Cadette | Troop Year Planner

Your guide to a year of going, seeing, and doing!

For troop leaders of sixth, seventh and eighth grade Girl Scouts. 

Cadettes can’t wait to get out in the world and take action! Whether they’re taking off on the first field trip they’ve truly planned for themselves or discovering new ways they can help others, they’re showing up and creating the world they want to see. This guide will help you as your Girl Scouts explore activities focused on discovery, confidence, and practical skills that will help them be their best selves. Planning for your troop year should always be girl-led. To get you started, we’ve collected a variety of our most popular badges and awards into one action-packed plan, you’ll see just how simple it can be to make a huge difference in your Girl Scouts’ lives. Get ready for a year of adventure and excitement as you help them grow.

How to get started:

Use these online Cadette troop year plans to start planning your year. You can customize it along the way as you get to know your Girl Scouts and their interests.

Order your Cadette program materials and resources from the Girl Scout Shop
Access detailed instructions to lead troop meetings through the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK), your free online resource for meeting overviews, materials lists, and more. See step-by-step access instructions.

Cadette First Year Plan (PDF)

September

Meeting One: Girl-led Planning

Cadettes work together to plan their year of Girl Scouts.

Meeting Two: Cadette Family Kickoff

Cadettes present their year plan to their families at the family kickoff.

Field Trip: Girl Scouts Love State Parks

Girl Scouts explore the natural wonders found across our country during the Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend.

October

Meeting One: Eco Trekker

Cadettes learn how to protect the environment while preparing for an outdoor adventure.

Field Trip: Take an outdoor trek!

Cadettes take an outdoor trek and practice the skills they learned to help the environment.

November

Meeting One: Animal Helpers (parts one and two)

Cadettes learn how the animal to human relationship has evolved over time.

Meeting Two: National Service Project

Cadettes identify an issue they care about and make a difference in their community.

December

Meeting One: Animal Helpers Field Trip

Cadettes learn how animals help humans.

Meeting Two: Cookie Innovator (part one)

Cadettes choose a big idea, set goals, and build a budget to master their cookie business.

Cookie Time

The Girl Scout Cookie Program

Help troops learn about entrepreneurship and pay for things like field trips, badges, supplies, and celebrations. Reach out to your council to learn more about how to participate and when your local cookie season starts. You may need to adjust the recommended order of earning the cookie badges in your year plan based on your cookie sale dates.

January

Meeting One: Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin

Cadettes kick off the Cookie Program with their families.

Meeting Two: Digital Leadership (part one)

Cadettes explore their digital landscape, online bias, and digital communities.

February

Meeting One: Cookie Innovator (part two)

Cadettes explore ethics in their cookie business and decide how to meet their big goals and sell their big dream to others.

Meeting Two: World Thinking Day (part one)

Cadettes explore World Thinking Day and find out about environmental problems around the world.

Council Event: World Thinking Day Event

Cadettes attend a council or Service Unit World Thinking Day Event.

March

Meeting One: World Thinking Day (part two)

Cadettes explore the environment's link to peace and security, investigate ways to protect communities and ecosystems, and commit to a better future.

Meeting Two: Digital Leadership (part two)

Cadettes design digital content to create change and share their process with others.

April

Meeting One: New Cuisines (part one)

Cadettes discuss their favorite foods and decide what recipes to make.

Meeting Two: First Aid (part one)

Cadettes begin learning how to take care of people in an emergency.

May

Meeting One: New Cuisines (part two)

Cadettes make recipes from different places and times.

Meeting Two: First Aid (part two)

Cadettes continue learning how to take care of people in an emergency.

Girl-led End-of-Year Celebration

End your first year of Cadettes by celebrating your accomplishments with your troop and their families.

Summer

Flag Ceremony

Gather your troop together to honor our flag and learn how to have a flag ceremony as a troop.

Three-night Travel

Cadettes plan and embark on a three-night trip to explore the world around them.

Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge

Summer is the perfect time to celebrate our love of the great outdoors. You have so many options for how to explore—from your window, a campsite, the sidewalk, or an open trail.

