GSUSA Safety Activity Checkpoint for virtual troop meetings
Platforms for Virtual Meetings : Find an option that works for your troop! Many girls are familiar with some of these from their school.
- Google Classroom (free)
- Skype
- Go To Meeting
- Google Hangouts
- Whats’s App
- Zoom (40 minute limit for free accounts)
- Ez Talks
- Free Conference Call
- Webex A favorite from GSOH
Badges and Journeys : if you want to create your own meeting, consider using the Volunteer Toolkit and adapting activities for an online meeting. Or check out available virtual programs online.
Feeling frustrated trying to meet with your troop online?
- Relax your expectations and add some fun!
- Maintaining your opening and closing traditions.
- Keep meetings brief and let girls have a chance to just talk and enjoy each other.
- You might consider delivering materials ahead of time or having them pick up ahead of time. Everyone likes to get mail!
- It might be easier to video record instructions ahead of time (maybe on a private troop youtube channel). You can play them during the meeting and pause, rewind. Or meet briefly and then let Girl Scouts watch the video on their own time.
- Consider a “watch party.” Make sure to preview for appropriate content! There are lots of patches with activities to correspond.
- Be creative in your ways to bring programming to your Girl Scouts but realize not all families are in the same place right now.
Fun for your Virtual Meeting:
- Play Games
- Try Bingo, Charades, other party games https://parade.com/1021595/stephanieosmanski/virtual-games-to-play-over-zoom/
- Adapt Girl Scout Games, like add-a-line stories (Fortunately/Unfortunately)
- Try Challenges
- Have a watch party
- Host a Netflix Watch Party https://www.netflixparty.com/
- Take a virtual tour or watch a concert
- Several movie patches are available with additional activities: https://madaboutfunpatches.com/collections/activity-sheets or https://www.patchworkdesigns.net/
- Do Yoga or have a Dance Party https://gokonjo.com/category/girl-scouts/
- Cooking – share recipes, make a cookbook or adapt campfire recipes
- Service/Take Action ideas: https://www.gswcf.org/en/about-girl-scouts/our-program/ways-to-participate/virtual-girl-scouting.html
- Flat Juliette or penpals
- https://www.gsofct.org/content/dam/girlscouts-gsofct/resources/program/patch-programs/Flat-Juliette-activity.pdf Maybe Juliette can go on Virtual
Adventures? - How to find a Girl Scout Penpal: https://www.girlscouts.org/en/faq/faq/global-girl-scouting.html
- https://www.gsofct.org/content/dam/girlscouts-gsofct/resources/program/patch-programs/Flat-Juliette-activity.pdf Maybe Juliette can go on Virtual
- Crafts
- Book Club
More tips for Troop Leaders:
- https://www.girlscouts.org/en/adults/volunteer/tips-for-troopleaders/programming/supporting-your-troop-when-you-cant-meet-in-person.html
- https://www.gsgcf.org/en/about-girl-scouts/ways-to-participate/VirtualGirlScouts.html
- https://trailhead.gsnorcal.org/how-to-host-a-virtual-girl-scout-troop-meeting/
- https://gsgcnwiblog.org/2020/03/23/hosting-a-virtual-girl-scout-troop-meeting/
- https://www.gsgcf.org/en/about-girl-scouts/ways-to-participate/VirtualGirlScouts.html
- “Short and Snappy” from Girl Scouts of Nassau County