Your Troop Year
A guide to every milestone, tradition, and 'first' -- from Investiture to Cookies to the Court of Awards.
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You don't need to read this entire page today. Your troop year unfolds one milestone at a time, and this page is organized so you can jump to whatever's coming up next.
Each section below links to a dedicated guide that walks you through that milestone -- what it is, when it typically happens, and how to plan for it without overcomplicating things. Some of these are traditions every troop does (like Investiture and the Court of Awards). Others are optional but worth considering (like outdoor experiences and World Thinking Day). All of them are more manageable than they sound.
If you're brand new and haven't had your first meeting yet, start with our Getting Started page instead. This page picks up where Getting Started leaves off.
How to manage a growing troop, when to consider splitting, and how to adjust your meeting structure.
Your troop is growing -- great! But bigger troops need different strategies. Learn when it makes sense to split into two troops, how to restructure meetings for larger groups, and how to keep things manageable without losing the close-knit feels.
(Sept - Oct) Investiture
(Sept - Oct) Investiture
The ceremony that officially makes the girls Girl Scouts. Simpler than you think.
Investiture is the ceremony where girls officially become Girl Scounts. It's the first "big moment" for a new troop, and it's much simpler than most new leaders expect. This guide walks you through what to include, what to skip, and how to make it meaningful without make it stressful.
(Oct 31) Juliette Gordon Low's Birthday
(Oct 31) Juliette Gordon Low's Birthday
Celebrating the birthday of the founder of Girl Scouts. A fun tradition with easy activity ideas.
Every October 31st, Girl Scouts celebrate the birthday of their founder, Juliette Gordon Low. This is one of the most fun, low-stakes traditions in Girl Scouting. It's not Halloween -- it's a chance to learn about the worman who started it all and do something silly or sweet together.
(Anytime) Your First Field Trip or Event
(Anytime) Your First Field Trip or Event
How to plan day trips, handle permission slips, find events, and meet safety requirements.
Field trips and events are where Girl Scouting comes alive beyond the meeting room. This guide covers the four places to find events, how to handle permission slips and payments, what the Safety Activity Checkpoints are and why they matter, and the transportation rules you need to follow.
(Jan - March) Cookie Season: Direct Sales
(Jan - March) Cookie Season: Direct Sales
The first phase. Girls sell to family, friends, and neighbors. Training, timelines, and how to get organized.
Direct sales is the first phase of cookie season, where girls sell to family, friends, and neighbors. This guide covers the timeline, how training works, what eBudde and Digital Cookie are, and how to set expectations with families who've never done this before.
(Jan - March) Cookie Season: Booth Sales
(Jan - March) Cookie Season: Booth Sales
The second phase, setting up tables at storefronts. Scheduling, logistics, and managing inventory.
Booth sales are the second phase, where the troop sets up at storefronts and sells directly to the public. This guide covers how booth scheduling works, logistics for the day of, managing inventory, and what to do with leftover cookies.
(Anytime) Your First Overnight
(Anytime) Your First Overnight
Museum sleepovers, cabin stays, and the step between day trips and camping — what to plan, what to pack, and how to handle homesickness.
Before you camp, sleep indoors. Museum sleepovers, cabin stays, and Girl Scout lodge overnights give the girls (and the adults) the chance to practice being away from home as a group — with heat, running water, and a roof. This guide covers what training and paperwork you need, how to handle sleeping arrangements, and how to plan an evening the girls will remember.
(Feb 22) World Thinking Day
(Feb 22) World Thinking Day
A day to celebrate Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world. Simple ways to participate.
Every February 22nd, Girl Scounts and Girl Guides around the world celebrate World Thinking Day. It's a day to learn about scouting in other countries and think about global connections. This guide has simple, low-prep ways your troop can participate.
(March 12) Girl Scout Week
(March 12) Girl Scout Week
A week of activities celebrating the founding of Girl Scouts. Low-effort daily themes your troop can enjoy.
Girl Scout Week happens every March around the anniversary of Girl Scouts' founding on March 12, 1912. Many troops celebrate with themed activities each day of the week. This guide includes daily theme ideas and easy activities you can do during a regular meeting.
(Anytime) Your First Outdoor Experience
(Anytime) Your First Outdoor Experience
From nature walks to campouts -- how to plan outdoor activities that match your troop's comfort level.
Outdoor experiences start with stepping outside — not pitching a tent. This guide covers the daytime outdoor progression: nature walks, day hikes, exploring trails, and outdoor cooking. It’s the foundation your troop builds before overnights and camping.
(Spring) Court of Awards Ceremony
(Spring) Court of Awards Ceremony
A celebration of everything the girls earned this year. How to plan a meaningful ceremony without the stress.
The Court of Awards is your end-of-year celebration where girls receive the badges and awards they've earned. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. This guide walks you through how to plan a ceremony that feels special without turning into a production.
(May - Aug) Reflect, Re-Evaluate & Re-Register
(May - Aug) Reflect, Re-Evaluate & Re-Register
Year-end reflection, role renegotiation, financial reporting, and re-registration for next year.
The end of the troop year is your chance to take a breath, look back at what worked and what didn't, renegotiate roles for next year, submit your Treasurer's year-end financial report, and get everyone re-registered for the next membership year.
(Fall, Year 2) Rededication Ceremony
(Fall, Year 2) Rededication Ceremony
A ceremony for returning troops to recommit to the Girl Scout Promise and Law at the start of a new year.
Rededication is for returning troops -- a ceremony at the start of a new year where girls and adults recommit to the Girl Scout Promise and Law. If Investiture is "welcome to Girl Scouts," Rededication is "welcome back." This guide covers when to do it and how to keep it meaningful.
(Anytime, Year 2) Your First Campout
(Anytime, Year 2) Your First Campout
When the troop is ready to sleep under the stars — readiness checklist, location planning, packing lists, and making it a great experience.
When the troop is ready to sleep under the stars, this guide walks you through everything: readiness checklist, choosing a location, planning meals and activities, packing lists, training requirements, and how to make the first campout a memory the girls will carry for years.
Just getting started? Visit our Getting Started page for a step-by-step walkthrough of everything before your first meeting.
Want to understand the bigger picture? Visit Girl Progression to see how Girl Scouts gradually shifts leadership from parents to girls.
Need a template or checklist? Visit Downloads for all our customizable resources.
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