Meetings, Patrols, Badges, & Leadership

Core Badges

Our troop has designated 5 core badges: Girl Scout Way, First Aid, Cooking, Camping, and Eco, that we will cover each year for D,B,J. Every two years for C,S,A. These badges can be covered in meetings or on overnights. Since girls are at a level for  2-3 years, the girls earn the badge with the first completion and a fun patch with additional completions. Additionally, we will do two financial literacy badges a year during cookie season, and offer the opportunity to complete 2-3 journeys each year. Daisies will complete all Daisy petals each year. 

Wait, we are not done yet! At the beginning of the year scouts will work with their level leadership to pick additional badges and activities they want as part of their scouting year. We do our best to work all interests into the schedule so there is something for everyone. Visit each patrol page to see their year plans.

Meeting Badge Work VS Activity Badge Work

We have girls with various availability of both time and interest. To reduce the logging and confusion as we complete badge requirements, we make every attempt to keep badges in one setting. Badges worked on in meetings will be completed in meetings. Badges offered on overnights or troop events will have all the requirements completed during that activity. If there is a deviation, patrol leadership will make sure to inform the patrol adults of the required activity. An alternate way of completing the badge if the scout cannot make the activity will also be provided.

Additional Events

There are many Girl Scout adventures in our area hosted by our council; Girls Scouts of Central Maryland, neighboring council; Girl Scouts of Nation's Capital, travel troops from both councils holding events as fundraisers, and sports teams & museums hosting scout days. We may want to, but our troop cannot possibly do them all! Scouts are encouraged to attend activities that interest them, including ones without the troop as a Juliette. Of course if a troop event is happening at the same time, we hope your scout attends the troop event over the additional activity. If scouts attend and earn badges at outside events, please let your leadership team know the event and work completed. We will update their advancement report and the badge will be purchased for the next Court of Awards. 

Juliettes

What is a Juliette? A Juliette is simply a Girl Scout without a troop. Juliettes can be defined as both a girl without a troop at all or only without a troop for a specific event. While Girl Scouting works best in a troop setting, sometimes a scout has difficulty fitting available troop's meeting times into their schedule. Alternatively, a scout attending an event without her troop would only be a Juliette for that event. 

Court Of Awards (COA)

Badges, journeys, fun patches, and honors earned are awarded at each of the three Courts Of Awards annually. Friends and family are encouraged all Courts of Awards. Scouts should report to the fellowship hall 30 mins prior to the start of the ceremony, wearing their vests over a "picture day" type outfit. The sanctuary will be open for parents and families to find their seats and chat/relax prior to the ceremony. For exact dates of each COA and any details specific to that event, please check the calendar in the Band App. A description and theme for each is broken out below. 

1. Court of Awards: Investiture, Rededication, & Bridging is held each September. As the Girl Scouting year runs from Oct 1- Sept 30 annually, this is technically the last COA of the year before bridging scouts age up to the next level. At this COA new scouts receive their vest, returning scouts are honored, and bridging scouts are honored and receive their new vests. At the end of this COA the troop picture will be taken with all girls in their new vests.

2. Court Of Awards: Spotlight on Scouts will be held mid March near the Girl Scout Birthday, March 12. At this COA we will focus on Scouts accomplishments so far this year, showcasing work that the girls have completed or are in the process of completing with their patrols. For girls earning their higher metal awards this will also be a time for them to briefly present and educate the troop about their project. 

3. Court of Awards: Cookies will be at the end of the school year. At this COA we will recognize every girl who participated in the cookie sale. Girls will receive their cookie patches and incentives as well as a participation certificate from the troop. The top three sellers will also receive a "Top Cookie" patch. 

*Note, the second and third COAs have switched places due to cookie season shifting during the 2024-25 year.