Information for Brownie Girl Scout Leaders

Brownie Girl Scouts are girls in 2nd – 4th grade or 7 to 9 years old.

Have a great time, ask for help when you need it.

Leader Basics:
Purpose - Besides having fun, the purpose of Girl Scouts is to inspire girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism and service so that they can be happy, resourceful citizens. Keep in mind our mission statement: "Girl Scouts builds girls of Courage, Confidence and Character who Make the World a Better Place."

Planning:
1. Plan Meeting Schedule - The Leader and Co-leader need to establish the meeting schedule, day, place and time. You will also need to begin planning patches, activities, trips, etc.

2. Parent's Meeting - Not required, but it is a good idea. Every year, before you meet with the girls, you might want to meet with just the parents. The purpose of this meeting is to ensure that all of the girls are properly registered, hand out the schedule of meetings, discuss dues and uniforms, hand out health history forms, answer any questions, etc. This is a good time to discuss how the parents can earn insignia at home with their daughters. It is also a good time to recruit a Fall Fund Raiser manager and a Cookie Manager.

BROWNIE UNIFORM

 

 

Brownie Insignia:

	Brownie Membership Pin: All Brownies wear this pin on their brown tab. The pin's symbol represents the Brownie Elf, a mythical character from England that would come into people's homes at night at clean and be helpful. Brownie Elfs do not like to be seen which is why they work at night, perhaps in exchange for small gifts or food. You can read the full Brownie Story in the Brownie Handbook.
	World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) Pin: All Girl Scouts wear this pin. Girl Scouts of the United States are part of the World Association. Girls receive this pin on Thinking Day (Feb 22) during their first year as scouts (no matter what level). On this day, we are suppose to think about other scouts around the world.
	Try-Its: Try-Its are the triangular patches that Brownies earn. In order to earn a Try-It, each girl must try 4 of the activities listed for each patch. Please refer to the Brownie Try It book for the specific requirements. The Try Its are worn on the front of the sash/vest. Other patches (participation/fun patches) should be worn on the back. Just a warning, the sash/vest can get filled up very quickly, especially if you have a troop that likes to earn Try Its or goes on many trips! Please do not add on flaps or other areas to the vest.
	Fun Patches/Activity Participation Patches - These patches are given for participation in an activity, service project or trip. They may not be worn on the front of the uniform. They may be placed on the back of the vest, sash or on a blanket, tote bag or other item.
	Brownie Wings - All Brownies that are moving on to Juniors should receive their Wings. This is not an earned award, so they do not have to complete the bridging requirements to get their Wings. The only requirement is that they've been a Brownie for at least 1 year.
	Membership Star and Disk - Each year that a girl is a member of Girl Scouts, she earns a membership star. These stars are distributed at the end of the year to signify completion of the year. Each level has a different color backing disk; the Brownie color is green.
	Bridge to Brownie Girl Scouts Rainbow Patch (must be earned) This patch is for girls who were Daisies and completed the requirements of this badge during their Daisy year. It is worn on the Brownie uniform.
	Bridge to Junior Girl Scout Rainbow Patch (must be earned) To earn the Bridge to Junior Girl Scout Patch, you must do at least one activity of each of the six bridging steps in the order that they are numbered. Girls can advance to Juniors even without completing the Bridging requirements. She just does not get this rainbow patch. Read more about this patch in the Brownie Handbook. This patch is worn on the Junior uniform. Bridging Step 1 - Find out about Junior Girl Scouting Bridging Step 2 - Do a Junior Girl Scout Activity Bridging Step 3 - Do something with a Junior Girl Scout or Junior Girl Scout Troop Bridging Step 4 - Share what you learn about Junior Girl Scouts with younger Girl Scouts Bridging Step 5 - Plan and do a summer Girl Scout activity Bridging Step 6 - Help plan your Fly Up Ceremony Work with Junior leaders in your Service Unit to coordinate bridging activities. Sometimes you may be able to have the girls do the activities with the troop they will be flying up to.

Some Books available from GSUSA:

The Brownie Girl Scout Leader Guide
Brownie Girl Scout Handbook
Try-Its for Brownie Girl Scouts
Safety-Wise
Ceremonies in Girl Scouting
Games for Girl Scouts

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Songs for Brownies:
These are just a few of the most popular songs sung by Brownies. For many more, visit http://www.scoutsongs.com/categories/girlscout.htm

The Girl Scout Law (sung to the tune of "Home on the Range")

I will do-oo my best (Oh give me a home)
to be Honest and Fair, (where the buffalo roam)
Friendly and He-e-elpful. (and the deer and the antelope play)
Considerate and Caring (Where seldom is heard)
Courageous and Strong (a discouraging word)
And resp-o-onsible for what I say and do. (and the skies are not cloudy all day.)
and to Respect, myself and others (Home, home on the range)
Respect author-a-teee (where the deer and the antelope play)
Use Resources wisely, (where seldom is heard)
Make the world a better place (a discouraging word)
and be a sister to every Girl Scout! (and the skies are not cloudy all day)

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Brownie Smile Song

I've got something in my pocket that belongs across my face.
I keep it very close to me in a most convenient place.
I bet you couldn't guess it if you guessed a long, long while
So I'll take it out and put it on, it's a great big Brownie smile!

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Make New Friends

Make new friends, but keep the old
One is silver and the others gold
The circle is round, it has no end
that's how long I want to be your friend.
I've got a hand, and you've have another
put them together and we have each other

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FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE:

A Friendship circle is a great Girl Scout tradition. It's a fun way to start or end a meeting. Directions: All girls cross their right hand over their left hand and grasp the hands of other girls and leaders on each side of them. Then one girl begins by making a silent wish and then squeezes the hand of the girl next to them. When your hand has been squeezed, you put your left foot out into the center of the circle. Once the squeeze has gone all the way around, you spin on your left foot towards the outside of the circle.

Remember, other leaders and your Service Unit Manager are your best source for information. Don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it.

HAVE FUN!