Note to leaders:  Some leaders enjoy attending all events with their troops.  Others feel that girls can do more activities if troop parents participate in events with the girls.  Once your parents are volunteer approved encourage them to accompany your troop.  Be sure to have a (hard copy) permission form signed for each girl for every field trip.

Skylark and Hidden Falls Camporees
All Brownies and older Girl Scout troops are invited to camp together for the weekend.   This event is usually held at Skylark or Hidden Falls, Girl Scout owned properties about one hours drive from Los Altos.  Both locations offer a nature hut, trails and lots of opportunity for outdoor activities.  Leaders of troops visiting for the first time often find that the girls are just so excited to be outdoors and away together than very little organized activity is needed. (At least one adult per troop should have taken the Basic In-Town Overnight and Basic Troop Camping training.)

Brownie Campfire
Brownies from across the Service Unit gather at the Scout Circle fire ring at Lucie Stern Theatre to sing together.  Depending upon the organizing troop, songs may be led by a group of girls or individual troops.  Songs are usually "fun" songs although some Girl Scout classics are introduced.  However, most songs involve a lot of repetition which means that non readers can quickly learn and participate. (No leader preparations required.)

Junior Campfire
Usually held a little later in the evening, the juniors use flashlights to read the words of the songs they don't fully know.  By this age most girls are familiar with lots of the Girl Scout songs and this is an opportunity to get together with fellow Girl Scouts and sing one's heart out. (No leader preparations required.)

Sacramento Train Trip
This event is typically scheduled every third year in November to coincide with Living History Day at Sutter's Fort.  Old Town and the Capitol are within walking distance of the Sacramento train station, as are the fabulous Sacramento train museum and California History museum.  Sutter s Fort is a short journey away either by public transportation, shuttle or foot.  The return train leaves around 6 p.m. making for a long, tiring but eventful day.  Mature second graders could handle it, but might be well advised to wait three years and go as fifth graders.  (No leader preparations required.)

Holiday Sing
Brings girls together to sing holiday songs on the street corners of downtown Los Altos.  Girls are scheduled for 15 minutes per location and spend part of the afternoon at Los Altos Youth Center making holiday crafts which are then used to decorate holiday food baskets for the needy. (No leader preparations required.)

Junior Lock-In
A giant slumber party, usually with a theme (Hawaiian night, make up evening, etc.)  Girls arrive after dinner with accompanying adults.  Craft and other group activities are prepared by the organizing troop to keep the girls busy until around 11 p.m., then it's into sleeping bags to watch a movie.  A light breakfast snack and girls are on their way home with fun memories to share.

Brownie Dance Festival
Each participating Brownie troop prepares a short "dance" which is then presented to the other attending troops.  Organizers try to schedule about 10 troops at each dance festival.  Cookies and juice are served afterwards.  Interpretation of "dance" can be very broad, and in the past has included folk dances from other countries, Irish or Scottish jig dancing, hip hop and other modern dances as well as classics such as YMCA and the Macarena.  Dances typically last the length of one song.  Leaders bring their own music to the event on a tape or CD.   Most troops use crepe paper, matching hair bands or other simple costume accompaniments that the girls have made to "dress up".

Junior Me and My Guy Dance
Brownies would love to do this too, but it's a treat we save for Juniors.  A real date (with dad or other favorite male adult) to a proper dance - usually with a live DJ!  A combination of popular tunes that anyone can dance to usually gets most of the dads on the dance floor for some of the time at least.  Girls enjoy dancing with their friends while Dads chat, until the slow dances when all dad's are swept back to the dance floor by their adoring daughters.  Girls often dress up for this while dads just come as they are.  It seems to be the one event many girls remember most fondly for years after - as a special time alone with their dad.  (No leader preparations required.)

Daisy Sing (sometimes called Songs and S'mores)
An opportunity to get together with other Daisy scouts to learn and sing some Girl Scout songs.  Older Girl Scouts prepare s mores - a treat to look forward to at future troop campfires.

Leader-Daughter Event
Activity varies from year to year.

Brownie or Junior Outdoor Skills Day
A chance for younger scouts to get some training in basic camping skills.  Girls learn the important elements of building a campfire, how to tie knots, as well as many important aspects of safety during camping and outdoor activities.  Sometimes the event is held for Brownies and sometimes for Juniors.  This event is coordinated by older Girl Scouts and typically happens every second or third year.  (No leader preparations required.)

Girl Scout Sunday
Los Altos Methodist Church allows our service unit to use its facilities for leader meetings, large girl events, and troop meetings throughout the year.  This is our turn to give back and thank the congregation by participating in the morning services.  At the 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services older girls read the lessons, give testimonials and younger girls sing and share what Girl Scouting has meant to them.  All faiths are welcome.  All Girl Scout families are encouraged to join in the services on this special day.  Girl Scouts of all faiths are encouraged to do something special at their place of worship this weekend to recognize and give thanks for Girl Scouting around the world.

Junior Local Lore
This is a chance for SU 8 Junior scouts to work on the Local Lore badge while learning about the history of Los Altos.  The workshop consists of four stations and include a docent lead tour of the remodeled Los Altos History Museum and a historical walking tour of the city.

Spring Service Unit Camporee
A spring event similar to the fall camporee, usually held at a non Girl Scout facility which involves bringing your own tents, and possibly dealing with a little rain.  (At least one adult per troop should have taken the Basic In-Town Overnight and Basic Troop Camping training.)

Pet Parade
Troops get together to participate in this city sponsored event, where every kid can be in the parade with their pet or stuffed animal.

Rotary Art Show
This service opportunity is for older Brownies and Junior scouts and involves assisting with handing out flyers, balloons, ice cream or whatever help is needed.  The proceeds from the Rotary Art Show provide funds that the Rotary Club donates to groups like Girl Scouts.

Memorial Day Ceremony
This service project includes promoting the display of flags in Downtown Los Altos, as well as participating in Memorial Day ceremonies.

Wildlife Refuge Adventure
Coordinated every third year by the Cadettes and Seniors, this event was last held in March 2000.  This is a full day activity, with stations to learn about environmental issues and what's going on in and around the bay.   (No leader preparation required.)

In addition, there are many events organized by the Santa Clara Council.  For details see the Council brochure mailed each fall.