Troop Expectations

We know your time and energy are valuable — thank you for considering this journey with us! Here’s a quick overview of what to expect in terms of time, involvement, and cost.

⏳ Time Commitment

• Meetings: We meet Thursdays , from 5:30–7:00 PM  near Clemmons, NC. 
  (Exact location will be given once registered)
  We will do a MIX of in person and virtual session, and at least 1 outing per month and a Nov./Dec. Holiday Parties
  Please see FALL 2025 Calendar Here: https://www.carolinatroop.org/fall-2025-calendar

• Events & Outings: We host optional monthly outings or special events throughout the year.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Parent Participation: To keep our troop safe and inclusive, we require a few important steps from parents:

• Background Check (Required):
  All adults interacting with the troop must complete a background check.
  Cost: $8 (financial aid available).
  ➤ Background Check FAQ

• Registered Volunteer Status (Required):
  Required if you’ll be present at meetings or events where you're interacting with girls other than your own (especially during public outings).
  Cost: $25 (financial aid available).

• Stay Nearby During Meetings:
  If your child needs one-on-one support, we may ask you to stay and assist during the full meeting.

• Volunteer Expectations:

  • Help with one troop activity or event per season

  • Attend orientation and parent info sessions (1–2 per year)

  • Support as needed with carpooling, supplies, snack rotation, or chaperoning

🧠 This troop is designed with neurodiverse and sensory-sensitive girls in mind. We aim to create calm, flexible, and respectful experiences that don’t overwhelm our members or our families.

We strive to keep costs affordable and transparent. Financial aid is available for many items.

Initial Costs for New Girl Scout Level (First Month ):
• Girl Scout Registration: $45 (Financial aid available)
• Uniform Set: $60 (Includes sash/vest, insignia, and pins)
• Troop Dues (First Month): $0.00 * There won’t be any required dues at this time.  
(Covers meeting supplies; donations also welcome)

Total Due First Month:
• With Uniform: $105
• Without Uniform: $45

Ongoing Monthly Estimate:

• Troop Dues: $ 0.00   * There won’t be any required dues at this time. 

• Optional Outings: *$25 per scout (average per event)

*Note: Adult registration and background check fees are additional.

Additional Fees:

• Adult Volunteer Registration: $25 (Required for all participating adults, financial aid provided if qualify)

• Background Check: $8 (Required for adult volunteers, financial aid provided if qualify) 

Group Paid Events
If the troop covers the cost of group events, parents must pay a 25% deposit upfront. After the event, you will be reimbursed from the Troop Bank Account.

Cancellations
A deposit deadline will be provided.

• Deposits won’t be refunded if you cancel before the meeting unless due to sickness or family emergencies.

• If you cancel after the deadline, the deposit will be forfeited because the troop will have already paid for accommodations, tickets, travel, or fees based on your commitment.

We enforce this policy to avoid wasteful spending and help the troop budget effectively.

We’re building a kind, inclusive, and emotionally safe space for girls to grow, connect, and thrive. To protect that peace, here’s what we ask from every family:

💡 Behavior Expectations & Family Support

We are a values-centered troop. Every meeting, outing, and interaction is guided by the Girl Scout Promise and Law. To maintain a safe, inclusive, and uplifting space for all girls: 

Girls are expected to follow the Girl Scout Law at all times. If a girl (or caregivers) needs to be reminded of the Law multiple times, it will be considered a pattern — and she may be removed from the troop.

Parents/Caregivers are expected to reinforce these values at home, even outside of troop meetings, so the behavior becomes a part of daily life — not just “troop behavior.”

🌱 We’re not just building strong girls — we’re creating a safe, caring community in a world that really needs one.

• Emotional Safety is Non-Negotiable
  No bullying, physical aggression, yelling or ongoing disruptive behavior (including Scouts AND Parents). Every girl deserves to feel safe and respected.
  
  

• Parent/Caregivers Involvement is Required
  This is a  Girl Led, Leader Guided, family-supported troop, and your presence matters. Parents and guardians are expected to be present, attentive, and willing to gently redirect their child when needed to help maintain a peaceful and inclusive group environment.
  This is not a drop-off program or a babysitting service — it's a volunteer-run, non-profit group where leaders also give their time freely.
  
  

• Neurodiverse-Friendly, with Support & Accountability
  We warmly welcome girls with diverse abilities and learning styles.  To ensure a positive experience for all, caregivers must actively support their child’s participation and help them engage in ways that respect the space we meet at and the needs of other children.
  
  We understand that all children have different needs.  If a child is consistently disruptive in a way that affects the group’s experience — even with caregiver support — we may suggest trying again at a later time when they are better able to participate in this setting or joining a different troop that may be able to support your child's needs.  
  
