Have you received the new materials--Girls' Guide to Girl Scouting and/or Journey Skill Builders? I may not have called them by the correct names, but they look fantastic. I am still waiting on my Brownie and Junior GGGS, but I have looked through the badge work for the Brownie Quest Journey. We are almost finished earning the Keys, so I look forward to planning activities so the girls can earn the badges.
Have you worked with any of these? How is it going? Ideas for others?
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Juliette Gordon Low's Birthday
Juliette Gordon Low's birthday has come and gone. What did your troop do to celebrate?
Because we meet once a month, we celebrated a little early by singing and enjoying a giant chocolate chip cookie. We also read a short biography about her and spent time discussing cancer awareness.
The girls painted pumpkins in the colors representing various cancer awarenesses. The pumpkins were then put into arrangements and placed at a local Oncology Center to brighten up the waiting areas.
Because we meet once a month, we celebrated a little early by singing and enjoying a giant chocolate chip cookie. We also read a short biography about her and spent time discussing cancer awareness.
The girls painted pumpkins in the colors representing various cancer awarenesses. The pumpkins were then put into arrangements and placed at a local Oncology Center to brighten up the waiting areas.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Journeys
Have you gotten the new Girl Scout materials? I am waiting on mine to arrive. I am anxious to see what has been developed and how we will implement it with three Girl Scout levels. I know that there are 5 badges linked to each Journey.
We have decided that we are doing the Daisy Flower Garden, Brownie Quest, and Junior Agent of Change this year. Did you know there are meeting plans created for the Journeys that include the badge work? Check out this site.
http://gsnetx.org/Default.aspx?tabid=463
Click on the one you need, and it downloads in PDF.
We would love to hear how your meetings are going and what ideas you have for implementing the new materials, Journeys, and fun additional events.
We have decided that we are doing the Daisy Flower Garden, Brownie Quest, and Junior Agent of Change this year. Did you know there are meeting plans created for the Journeys that include the badge work? Check out this site.
http://gsnetx.org/Default.aspx?tabid=463
Click on the one you need, and it downloads in PDF.
We would love to hear how your meetings are going and what ideas you have for implementing the new materials, Journeys, and fun additional events.
First Meeting of the Year
Have you had your first meeting yet? We did at the beginning of September, and it was so much fun.
We began our meeting with a "get to know you" activity. Another troop disbanded and the girls wishing to stay in Girl Scouts joined our troop. We were so excited to meet 4 new girls. The girls had fun getting to know each other and the leaders.
GSNETX had shared information about 9-10-11, a service project. We discussed ways to help end world hunger and conserve energy while at the meeting. We communicated with the girls beforehand, so they each brought their 10 food items. We will weigh our food and then donate it to our local Food Pantry.
We enjoyed nachos and fruit before ending the night with two ceremonies.
We never held a Bridging Ceremony at the end of last year for our two girls going to Juniors. The new girls joining us never had a ceremony either, so we held a Bridging Ceremony. It was a simple ceremony with speaking parts by the "Brownie Leader" and the "Junior Leader," the girls crossed an imaginary bridge, and ended with everyone singing "Make New Friends."
We then had a Rededication Ceremony so our girls who are remaining as Daisies and Brownies could take part as well as our new Juniors.
What did you do for your first meeting?
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Working with Volunteers
In the past few months, I have seen two organizations struggle to work with volunteers in a respectful manner. Those who volunteer do so for various reasons, but those I hear most are to spend time with their child/loved one or because they have had experience with the organization, feel passionate about it, and want to give back. Sometimes these volunteers work within the organization at a more basic (and very important) level while others strive to be on boards or committees.
I encourage all those involved to remember that everyone is a part for a reason. Everyone is giving of his/her time, energy, and expertise. Everyone has a voice and should be heard, no matter what level they volunteer. Organizations should not be completely run by the board or committee, and voices should not be silenced just because a few want to be "in charge."
The most valuable volunteers in an organization are those who know the organization/program, were a part of it for years, and are passionate about it. In Girl Scouts, former Girl Scouts can be a great asset, not only to the girls in troops, but to new leaders learning the organization. Girls who grew up in Girl Scouts and earned their Gold Award have a passion that is hard to explain and should be built upon.
