Welcome to Girl Scouts 11-17

Brought to you by STUDIO 2B

 

               ³We all know that 11-year-olds want to grow up and put kid stuff behind them. What do leaders and advisers do to make sure girls don't put Girl Scouts behind them, too? Simply let them know there's a new way to belong!² GSUSA provides 20 Tips to Keep Middle School Girls in Girl Scouts. GSUSA suggests that ³when talking to parents of Junior Girl Scouts, you could say: ŒSometimes girls lose interest in Girl Scouts when they enter middle school. STUDIO 2B was created especially for them -- to show them that there is a whole new and exciting way to do Girl Scouts now that they are nearing their teens! In STUDIO 2B, girls Become, Belong, Believe and Build.² An overview of this program is available on GSCCıs website as well as on my STUDIO 2B webpage.

The below resources were prepared to help you get a head start on the coming year as you transition from a Junior leader to an advisor for Girl Scouts 11-17. Before you dive in, letıs take a moment to gain special insight by reading When Children Turn Into Cats by Adair Lara. Most importantly, know that your efforts will make a difference in the lives of these young ladies as they make their way through the pre-teen and teenage years J

 

Uniforms

               As the girls get older, what their peers think become increasing more important, and wearing a uniform proportionately less important for many. It is my suggestion to follow the girlsı lead in this area. ³Uniforms are an optional aspect of the Girl Scout experience. In the STUDIO 2B approach, girls may choose to wear the STUDIO 2B t-shirt or the uniform components currently available for Girl Scouts 11-14 . . .² Uniform options are described on the GSUSA website.
               Some items from the Junior uniform may be transferred to the khaki Girl Scout 11-17 vest or sash, including: Membership Stars, Brownie wings, Junior Leadership Award, GS Bronze Award, Juliette Low Birthplace pin, World Trefoil Pin, and GS Membership Pin. Refer to my Uniform 101 webpage for more details about Girl Scout uniforms. 
 
Meetings and Activities

               Finding a meeting time to fit into all the girlsı busy schedules becomes more challenging as the girls get older. Encourage the girls to discuss this issue and come up with a plan that will work best for them. Maybe theyıd like to meet directly after school in the school (if you are available at that time), or perhaps decide on longer but less frequent meetings. Shelly shares an idea that has worked well for her girls in Florida:

My high school teen scouts have been meeting monthly for the last 3 years.  The meeting is on a Sat. from 6:30pm to Sun 10am and has worked out great for all of us.  We originally tried to meet the last Sat. of the month, but, everyone wasn't always available.  Now we plan meeting dates 1-2 months in advance with everyone looking at their calendar and agreeing on a date.   All the girls are very active in other activities also so this was a way to keep the troop alive.  From 7-10pm we have a structured meeting.  From 10pm on is snack and free time. 

 

               Middle school and high school girls have the opportunity to attend summer camp at Riverpoint.  This popular spot on the Banana River offers a variety of fun activities and water sports.  More about summer camp is available on my Summer Camp 2005 webpage.

               Citrus Council has been successful in expanding their program offerings for older girls the past few years.  Review Girl Program Opportunities including the Program Event Updates page and make reservations early as many programs fill quickly. Your girls are also now old enough to participate in the full-day Challenge Course at Camp Mah-Kah-Wee.

               Find out about facilities in our neighboring councils that your girls might enjoy visiting. For example: ride horses, become a pioneer, or climb the high ropes at Camp Wildwood; camp in tree houses at Camp Chowenwaw (being sold in 2004); or sail in the Gulf at Camp Wai Lani. 

               After the girls have made their Savannah pilgrimage, help them brainstorm some ideas for their next big trip.  Perhaps they would like to tentatively plan and start sitting aside funds for a trip during their 8th grade year.  My girls saved up for a snorkeling adventure on the coral reef with Marine Lab in Key Largo. Another troop planned a trip to Washington DC. Or, join other troops on one of GSCCıs trips to S. Florida or N. Carolina.
               Should the girls be interested in an adventure activity that requires parents to sign a Release of Liability form, a copy should be attached to your Troop Activity Request (per Sherry McMaster, Director of Program & Training).  Due to the increasing legal climate in our society, this form is becoming more common.  For example, my parents have been requested to sign release forms for horseback riding, rock climbing, snorkeling, and sailing activities.  Always ask your contact ahead of time if this form is required so that you may obtain the proper approvals through Girl Scout channels.

National Destinations and Getaways (formally called Wider Ops) for STUDIO 2B level girls are updated each summer. Girls interested in these exciting opportunities are encouraged to attend the Girls on the Go - Destination 101 available in the fall. Applications for next summerıs Destinations normally have a November deadline. 

  

Awards

Because the program for this age level is in the process of being updated, I would suggest inquiring about upcoming publications at the Council Shop prior to purchasing any of the books. Also, check with your service unit manager to see if the unit will add the Focus Books to their library so that troops may check them out. (Thatıs what Boy Scout normally do with their merit badge books.)

³Books in the STUDIO 2B Collection series reflect girlsı interests as they progress through adolescence: 11-13, 13-15, and 15-17. STUDIO 2B Focus Books and Interest Projects are for all girls 11-17, based on specific topics they may want to pursue.² (GSUSA)  Focus Books encourage girls to set their own goals and receive a charm award upon achieving them. As STUDIO 2B continues to grow, new Focus Books on a wider range of topics will become available.

Badges are called Interest Project Awards (IPA) at this age level and are listed in the book entitled, Interest Projects for Girls 11-17 (formerly called Interest Projects for Cadettes and Seniors). The Requirements are divided into the following categories: skill builders, technology, service projects and career exploration.  Because requirements are more involved and expectations for older girls are higher, these awards do, understandably, take more time to earn than Junior badges. ³In 2005, a revised version of the Interest Projects book will be available. Girls will have opportunities to set their own goals.² (GSUSA) 

There are also Council-Own IPAıs available that offer variety to the basic program.  Citrus Council has one called In the Pink that was adopted in 2002 to help older girls understand the concerns about breast cancer. My girls had fun earning the Shopportunity IP from Illinois, the Oceanography IP from Massachusetts, and the Sweet Shoppe IP from Virginia. Visit Kathyıs Scouting Web to find a list of more Council-Own programs.  Contact the specific council for permission and ordering information prior to working on any out-of-council awards.

Additional awards listed in the STUDIO 2B binder inserts (added to the program in the 2004/2005 years) include:

 

Award program helps for this age level is available on-line at:

·        Interest Project Award Resources by GS Prairie Hills Council

·        Cad/Sr Awards and IP Resources by Donna Tuttle in N. Florida

·        Cad/Sr GS IPP Packets and Helps Site by Jennifer

 

Sixth Grade Girl Scouts

            The following clarification of the program transition to STUDIO 2B was provided by GSUSA in June 2004:

                  We have had many questions related to our focus on sixth graders at the recent regional conferences and in STUDIO 2B materials. Here are some points for clarification. Please include these points in your training for staff, advisors and girls. The key words are flexibility and retention.The current age level standards in the Blue Book of Basic Documents provide sixth graders with choices:

 a.. Junior Girl Scout age 8-9-10-11 OR grade 3-4-5-6

 b.. Cadette Girl Scout age 11-12-13-14 OR grade 6-7-8-9

                  Councils that have concentrated efforts related to the STUDIO 2B approach on improving retention of girls entering middle school have found that the new options, books and awards appeal to these girls. Accordingly, GSUSA has encouraged councils to implement the STUDIO 2B approach with sixth graders. This includes emphasizing the "By Girls, For Girls" approach, providing a menu of participation options, including an opportunity to choose a group name, responding to the developmental needs of pre-teens, and expanding the network of adults interacting with girls.

                  In managing program for sixth graders, please note:

1.        Girls can begin "tasting" STUDIO 2B activities, resources and awards in the spring of fifth grade.

2.       Girls in sixth grade can choose to earn or complete the Girl Scout Bronze Award, using the resources for Junior Girl Scouts, even if they are also doing other activities as "STUDIO 2Bers." Girls cannot use STUDIO 2B materials to earn the Girl Scout Bronze Award.

3.       Girls in sixth grade can choose to begin working on their Girl Scout Silver Awards, using the "Go For It: Girl Scout Silver Award" insert.

4.       Girls in the sixth grade who complete their Girl Scout Bronze Award and want to work on their Girl Scout Silver award or explore other STUDIO 2B resources and awards can choose to celebrate their move to a different phase of Girl Scouting with a bridging ceremony. They can decide whether to call themselves "Cadettes" or what ever they choose.

5.       If girls decide to transition to STUDIO 2B approach at sixth grade, they can still continue work on their Girl Scout Bronze Award project, as long as they are not working on Girl Scout Silver Award activities concurrently.

6.       If groups of sixth graders new to Girl Scouting are formed, we recommend that they enter under the STUDIO 2B umbrella and begin work on their Girl Scout Silver Award rather than go backwards into Junior Girl Scout materials to work on the Girl Scout Bronze Award.

7.       Girls in sixth grade should not be working on the Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Awards concurrently.

8.       Girls in sixth grade can choose from all available resources, including Interest Projects for Girl Scouts, STUDIO 2B Collection 11-13 and the STUDIO 2B "Focus" Book series.

