If you don't mind a Christian focus, you can also consider American Heritage Girls. My dd started there in K - 2 years ago, and now my second dd is starting. This year, I have volunteered to help lead. We have had a lot of fun being members of AHG, and there haven't been problems of the troops being filled and being wait listed which happens frequently in girls scouts.

DD1 wanted to join a troop, but we moved to our current location when she was in 3d grade, and there was no troop that she could join. She ended up being a Juliette scout until she went to middle school. We never did find her a troop either at our school or any other nearby school.

At the same time DD1 was in 3d, DD2 was in K and she wasn't interested at that point in joining. The next year (1st), she did want to join, but the 1st grade Daisy troop of her peers was full. So she joined a newly formed troop that was mostly new K girls. She just hasn't gotten "into" it with all the girls being a year younger (12 girls in the troop this year and only two are her age/grade), though she has stuck with it. (i've even been co-leader the past two years.)

Anonymous wrote:

The long-term gain is access to a troop. Troop leaders are moms of girls in the troop, and the whole troop moves up together through Brownies, etc. If the troop fills in kindergarten, there might not be openings in first grade, second grade, etc. If you have the opportunity to join a troop now, and you are interested, I encourage you to join while you can. If the troop doesn't live up to your expectations, you can always volunteer to help with the troop.

Super point, PP!

We are in an area where there aren't a lot of parents willing to volunteer as leaders, and many troops are full. If you do happen to find a troop that has good leaders willing to volunteer, make sure you appreciate them and support them, if you aren't able to willing to be a leader yourself.

Well said 11:14!

Could posters please stop disparaging the troop leader's job? Regardless of whether it is "resume-worthy", it is a shit-ton of work, most of which is unseen and unappreciated. Many parents see us as no more than cheap babysitting and cannot be bothered to turn in permission slips, dues, etc, on time.

There are troop leaders who run their troop as a challenging enrichment program and troop leaders who run craft-based play dates. They are not in the same category and the girls will have very different experiences.

To respond to the OP: the Daisy program at the kindergarten level is not necessary for participation in later grades. Depending on the troop leader, it may be a fairly simple program in this grade. The biggest short-term benefit is making friends who may be in other classes.

The long-term gain is access to a troop. Troop leaders are moms of girls in the troop, and the whole troop moves up together through Brownies, etc. If the troop fills in kindergarten, there might not be openings in first grade, second grade, etc. If you have the opportunity to join a troop now, and you are interested, I encourage you to join while you can. If the troop doesn't live up to your expectations, you can always volunteer to help with the troop.

Anonymous wrote:Substitute teachers near us make about $13 per hour and have no requirements other than graduating from college.

Yes and being a volunteer person helps differentiate yourself from the crowd.

Also with some companies, being involved in the community can give you that extra little push.

My DD started daisies in K. She did it to meet kids and have an activity that was her own. There are two troops at our school (and kids in each troop move up together within their specific troop). One is right after school and one meets in the evening. Personally, I could take it or leave it, but my DD just loves to earn her badges and participate in the activities. I think my DD's troop is smaller than the other one, BUT that's ok with her--she has been able to make some friends who she plays with outside of the troop activities.

Substitute teachers near us make about $13 per hour and have no requirements other than graduating from college.

Anonymous wrote:You still have to sell cookies in Daisies...

No, you don't. Our troop decided not to.

You still have to sell cookies in Daisies...

I currently work as a sub teacher and even though I have a degree in education they still needed an example that I had experience working with children. Girl Scouts did this for me. I shows that you have the ability to work with children, that you are creative, and it also doubles as volunteer work.

Sorry, I am a Girl Scout leader but I just don't think it is a resume builder. At. All.

It's pretty much right up there with "Stay At Home Mom for 8 years" in terms of resume enhancing capability. Maybe a teensy weensy bit higher, if you are looking for a position in a field where you do a lot of work with parents or children (like community outreach coordinator for a nonprofit, or elementary school teacher.)

I don't think there's anything wrong with listing girl scout leader under "volunteer work" on a resume to show involvement in the community.

I agree. I hire people and if I ever saw girl scout leader on a resume, I would laugh.