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Girl Scouts has always been about building strong relationships. Good troops provide exciting activities. GREAT troops provide opportunities to make friends that share in the excitement. Troop leaders are what makes the difference.

For a successful troop, make time to build relationships between fellow girls, girls and their leaders, and girls with the greater sisterhood of Girl Scouts. Here are a few of my favorite ways to do that.

1. Learn a few good icebreakers.

Play icebreaker games that help girls learn something new about each other. Start off your meetings each year by helping girls find out what they have in common as well as interesting things that make them unique.

Download our collection of name games and icebreakers, with something perfect for each age group.

2. Choose “favorites” – one at a time.

Each girl should feel that they are getting special attention from you, the leader, at one time or another. Pledge to give every girl your undivided attention for a few moments each meeting. Be conscientious about which girl you sit next to during and activity or snack, or who you call on first. Keep mental notes about which girls you need to assign special tasks or choose as a buddy.

3. Eat snacks, and meals (during trips or day long outings) with your troop.

Our meetings are so packed with activities, that snack time is one of the few “down-times” that you have to sit with your girls, in a circle, and chat.

4. Praise in public, critique in private.

Praise girls in front of their peers! Say something positive to a girl’s parents in front of her when they pick her up after the meeting. Always give your girls a chance to shine. This builds confidence, reinforces the value of respect, and strengthens your relationship with the girl.

Things don’t always go smoothly, and there will be times when you need to address issues. You may be surprised how much girls will listen to you when you respect their feelings and address issues away from their peers. Have a quiet conversation off to the side for smaller concerns, or a family meeting with parents for larger concerns.

5. Create a group identity.

Make being in your troop something special. Girl Scouts already has a uniform and handshake, but you can add something special like a troop cheer, special snack activity, or wearing matching bandanas or t-shirts.

6. Love being a leader!

Have fun with your girls- it’s really ok to enjoy yourself! Tell jokes. Share appropriate stories, participate as a member of the group, and get excited about what you’re all going to experience together.