Service Units who are struggling to find leaders, visit your local college/university. Members of campus organizations need volunteer hours, but also, you can tap into girls who are new to the area who were Girl Scouts back home. They can be part of an organization with which they are familiar in a new area.
Good luck working with your volunteers. Remember, they are human and would like to hear a little appreciation every now and again. Treat them as you would want to be treated.
I encourage all those involved to remember that everyone is a part for a reason. Everyone is giving of his/her time, energy, and expertise. Everyone has a voice and should be heard, no matter what level they volunteer. Organizations should not be completely run by the board or committee, and voices should not be silenced just because a few want to be "in charge."
The most valuable volunteers in an organization are those who know the organization/program, were a part of it for years, and are passionate about it. In Girl Scouts, former Girl Scouts can be a great asset, not only to the girls in troops, but to new leaders learning the organization. Girls who grew up in Girl Scouts and earned their Gold Award have a passion that is hard to explain and should be built upon.
Service Units who are struggling to find leaders, visit your local college/university. Members of campus organizations need volunteer hours, but also, you can tap into girls who are new to the area who were Girl Scouts back home. They can be part of an organization with which they are familiar in a new area.
Good luck working with your volunteers. Remember, they are human and would like to hear a little appreciation every now and again. Treat them as you would want to be treated.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Planning For the Year
Have you begun planning the 2011-2012 year?
Not having the new materials reminds me of starting a new school year without the new curriculum. I am a planner. I like to spend time looking through all the resources, making decisions about the year, deciding what trips we will take & which events we will attend, and setting a tentative, yet firm, calendar.
When looking at the year, I create a document that looks like a lesson plan. My document includes the date of meeting, plan for meeting (activities, crafts, etc.), materials needed, plan for dinner/snack, and notes about upcoming events to discuss with parents. I tend to plan as detailed as possible for the first semester, make changes as we go, and then build the second semester closer to December.
My co-leader and I have not planned our year yet, but we are seriously considering beginning with one of the Journeys and work through it until we can add the new materials to it. We will have a tri-level troop this year, so we will work to keep everyone on their level but doing activities/crafts that tie the levels/Journeys together.
So . . . have you planned your year yet? What plans do you have?
Not having the new materials reminds me of starting a new school year without the new curriculum. I am a planner. I like to spend time looking through all the resources, making decisions about the year, deciding what trips we will take & which events we will attend, and setting a tentative, yet firm, calendar.
When looking at the year, I create a document that looks like a lesson plan. My document includes the date of meeting, plan for meeting (activities, crafts, etc.), materials needed, plan for dinner/snack, and notes about upcoming events to discuss with parents. I tend to plan as detailed as possible for the first semester, make changes as we go, and then build the second semester closer to December.
My co-leader and I have not planned our year yet, but we are seriously considering beginning with one of the Journeys and work through it until we can add the new materials to it. We will have a tri-level troop this year, so we will work to keep everyone on their level but doing activities/crafts that tie the levels/Journeys together.
So . . . have you planned your year yet? What plans do you have?
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Summer Plans
What are your troops doing this summer?
We will be having our Bridging Ceremony later this summer. We have two wonderful young ladies bridging from Brownies to Juniors. The end of the school year was so busy that we have moved it back just a little. It will be fun for the girls to get together.
Now is a great time to catch-up on training. Leaders, are you attending any training this summer? Need help or have questions? Just give me a shout.
I would love to hear from any readers out there.
We will be having our Bridging Ceremony later this summer. We have two wonderful young ladies bridging from Brownies to Juniors. The end of the school year was so busy that we have moved it back just a little. It will be fun for the girls to get together.
Now is a great time to catch-up on training. Leaders, are you attending any training this summer? Need help or have questions? Just give me a shout.
I would love to hear from any readers out there.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Spring and Big Decisions
Spring meetings and re-registration are coming to an end. I can't believe the end of May is already here.
How have you celebrated the end of another Girl Scout year?
What was your end-of-the-year ceremony like?
What plans do you have for the summer?
Are you planning to return next year? Plans already in the works?
We just held our last Service Unit Team and Leader meetings. I made a difficult decision, but I have stepped down from my Service Unit Team. There are various reasons, but overall, I will miss the work I have been doing. I have enjoyed working with leaders as they begin/continue their journeys.
How have you celebrated the end of another Girl Scout year?
What was your end-of-the-year ceremony like?
