Links and Information for Parents
page last updated Nov. 2, 2008

Back to the Mercer Girl Scout homepage

Is your scout starting to use the internet? 
Go over the on-line safety pledge with her. 


My scout is registered to be in a troop, what happens next?

Meetings:  Her troop will probably hold about 2 troop meetings each month.  These are usually on a certain
day of the week / month, for example her troop might meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month, from after registration
in September until about mid-May. 

Service-Area Events:  A Service Area Event is an activity that all of the troops in Mercer participate in.  Your leader may only
be able to give you the time, place, and general information for such an event, but not a whole lot of details as leaders take turns planning these
events and your leader may actually not know a whole lot about it.  A lot of planning goes into these events by the leaders who
are in charge of them so that scouts of all ages levels have fun at them! 
Some examples of Service Area Events that the Mercer Girl Scouts have had in the past include sports day, Girl Scout birthday parties,
camping trips, ceremonies, and service projects.  This year we are planning for Service Area Events for November, January,
February, and early May.

Troop "field trips" and other outings:  Sometimes troops plan an outing or field trip in place of their regular troop meeting
or in addition to their troop meetings.  If you know of a great place to go on a field trip that is fun and educational, let your leader
know!  Caution:  You may be asked to help plan the outing! 

Uniforms:  All your scout needs is a sash or a vest.  These can be ordered on-line from the Girl Scout Shop on the
Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania website.

When the girls participate in some events, such as the Mercer Memorial Day 500 parade and the Service Area Bridging Ceremony which is
held in May, they are asked to wear tan walking shorts, capris, or pants, and a plain white shirt with their sash or vest. 
(What is Bridging?  Bridging is moving from one Girl Scout level to the next.) 

See Girl Scout Uniforms and Insignia to learn more about Girl Scout Insignia and where they're placed on a Girl Scout uniform.

Tips for sewing insignia: 
Stapling insignia in place before beginning to sew makes the job of stitching much easier! 
Using glue, stitch-witchery or heat 'n bond is not recommended, because patches cannot be
moved afterward without leaving an ugly glue spot.  When sewing by hand, if you use thread
to match the vest and just catch the edges. 

Still have questions?  Ask your leader or visit Girl Scout Central, a new area of the GSUSA website designed to answer your Girl Scout-related questions.

Girl Scouts and Extracurricular Activities
from http://www.girlscouts-wpa.org/bcgsc/sunrise/sunrise_december_2007.htm, accessed Jan. 21, 2007

Girls today have many options available for extracurricular activities. Opportunities are endless for girls to participate in after-school programs, take dance or piano lessons, join a variety of social or academic clubs, and belong to community groups. With all of these opportunities waiting for her, a girl can still fit Girl Scouting into her busy schedule!

Based on expert research and developed through years of experience, the Girl Scout program provides engaging and worthwhile activities that respond to the needs of today’s girls, with flexibility that respects their busy lives. We must all be respectful of the choices girls are making in their lives. If they choose to participate in activities that take place the same day as her Girl Scout meeting, her troop should respect her decision. She can still be a part of the troop in other ways such as camping events, day trips, cookie and nut sales, etc. A girl does not have to attend every function in order to be part of the troop.


Girl Scout information
Girl Scouts of the USA


SWAPS - "Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere."
Swaps, the tradition of Girl Scouts exchanging keepsakes, started long ago when Girl Scouts and Girl Guides first gathered for
fun, song, and making new friends. Originally, swaps were exchanged at national Girl Scout Senior Roundups and referred to as
"Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere."
SWAPS
MakingFriends.com - SWAPs with Scout themes


Local Information and Links
Munnell Run Farm
Mercer Memorial Day 500 Parade
Mercer Community Band