The Badge Archive

I’m struggling to know how to plan for these different levels. On the volunteer toolkit, is there a way to plan separate badges for both levels in the same meeting? I don’t see this. I’d like to avoid recreating the wheel if there is already something in VTK for that! Any other tips would be very very welcome! Anyone want to mentor a very overwhelmed leader, LOL?

– Overwhelmed New Leader

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Dear Overwhelmed New Leader,

Hi there, and welcome to the adventure! We’re so glad you reached out. First, take a good deep breath. What you’re experiencing is very common, and you’re already doing the most important thing by asking questions and seeking support. Multi-level planning can feel like juggling glitter, but it’s absolutely doable (and even fun) with the right tools and mindset.

Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) Tips for Multi-Level Troops

You’re right that the Volunteer Toolkit doesn’t currently allow you to assign different badge tracks to different levels within the same meeting plan. However, here’s how many leaders work around that:

• Create a custom year plan: Use the Combine Meeting feature in VTK to build a flexible plan. You can add badges from different levels manually and organize them by meeting. This does NOT combine the activities, but can help with you knowing which badges you are going to work on during which meetings.
• Use the “Meeting Plan” tab: Once you’ve added a badge or Journey, you can customize the activities. Manually, leaders can delete, swap, or add steps to suit your troop’s mix. This is often a lot of extra work most of us skip, but it is an option.
• Print and prep separately: Many leaders prep two versions of the meeting (one for Daisies and one for Brownies) and run parallel stations or buddy systems. This does require you to have a large enough meeting space and enough adult volunteers to run two separate groups.

You can find examples of how GSUSA recommend you do this on Girl Scouts’ Multi-Level Troop Blueprint, which includes sample badge pairings and tips for shared themes across levels.

We personally do not find VTK planning friendly for Multi-level troops, but it is possible to do so and some find success. Hopefully, these tips will help if you attempt to do so.

Planning Strategies That Work

Here are a few tried-and-true approaches from seasoned leaders:

• Theme-based meetings: Choose a theme (e.g., “Respect,” “Space Science,” “Community Helpers”) and adapt activities for each level. Daisies might earn a petal while Brownies earn a badge with similar values. More often, you just focus on one level and their requirements and give the other level a Fun Patch.
• Buddy system: Pair older girls with younger ones for parts of the meeting. Brownies can help Daisies with crafts or lead a song. It’s great leadership practice! Some older scouts feel like they are always watching the littles, so make sure to give them some meetings where they are not always paired with younger scouts.
• Rotating stations: Set up 2–3 activity stations, each tailored to a level. Girls rotate through with their age group or mixed teams. Stations allow a lot of flexibility depending on how large your group is and how many adults you have available to be a helper during the meetings. Remind parents in your troop that they can help and not be a leader. Many are willing to pitch in for a few meetings if they aren’t assigned the title of “Leader”.
• Join a Multi-Level specific Facebook Group: Our own GS D/B/J Leader Help does have multi-level troops, but also many single level. You might try Multi-level Girl Scout Troops and GS Multi Level Think Tank as an additional resource when you want opinions from several other multi-level troops on a question.

You’re Not Alone

Feeling overwhelmed is part of the journey, but so is finding your rhythm. Many councils offer mentorship programs or Facebook groups where leaders share ideas, templates, and moral support. If you haven’t already, check with your local service unit or council to see if there’s a troop mentor available. Having a local mentor is often far more helpful than one online, since they’ll know your area’s events, traditions, and logistics. They can offer hands-on support when you need it most. If that option is available, we highly recommend it.

And of course, The Badge Archive is here to help. We’re working on expanding our multi-level planning guides and will be adding more adaptable resources soon. The Petal Project is still a work in progress, and has to be revamped now that the Journeys are retiring, but that does give you a solid start of the year plan if you want to run a Brownie Daisy troop for the first part of the petals.

Here is the first meetings you can do:

• Meeting 1 – Promise Center/A World of Girls Part 1
• Meeting 2 – Honest and Fair/A World of Girls Part 2
• Meeting 3 – Friendly and Helpful/A World of Girls Part 3
• Meeting 4 – Brownie My Best Self
  • Earning the My Best Self badge covers Part 1 of Daisy 3 Cheers Journey.
• Meeting 5 – Brownie Pets
  • Earning the Pets badge covers Part 2 of Daisy 3 Cheers Journey.
• Meeting 6 – Take Action Plan (TAP): Each troop must plan individually.
  • This TAP will work for Brownie A World of Girls Part 4 & Daisy 3 Cheers Part 3.
• Meeting 7 – D/B Courageous and Strong Petal for Brownie Senses

By then the new Daisies who had not earned their petals will have a good start. Have them continue to earn them at home with their families using the Petals At Home PDF.

Move on to doing Daisy badges paired with Brownie Badges. You can look up to see which ones are easier to line up using our D/B/J Levels Quick Guide.

If you have specific badge combos you’re trying to plan around, send them our way. We love a good challenge!

You’ve got this.
— From Tia K.

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