 

Record Keeping

               Girls should be keeping their own records at this age.  I recommend that each girl have her own binder where she can keep track of work completed and file paperwork.  Some things to include are:  IP Log, Leadership Hours Log (both available through your Service Team) and the Quest for the Silver guide (see link above).  My girls also have a section in their binder for their troop roster, calendar, and meeting agendas. Additional forms, worksheets, and tracking sheets for leaders are available through your Service Team or can be downloaded from Kathyıs Scouting Web.

The STUDIO 2B Basics With Binder Set meets this need and currently runs about $10 plus inserts for $5. Or, check the back-to-school sales this summer where you can pick up binders for about $1 each and subject dividers are half price.

 

For the Girls

               If you havenıt already done so, introduce your girls to Citrus Councilıs Just For Girls webpage and the STUDIO 2B website. Both are designed to perk their interest and offer a wide variety of program ideas.

               Citrus Council mails a quarterly Hotlines newsletter (on hot pink paper) to girls in this age group. Itıs full of ideas and opportunities for the girls to consider. A copy is also mailed to registered leaders along with a white summary sheet.

               Girls who subscribe to Girls Life magazine through the fall QSP fundraiser will receive a STUDIO 2B mini-mag insert in each magazine.

 ³STUDIO 2B Collections are annual publications based on the research findings of the distinct needs, interests, and favorites of girls ages 11-13, 13-15, and 15-17. Each STUDIO 2B Collection contains thirty or more articles directed to one age group. With celebrity interviews, first-person accounts, quizzes, advice columns, girl stories and activity ideas, these colorful, well designed resources are truly by girls, for girls.² These booklets are available at the Council Shop for around $10 each.

For the Leaders

               ³In a By Girls, for Girls approach, advisers move into a girl-adult partnership based on coaching and facilitation. Taking an adviser's role means expecting that girls will be engaged in setting goals. Setting their own goals is part of learning to lead their own lives.² GSUSA provides Advice From Leaders Just Like You.      

Sign up for Troop Leader Training for new STUDIO 2B/Cadette Leaders as listed in the Training Tree (previously called the Coordinated Calendar).  There are some spring and summer classes available if youıd like to get a good start on the upcoming year. If your girls enjoy camping, consider progressing in your Outdoor Training. Check the expiration date on your First Aid and CPR training cards.  These courses normally need to be retaken every few years to keep current.  Following these guidelines is especially important as your girls progress to more adventurous activities (keep your Safety Wise handy!).

               The below resources are available to support you with your girlsı program at this age level:

·        Girl Scout Central from GSUSA

·        Links for Girl Scouts 11-17 and Their Leaders/Advisors by Alamitos-Marina SU in California

·        STUDIO 2B Resources on Kathyıs Scouting Web

·        STUDIO 2B website

 

Additional insight is provided by Neil Savage in Swift Water GS Council, NH-VT:

                  Older girls are on the verge of adulthood, with no experiences except those of being children. 'Role play' with them as though they are adults. They know that they are not adults, and they know that you know. But they will seize upon the opportunity to 'try their fledgling wings' They will do what they must to keep your trust  [or the group is bust]. The main idea is to expect girls to be in charge, to have authority, and to share responsibilty [with caring adults]

                  When I first met with nine newly-bridged Cadettes, I used a motor vehicle driver analogy. The driver decides the when, where, and how to go on that great "road trip" [of adventure], so long as she obeys all the 'rules of the road' [You should have seen the 'deer-eyed' stares!] Encourage them to plan some things that are 'big' and fun for them. Remind them that they have arrived at the age group that started it all in Savannah. [No Daisys, Brownies, or Juniors existed in those early days]

                  Adults' roles include advisor, coach, mentor, role model, backstop, but the girls are now 'leading', not the adults. Your challenge is to get them to where they can run things, with you standing, or sitting , by.  [I know some accomplished OG leaders who deliberately bring knitting, or a book to read.] Girls should be 'out there' ; in command; directing the action. Phases like, "You girls work it out, come to me with your options if you are deadlocked." should be frequently uttered. One girl who made it through all the age-levels put it simply, "We got to do the things we wanted to do, and did not have to do stuff we didn't want to do."

                  Another important observation (re)confirmed is the vital importance of contact between older girls, and 20-somethings. Do all you can to bring these age groups together. Succeed in this [plus the main idea], and you've struck the core of "Studio 2B"!

                  As to the outcomes, plans should be theirs not yours -- if you want them to stay enthusiatically involved. To use a naval analogy, they need to 'own' the very planking that makes up the hull of the "ship". If they build it, it sails; otherwise, no cruise.

 

 

 

(July 2005)