What plans do you have for the summer?
Are you planning to return next year? Plans already in the works?
We just held our last Service Unit Team and Leader meetings. I made a difficult decision, but I have stepped down from my Service Unit Team. There are various reasons, but overall, I will miss the work I have been doing. I have enjoyed working with leaders as they begin/continue their journeys.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Overnight Fun
This past Friday night, I took 4 girls and a new Girl Scout volunteer on an overnight event at a Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary about an hour from our home. It was a Service Unit event, but due to busy schedules, only around 30 girls (Kindergartners through 4 grade) and 15 adults took advantage of the fun.
I just cannot describe how much fun and perfect the event was for our girls. The girls, one being new to the group, got along wonderfully. They absolutely enjoyed themselves and all the experiences. We loved the cool weather as we hiked around 3 miles total on Friday evening and Saturday morning. They got to experience nature, see a blackland prairie, wetland, raccoons, a bat, and so much more.
After such a great event, I can't wait to plan more fun for the summer.
I just cannot describe how much fun and perfect the event was for our girls. The girls, one being new to the group, got along wonderfully. They absolutely enjoyed themselves and all the experiences. We loved the cool weather as we hiked around 3 miles total on Friday evening and Saturday morning. They got to experience nature, see a blackland prairie, wetland, raccoons, a bat, and so much more.
After such a great event, I can't wait to plan more fun for the summer.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Meeting with a Daisy Troop
Last night, our Brownie Troop met with a local Daisy Troop to meet their requirement for Bridging. It was so much fun!
After introducing ourselves and sharing how long we had each been in Girl Scouts, the Brownies shared various activities, projects, and service projects we have done over the past 3 years. We answered questions for the Daisies before teaching them the Brownie Smile Song. We worked on the Sounds of Music Try-It the majority of the evening. We made instruments and discussed sound, vibrations, and sound waves. I am sure their parents are really thanking me today. Ha ha! Straws, plates, boxes, rubber bands, bottles, and more make great music. We taught the girls Amen before enjoying pizza and cupcakes for dinner. Before concluding the night, we taught the girls Bazooka Bubble Gum and Hi, My Name is Joe and I Work in a Button Factory. The final activity of the night was singing Make New Friends and doing the Friendship Circle with the Friendship Squeeze. Lots of fun was had by all!
We wish our young friends good luck next year as Brownies, and we are here to help in any way.
After introducing ourselves and sharing how long we had each been in Girl Scouts, the Brownies shared various activities, projects, and service projects we have done over the past 3 years. We answered questions for the Daisies before teaching them the Brownie Smile Song. We worked on the Sounds of Music Try-It the majority of the evening. We made instruments and discussed sound, vibrations, and sound waves. I am sure their parents are really thanking me today. Ha ha! Straws, plates, boxes, rubber bands, bottles, and more make great music. We taught the girls Amen before enjoying pizza and cupcakes for dinner. Before concluding the night, we taught the girls Bazooka Bubble Gum and Hi, My Name is Joe and I Work in a Button Factory. The final activity of the night was singing Make New Friends and doing the Friendship Circle with the Friendship Squeeze. Lots of fun was had by all!
We wish our young friends good luck next year as Brownies, and we are here to help in any way.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Awards and Bridging Ceremonies
It is that time of year to start planning end-of-the-year Awards and Bridging Ceremonies. What do you do? How will it look this year?
Share your ideas with us.
Share your ideas with us.
Leader Appreciation
I had great intentions to post on Leader Appreciation Day, April 22nd, but it just didn't happen. So . . . here I am now.
Thank you to all the leaders, service unit team members, and adult volunteers who give of their time, energy, and passion to guide and "build girls of courage, confidence, and character." You will have a lasting influence on the girls with which you work.
When I reflect on my early years as a Girl Scout, my leaders, their words, their ideas, their influence, have impacted who I have become. I greatly appreciate the fact that they gave their time to work with us.
Thank you to all the leaders, service unit team members, and adult volunteers who give of their time, energy, and passion to guide and "build girls of courage, confidence, and character." You will have a lasting influence on the girls with which you work.
When I reflect on my early years as a Girl Scout, my leaders, their words, their ideas, their influence, have impacted who I have become. I greatly appreciate the fact that they gave their time to work with us.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Volunteer Appreciation
Today marks the start to National Volunteer Week, April 17th starts Girl Scout Volunteer Appreciation Week, and April 22nd is Leader Appreciation Day.
