If the girl in your life is in Girl Scouting, she can’t do it without your help. Adult involvement and support is critical to ensuring a positive experience for all girls in Girl Scouting.

• Remember that a Girl Scout Leader is a volunteer and welcomes parental support.
• Participate in any parent/guardian meetings.
• Return signed permission forms on time for your Girl Scout to participate in special activities.
• Talk with the leader about activities your Girl Scout likes to do and what she might want to try.
• In a private conversation, be sure to tell the leader about any medical conditions that will affect your Girl Scout’s participation or any prescription medication she will need to take during Girl Scout meetings or field trips.
• Take time to attend any special functions when girls invite parents/guardians.
• Assist with program activity planning and follow-through when asked.
• Follow Girl Scout safety and security guidelines and encourage your child to do so as well.
• Make provisions for your Girl Scout to get to and from the meeting place in a safe and timely manner. Remember that the leader is a volunteer who appreciates your commitment to picking up your child on time at the end of every meeting! Be sure to inform the leader of any changes in procedure.
• Make sure that your Girl Scout has the appropriate clothing, footwear, and equipment for activities, or inform the leader about any special needs so that arrangements can be made ahead of time. Help your child wear her uniform with pride in being part of the largest organization for girls and women in the world.
• Say thank-you to the leader and other volunteers who help the troop. They give their time and commitment to the girls in your community. April 22 is Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Day. You might want to help the girls plan a special thank-you. But don’t wait until then, thank your child’s troop leader each time you see her/him.

Leader's Day
Remember to Thank Your Leaders
On April 22, 1982, a flag honoring Girl Scout leaders was flown over the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. So began Leader's Day in Girl Scouting, a very special day that comes during National Volunteers Week. That same flag is now at Edith Macy Conference Center and is flown on April 22 of each year.

The purpose of Leader's Day is to recognize all the women and men who serve as Girl Scout volunteer leaders. These women and men act as positive role models and help girls to meet today's challenges and to become tomorrow's competent, self-assured women.

Here are a few things that you and the troop can do to show your appreciation.

• Call the leader to say thank you
• Design a greeting card
• Design and present an award or certificate
• Do a "good deed" service project for the leader and/or leader's family
• Make a banner
• Give a picture of the girls in the troop
• Make and present a scrapbook of the troop's activities
• Plan a surprise party
• Write a poem or story

And the list goes on. You know your troop's leaders best. Think about what would make them feel special and then start planning your celebration of their leadership for Girl Scout Leader's Day on April 22. For additional leader's day ideas please visit http://home.cfl.rr.com/scoutingseasons/4thankyou.htm.