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Newport News Daisies and Brownies Grow Strong with Community Troops
Girl Scout Daisies and Brownies in Newport News are building skills, confidence, and friendships through hands-on activities powered by the Girl Scout Community Troop Program. Community Troops are led by trained Girl Scout staff members, called Community Troop Specialists, who guide girls through activities in various schools, churches, and community centers, as well as virtually.
The Community Troop Program helps remove barriers so every girl can participate in Girl Scouts. Hosted directly within schools and community spaces, these troops make leadership programming accessible and convenient for families.
Girl Scouts in community troops at Sedgefield and Stoney Run Elementary Schools take part in engaging, challenging, and fun activities like earning badges, traveling, selling cookies, exploring science, getting outdoors, and doing community service projects—all part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
These troops operate under the leadership of Daniela Ragsdale, Community Troop Manager for Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, using the Girl Scout Experience Box program. Experience Boxes support troop leaders with ready-to-use lesson plans, supplies, and engaging activities — making it easy to deliver meaningful badge work and patch programs.
Daniela shared, “As Community Troop Manager, it is very rewarding to see Girl Scouts using these new skills while interacting with their fellow Girl Scouts. No matter their age, race, or culture, each of them is always willing to help one another. Making Girl Scouting accessible in schools or community centers allows more girls to experience our program, make new friends, and learn new things.”
Daisies at Stoney Run Learn Money Skills
Girl Scout Daisies in Troop 1113 at Stoney Run Elementary dove into the Money Explorer Experience Box during their first meeting, learning the basics of saving, spending, and making smart financial choices. Through hands-on activities, they practiced setting goals and understanding the difference between wants and needs, building confidence with every step. This meeting was all about the financial empowerment gained while Daisies earned their Money Explorer badge.
Brownies at Stoney Run Stitch Up Success
Girl Scout Brownies in Troop 1113 at Stoney Run put their creativity to the test by stitching their very own stuffed animal. As they learned beginner sewing skills like threading needles and tying knots, they also discovered the power of being a maker. The group talked about different types of “makers” such as carpenters, jewelers, and graphic designers.
In 2025, Girl Scouts of the USA announced the launch of nine new Maker badges within the Life Skills badge program. Stanley Black & Decker funded and helped develop these badges focused on innovation to inspire girls to consider the trades.
Brownies at Sedgefield Earn the “Resilient, Ready, Strong” Patch
Meanwhile, Girl Scout Brownies in Troop 1114 at Sedgefield Elementary earned their Girl Scouts Resilient, Ready, Strong patch. This patch celebrates ways to practice healthy coping skills, build emotional strength, and navigate challenges with confidence. Featuring empowering concepts, the patch is a reminder that Girl Scouts can face anything together. Through guided discussions and activities, the girls explored how to bounce back from setbacks, how to start journaling, and how to support one another along the way.
This impactful programming across the area is made possible thanks to the generous support of Newport News Shipbuilding. Their investment in local girls ensures that leadership development, skill-building, and confidence-boosting opportunities are available right here in Newport News.
From money smarts to resilience-building, our Newport News Community Troops are helping girls grow into confident leaders!
