I recently received an email from Bella Online, most likely automated, informing me that I hadn't posted an article in awhile and that my subscribers may believe that I had lost interest in my topic. Far from it, the beginning of the school year has brought an avalance of activities in Scouting.

Recently I sat down with a new volunteer who will be leading a new cooperatively led Daisy troop at the school where my girls attend. It occurred to me that the basics are the same and sharing them might help all new leaders.

It's a new year and a good time for resolutions. This year, make it a goal to attend your local service unit/neighborhood meetings.

Summer is here and with it a lull in the usual Girl Scout activities. Although troops tend to take a hiatus in the summer, camping is a big activity that fills the void.

My Daisies are no more; they've become Brownies. I love the flexibility of having older girls, but I will miss those little girls.

The troop crest began as a method of differentiating troops. With an estimated 3.2 million members divided into troops, one can easily see why the troop crest was abandoned in favor or troop numbers.

It´s nearing the end of the school year and a lot of troops are thinking about Court of Awards and end-of-the-year activities. I am thinking about my Daisies first year as Brownies.

Recently I received a query from a reader about how and where to get uniforms at a discount. Girl Scouts is for everyone, including those who have few pennies to spare.

My youngest daughters is a Daisy, so for those of you with younger girls who thought I was done with the Brownie thing and moving onto Juniors only, not so!

I recently received this email from another leader, Cherie Cooper, with what I found to be helpful information for leaders at the Junior level. With her permission, I am posting her ideas for everyone´s benefit!