What ideas do you have for showing your appreciation for your Girl Scout Volunteers?
What ideas do you have for showing your appreciation for your Girl Scout Volunteers?
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Badge Work
This Saturday, my friend/co-leader and I are hosting a Brownie Try-It Day where 42 Brownies and second year Daisies will be rotating through stations to earn 3 Try-Its. I am so excited and pray all goes well.
Have you participated in or hosted a badge work day or event? What did you do? How did it go?
Have you participated in or hosted a badge work day or event? What did you do? How did it go?
Saturday, April 2, 2011
April Is Here!
Can you believe it is already April? What plans do your troops have for this month? Will you be participating in Earth 2011? Do you have other Earth related service projects planned?
We began Water Everywhere and Earth Is Our Home Try-Its in connection to our conversation about Earth 2011. It will be exciting to see what our Brownies and Daisy come up with for projects.
Share your ideas with us . . .
We began Water Everywhere and Earth Is Our Home Try-Its in connection to our conversation about Earth 2011. It will be exciting to see what our Brownies and Daisy come up with for projects.
Share your ideas with us . . .
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Activities Focusing on Girls and Their Male Role Models
Tonight, one of our troops is hosting a Father/Daughter Dance, which they have planned and organized for months, for the Service Unit. What events do you have that are specifically for girls and their fathers, uncles, grandfathers, brothers, etc.?
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Happy Birthday, Girl Scouts!
Happy Birthday, Girl Scouts!
I know! I am a day early, but I won't have computer access later today or tomorrow, so I wanted to get my Birthday wish out there early rather than late.
How do you plan to celebrate Girl Scouts' 99th Birthday?
I know! I am a day early, but I won't have computer access later today or tomorrow, so I wanted to get my Birthday wish out there early rather than late.
How do you plan to celebrate Girl Scouts' 99th Birthday?
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Behavior During Meetings
Do you have one or more girls who are full of energy, have difficulty listening and/or following directions, or tend to do whatever they want rather than what is expected? How do you handle it? What do you do?
This is something I have struggled with at each level. Girls have to be quiet, calm, and under complete control in school. I don't want Girl Scouts to be as constraining, but I don't want total chaos either. I have found that the busier they are, the better they are, but there are times that listening or group discussion is necessary. However, their lack of following directions and paying attention is exhausting by the time the night ends.
When the night is over and your reflection leads you to think you will never lead a troop again, what do you do to overcome and charge forward?
This is something I have struggled with at each level. Girls have to be quiet, calm, and under complete control in school. I don't want Girl Scouts to be as constraining, but I don't want total chaos either. I have found that the busier they are, the better they are, but there are times that listening or group discussion is necessary. However, their lack of following directions and paying attention is exhausting by the time the night ends.
When the night is over and your reflection leads you to think you will never lead a troop again, what do you do to overcome and charge forward?
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Girl Scout Birthday Week
Tomorrow, Girl Scout Sunday, kicks off Girl Scout Birthday Week. What plans do you and/or your troop have planned for this week?
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Girl Scout Sunday & Sabbath
Girl Scout Sunday and Girl Scout Sabbath are the Sunday before March 12th and the Saturday after March 12th. "Girls attend their worship place and have the opportunity to be recognized as Girl Scouts. Girls may also perform part of the service. This is a time for girls to experience different faiths, if desired" (GSUSA). These two special days are the bookends to Girl Scout Birthday Week.
This year, Girl Scout Sunday is March 6th and Girl Scout Sabbath is March 12th.
In some areas, Girl Scout and Boy Scout Sunday are combined. In some places, no church does a formal ceremony. Even if no formal ceremony occurs, girls are encouraged to wear their official uniforms to their place of worship.
Our First United Methodist Church holds Scout Sunday in February, normally the Sunday after Boy Scout Sunday. The Boy Scouts put together a service and include Girl Scouts. Our First Presbyterian Church has held special services as well.
What do you have planned?
This year, Girl Scout Sunday is March 6th and Girl Scout Sabbath is March 12th.
In some areas, Girl Scout and Boy Scout Sunday are combined. In some places, no church does a formal ceremony. Even if no formal ceremony occurs, girls are encouraged to wear their official uniforms to their place of worship.
