Troop Government
Troop government is an easy, structured way for girls to govern and manage their Girl Scout troop decisions and discussions. Troop leaders can use this guide to learn how to implement troop government and help girls take the lead.
Troop Government is Hands-On Learning
Troops are expected to use the processes of girl-led, learning-by-doing, and cooperative learning in all Girl Scout activities. Using a democratic form of troop government is one way to implement these processes because it gives girls the opportunity to lead the planning, decision-making, and activities in their troop!
It’ll help girls work together toward shared goals as they figure out the what, where, when, and how of their activities, and give each girl the opportunity to have a voice in the troop and be a leader.
The Five Types of Troop Government
There are five traditional forms of Girl Scout troop government based on program grade-levels. Daisies can participate in the Daisy Circle and Brownies can form the Brownie Ring. Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors can choose from the Patrol, Executive Board, and Town Meeting System.
The Daisy Circle 
The Brownie Ring
The Patrol System
The Executive Board
The Town Meeting System
Tips for All Grade Levels
No matter the age of your troop, remember the following:
- Come to meetings prepared.
- Establish a discussion process.
- Record/document discussions to help with the planning and implementing of the girls’ ideas.
- Use troop government to evaluate activities with the girls to help make their Girl Scout experience and activities more meaningful.
Have Patience and Adjust as Needed
The first few meetings may not be perfect and the discussions may not run smoothly or go as planned—experience and mistakes will shape how girls learn troop government and its benefits.
Adjust how your government functions based on the needs of you, your girls, and the troop as a whole. Through trial-and-error, you’ll find a system that works best for your girls!
