A successful troop meeting is one that is girl-led and engaging. It doesn’t have to be complicated. The most important things are that Girl Scouts feel welcome, have fun, build relationships, and have opportunities to make decisions, lead, and learn together.
A Typical Troop Meeting
Most troop meetings follow the same basic flow
1. Arrival Activity (5–15 minutes):
As Girl Scouts arrive, offer a simple activity to help them settle in.
Examples:
- Coloring or crafts
- Journal prompts
- Games or puzzles
- Badge-related activities
- Friendship circles
This gives everyone something to do while waiting for the meeting to begin.
2. Opening (5–10 minutes)
Bring the troop together and officially begin the meeting.
You might:
- Say the Girl Scout Promise and Law
- Recite the Pledge of Allegiance
- Share announcements
- Introduce the day’s activities
- Recognize achievements or celebrate birthdays
3. Business & Planning (10–15 minutes)
Give Girl Scouts opportunities to practice leadership and decision-making.
Examples:
- Plan upcoming activities
- Vote on troop decisions
- Discuss service projects
- Set goals
- Review upcoming events
The amount of planning and decision-making should increase as girls get older.
4. Main Activity (30–60 minutes)
This is the heart of the meeting.
Activities may include:
- Working on badges or Journeys
- STEM projects
- Outdoor skills
- Community service projects
- Arts and crafts
- Guest speakers
- Skill-building activities
5. Clean Up (5–10 minutes)
Girl Scouts leave a place better than how they found it. Everyone works together to clean up and get the
Encourage Girl Scouts to take responsibility for supplies and shared spaces.
6. Closing (5–10 minutes)
End the meeting with a sense of connection and accomplishment.
Examples:
- Friendship Circle
- Friendship Squeeze
- Reflections or “Rose, Bud, Thorn”
- Sharing what was learned
- Previewing the next meeting
Tips for Success
- Keep meetings girl-led whenever possible.
- Focus on participation, not perfection.
- Be flexible if activities take longer or shorter than expected.
- Build traditions and routines to help girls know what to expect.
- Have a few backup activities ready just in case.
- Remember that connection, fun, and belonging matter just as much as earning badges.
Meeting Length by Grade Level
| Level | Typical Meeting Length |
|---|---|
| Daisy | 60–90 minutes |
| Brownie | 60–90 minutes |
| Junior | 60–120 minutes |
| Cadette | 90–120 minutes |
| Senior | 90–120 minutes |
| Ambassador | 90–120 minutes |
Need Help Planning?
The Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) which is found once you log into MyGS includes ready-to-use meeting plans, badge booklets and much more.
Last updated on June 2, 2026