Our First United Methodist Church holds Scout Sunday in February, normally the Sunday after Boy Scout Sunday. The Boy Scouts put together a service and include Girl Scouts. Our First Presbyterian Church has held special services as well.
What do you have planned?
Saturday, February 19, 2011
World Thinking Day Events
February 22nd is almost here. Maybe you have already participated in an event. Maybe you have something special planned for Tuesday. What is it? What are you and/or your troop doing to celebrate World Thinking Day this year?
A Junior Troop in our Service Unit organized a World Thinking Day event that took place today for their leadership award. It opened with a flag ceremony and World Trefoil Ceremony. Girls had time to visit many stations learning about lots of different countries and Girl Scouts/Guides. It closed with another ceremony and a friendship circle. Each troop created a presentation board and prepared a snack & a SWAP. Some had games or dances too. The girls were each given a passport to collect stamps as they rotated through the stations.
My Brownie troop represented Korea this year. We had a presentation board with the Promises, Laws, Motto, and levels as well as pictures of actual Korean Girl Scouts. She displayed various foods that allowed for great conversation. We gave everyone a piece of candy from Korea. The girls made SWAPs that represented Tae-Kwon-Do belts. To represent the game of Tops in a Box, we played Beyblades. Our stamp for everyone's passport was the Korean flag.
The girls had so much fun, and we were exhausted!
To prepare for the event, we shared artifacts sent to us from my cousins in Korea. The girls tasted all kinds of different foods, looked at Girl Scout Korea brochures and pictures, and compared/contrasted Girl Scouts of the USA with Girl Scouts Korea.
A Junior Troop in our Service Unit organized a World Thinking Day event that took place today for their leadership award. It opened with a flag ceremony and World Trefoil Ceremony. Girls had time to visit many stations learning about lots of different countries and Girl Scouts/Guides. It closed with another ceremony and a friendship circle. Each troop created a presentation board and prepared a snack & a SWAP. Some had games or dances too. The girls were each given a passport to collect stamps as they rotated through the stations.
My Brownie troop represented Korea this year. We had a presentation board with the Promises, Laws, Motto, and levels as well as pictures of actual Korean Girl Scouts. She displayed various foods that allowed for great conversation. We gave everyone a piece of candy from Korea. The girls made SWAPs that represented Tae-Kwon-Do belts. To represent the game of Tops in a Box, we played Beyblades. Our stamp for everyone's passport was the Korean flag.
The girls had so much fun, and we were exhausted!
To prepare for the event, we shared artifacts sent to us from my cousins in Korea. The girls tasted all kinds of different foods, looked at Girl Scout Korea brochures and pictures, and compared/contrasted Girl Scouts of the USA with Girl Scouts Korea.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Snow Day #2 -- What did you do?
For those of you snowed (or iced) in today, what Girl Scout activities did you complete?
We worked on/completed four Try-Its:
Caring and Sharing, Write Away, Let's Pretend, and Computer Smarts
The Boy Scout in the house completed a few requirements that allowed him to finish two of his pins too.
We worked on/completed four Try-Its:
Caring and Sharing, Write Away, Let's Pretend, and Computer Smarts
The Boy Scout in the house completed a few requirements that allowed him to finish two of his pins too.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Snow Day = Girl Scout Planning
I am off work and almost every school district and business around me is closed today due to the sleet and snow that fell overnight and this morning. What does one do with a day off? Well, if you are a Girl Scout Leader and/or serve on the Service Unit Team, there is always work to be done.
I have been working with my co-leader the past few days to plan our next meeting. This meeting will incorporate cookie booth sales and World Thinking Day.
We have been working on both Try-Its tied to cookies. One is in the Try-It book, Cookies Count, I believe, but the other, Smart Cookie, can be found online at http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/insignia/online/cookies/brownie_smart_cookie.asp.
By the time our booth sales end, our girls should have both of these.
We need to make signs for our booth sales, discuss "thanking" our customers, practice selling to booth sale patrons, and ask our parents to work with our girls on making change. We have to create a shopping list too, so we just need items to make the posters for this part of the meeting.