  

• We Live the Kindness + Respect Code
  Every family commits to modeling kindness, patience, and inclusion — no exceptions.
  
  

• We Rotate and Partner with New Friends To reduce cliques and help everyone feel included, girls may be asked to pair up with new friends during activities.

Troop Fundraising Policy

In addition to dues, each scout is encouraged to participate in fundraising with an a minimum amount per season of $50 for FALL and $50 for Spring. Fundraising supports troop activities like scholarships, group trips, our end-of-year celebration, and rewards. This estimate could change depending on what types of activities the girls agree upon and troop fund needs.

*** We will give you an idea on how many products you must sell in order to reach this goal in each season. For example: Selling 100 Fall products = $50 fundraised for the troop or Selling 150 boxes of cookies = $100 dollars for the troop. 

Families have two options to meet this fundraising goal:

1. Fundraise the full amount by participating in fundraising.

2. Partially fundraise and pay the difference out of pocket.
   For example, for Fall raise $25 through fundraising and contribute $25 directly.

💡 What If My Scout Exceeds the  Goal for each season?

***Before each fundraiser, Girl Scout Leadership team will decide Fundraiser Rewards**

Any amount raised beyond $50 will be split in the following way: 50% of the overage may be credited toward next season's monthly dues for your scout. The remaining 50% will go to the troop fund to support scholarships, extra activities, and materials.. 

🎯 Fundraising & Group Event Eligibility Policy, 

Our troop depends on seasonal fundraising (Fall and Spring) to make group outings, field trips, and special events possible. We understand if you are not in the right mindset or time in your life if you don't want to fundraise.

• Participation in Fall sales determines eligibility for Spring group events

• Participation in Spring sales determines eligibility for Fall group events
  
  Families who are unable to participate in fundraising are welcome to contribute toward their child’s portion of group-funded events. This ensures every girl can enjoy the same experiences while keeping costs fair for all families. 

***(📌 Important: Troop dues only cover meeting expenses such as badges, craft supplies, and snacks — not group events.)

👨‍👩‍👧 Who fundraising covers: Troop funds cover registered Girl Scouts and troop leaders only. Any parents, siblings, or extra guests will need to pay separately for events, even if your scout participated in fundraising. 

**We will implement troop dues if fundraising participation falls short and our  Troop Bank account is running low  We will vote on an appropriate troop due amount after creating a season budget, below are sample troop dues policies if we have to implement them so you can know in advance.**

SAMPLE TROOP DUES POLICIES BELOW:

To support our high-quality, troop experience, each  family is  required  to contribute troop dues. This is to make sure that ALL families contribute to the success of the troop.

New Troop Members: $10 troop dues per month or $100 per year. 
Returning Troop Members: $10 per month or $100 per year (Could be lower depending on fundraising sales)
*If you are unable to pay $10 per month for dues, then reach out to us and we will work something out. 

🤝 Returning Members Fundraising Credit: If your Girl Scout participates in fundraising (Fall Product and/or Cookie Program) and meets the minimum troop sales goal any additional funds will be applied to troop dues for the following year.  

✅ To qualify, families must meet a minimum fundraising goal, which will be shared in advance of each fundraiser.

We understand not every family has extra cash, and fundraising is a great way to keep costs low for everyone. Participation helps cover troop expenses so that all girls can have an awesome year, regardless of income.

💚 If you’re unable to meet dues or the fundraising goal, talk with us — we’ll work with you to find options that fit your family. 

These dues help cover:
✔️ STEM materials and experiment supplies
✔️ Arts and crafts items
✔️ Snacks for meetings
✔️ Badge and patch activities
✔️ Guest speakers and small in-troop events

What dues do not cover:
❌ Girl Scout national registration ($45 annually but can apply for financial assistance)
❌ Uniforms (vest/sash, insignia, etc.)
❌ Large field trips, parties or special events (overnights, travel, etc.)
❌ Personal gear for outdoor activities (e.g. sleeping bag, water bottle)

Note: Families will receive advance notice and cost estimates for any optional events or activities outside of normal troop meetings.

🚫 At this time, financial assistance is not available for dues. 

Our troop is primarily focused on Daisy-level badges (ages 5–6), but we welcome siblings in the Brownie age range (7–8).

If your Brownie-age child is participating, we offer two options:

• Earn Daisy petals alongside their sibling and display them on the back of their Brownie vest, OR
  
  

• Work with us to align Daisy badge activities with a similar Brownie badge, when possible.
  
  

We’ll do our best to create a meaningful experience for all girls while keeping activities developmentally appropriate and focused.

🌿 Girl-Led, Leader Guide, Family-Support Philosophy 🌿
Our troop follows the Girl Scouts’ commitment to being Girl-Led, meaning girls are empowered to make age-appropriate decisions, take on leadership roles, and help shape their troop experience.

However, this is also a Family-Supported troop — meaning families play an active role in creating a calm, safe, and harmonious environment. We believe Girl Scouts thrive best when caregivers are involved, modeling respect, cooperation, and shared responsibility.

Creating a calm, inclusive, and empowering Girl Scout experience for every family.

❓Is this a Girl-Led or Parent-Led Troop?

We are Girl-Led, Leader-Guided, and Family-Supported.
Girl-Led: Girls take the lead in brainstorming ideas, making decisions, and building confidence — all in age-appropriate ways.

 Leader-Guided: Leaders provide structure, safety, and emotional support to ensure a calm and respectful environment.

Family-Supported: Families actively contribute to supervision, logistics, and encouragement.

This three-part model helps girls grow while keeping the space safe and supportive.

❓How Are Decisions Made?

We use collaborative decision-making. When multiple good ideas arise, we vote with input from:

• 🌼 The Girls -  Will vote on age appropriate situations given  by Troop Leadership. 

• 🧭 Troop Leadership
  -Present safe and age appropriate decisions  for Girls.
  -Use anonymous voting tools when needed.
  -Facilitate open conversations about fairness and inclusion before votes.
  -Use voting only for key topics, not every detail. Pre-select options to simplify choices for girls. 

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Families (when appropriate) : Families support, but do not override, girl-led or leader guided ideas unless safety or troop harmony is at risk. 

Our goal is inclusion and fairness, not majority rule. Leaders guide the process using Girl Scout values and safety as top priorities.

❓What Happens If There’s a Disagreement Between Girls?

We respond with compassion and guidance, grounded in the Girl Scout Law:

• Disagreements are acknowledged calmly

• Adults step in when needed to support respectful problem-solving

• We encourage apologies, reflection, and growth

If behavior becomes disruptive or repeated:

• A private conversation will occur

• The scout may be placed on a behavior support plan

• In rare cases, a break or transfer to another troop may be recommended for a better fit
  
  

❓What If There’s Conflict Between Parents or With a Leader?

We handle adult conflicts privately, respectfully, and in alignment with Girl Scout values.
There is zero tolerance for:

• Foul language

• Gossip

• Aggressive behavior

• Passive-aggressive communication

This is a space for growth — for girls and their families. We expect adults to model the respect and integrity we want to see in our girls.

❓What Happens If My Child or I Break a Rule?

We approach mistakes with grace — but we protect the group peace above all.

If concerns arise:

• Leaders will communicate directly with you

• A plan will be created together

• Continued issues may result in a break or troop placement change

Our troop is built on mutual respect, not shame. But consistent harmony is essential for all girls to thrive.

Q: Can I apply for financial aid?
A: Yes! Financial aid is available for girl registration, adult registration and  background checks. Just ask us for the application link — it only takes a few minutes.

Q: Do I have to buy a uniform right away?
A: No. Uniforms are encouraged but not required the first month. We want you guys to at least have the uniforms by our annual celebration and rewards ceremony.  We’ll help you know what’s needed as we go.

Q: Why are dues being charged?
A:, Dues help cover the cost of supplies, crafts, badges, and snacks for basic badge work. . Our fundraising funds will go towards the Annual Celebration and Rewards ceremony for the girls to celebrate at the end of the year. Any extra funds made after reaching the individual goals will go back towards covering dues for the next year.

Q: Do I have to be a registered adult to attend meetings?
A: Yes — all adults attending meetings, outings, or helping with the troop must register and complete a background check to ensure the safety of all girls.

Q: Are outings required?
A: No. Outings are optional and usually range from $5–$25 depending on the activity. We’ll always give advance notice.

Q: What happens if we can’t pay one month?
A: Please let us know! We never want finances to be a barrier. We offer fundraising opportunities that can help cover your dues. We're here to support you. 

Q: Can troop expectations change throughout the year?
A: Yes, troop expectations may be updated at the discretion of leadership. Any changes will be communicated to parents well in advance.

Q: What happens if a troop meeting or event is canceled?
A: If an in-person meeting is canceled, we will offer a virtual option at the same time or within the following week.

💳 Payment Instructions
We accept payments via:
• Venmo / CashApp / PayPal (Details will be shared after registration)
• Online via Council Portal (for official Girl Scout registration only)

Always include your child’s name and what the payment is for (e.g., dues, uniform, outing).