Cadette Second Year Plan (PDF)

September

Meeting One: Girl-led Planning

Cadettes work together to plan their year of Girl Scouts.

Meeting Two: Cadette Family Kickoff

Cadettes present their year plan to their families at the family kickoff.

Field Trip: Girl Scouts Love State Parks

Girl Scouts explore the natural wonders found across our country during the Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend.

October

Meeting One: Snow or Climbing Adventure (part one)

Cadettes learn how to protect the environment while preparing for an outdoor adventure.

Meeting Two: Babysitter (part one)

Cadettes learn all about becoming the best babysitters ever!

Field Trip: Go on a climbing adventure!

Cadettes go on a climbing adventure as they continue their Snow or Climbing.

November

True North Award (part one)

Cadettes learn to explore your values, take on challenges, and speak out for what matters to you.

Meeting Two: Babysitter (part two)

Cadettes learn all about becoming the best babysitters ever!

December

Meeting One: Cookie Market Researcher (part one)

Cadettes get to know their product and resources and set goals and a budget.

Cookie Time

The Girl Scout Cookie Program

January

Meeting One: Cookie Market Researcher (part two)

Cadettes explore the Girl Scout Cookie brand, develop their marketing skills, and create their marketing campaign.

Meeting Two: World Thinking Day

Cadettes explore World Thinking Day and find out about environmental problems around the world.

February

Meeting One: Babysitter (part three)

Cadettes learn all about becoming the best babysitters ever!

Council Event: World Thinking Day Event

Cadettes attend a council or Service Unit World Thinking Day Event.

March

True North Award (part two)

Cadettes learn to explore your values, take on challenges, and speak out for what matters to you.

Meeting Two: Snow or Climbing Adventure (part two)

Cadettes learn about gear and training as they get ready for their outdoor adventure.

April

Designing Robots (part one)

Cadettes will build a prototype of a new kind of robot that could help someone to overcome a daily obstacle.

Meeting Two: Snow or Climbing Adventure (part three)

Cadettes ski/snowboard on a slope or go on an outdoor climbing adventure.

May

True North Award (part three)

Cadettes learn to explore your values, take on challenges, and speak out for what matters to you.

Designing Robots (part two)

Cadettes will build a prototype of a new kind of robot that could help someone to overcome a daily obstacle.

End-of-Year Celebration

End your first year of Cadettes by celebrating your accomplishments with your troop and their families.

Summer

Night Owl

Cadettes learn how to explore the mysteries of the world after dark and throw a nighttime party.

Three-night Travel

Cadettes plan and embark on a three-night trip to explore the world around them.

Cadette Third Year Plan (PDF)

September

Meeting One: Girl-led Planning

Cadettes work together to plan their year of Girl Scouts.

Meeting Two: Cadette Family Kickoff

Cadettes present their year plan to their families at the family kickoff.

Field Trip: Girl Scouts Love State Parks

Girl Scouts explore the natural wonders found across our country during the Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend.

October

Meeting One: Budget Manager (part one)

Cadettes explore how their values and budget intersect and find out how to track their spending.

Meeting Two: Resilient. Ready. Strong.

Cadettes will strengthen their mental wellness. Nobody can snap their fingers and make the world all sunshine and lollipops, but you can take steps to be ready when things get tough.

November

Meeting One: Trees (part one)

Cadettes have fun with trees while discovering how they serve the world around us.

Meeting Two: Trees (part two)

Cadettes have fun with trees while discovering how they serve the world around us.

December

Meeting One: My Cookie Venture (part one)

Cadettes prepare for their cookie business and set goals and a budget.

Cookie Time

The Girl Scout Cookie Program

January

Meeting One: My Cookie Venture (part two)

Cadettes create a mission statement, reach more customers and write a team business plan.

Meeting Two: Special Agent (part one)

Cadettes uncover their skills in one of the most exciting jobs for investigative minds.

February

Meeting One: World Thinking Day

Cadettes explore World Thinking Day and find out about environmental problems around the world.

Council Event: World Thinking Day Event

Cadettes attend a council or Service Unit World Thinking Day Event.

