Girl Scouts as leadership activity?

[SusGob711]

I'm trying to keep my application well rounded and I've looked into becoming a volunteer leader for Girl Scouts of America for leadership experience but I also don't want to spread myself too thin. I will be working as a scribe this Fall, doing some research (hopefully), I am involved with Alpha Epsilon Delta, and I do volunteering with Assistance Dogs of America. I might get some leadership experience through AED but I also think Girl Scouts would be fulfilling. But...I don't want to say I can commit only to realize I can't 🙁

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[red10]

it's not about quantity as much as quality. if you're doing a dozen things at just a member level, it's not as impressive as a couple things with leadership in 1 or more.
do an activity you love and get super involved. If that's Girl Scouts then great, you may have to take time away from another activity.

 

[Dr McSexy]

I did Boy Scouts as a participant (never as a troop leader) and thought it was a great experience.

I think it really depends on what your duties as a volunteer leader will be. Since your doing a lot of other activities, I wouldn't think you want to volunteer to do this only to find out the things you have time to do is mostly paperwork, registrations, etc.. If you are able to make the time to actively help girls earn badges (patches?) and participate in events that aren't part of the routine meetings such as outings and volunteer work with the troop in the community, I think it will be a worthwhile endeavor.

Another thing to think about is that possibly in Girl Scouts (I'm assuming now due to only involvement in Boy Scouts) is that the experiences are mainly for the kids/teens. Unless you are working with only the youngest, the adult leaders mainly left a lot of the organizing of trips and outings to the kid/teen troop leaders. The adults mainly served as a mentor role more than anything else, while the kids/teens did more of the "leading". The adults took care of most of the organizational detail when it came to national programs (such as selling cookies in GS) or registrations for camps and such. Like I said, I'm not sure if this is how it actually works, but could be something to consider anyway.

 

[Ischemic]

No unless you bribe your interviewer and adcom with free cookies

 

[Catalystik]

"Leadership" for med school application purposes, preferably refers to peer leadership. Being a Girl Scout leader is a great community service, but unless you are training other adults, you are not leading peers.

Also, (from my experience as a GS leader) there are a lot of training sessions and a lot of paperwork, rules, and regulations. Check it out thoroughly as to what is required before you commit.

Now that I think on it, though, a GS leader does need to do a lot of parent motivation, organization, recruiting, reminding, begging, feedback, and followup. Maybe there is an argument for claiming peer leadership in some troops.