LEADER Magazine: From Theory to Action: New Ways 20 Tips to Keep Middle School Girls in Girl Scouts

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20 Tips to Keep Middle School Girls in Girl Scouts

As girls become more independent, we have to offer more options—and we do.

We all know that 11-year-olds want to grow up and put kid stuff behind them. What do leaders and advisers do to make sure girls don't put Girl Scouts behind them, too? Simply let them know there's a new way to belong!

That way is STUDIO 2B. At the core of this concept is a simple idea: girls who are in the throes of adjusting to middle school have different needs than younger girls. They've stopped seeing themselves as children, their schedules are busier—with sports, music lessons, and a burgeoning social life—and they're ready to "try on" being teenagers. What they want are more grownup activities, new friends, fewer rules, new awards, new structures, and more responsibility than they had last year. And they still want security.

STUDIO 2B was created to offer this age group flexibility, openness, and choice—all within the safety of Girl Scout values and traditions. In the spirit of the "By Girls, for Girls" approach, girls who opt for STUDIO 2B can create their own groups, or belong to several. They plan their own activities and make their own schedules. Girls choose when and how they'll participate—maybe they'll only want to attend local or councilwide events. Maybe they'll sign up for that six-week drama program. Or maybe they'll just put all of their boundless energy into earning enough money to go on that trip to Europe!

Here are 20 tips volunteers can use to help middle-schoolers learn about the new possibilities so they'll want to stay in the game:

Ask girls if they plan to continue in Girl Scouting. If they say no, ask why, and try to answer their concerns. Many girls don't fully understand the STUDIO 2B option.
Invite someone from the council to come and let girls in your troop or group in on councilwide or local STUDIO 2B opportunities.
Get your most enthusiastic trainer to conduct "How Do You Do STUDIO 2B" sessions for your troop or group.
Get together with other volunteers and council staff to learn more about developmental differences between girls 11-13, 13-15, and 15-17, so you understand better the specific issues of middle school girls.
If you have a special skill or profession, create an event at which you can share about your own career, and what it has brought you.
Ask the 9- and 10-year-olds in your troop or group if they'd like to check out some of the STUDIO 2B events in advance—the ones for 11-to 13-year-olds, that is—and go as a group.
Plan some "back to school week" events with a grown-up flavor: spa themes, dance routines, nighttime activities, a chance to hear from teens and university students, college counselors, or professional women.
Use bandannas, temporary tattoos, or bracelets ordered for an event as invitations. Girls can wear their "invitation" as an entrance pass.
Foster a sense of belonging among girls who aren't meeting often by sending them e-updates. Girls like e-mail.
Build on girl's desire to help others, and their love of animals. Develop activities that enable them to make a difference in the lives of others or help in the care of animals, and discuss the possibility of enlisting community support.
Just be with the girls. Hold a Café 2B. Girls can hang out, share, talk, and relax, without any pressure to perform, do, or accomplish anything.
Involve girls in "passing-it-on," using "one for you, one for a friend" stickers, locker magnets, or clips for bags.
Have a meal together two or three times a month, at which you plan and prepare healthful foods together.
Set up a refreshment corner for parents at girl events, and give them a short presentation on what you're doing. Update them on how STUDIO 2B addresses issues their daughters may face as middle school girls.
Have a sleepover with a theme. (See suggestions below.)
Avoid having girls sitting around in school-like settings. Keep them active, with plenty of choices and hands-on activities.
Plan "Funky Friday" events once a month with girls. Activities could include jazzercise, swimming, miniature golf, pottery, and roller-skating.
Utilize the fact that girls like to belong to more than just their own small groups and they enjoy having someplace new to go. Facilitate ways they can spend time in new social structures and meet new friends.
Suggest that they invent contests, quizzes or weekly email-response games with prizes, to keep everyone connected in cyberspace.
And don't forget: keep checking in with the girls on what works and what doesn't!

Theme Gatherings

When you plan workshops, sleepovers, campouts or get-togethers, choose topics that appeal to teens—and encourage them to invite their friends. Some possible themes:

self-image
bedroom makeovers
becoming a teen
healthy eating
relating to friends
coping with bullies
conflict resolution
community action
hair-braiding, manicures, and pedicures
jewelry making
music and art
mother/daughter activities
expert guest events

You Gotta B in the Know

Make a commitment to familiarize yourself with all that STUDIO 2B has to offer:

Watch the video How Do You Do STUDIO 2B?, which is available from your council. If you've seen it already, arrange a refresher showing for yourself and other volunteers, girls, and parents.
Take a look at Collections, 11-13.
If girls have ideas about how to do STUDIO 2B, they can submit them online. Their input can help keep STUDIO 2B fresh and assure them that STUDIO 2B is their next Girl Scout experience—their way.

Tips on Addressing Body Image

As girls change physically, they become preoccupied with their self-image. If they seem ready to discuss the physical changes of early adolescence and the questions and worries they have about them, here are some approaches you can use:

See STUDIO 2B Focus: On Track for tips related to starting a running routine. Encourage girls to organize a group of runners, and support the idea of making a commitment to run together several times a week.