March

Meeting One: Global Action Award (part one)

Cadettes explore global goals, responsible consumption, and then create a challenge.

Meeting Two: Special Agent (part two)

Cadettes learn about forensic science, key into body language, and practice the art of detection.

April

Meeting One: Budget Manager (part two)

Cadettes find ways to earn money, explore smart money decisions, and set goals for how they'll give back.

Meeting Two: Global Action Award (part two)

Cadettes explore what responsible production means and then create a challenge.

May

Meeting One: Bridge to Senior Girl Scouts

Cadettes learn about what Senior Girl Scouts do and prepare to bridge to Seniors.

End-of-Year Cadette Bridging Collection

Cadettes bridge to Seniors in a ceremony with family and friends.

Summer

Archery

Cadettes engage with the exciting sport of archery.

Three-night Travel

Cadettes plan and embark on a three-night trip to explore the world around them.

Lead YOUR Way!

Wondering how you're “supposed” to lead? The best part is—there’s no one right way. Lead with what drives you through Girl Scouts’ NEW Leadership Awards.

LEARN MORE

Two Girl Scouts laughing and sitting outside

Shop Cadette Materials

 Find everything you need to lead a successful troop year at the Girl Scout Shop.

ORDER NOW

Tips and Resources:

How to host a Cadette meeting: toggle arrow

Arrival: Ask Cadettes who arrive early to help unpack and set up any snacks and activity materials for later.
Warmups and Wellness: Get Cadettes excited to begin their meeting with a warm activity or question and a wellness check.  Ask them how they are feeling today and what they are excited about! 
Opening Ceremony: Officially open your troop meeting by reciting the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Activities: Engage your Cadettes in the exciting activities to earn their badges. Involve your Cadettes in the planning of badge activities for each meeting.
Closing Ceremony: End your meeting by reviewing what you have learned together and asking Cadettes to share their favorite part of the meeting. Congratulate Cadettes on their accomplishments.
Follow Up with Families: After the meeting, remember to share with families all the great things their Cadettes accomplished!

How to customize your troop year plans: toggle arrow

When you can get outside, do it! Go for a small trip or simply meet in a new space. Shaking things up occasionally keeps things exciting
Check with your council to see if they’re offering events or activities that your troop could attend. Those events make life easier for you and allow your troop to connect with other Girl Scouts from their area. Many councils and service units host annual World Thinking Day events in February.
If any of the recommended program options is not the right fit, or if you want to give your Girl Scouts the chance to shape their own experience, have them vote to choose a different badge or activity within the same focus area. When you enable Girl-led activities, girls step up and take ownership of their decisions, they grow into confident leaders who can make informed and empowered decisions—a valuable skill they’ll carry throughout their lives.  Check out our Award and Badge Explorer for other badge favorites, our latest release of new programs, or visit the Girl Scout Activity Zone.

How to run smooth troop meetings: toggle arrow

Access free detailed instructions to lead each of the meetings included in these troop year plans through the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK). Simply log in or create a member account from mygs.girlscouts.org. Once you log in, from the left navigation menu choose “Volunteer Toolkit.” Then choose “Explore,” “Pre-Selected Tracks,” “Fun and Friendship” and you’re set! See step-by-step access instructions.
Access other easy-to-follow volunteer essentials to keep you organized and inspired.

How to access volunteer training: toggle arrow

Access volunteer training from gsLearn for easy access to essential training and courses to lead activities the Girl Scout way.
Simply log in via myGS.girlscouts.org and search for “GSUSA Brownie badges” or other topics of interest. Each course will show you how to bring the badge content to life for your Brownie troop.
See step-by-step access instructions.

Troop leader with two Girl Scouts smiling outdoors

Keep the Excitement Going

Give your troop another year of growth, laughter, and the confidence they need to be their most authentic selves!

SIGN ME UP

Council Finder

Cadette Troop Year Planner

Your guide to a year of going, seeing, and doing!

For troop leaders of sixth, seventh and eighth grade Girl Scouts.

How to get started:

Cadette First Year Plan (PDF)

Cadette Second Year Plan (PDF)

Cadette Third Year Plan (PDF)

Tips and Resources: