PA Training success!

It was a FUN PA Training Session on Saturday!  We only had 16 girls (one whole group of 7 from a troop didn't show, darn!) and while they were mighty quiet when they entered, they were engaged and energetic as the day progressed.

One of the activities we ask the girls to do, is to work with a table group of 4, and draw a Junior, Daisy or Brownie Girl Scout.  Then, write some words to describe who she is.  I took a picture of one of this Junior girl because Chloe, Hannah, Kately and Hailey did such a GREAT job!   Each team shared "their girl" with the group, and we had good discussion about the characteristics of each level of girls.  Our PA girls know that these are the girls they will be leading in the their Day Camps, and the PA skills they learn will help them lead.

There's a real focus on leadership in this training, which is great for the girls. Many have not heard the GSLE mantra of Discover, Connect and Take Action on a regular basis, and we were able to weave that thread throughout the day.  We also put an emphasis on the the three processes:  girl led, learn by doing and cooperative learning.  I think the girls heard the message, but we'll keep telling them in Session II as well. 

These girls make me proud! I truly hope they will take these new skills and use them not only for Day Camp but for their Leadership in Action (LIA) and life experiences as well.

PA Training is fun

PA Training is fun! Gee (Chris Grisey) has been delivering this training for many years along with a dedicated team of girl and adult volunteers. I am so happy to have a part in it this year!

We had our first session a couple weeks ago, and the 20 girls came ready to learn, make new friends, work together and have fun.

The training really works well and shakes up the day. There is some sitting at the table, taking notes and participating in a group discussion, but there's also a really strong interactive component that keeps the girls moving.  Plenty of different group participation.

One of the things we talk about in Cadette Essentials training is how important it is to let the girls who are in a troop/group with their BFF have time with her at the meetings. But at the same time, for the working part of the meeting, it's best to shake it up and not always pair up the BFFs.  That's something that Gee really takes to heart in the training:  girls have a chance to work with every girl during the day.  Sometimes with a simple count-off, and sometimes by type of name tag, or favorite color.  All the girls worked cooperatively.

They also received their own binder of information to keep, along with handouts and notes that they could add.  Personal expression was encouraged, and those crayola markers got a work out!  Each girl was able to personalize her own experience.

The only part that felt a little flat to me, was the GSLE piece.  It was my job to deliver that, and I didn't connect with the girls about it!  At all!  Very frustrating!  We moved on, but it's been bugging me that this very key element of the Girl Scout program didn't resonate with the girls.  I'm still working out how to address it better for next time.

These girls are a product of GSLE!  And by taking PA training, they truly are stepping up to the leadership part of their journey, by leading younger girls in Day Camp.  We're training these girls to be leaders, so key!  But when I talked about it, and handed out the outcomes page, it just died.

If your girls are coming to the next PA Training sessions, rest assured, they will have a GREAT time, a wonderful experience, and they will learn somethings.  They will also have a better connection to the GSLE Outcomes page, or my name isn't Sneetch!

P.A. Training

I just received some great information from Chris Grisey about PA Training that is starting in February. Please click on the PA tab above for more info.  And if you or your girls are interested, please click on the link direct to Chris Grisey for more information.  She is looking for both adults/older girls to help train AND Cadette girls who want to be trained!

Don't miss this great opportunity!