts (any age) as much or as little as you (the parent) put into it. Every troop and every leader has a different way of doing things. My daughter started as a Brownie and now I'm the leader. We are going to do a lot of hands on science and outdoor activities. Last year (when I wasn't the leader) they did a lot of crafts and snack and feelings discussion (based on the journey of that year). I am planning a lot of activities, but if people don't want to go, that's o.k. Some girls have soccer, gymnastics, dance, and other activities. For some, girl scouts in more of the main extracurricular activity.
While there's no telling what your daughter's troop/leader will want to do (unless you become the leader), I don't think Daisies is all that important. If your daughter doesn't have other activities, then it's a good activity. If your child has several other commitments, then wait until Brownies. |
Anonymous
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Girl Scouts is totally volunteer led. So everything depends on you as the leader; or on whoever volunteers to be the leader. Daisies is pretty free form. Girls can meet once a month if that's what works; or sometimes there is a troop associated with a school and they met once a week, right after school.
If leaders follow the program religiously (especially the new Journeys) there can be what seems like a bunch of homework. That was no fun for our Daisies so we ditched those. As leaders we tried to keep everything fun and hands on, and completed during meetings. We did occasionally ask for parent help for certain meetings, and always got it. |
Anonymous
| I was a Daisy leader. Personally, I think the Daisy program is kind of stupid. The concepts are too high level for many of the kids. I'll fully admit that I didn't get into it so it's my fault that it wasn't better, but I don't think the program itself is that great. the older programs are much better. If your DD wants to do it, I say go for it, but I wouldn't push it. |
Anonymous
| Daisies is Girl Scouts lite. Unless your kid is really eager to join, just wait until Brownies because the fun stuff doesn't start until then. |
Lwalt1
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| I was a brownie and a girl scout and so was my daughter. Daisies isn't too important I would hold off until Brownie age and try to become as involved as possible. I had a great time being involved with my daughters brownie troop it is definitely a fantastic thing for young girls to be involved in-- even if they don't want to stick with it until girl scouts it's a great thing while they're young. |
Anonymous
| My DD was in Daises for both K and 1st and is now going into Brownies in 2nd. It has been wonderful for her, as she has always played more with boys than girls. Daisies has helped her bond with other girls, which is great now that kids her age are entering the "(other sex) is yucky!" stage. She practically wouldn't have any friends, but for her Daisy girlfriends. |
Anonymous
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One thing to think about is that Daisy troops often mvoe up together into Brownie troops. At our school, there is a wait to join an existing Brownie troop, but those who joined as Daisys are already registered and involved in a troop.
Again, as PPs have pointed out, the troop is only as good as the parents/leaders involved. The "wait" would be much shorter if even one more person came forward to be a leader. |
Anonymous
| i second the comment from the pp about waitlists. My dd started as a daisy in K, and her troop has stayed together with only a few spots opening up in the past four years. that being said, our troop rocks and the moms and kids all really like each other and socialize outside of girl scout activities -which is somewhat unusual from the gripes i hear from moms with kids in other troops. |
Anonymous
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8:52 - ITA.
While it totally depends on your Daisy leader, we had one that was just looking to pad her resume. WHAT a disaster! She needed other moms constantly for ideas and busy work, in which case I would have started a group myself. We have several in the neighborhood, so if you end up with a small group it can sometimes be a problem, because the small groups should be consolidating, but certain moms want the credit (see above). It ends up being a disaster. I don't want to dissuade you OP, because it is a great idea and if you have the right leader, it can be fun. But with the wrong leader, it ends up being unnecessary drama. That said, we have an absolutely fantastic, self sufficient, resourceful and energetic Boy Scout leader that is well connected, laid back and amazing - I can't say enough great things about him. My son, who wanted nothing to do with Boy Scouts, loves it! It is unfortunately the luck of the draw. Some people here have the wrong motives for being in organizations, groups, boards, what have you. The good news is, they don't last long. |
Anonymous
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Oh dear, PP! I feel so bad for that leader who was trying to "pad her resume" by being a Daisy leader!
I have news for her -- it is NOT a resume builder! |
Anonymous
OH YES IT IS it shows leadernship, its even bigger for the girls though |
Anonymous
Daisy leader isn't a resume builder for any job. The girls being a junior girl scout, or being an assistant scout leader is a fabulous resume builder for a 15 year old looking to apply for their first summer job, but for the adult...you have to be kidding. |