Ask any Girl Scout and she’ll tell you
Girl Scout leaders are some of the best people they know.
Girls meet a variety of people during their childhood, but
few adults make such a positive impact on their lives as their
Girl Scout leaders.
Girl Scout leaders are a special breed of people. They graciously
volunteer to give of their time to take on a troop of girls.
They spend their free time taking training to learn skills,
some of which may not even interest them. Why do they do it?
Because it is something the girls want to be able to do.
Girl Scouting becomes a part of their families’ lives
too. Family weekend trips are sometimes replaced with troop
camping weekends for those dedicated Girl Scout leaders. Shopping
for craft supplies is as frequent as grocery shopping, and
organizing program on a shoestring budget is a snap for seasoned
leaders. When Plan A fails, there’s also a Plan B and
Plan C so the girls won’t leave disappointed. Because
of all this and so much more, Girl Scout leaders are truly
remarkable people.
Senior Girl Scout Kelly from Troop #3849 said, “A Girl
Scout leader is a role model to the Girl Scouts in her troop.
She is caring, kind, loving, humorous, and attentive. She
always has time to listen to her girl’s troubles and
Troop #8242 receives the Silver Award and
bridge to Seniors as proud leaders Peggy Reinhold, left, and
Molly Keller, right, look on. |
questions. She helps ‘her girls’
learn how to solve their own problems. When there is trouble
around she knows exactly what to do and protects her troop
from any harm.”
Kelly says she would love to be a Girl Scout leader when
gets older, “I could share the things I learned from
my leader to ‘my girls.’ It would also be neat
to have people respect you and look up to you. I know it would
be a lot of hard work, discipline, and determination, but
with the military blood in my family even now, I think I would
have the discipline characteristic down pat!”
Cadette Girl Scout Melinishia from Troop #4466 describes
her Girl Scout leader Mrs. Velma, “She is kind, responsible,
and hardworking. She instills respectfulness in her troop
of girls. She is resourceful in that she always makes sure
that we have plenty of activities to learn from. She helps
us to make the right decisions in our every day life when
we are not around her.”
Melinishia boasts she has the best Girl Scout leader saying,
“The things I like best about Mrs. Velma is that she
is willing to work with us even when we are being silly or
when we are in a bad mood. She is compassionate toward us
and truly cares about our feelings. She is truly gracious
and does not always have to be in the spotlight or take all
of the credit when things go right.”
Cybil from Junior Troop #10883 says an outstanding leader
is someone who is dedicated, considerate, honest, and fair–a
friend. “A Girl Scout leader is someone who
Kirsten from Junior Troop #7010 said
she would like to be a Girl Scout leader like her mom Kim.
She said, “As long as I had a lot of help because it
looks really hard. And as long as I can still do gymnastics
too.” Kirsten and Kim have had many first-time experiences
in Girl Scouting like attending Girl Scout Night at the Houston
Rockets game.
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will help you, in times of need, even if you don’t
want it, as long as it’s good for you,” Cybil
said. “She is someone who will make decisions in the
interest of the troop, not her own. She is someone who is
there for you inside and outside of Girl Scouts.”
“What I like about my leader is that when there should
be pressure, she lightens the mood and makes us laugh,”
Cybil added.
Leaders support girls in a variety of ways. They are a coach,
cheerleader, and teacher–all in one. They share their
skills, they offer encouragement, and they teach girls. They
teach girls to never give up, stick with it, and be responsible.
They teach girls not be afraid, to try new things, and to
be dedicated to what they want to do in life.
“My leader has taught me that anything is possible,”
said Jordan of Junior Troop #1594. “She shows girls
how to be the best that they can be.”
Junior Girl Scout Ashly of Troop #7418 said, “The most
important thing I have learned from my leader is teamwork.
She says we should all be part of the group, and we should
work together and stay together as one.”
Some leaders will receive Outstanding Leader awards at year-end
service unit events and at the Council Recognition Event in
May, but in the eyes of their girls, each and every leader
is truly outstanding in her own way whether an award is bestowed
upon them or not. Girls may not always show it or say it,
but leaders are special people in girls’ lives.
As Leaders’ Day approaches on April 22, Girl Scouts
of San Jacinto Council would like to thank all the 6,000+
leaders who are making a difference in the lives of girls.
Because of your efforts, the future will be brighter for all
of us.
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