December is a busy time for most families. They’ve got school activities, church activities, and family activities all on the same calendar. Don’t be surprised if not everyone shows up to your meetings! You may need to schedule fewer meetings for December and early January to accommodate the holidays. My troop meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, so we’ll meet twice in December, but we’ll skip the first Tuesday in January.
Ideas for your Girl Scout Troop in December: Holiday Celebrations
Holiday celebrations are completely appropriate at this time of year. Girl Scouting does not have a policy on how winter holidays should or should not be celebrated. However, it is important to be sensitive to the make-up of your particular group. If your entire group celebrates Christmas, then by all means, have a traditional Christmas party. If your group includes girls from different religions (or no religion), you may want to explore other options. You could have a party in which you explore the different traditions within your group. Or, if you or any of the parents in your group feel strongly about not celebrating the winter holidays, you might choose to focus on other activities. It’s really up to you, and depends on who’s in your group.
Caroling is fun and brings cheer to people who need it. Check with a local nursing home or retirement home — more than likely, they would welcome a group of carolers, as well as handmade holiday cards.
Ideas for your Girl Scout Troop in December: Celebrations and Awareness
It’s Safe Toys and Gifts Month! Girls could learn how to choose toys and gifts safely for various age levels, and either collect or buy toys for a toy or gift drive. Older girls could turn this into a project for the Silver or Gold Award.
If your girls would like to try making their own toys, Brownies could complete the Puppets, Dolls and Plays try-it, and Juniors could complete the Toymaker badge.
December 9 is the National Day of the Horse. Girls are often fascinated by horses, so this would make a great meeting focus. An introduction to horses now might lead to a horseback riding field trip in the spring (check with your local council for a list of approved stables for horseback riding).
Aside from the big religious holidays such as Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, there are many festive winter celebrations from various cultures to explore. Find out about traditions for Saint Nicholas Day (December 6), Santa Lucia Day (December 13), Las Posadas (December 16), and Boxing Day (December 26).
Ideas for your Girl Scout Troop in December: Service Projects
Many groups and organizations do food drives at this time of year. While that is an excellent idea, you might also consider collecting non-food essential items. Families often need household items, like dishwashing liquid, laundry soap, and toilet paper, but can’t purchase these with food stamps. Personal toiletries like deodorant, shampoo, and toothpaste also can’t be purchased with food stamps. Look for an organization in your area that distributes these items.
Ideas for your Girl Scout Troop in December: Field Trips
Most communities have holiday festivals and fairs going on at this time of year. Look for one that might be fun for your girls. Perhaps your girls could shop for gifts for family and friends. Be sure to plan for girls who might not have money to shop for gifts.
Find out what is manufactured or grown in your area, and arrange a factory or farm tour. A Christmas tree farm or candy factory might be especially appropriate at this time of year.
Ideas for your Girl Scout Troop in December: Looking Ahead
In most areas, cookie sales are held in the spring, so troops might begin taking pre-orders in January. Do you have your troop cookie manager in place? The cookie manager and/or troop leader may need to attend training for the cookie sale in December.
