Spring Leader Retreat

April 26 - 28, 2013

Spring Leader Retreat Session Descriptions

Download the Daily Schedule

Movin UP
Movin Up is a session designed for experienced adult volunteers who are moving up as their troop bridges to the next level.  For example a Brownie Leader who wishes to become a Junior Leader.  You must have previously completed Grade Level Essentials for your current level. We will explore the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting and see what new opportunities await your girls.  Be sure to register for your new level.

• Movin up to Brownies Session 3
• Movin Up To Juniors Session 1
• Movin Up To Cadettes Session 1

Travel with Girls Session1
Traveling with a group of girls is different than traveling with your family.  Join us as we learn the basics for group travel including planning, itineraries, transportation, budgets, group dynamics, safety, insurance and more.  This training fulfills the requirement for travel of two nights or more.

Leader Roundtable All Sessions
This is an opportunity to join with other volunteers to discuss the topics you have preselected.  When you register please give us a topic to add to the discussion board.  The leader roundtable will be different each session.

Deeper into Age Level Training – A Focus on Badge Work
Leaders will have the opportunity to look in depth at the badges associated with each journey at their age level, choose a few that their girls might enjoy working on and develop resource ideas for materials, places, and people who would be available to help their girls complete the activities.  While legacy and cookie business badges will be available, focus will be placed on badge activity sets that accompany Journey books.  Be sure to register for the specific program level.

• Brownie Session 4
• Junior Session 2
• Cadette Session 2

Outdoor Smorgasbord Session 2
Tired of hotdogs and macaroni when you go camping with your troop? This session will feature different ways to engage the girls in your troop in the planning and preparation of easy dishes using at least three different cooking methods. This tasting menu will be shared with all participants.  This is a two-hour workshop and ends at 12:30pm

Take Action Projects Session 3
We hear about them with the Journeys and when working on the Highest awards but what is a Take Action project and how can our girls take a service project to the next level.  Take Action is a way of making a difference in the world.

BOA Session 1 & 2
Basic Outdoor Awareness (BOA) is the prerequisite for several other trainings including all outdoor sessions. Get the extra tools you need to guide your girls in the directions they wish to go. You will learn about progressions, connect with other leaders, day trips, and get some ideas for exploring outside your normal meeting place in a safe way.
Please bring your Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting, and a pen and paper. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a jacket. Weather permitting we might be outside for a short portion of the course.  “Be prepared” for fun and the weather!

Hiking Session 3
Explore Camp Tanglefoot and learn the basics of hiking at the same time.  Hiking is more than just walking the trails. See how you can build program around this activity even in the city.

Archery 101 Session 3
Looking for something new and challenging to do with your girls? Have your girls been wanting to spend a weekend at camp doing something new? Archery 101 is the training for you to be able to provide a new and challenging experience. We will cover the basic fundamentals of archery-basic form, positive coaching techniques, equipment, how to select good bows and arrows, how to string a bow, etc. You will have a great time learning this new skill! Come and join the fun.

Girl Scout Traditions (Songs & Games & Ceremonies) Session 4
Girl Scouting is rich with traditions.  Some of our traditions are regional, some are history based and some are new just waiting to become a tradition.  Join us as we explore the history, the back story and learn some traditions that you can share with your girls.  Share the traditions from your area, your troop, or your memory.  We will share resources.

Beyond Nature Session 3 & 4
This training is designed to help leaders in making outdoor activities educational and exciting for Girl Scouts. We will identify plants including some native to Iowa prairie land.  You will learn about Iowa’s landscape and the rich opportunities it offers. We will discuss conservation and how to be “green”. This training will help leaders when taking their troop on a nature hike, completing a naturalist badge, finishing a take action project or just enjoying the outdoors.

Orienteering Session 4
Looking for a fun outdoor adventure for your troop? Orienteering is the sport of navigating in the woods with a map and compass. Learn the basic skills of the sport, and how to introduce it to your troop at a local event. Please bring a compass if you have one.

Slumber Party 101 Saturday Evening
Let’s go back to our younger days.  Unwind Saturday night as we have sing around, makes smores, share some crafts and maybe tell a story or two.  Bring a plain pillowcase suitable for decorating.  Have a craft you would like to share with others?  Let us know and we will set aside an area for you to be the leader  This is the big ole slumber party you remember as a girl without the prank phone calls.