Girl Scouts is a great activity for homeschoolers, particularly unschoolers. They address many age appropriate topics for girls, educating them in a non-sexist way, on a whole range of topics with a whole range of activities. The badges they earn are leading them towards a good understanding of themselves, the world they live in, and the many things they can do independantly, both now and in their future.
A well run girl scout troop is a joy to behold, and depends on the troop leader, assistants, helping parents and the girls themselves of course! Louisiana Sue is our Junior Girl Scout leader, and she does a superb job, mixing humor into everything along the way. This friday night we had a lock-in, this is where the girls get to sleep overnight locked in somewhere. What goes on? Karioke, board games, nail polish, pillow fights, balloon games, scavenger hunts, pizza, brownies and a couple of good movies. 
To take advantage of the leader and her parent assistants all being in one place LOCKED IN for the evening, we planned the year to come. We are sharing our planning work, to give some insight into the types of things a girl scout will learn in a year. Here is the summary of the Junior girl scout badge names and how we have planned it for our troop which spans girls in their first, second and third year.
- July 3rd weekend - girl scout swim party, water fun merit badge.
- August 18 - game day, outdoor treasure hunt, discuss leadership badge and service project
- August 25 - swimming badge
- September 8 - Service project planning, divide into patrols and pick leaders
- September 15 - outdoor creativity badge (come early for Religious Emblem work)
- September 22 - Hiker badge, wildlife badge
- September 27 - go on a hike, visit nature center
- September 29 - present badges, play games - plan horse rider and horse fan
- October 6 - Earth connections badge
- October 11 - Complete Service project, (come early for Religious Emblem work)
- October 13 - outdoor cooking badge
- October 20 - Eco-action badge
- October 27 - present badges, games organised by the girls
- November 1 Saturday - Girl Scout camping or hike
- November 3 - girl scout led badge - Creative Solutions
- November 10 - girl scout led badge - Healthier You, Lets Go Cooking,
- November 17 - girl scouts STAR badge work, (come early for Religious Emblem work)
- November 24 - present badges, girl scouts STAR badge work - talent show
- December 1 - Cookie Sales Training badge
- December 5 - Girl Scout LOCK-IN fun (Friday overnight)
- December 8 - girl scout organised games, adults meet
- January 5 - Adults- cookies, girls Drawing and Painting badges
- January 12 - Visual Arts badge
- January 19 - Local Lore badge
- January 26 - present merit badges
- February 2 - Ceramics and Clay badge, Sign of the World badge
- February 9 - Pottery field trip
- February 16 - Model citizen badge
- February 23 - finish up Model Citizen badge, present badges
- March 2 - Sign of the World badge
- March 9 - Girl Scouts in the World badge
- March 16 - paperwork for Bronze Star, Fit and Fun for younger girls
- March 30 - present merit badges
- April 6 - First Aid Training badge
- April 13 - Camera shots badge
- April 20 - Healthy Relationships badge for older girls, Walking for Fitness badge (younger girls)
- April 27 - High on Life badge
- May 4 - Weather watch badge
- May 11 - wrap up loose ends on badges
- May 15 - LOCK-IN, presentation of badges and awards.
Now I tell you, is that a pretty good curriculum or what?
Great info! I am starting a homeschool troop this Fall which will be all levels and I think I have lost my mind, but I am determined! After 22 years in scouting I think I can bring a thing or two to the table, but I am always on the lookout for great ideas, like yours!
Posted by: BabysitterOnBoard | July 22, 2008 at 02:14 PM