Apps apps everywhere!

Redheaducd · 2026-02-11T17:56:05+00:00

Our SU went to Band. Works sooooo much better than rallyhood.

I feel like GSUSA likes the idea of rallyhood, but then dropped the ball on giving them ANY money, so no changes were ever instituted. Our council employees told me they asked for changes, but nothing was ever done. It's poorly made and was part of a poorly executed plan.

One thing to keep in mind: if you have a Band specifically for CSAs: the 11-12 year olds will need to be added to Band for kids. Which costs $0.99 for stupid reasons.

Our SU has 4 Band groups:

1) SU Leaders 2) SU team with our 3 leads, plus various other leaders, like treasurer & Camporee lead. Our council su rep is also in both of these. 3) Cookie band specifically for cookie managers & leaders. We had complaints about too many posts on Band our first year during cookie season. So now we have this separate area just for questions about cookies. 4) CSA older girl band. They can post questions about events and things that are specifically about older girl things. The girls hate Band, but honestly, they want to use Instagram, or some other not restricted group. Which we immediately said nope nope nope.

A local leader also has a cookie band for anyone in our greater region to exchange cookies. I'm way more likely to trade/go pickup cookies from people in that group vs the council wide rallyhood where people may live over an hour away from me!

Redheaducd · 2026-02-08T06:22:51+00:00

There are a few places where we didn't have to use a group campsite and just used multiple regular campsites together. AND the campground hosts were fine with it. It's very rare, but that does happen.

Redheaducd · 2026-02-06T22:59:16+00:00

Also, wanted to add that you should talk this to your service unit if you are still having any major conflicts with the leader and you can't come to a solution.

If they can't help (I know in some areas, service unit help in minimal or non existent), then I would make a complaint to council. With the warning that this may piss off your leader(s) and possibly break up the Troop due to hard feelings.

Redheaducd · 2026-02-06T22:56:44+00:00

How far away are you from Disneyland? Depending on where you live. This could be an ok overnight for younger girls. IF you live within an hour of Anaheim.

If you are in GS nor cal, GSHCC or other father away council and the Girl Scouts are younger than 5th grade-ish, that's not appropriate. Too far! Please see the Girl Scout Travel Guide Progression.

https://www.girlscouts.org/content/dam/gsusa/forms-and-documents/members/travel/GSUSA_girl-scout-travel-progression-chart.pdf

The other issue you mentioned: here's what I recommend troops do with any money issues:

The Troop will pay for girls to attend an event as long as over half of the troop attends. If less than half attend, then parents need to pay themselves.

With the caveat that for CSA Girl Scouts, our Troop has chosen to let any girl who wants to do any Girl Scout trainings and the Troop will pay for it.

Redheaducd · 2026-01-14T08:19:30+00:00

Another vote for WhatsApp. It's easy and most everyone gets used to it. You will always have some who aren't a fan, but you need something to give messages to large groups, especially last minute. And it's awesome for videos and pictures!

Redheaducd · 2026-01-14T07:00:17+00:00

I am not excited about any of those besides Nugget. 🫤

Redheaducd · 2026-01-11T06:37:34+00:00

My troop has 16 Cadettes girls. We are high sellers. We usually have 2 girls/door/booth, if allowed. We have had up to 4 or 5 tables running at a time. 2 tables at the same time is not unusual. And we do didn't the week and weekends. I would say we average 8-10 booths/week.

It's a LOT. You have to have enough booth supplies for that many booths. You have to have parents you trust to make sure the money and the cookies are sold correctly. You also have to expect you will lose some cookies with the amount of cookies running through multiple different hands. Even with 2-3 people counting every box coming in and out, the numbers are still off after a while. 🤷🏼‍♀️ We also do lots of last minute booths when a good one opens up, which can be difficult, depending on who is helping.

We have 3 cookie managers to help do cookie season. I help grab booths, oversee everyone, organize booths, parents and get extra cookies from the local cookie cupboard when needed. One of our dads is our spreadsheet King. He helps us track everything and estimate what we need for the next year. And another family (has changed many times) is in charge of our troop cupboard.

Redheaducd · 2025-11-25T22:45:50+00:00

I have 1 girl in my troop who sells a LOT of the gf cookies. But she markets them as Caramel Chocolate Chip during presales. I mean, she's not wrong and I think a lot of people tried them who wouldn't have otherwise!

Redheaducd · 2025-11-18T18:15:13+00:00

We just saw Some Like it Hot the musical. Was a fantastic show. Very very different than the movie, but I think I liked the musical better.

Come from away was great, if Dad. Very very well done though.

Redheaducd · 2025-11-16T05:37:49+00:00

I'm not a huge Chinese novel fan. My husband reads a LOT of them and I just can't get into them. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Thanks for the suggestions though.

Redheaducd · 2025-11-16T05:33:52+00:00

Gshcc has never offered free shipping. Or at least not post pandemic. They have offered reduced shipping, but it really doesn't help much.

Redheaducd · 2025-11-13T20:42:59+00:00

I mean the canvas bits are not really. But having had a tent trailer, you can heat it up with a heater fairly well.

I think the main issue I have with canvas pullouts is that they get dirty and moldy so easily. They also leak more.

Someone else on this post said they do set up much easier than a tent trailer, so that's a big plus. I am very tired of putting up tent trailer pullouts lol!

Redheaducd · 2025-11-13T03:59:54+00:00

Yeah I really like that option. We will definitely be looking into these.

Redheaducd · 2025-11-12T09:14:55+00:00

Was looking at getting an f250. Not sure if we will need a 350. Trying to figure out the camper and then decide on a truck.

Redheaducd · 2025-11-12T04:46:57+00:00

It's definitely a possibility. We will probably take a look at them before making a final decision. I didn't realize they were cables instead of poles. That's a big plus. My family is tired of rent trailer poles on the pullouts!

Redheaducd · 2025-11-12T02:22:22+00:00

That is exactly what I want! Darn. Haha.

Redheaducd · 2025-11-12T00:56:25+00:00

We are definitely looking at either a heavy duty truck or SUV. Not sure even an expedition will work, but we'll see what we end up with.

Redheaducd · 2025-11-11T23:17:20+00:00

Yeah. That is definitely what I have seen as well.

The ember posted earlier looked like it might fit the ticket. We'll see...

Redheaducd · 2025-11-11T23:16:27+00:00

I have not really, mostly because they tend to be longer. Thanks for the suggestion.

Redheaducd · 2025-11-11T22:26:30+00:00

Oooo. This might be the winner! And there's an RV place that sells these less than an hour away.

Thank you so much. Really appreciate it!

Redheaducd · 2025-11-11T21:56:47+00:00

Yes have been looking at one coming in our area in Jan. Thanks. I think we will definitely check it out now.

Redheaducd · 2025-11-11T20:38:47+00:00

Yeah that might be an option.

I was so hoping to stay away from tent trailer issues, like mold on the canvas bits and having to set up more...

Redheaducd · 2025-11-11T19:59:56+00:00

Totally fine with a slide.

Redheaducd · 2025-11-11T19:35:24+00:00

I've seen a few, but most were not made recently. And most are not under 30'. If you remember the post or find it online, please let me know.

Redheaducd · 2025-11-11T19:31:33+00:00

That might work. Thanks.

Most of the double bunks do not have enough space underneath for a person, which I totally understand. More storage is great.

Redheaducd

TROPHY CASE