June has been busy with all things graduation—ceremonies, parties, and celebrations! You got your girls set up with their Girl Scout regalia, you teared up (okay, bawled) as they bridged to adults, and you clicked “submit” on your troop disband form. Now, you’re looking ahead to your first summer free from Girl Scout Camp, Highest Awards, field trips, and travel—watch out lawn chair, here you come!
But when fall rolls around again and you see Girl Scout yard signs out in the neighborhood, you might find yourself thinking wistfully of the times when this used to be your busy season of troop formation, family meetings, and trips to the Girl Scout shop for starter kits galore. Just because your Girl Scouts are heading off on their next steps doesn’t mean you have to say ta-ta to the trefoil!
Here are some great ways to stay involved with Girl Scouts after your troop disbands:
- Stay in touch with your service unit. You’re a great resource for newer leaders and you never know what they might be looking for!
- Register as a volunteer (it’s still Early Bird season!) to help at service unit events like cookie rallies and day camp.
- Join our Alumnae Association or a special interest group, like the Higher Awards Committee, to stay connected to the mission you’re so passionate about.
- Follow us on social media to hear about upcoming events and activities, special volunteer opportunities, and all the great things happening at River Valleys.
While your girls will someday realize how much you influenced the direction of their lives (I still think about my troop leader regularly—Hi Becky!), we here at River Valleys already know what an invaluable asset you have been to our organization. We don’t want to say goodbye to you if we don’t have to. So, enjoy your summer and a much-deserved break from the green machine, but we hope to see your smiling (and suntanned) face back around next fall!
Natasha Brownlee – Natasha is a Program Coordinator at River Valleys, where she develops and leads awesome Girl Scout events – and runs the In the Loop blog! Her background is in curriculum development, programming, and creative writing. She has BA’s in Peace Studies and French and a MSc in Gender, Development & Globalization and has worked with various girl-centered organizations in the US and abroad. Natasha loves traveling around the world, practicing yoga, and hanging out with her dog, Rooney!