The rest of the evening will be spent working on our presentation station for our local World Thinking Day event. Those organizing the event let us know two days ago what our country would be. (We had to give our top 3 choices.) We have been asked to create a presentation board, possibly made from a science fair board, that shares something about what Girl Scouts is like in that country, their language, a snack, a game, a SWAP, and their flag.
We are going to make a flag from a pillowcase. We will probably create it with fabric paint, but we haven't made a final decision yet.
We haven't decided on our snack yet, but we need to feed about 150 people, and we need something that can be kept hot or cold easily or can be enjoyed at room temperature.
As for our SWAP, we need something easy enough for our girls to complete and also make 150 during our meeting. Besides making the item, we need to print little cards with our troop #, World Thinking Day 2011, and something that goes along with our country.
We have seen a couple of games that wouldn't be too hard, so we will have to make sure we have the space necessary around our station to play it.
Our presentation board will include the Law, Promise, pictures of uniforms, and more that represent Girl Scouts in our country. This will probably be posted in the country's language and English.
Guess we'll complete the shopping list, and when we thaw out, we'll go get the supplies. The meeting should be fun. Maybe I will be able to post some pictures.
What are all of you doing for World Thinking Day? Know of any helpful sites?
Do you have any good ideas to make the most of booth sales?
I have been working with my co-leader the past few days to plan our next meeting. This meeting will incorporate cookie booth sales and World Thinking Day.
We have been working on both Try-Its tied to cookies. One is in the Try-It book, Cookies Count, I believe, but the other, Smart Cookie, can be found online at http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/insignia/online/cookies/brownie_smart_cookie.asp.
By the time our booth sales end, our girls should have both of these.
We need to make signs for our booth sales, discuss "thanking" our customers, practice selling to booth sale patrons, and ask our parents to work with our girls on making change. We have to create a shopping list too, so we just need items to make the posters for this part of the meeting.
The rest of the evening will be spent working on our presentation station for our local World Thinking Day event. Those organizing the event let us know two days ago what our country would be. (We had to give our top 3 choices.) We have been asked to create a presentation board, possibly made from a science fair board, that shares something about what Girl Scouts is like in that country, their language, a snack, a game, a SWAP, and their flag.
We are going to make a flag from a pillowcase. We will probably create it with fabric paint, but we haven't made a final decision yet.
We haven't decided on our snack yet, but we need to feed about 150 people, and we need something that can be kept hot or cold easily or can be enjoyed at room temperature.
As for our SWAP, we need something easy enough for our girls to complete and also make 150 during our meeting. Besides making the item, we need to print little cards with our troop #, World Thinking Day 2011, and something that goes along with our country.
We have seen a couple of games that wouldn't be too hard, so we will have to make sure we have the space necessary around our station to play it.
Our presentation board will include the Law, Promise, pictures of uniforms, and more that represent Girl Scouts in our country. This will probably be posted in the country's language and English.
Guess we'll complete the shopping list, and when we thaw out, we'll go get the supplies. The meeting should be fun. Maybe I will be able to post some pictures.
What are all of you doing for World Thinking Day? Know of any helpful sites?
Do you have any good ideas to make the most of booth sales?
Sunday, January 30, 2011
SWAPS
I have been researching SWAPS ideas for our girls to create to hand out at our World Thinking Day event. Here are a few websites I found along the way . . .
http://www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/Program/CraftsSwaps.htm
http://gsleaders.org/files/swaps.htm
http://www.scoutmom.net/swaps/index.htm
http://www.scoutswaps.com/thinkingday.html
http://www.makingfriends.com/scouts/swaps_international.htm
Not all are for World Thinking Day . . .
http://trudyd.homestead.com/swaps.html
http://www.angelfire.com/ct/cgrob123/swaps.htm#idea
Need a little more information on SWAPS?
http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/gsgvtroop40/swaps_origin.html
http://www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/Program/CraftsSwaps.htm
http://gsleaders.org/files/swaps.htm
http://www.scoutmom.net/swaps/index.htm
http://www.scoutswaps.com/thinkingday.html
http://www.makingfriends.com/scouts/swaps_international.htm
Not all are for World Thinking Day . . .
http://trudyd.homestead.com/swaps.html
http://www.angelfire.com/ct/cgrob123/swaps.htm#idea
Need a little more information on SWAPS?
http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/gsgvtroop40/swaps_origin.html
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Scouting Web--A very helpful website
The following site is an "online resource for leaders of girls." You can choose your Girl Scout level by tab or look specifically for traditions and ceremonies.
http://www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/SiteMap.htm
I found great ideas for ceremonies, meetings, activities, and more.
http://www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/SiteMap.htm
I found great ideas for ceremonies, meetings, activities, and more.
