Senior | Troop Year Planner

Your guide to a year of fun and friendship!  

For troop leaders of ninth and tenth grade Girl Scouts. 

Seniors know what they believe in and are ready to make the world a better place. Whether they’re learning how laws are made (and dreaming up a few of their own) or taking part in a national service project, they’re determined to make their mark. 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. Get ready for a year of adventure and excitement as you help them grow.

Group of Senior Girl Scouts outdoors at an event smiling

How to get started:

Use these online Senior 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 Senior 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.

Senior First Year Plan (PDF)

September

Meeting One: Girl-led Planning

Seniors work together to plan their year of Girl Scouts.

Meeting Two: Family Kickoff

Seniors 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

True North Award (part one)

The True North award empowers Seniors to take meaningful action aligned with your values.

Meeting One: Resilient. Ready. Strong.

Seniors 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.

Field Trip

Seniors explore their world by going on an overnight adventure.

November

Meeting One: Democracy (part one)

Seniors learn about their local and state government.

True North Award (part two)

The True North award empowers Seniors to take meaningful action aligned with your values.

December

Meeting One: Cookie Boss (part one)

Seniors take the lead in their cookie business and set SMART goals.

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: Adventurer (part one)

Seniors learn how to plan and take a multi-day adventure trip.

Meeting Two: Cookie Boss (part two)

Seniors team up to make business decisions, make their cookie boss pitch, and expand their customer base

February

Meeting One: World Thinking Day planning

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

Council Event: World Thinking Day Event

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

March

Meeting One: Democracy (part two)

Seniors do their citizen science project and choose a problem for the Take Action project.

True North Award (part three)

The True North award empowers Seniors to take meaningful action aligned with your values.

April

True North Award (part four)

The True North award empowers Seniors to take meaningful action aligned with your values.

Digital Leadership (part one)

Seniors take care of themselves and are kind and supportive to others online. It's also using technology to inspire and guide other people.

May

Meeting One: Paddling

Seniors explore paddling sports and safety.

Digital Leadership (part two)

Seniors take care of themselves and are kind and supportive to others online. It's also using technology to inspire and guide other people.

End-of-Year Celebration

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

Summer

Adventurer (part two and trip)

Seniors use their outdoor skills and go on an adventure camp out.

National Service Project

Seniors engage in acts of service and kindness to improve their communities.

Senior Second Year Plan (PDF)

September

Meeting One: Girl-led Planning & Family Kickoff

Seniors work together to plan their year of Girl Scouts and present their year plan to their families at the family kickoff.

Girl Scouts Love State Parks

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

Outdoor Art Expert

Seniors learn how to find the art in nature and create their own outdoor artwork.

October

Meeting One: Room Makeover (part one)

Seniors learn all about updating and organizing their space.

November

Meeting One: Room Makeover (part two)

Seniors learn all about updating and organizing their space.

December

Meeting One: Business Startup (part one)

Seniors set goals and a budget for their business.

January

Meeting One: Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin

Seniors kick off the Cookie Program with their families.

February

Meeting One: Global Action Award (part one)

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

Council Event: World Thinking Day Event

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

March

Meeting One: Senior Trail Adventure (part one)

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

April

Car Care

Seniors master maintenance tips that keep a car in top form and driving skills that will help you rule the road safely.

May

Meeting One: Global Action Award (part two)

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

Summer

Senior Trail Adventure (part two)

Seniors prepare to go on a 5-day, 4-night backpacking trip.

Field Trip

Seniors plan and embark on a 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

Group of Senior Girl Scouts sitting in a friendship handshake and smiling

Shop Senior 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 Senior meeting: toggle arrow

Arrival: Ask Seniors who arrive early to help unpack and set up any snacks and activity materials for later.
Warmups and Wellness:  Get Seniors 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 Seniors in the exciting activities to earn their badges. Involve your Seniors in the planning of badge activities for each meeting. 
Closing Ceremony:  End your meeting by reviewing what you have learned together and asking Seniors to share their favorite part of the meeting. Congratulate Seniors on their accomplishments.  
Follow Up with Families: After the meeting, remember to share with families all the great things their Seniors 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

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Senior Troop Year Planner

Your guide to a year of fun and friendship!

For troop leaders of ninth and tenth grade Girl Scouts.

How to get started:

Senior First Year Plan (PDF)

Senior Second Year Plan (PDF)

Tips and Resources: