Yeah, if you want a troop, you have to step up and volunteer but as others have said, you can make it what you want and get help from others. Make sure that if you do this, you recruit a cookie mom. I will lead a troop any day as long as I don't have to deal with that headache!

I'm leading a junior toop this year and at this age, I don't want to be doing Mickey Mouse arts and crafts projects. So I'm changing it up and this year, we're meeting twice a month; one regular weekday meeting to plan activities and work on badges, and one substantial weekend activity; camping, hiking, volunteering, etc. So far, I've lined up a winter camping trip, work day at an animal shelter and visiting at a nursing home. The girls and parents have been very receptive to this.

We pretty much ignore council (just turn in our paperwork and keep them off our backs) and do our own thing. I've found it tobe a great experience. Raising a "tween" girl is challenging and I find the core values of the Girl Scout Law, especially making the world a better place and being a sister to every girl scout, great things to teach and put in action. The rest of the council nonsense, you're free to ignore!