u/Ok-Platform-8132

Looking for some creative ways to accomplish the trailblazing badge. Having difficulty finding a place that the girls could actually hike and spend a night at. Unfortunately we don’t have any national parks locally and most of our state parks only have actual campsites. Reading the badge it basically sounds like backpacking but not 100% sure. Most people seem to focus on the spirit of the badge that I’ve spoken to so I’m struggling with ideas and how to approach it.

The girls have gotten the outdoor journey every level so far and wanted to continue that accomplishment. So I’m trying but coming up empty so far. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Leader of a multi level troop so we have girls joining almost every year. We also have very different expectations based on level and experience while trying very hard to meet girls where they are. There always seems to be one or two of the younger daisies and brownies that just continue to do what they want regardless of correction. And regardless of conversation with parents. Yes, even when parent is present and asked to help with said child. And let’s face it some kids (my own included) are just young for their age and eventually will mature. At least that’s the goal.

The question becomes can council force you to take responsibility for a child that clearly has no respect for the leaders, other Girl Scouts or even the parent? Case of the child kinda rules the roost here. Other girls in the troop are fine. But parent had consistently brought the girl to events and activities that she is clearly not ready for (sometimes these are independent council events or events offered that the troop is not participating in because of ratios etc) (side note same parent will not take the lead and take responsibility for others or coordinate events they are already attending) and even allows them to distract and derail entire meetings. Or are we going to be in a position to effectively punish the other girls by only being able to plan events that everyone including the unruly girl(s) can handle.

We are potentially planning an upcoming camping trip because the girls really want to go camping again. But honestly the thought of taking responsibility for this child makes it difficult to want to continue here. And yes there’s also a safety concern. Many of the other girls have been camping with families etc so other than the couple unruly girls it makes sense. In our case there’s one that is more unruly than the other.

Looking for opinions on how we move forward. I don’t think a behavior contract will work as there’s no way to actually enforce them and our council is less than helpful. And they already have a history of allowing bullies to have more rights than the ones they’re bullying. So how do we allow opportunities to girls that are more than ready while also having girls that are not. And is there any point that we can draw a line or that troop stuck until everyone at that level is ready.

We have a mixed group of priorities so it’s hard to balance all the needs sometimes but things like camping I do think are important.