Girl Scout Camping 2014

I didn't realize it until we returned, but with 10-12 days to go before Christmas, we took 9 amazing young ladies Girl Scout camping.  We had the best time!  They created their SWAP on Friday night, which was connected to their Scouts Own ceremony. They participated in a flag ceremony first thing Saturday morning, did a team building activity, had a great time with archery, learned about structures and bridges with Mad Science, and did a great job with a skit before making S'mores on Saturday evening. They led the camp in a Scouts Own first thing Sunday morning and then went hiking in the drizzle before breaking camp.  It was just the best camping experience!

Our girls 

(some were not able to join us for camping)

Team Building

Archery

Structures/Bridges

After our Scouts Own

After our final hike

I love this picture of my niece and me!

More Girl Scouts--Meetings Fall 2014

October:
We met at the beginning of the month to plan our Bridging and Awards Ceremony.  Normally, we have the ceremony at the end of the school year or during early June, but we put it off this year.  Once the girls decided what they wanted to do for their ceremony, they decorated skulls for Day of the Dead of Día de Muertos.  We discuss what the day was, the Mexican culture and the development of the holiday, and then provided the supplies for them to design their own skulls. One of the most exciting parts of the night was that my niece got to join us via Skype.  I had mailed her the craft supplies, so she joined in the discussion and then got to do the craft right along with us.  All the girls loved that she was joining us.

Two weeks later, we met with their families to perform our ceremony and bridge 4 young ladies from Brownies to Juniors and 3 young ladies from Juniors to Cadettes.

November:
We met twice this month.  The first meeting was spent planning meals and beginning discussions around a Scouts Own for our Service Unit Campout in December.  We finished the night with the girls creating a Thanksgiving craft.

The second meeting began with our Parent Cookie Meeting/Training and then concluded with the final discussion/plan of the Scouts Own we are leading at the campout next month.

Pinterest Project Fun--T-Shirt Quilt/Wall Hanging

Yesterday, I was feeling stressed, and I knew I needed to find something to do to take my mind off the issue and to fill my time with creativity.  What did I do? I dug out all my SMU t-shirts I had stored in the bottom of my closet, and I decided to make a t-shirt quilt.  I had pinned this site: http://faithinfear.blogspot.com/2013/01/t-shirt-quilt-introduction.html.  I read and reread what she said and then got busy.

I realized I didn't have enough shirts for a twin size, so I decided to go with a wall hanging or throw. (Although, after talking to my BFF, I could have used the backs of the shirts as solid panels/squares to make it bigger, but then I would have had to use interfacing too.)  I did all the pinning, and Mom did the sewing.  I would have done it, but this gave her something to do too.

It isn't perfect, but it will be something to cherish b/c I was assisted with great love and affection by my seamstress (aka Mom), and we used Granny's sewing machine. (We had used Mom's in the beginning, but the backside of the seam looked terrible, so we changed machines.  After talking with our amazing neighbor, we learned the tension wasn't right, so we changed it on Granny's machine and kept going.)  The whole thing really only took about 8-9 hours.

I think my little model thinks it is for her. She had to be on it or by it every step of the way. As I pinned the binding, she came along behind me taking out the pins. Yes, she took out the pins one at a time with her teeth.  :-)

My plan is to use it as wall decor in my office this year to go with our college theme.

Gardening, Making Games, and Easter Fun During Girl Scouts

Tonight, we had our April meeting.  It started kind of different because we started with 3 girls.  We've had as few as 5 before, but we've never started a meeting with as few as 3.

One of our Juniors prepared to lead the girls in the Gardening Badge.  She had a PowerPoint with pictures of flowers.  She provided little pots for the girls to decorate with stickers.  We got the Sharpies out too.  (Do you know how often we use those?)  She also provided potting soil and 3 different kinds of flower seeds.  The girls enjoyed getting the dirt and planting the seeds.  We talked about what plants/seeds need to survive as well as their favorite flowers.  We also walked to the edge of my property to look at the neighbor's vegetable garden.

By the time we started getting the soil, 3 more girls arrived.  Those 3 had dance pictures.

One of our Brownies prepared a scavenger hunt to work on the Making Games Badge.  The girls had to find various nature related items.  Funny how it tied to the Gardening Badge, and it wasn't planned that way.

We ended the meeting with foam Easter crafts.  The girls made flowers and rabbit decorations.

Christmas Eve

How did you spend Christmas Eve?

My entire life, we went to Granny and Grandpa's house, had sandwiches, chips/dips, and pie, and opened presents.  Most years, my aunt, uncle, and cousins were there too.  The last few years, we may have opened presents with cousins a different day, but we always went to Granny's on Christmas Eve.  Last year and maybe the year before, we brought her to our house, but we still ate and opened presents.

This year, Mom and I went to my brother and sister-in-law's house.  We had our Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve.

My niece wanted a new comforter, so we bought a plain white one for her to paint.  She did various designs in the squares, and the flowers all glow-in-the-dark. (Sorry the pic isn't better.)

Since we didn't think that was a "guy" thing to do, my nephew got a t-shirt to paint.  He has his own logo and did a great job.

Christmas Paintings

I love to paint.  I considered doing paintings for Christmas gifts this year, so I started with these two.  While they look OK, I was too nervous about giving them as a gift, so I just hung them on the wall in my living room.

Doll House Christmas Tree

When I was in the 1st grade, I got the Chicken Pox the last day before Christmas Break, and I had to go home early.  Of course, I stayed with Granny and Grandpa until Mom and Dad got off work.  We also stayed there while they were at work or finishing up Christmas shopping.  I didn't realize it then, but my Christmas present had to be moved and hidden in the garage. My grandparents made me a doll house.  They built it, decorated it, and filled it with some store bought items and some homemade items.  It was amazing!  I wish I could find a picture of it.  Any way, one room in the 3rd story had a Christmas Tree. 

I decided that my niece, who has her Barbie house readily available again, needed a tree, so I took her a tree and all kinds of little things that could be ornaments.  This is what she created.  Simple and beautiful!

December Girl Scout Meeting

Tonight, we had a small group.  We sure did miss all our friends who were sick, in church performances, or having cookies with Santa.  We went Christmas Caroling at two special houses.  The girls did a great job and even inspired a dog to sing too.  They also worked on the Detective Badge, enjoyed hot chocolate and lots of sugar, and created Christmas crafts.

Merry Christmas from our Girl Scout Troop!

Periodic Table Words

While perusing pins by my Pinterest friends, I saw this and fell in love.

Think

Then I found this.

Investigate

Both are just awesome!  I want them for my office.

They would also be great for a child's room or play room or for a classroom.

Meetings and Giving Continue

In November, we rediscussed plans for the spring.  The girls voted to spend the night at a local zoo and visit a local aquarium and possibly do badge work.  Looks like we are not old enough for badge work at the aquarium, so we might do a badge workshop while at the zoo. We shall see.  The girls also created a list of interests to help us get started on their Bronze Award project. We will revisit their list, narrow it down, and get started in January. They ended the meeting making crafts to show what they are thankful for or to represent Thanksgiving.

Our December meeting brought fewer sweet faces due to recitals, Christmas programs, visiting relatives, and more, but those who were at the meeting created two ornaments and went caroling.  We forgot that since we meet on a Friday night, many people are not home, but one wonderful family opened their door to hear their sweet voices.  The girls also voted to spend $100 on coats to purchase for a local coat drive.  We were able to purchase 5 coats to donate.  Our girls have such sweet, giving hearts!

Our first meeting in January will be a parent meeting to get our cookie information.  Be ready!  Our cookie sellers will be out and about the second weekend of January!

Kicking Off a New Year

We held our first meeting of the 2012-2013 year this past Friday night.  We met with Brownie parents as the girls brainstormed what they want to do this year.  The girls enjoyed a dinner of soft tacos, chips/dip, and fruit while chatting about their first week in school and what they did this summer.  After dinner, we discussed their ideas. Camping, archery, and skating (roller and ice) were at the top of their list.  We already have a camping trip planned that includes archery, so two down and two to go. :-)  While we met with Junior parents, the girls created foam picture frames as their craft.  All in all, it was a good meeting to get us started.

What did you do during your first meeting?
What do you have on your schedule for the year?

We are about to launch a troop website.  Any pointers?
It will be private and only viewable to those we invite.  Privacy is huge with me.  I've been uploading pictures from last year before sending it to everyone. We hope that it will help with reminders and other valuable information. We'll see how it goes.

Happy New Year!

It has been a while since I last posted.  Time flies when you're having fun!  How is your Girl Scout year going?

Ours has been busy, but not so busy all at the same time.  A Junior Troop was disbanding, so the remaining girls joined us in September.  These girls have been a wonderful addition as we had two Juniors in our troop.  They have been able to focus on the Agent of Change Journey and discuss ways that lead them to more leadership roles.

In November, members of a disbanding Brownie Troop joined us to add to the fun, friendship, and experience.  The Brownies have been working on their Brownie Quest Journey and have all but finished.  With all the new girls, they have earned the new Making Friends badge.

In December, those interested walked in our local Hometown Christmas Parade and helped pick two tags from the local Angel Tree.  Our girls are so kind and giving.   After donating blankets, comforters, etc. for the Share the Warmth campaign and gloves, hats, and scarves for Warm Hands, Warm Hearts, they voted to adopt an Angel from our community.  The girls chose two.  For those who were available, we met at our local superstore and purchased two shirts/blouses, two pairs of pants, and items related to their wish list.  What a great experience!

Our January meeting brought us cookie training and COOKIE Sales!!  The girls are out and about selling away.

February is going to be a fun month, and I hope March tops it.

What are you doing to celebrate the 100th Anniversary?

We have some extra Brownie Try-Its from the old program.  If you are in need or are interested in earning some, let me know.

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