Monday, January 24, 2011
World Thinking Day
World Thinking Day, a special day for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world to think about their "sister" Girl Scouts, is February 22nd. It commemorates the mutual birthdays of Lord Baden-Powell, founder of Boy Scouts, and his wife, Olave, who served as World Chief Guide.
Each year, girls participate in activities, games, and projects with a global them to think about or honor Girl Scouts and Girl Guides in other countries. In many World Thinking Day events, troops choose one country to focus their attention and learn about Girl Scouting or Girl Guides in that country, activities, games, etc., and then get together with other troops to share what they have learned.
The 2011 theme is girls worldwide say "empowering girls will change our world."
For more information, visit the following links. There are links for suggested activities by Girl Scout level.
http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/global/world_thinking_day/world_thinking_day_2005.asp
http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/global/world_thinking_day/
Also, see this site for activities divided by level.
http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/global/world_thinking_day/wtd_activities.pdf
This is provided by World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
http://www.worldthinkingday.org/en/grab/20868/1/WTDActivityPack2011.pdf
Contact me if you would like more ideas.
The 2011 theme is girls worldwide say "empowering girls will change our world."
For more information, visit the following links. There are links for suggested activities by Girl Scout level.
http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/global/world_thinking_day/world_thinking_day_2005.asp
http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/global/world_thinking_day/
Also, see this site for activities divided by level.
http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/global/world_thinking_day/wtd_activities.pdf
This is provided by World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
http://www.worldthinkingday.org/en/grab/20868/1/WTDActivityPack2011.pdf
Contact me if you would like more ideas.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Meeting Ideas?
Leaders are always in search of ideas for their meetings. Activities that not only teach the girls, but that are fun and entertaining. How do you go about planning your meetings? Where do you start?
As an educator, I use lesson plans and schedules to keep me organized and on task. When I plan my year, I begin with a calendar and my Girl Scout level book. When my friend and I had a Daisy troop, we planned each meeting using the first Journey book. We workd our way through the book and activities one meeting at a time. We used both the girl and leader books to find ideas for entertaining activities, but we also took time to read through and discuss the material like we would in our classrooms.
Once our girls bridged to Brownies, we used the Try-It book. Which Try-Its can be accomplished in a meeting vs. those that need/should/could be done at home? We chose to focus on one Try-It a month. We decided which activities we could do during the meeting and then assigned other parts as "homework." The girls were asked to bring their work with them to the next meeting. I'll go into more detail about what we specifically did in another post.
What materials are needed for the activities? Who will get those? Are there any parts the girls or parents can donate? Get your parents involved. That will be another post as well.
Think back to successful meetings . . . What did you do? Share your ideas with us.
As an educator, I use lesson plans and schedules to keep me organized and on task. When I plan my year, I begin with a calendar and my Girl Scout level book. When my friend and I had a Daisy troop, we planned each meeting using the first Journey book. We workd our way through the book and activities one meeting at a time. We used both the girl and leader books to find ideas for entertaining activities, but we also took time to read through and discuss the material like we would in our classrooms.
Once our girls bridged to Brownies, we used the Try-It book. Which Try-Its can be accomplished in a meeting vs. those that need/should/could be done at home? We chose to focus on one Try-It a month. We decided which activities we could do during the meeting and then assigned other parts as "homework." The girls were asked to bring their work with them to the next meeting. I'll go into more detail about what we specifically did in another post.
What materials are needed for the activities? Who will get those? Are there any parts the girls or parents can donate? Get your parents involved. That will be another post as well.
Think back to successful meetings . . . What did you do? Share your ideas with us.
Welcome to My First Post . . . Ever
Welcome! I have never thought of myself as a blogger, but due to recent events, I believe more than ever that new leaders need a place to go for ideas, information, and more to help plan meetings, understand more about Girl Scouting, and to get support as they lead girls to young ladies and into future leaders. It is my hope that this is a place that will help anyone who isn't quite sure where to start or what to do next. Please post comments/questions, so we can help anyone seeking it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
