Girl Scouts Troop 22160 is only one year old, with members who aren’t that much older. But their leader Tiffany Galyon, a second-generation Girl Scout, is helping them find their footing – and themselves.
“We have some who have joined Girl Scouts as an escape from bullying. This is their safe space,” Galyon said. “For that one hour each week, they get to explore, figure out who they are as a person and connect with other girls who are doing the same thing.”
Troop 22160 includes nine Daisies (K-1) and Brownies (grades 2-3). In their first year, the girls have initiated a trash pickup on a greenway behind their meeting place; completed plenty of craft projects; and gotten to know each other better through team-building exercises. All of these activities, like everything at Girl Scouts, are guided by the girls.
Girl Scouts Ivory Reed and Kinsley Rose practice taking money in preparation for cookies sales.
“Several in our troop have a crazy talent for art; one loves animals and wants to be a vet. We wouldn’t have discovered those passions if it weren’t for the girl-led aspect,” Galyon said. “By asking them what they want to do and finding a way to make those things happen, Girl Scouts ignites a spark within in them.”
Girl Scouts’ girl-led philosophy also allows troop 22160 an escape from the structure and pressures of school. For parents, it’s a relief, too.
“Many of the girls in our troop are involved in other activities. Plus, as a parent, I know how busy life can be,” Galyon said. “I strive to make Girl Scouts a relaxing part of the week for both girls and their parents.”
That often means Galyon offers drawing prompts, plans walks down to the creek to examine its animals while clearing trash from the greenway along the way or provides other opportunities for the girls to have fun together.
Parent Lilly Edenfield pretends to buy Girl Scouts cookies at her daughter’s troop meeting while her husband, Josh Edenfield, supervises Arizona Tice and Dayna Lucas’s practice sale.
“As a new troop, it’s important that our girls know that they can rely on one another and get through challenges together,” Galyon said. “They’ve learned to use their voices to assist others, which is a useful skill outside Girl Scouts, too. Best of all, they have a blast and break out of their shells. I’ve enjoyed watching them become sisters in those moments.”
If you know of a girl who could thrive in Girl Scouts, learn more at girlscoutcsa.org and find a troop near you by texting the word “JOIN” to 59618 or sending an email to info@girlscoutcsa.org.