Denise Baer is not only a leader, she’s an amazing help at Journey Weekends. She’s always willing to give a little effort so girls have a great experience.
Girl Scouting girls the chance to discover their leadership
abilities. But when Denise became a co-leader, she benefitted from learning new
skills, too.
“My daughter is not the only one gaining new leadership
skills,” she explains.
“I’ve learned new leadership skills like organizing
events. Even camping this summer with my co-leader at Camp Singing Hills taught
me new things. I learned camping skills right
alongside the girls like straining dishwater, building a fire, outdoor cooking
or just knowing what to look for in nature. If not for Girl Scouts, I’d never
experience any of that."
Denise confides she has one selfish reason to be involved. "I love the joy of seeing
my daughter enjoy Girl Scouts. I get to see first-hand how much fun she’s having and
her friends are having – and I get to have fun right along with them.”
As many volunteer experiences start, Denise became a leader
when her daughter entered Kindergarten and became a Girl Scout Daisy. This
year, her daughter Helayna enters her second year as a Junior Girl Scout, with lots of experiences
under her belt thanks to her mom and a network of amazing volunteers in Allegheny
Valley.
The Power of Teamwork
Co-leader of Junior Troop 50091 in Cheswick worked with
GSWPA staff and other volunteers to bring a Journey Weekend to Camp Redwing for
six Junior troops in her area. When all was said and done, 26 girls and adults
spent a weekend last spring learning, participating in more than 30 activities
based on the Girl Scout Amuse Journey. By the end of the weekend, the girls
completed the entire Journey except the Take Action Project.
“We took a lot out of the Leader’s Guide that goes along
with each Journey,” she explained. Each leader involved took part in running a
number of sessions, planning meals, etc.
“As leaders, we need to show our girls how we deal with
things in life. It helps to work as a team and roll with the punches. Look at
Girl Scouting as a network. Ask and learn from others – don’t just recreate the
wheel. We found a great resource online from a service unit in Maryland that
had a nice workshop guide. So we also used that with the Leader Guide."
By working as a team, the girls (and adults!) had a great weekend
and had a better understanding of stereotypes because of the Journey. The girls
also planned their own awards ceremony at the end of the weekend.
Now, moving into their second year as Juniors, the Denise’s
girls are set to start working on their Bronze Award.
“We’ll start the year by
participating in the MagNut Program,” she explains. “ From there, it’s up to
the girls to decide where we’ll go.”
All Girl Scouts have one thing in common. They need volunteers like you. Learn more about making a difference through Girl Scouts today.
