March 28, 2024

Creston mom starts Daisy Troop

When first grader Natalie Miller wanted to join Girl Scouts, her mom, Katelynn Stevens looked around to see what options were available.

“I was told there’s not a Daisy Troop in Creston,” Stevens said. “The closest is an hour away.”

Daisy Troops are for girls in kindergarten and first grade. Creston does have a Brownie Troop for second and third graders as well as Girl Scout Troops for the older girls.

“I told them, If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know,” Stevens said. “A couple days later, someone from the Girl Scout Council called and asked if I’d be interested in starting up a Daisy Troop.”

Unsure what being a troop leader would entail, Stevens needed time to think, but by the end of September, she had made her decision.

“It might be a mess to start out,” she said. “But I’ll go ahead and do it.”

Through her daughter’s friends, the troop quickly found two other girls interested in joining. From there, they started sharing information on Facebook to find other girls interested in joining.

“I think having a daughter who is really social helped with that,” she said.

Stevens capped the group at 10 for the year, and the troop is already nearing their limit.

Daisy Troop #1354 held their first meeting in January after Stevens went through the Girl Scouts’ process to become a troop leader.

“They gave me some tools to look online,” she explained. “The Girl Scouts website has been the most helpful thing.”

Girl Scouts implemented something new this year, where they send out a kit of activities for a couple meetings. Stevens was able to use a kit for their science meeting where the kids learned how to make slime.

The girls also earned their money counts badges by learning how to take money and count back change. They also took some time to learn what it means to be kind.

“Each of the many activities they can choose from is designed to help them explore their world and expand their horizons,” the Girl Scouts website states. “From planting a community garden to visiting an animal shelter, Daisies learn they have the power to make a difference.”

While Stevens is unsure what the future will hold for Troop #1354, she knows what her priorities are. “I just want them to have fun. That’s my main thing,” she said. “I want them to know there is someone who believes in them, and let’s them know they can do it.”

The troop still has a few spots available. If interested, contact Stevens at (641) 202-1207.

Cheyenne Roche

CHEYENNE ROCHE

Originally from Wisconsin, Cheyenne has a journalism and political science degree from UW-Eau Claire and a passion for reading and learning. She lives in Creston with her husband and their two little dogs.