An anonymous reminder from a long time Leader. In the middle of all the Cookie Madness that I like to call Cookie Crazies I am reminded of why we as Leaders do what we do..... When I first started as a Troop Leader six years ago, I had a new group of kindergarten Daisies. In this group were a couple very shy girls, a couple overly-outgoing girls, a handful who just rolled with whatever we did, and one who was wild (you know the one...we ALL have at least one!). Fast forward six years to today: some of our girls have moved on, some new ones have joined, but as the Leader, I have watched them all as they grow, and seen who they have become. One of the shy girls from the first year of kindergarten (the one who never said a word and often hid behind her mother's legs) is now out front and center. Head high at the booth, she asks EVERY person if they want to buy Girl Scout Cookies, counts back change, and interacts with customers so naturally. She is our top seller, selling well over a 1000 boxes of cookies every year. One of the overly-outgoing ones (the one who talked over everyone, who threw fits and pouted when she didn't get her way) now is at the booth working with her sister Girl Scouts on a plan to switch jobs every 30 minutes. I can see her figuring out how to get to practice on time and still get in more hours at a cookie booth so that she can reach her goal. One of the go-with-whatever girls (the one who never used to contribute any ideas, who never had an opinion about anything) — well, now she is the one who makes suggestions on where to go and how we can make things better in our community. She fights for her ideas with well-thought-out and persuasive words. Last but not least, the wild one (the one never in her seat, talking out of turn, acting crazy and never on task)... She is still wild and crazy, but she talks to customers, helps set up and clean booths, makes up cheers and songs to pass the time during slow periods. She is learning when she is stepping on others' toes, and apologizes when she needs to. Each one of these girls gets something different out of their time in Girl Scouts, learning life skills and developing themselves into young women who will move mountains and rock the world. But it is not just the girls who get to benefit from this amazing organization. I am blessed to be able to see the transformation, see the growth, see their faces when they explore new ideas and activities -- see the courage, confidence and character that each girl builds everyday. So when the world starts to get crazy and you think WHY am I doing this!? Take a second to sit back and watch your girls... They are learning, growing, and becoming amazing individuals, because YOU made a commitment to the them and chose to be a part of this experience with them. Enjoy the CRAZIES and all that comes with it!! Happy Scouting! Author Anonymous This post was provided by a GSSoAZ Leader who asked to be anonymous.
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AuthorSThe Low Down is written by GSSoAZ Staff, Volunteers and Girls! Email [email protected] if you have an article or idea to contribute! Archives
March 2018
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