Team building and problem solving are important additions to the whole experience of Girl Scouts. Girls learn to work together and support one another in their Girl Scout activities. By doing this, groups will develop trust within the group and will feel more comfortable sharing ideas. The troop leader’s role is to foster this team-building and ensure that each group has the opportunity to develop as a team.

Some characteristics that an excellent team should display:

• Girls share information relevant to the activity at hand
• Girls coordinate with each other when appropriate
• Girls know, appreciate, and use one another’s specialties
• Girls cooperate and back-up one another when necessary

Troop leaders promote teamwork through their own interactions:

• Leaders model teamwork by practicing attitudes and actions
• Leaders help girls become aware of one another’s varied experiences
• Leaders encourage girls to interact with one another about their experience, interests, and skills
• Leaders reward girls for teamwork with socio-emotional rewards
• Leaders help develop pride in the group

Leaders also improve teamwork through several formal procedures:

• Help establish shared goals
• Establish regular structures through which members may communicate with one another frequently
• Help clarify roles and role expectations
• Help identify problems and establish problem solving procedures

How do you build a strong team environment in your troop?