Activities for Girl Scouts - March
During March, your Girl Scout Troop might want to try some of the following activities:
- Activities for Daisy Girl Scouts
- Activities for Brownie Girl Scouts
- Activities for Junior Girl Scouts
- Activities for Girl Scouts ages 11 - 17
- Girl Scout Week for all levels
- Take the Journeys to Camp
Daisy Girl Scout Song - (to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
Daisy Scouts are bright and gay,
See us work, and see us play.
We can dance, and we can sing.
We can do most anything.
We have fun, and help each day.
Daisy Scouts are here to stay.
Did You Ever See A Daisy?
Did you ever see a Daisy, a Daisy, a Daisy?
Did you ever see a Daisy, a Daisy Girl Scout?
Go this way and that way, and that way and this way.
Did you ever see a Daisy, a Daisy Girl Scout?
Daisy Girl Scout SWAP - Girl Scout Sparkle
Supplies: glitter, clear packing tape, printer paper, computer
Instructions: Print out "GIRL SCOUTS SPARKLE" and your troop number in a nice and small font. Have the girl’s cut them into a small circle shape (about 1" in diameter). Then pull out about 6" of clear packing tape and sprinkle 1/2 of it with sparkle confetti. Put message face down on the unsprinkled half and fold the tape on top of itself and it self seals. Then cut around the circles.
Pom-pom Creature Ring
Supplies: pipe cleaners, 1/4 - inch pompom balls, small wiggly eyes, glue
Instructions: Cut the pipe cleaners in half. Measure the pipe clearer around the finger that you want to wear it on and twist the ends together once around. Make a 90-degree angle with the ends to the circle and then bend the ends toward you. Bend the very tips of the pipe cleaner over so you won't get cut on them. Put a dab of
glue on the part that you twisted and place the pompom there. The ends that you bent toward you should come up around the pompom to make ears. Glue the wiggly eyes onto the pompom.
Daisy Girl Scout Craft - Rainbow Streamer
Supplies: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple crepe paper streamers, a paper plate for each child, scissors, stapler
Instructions: Cut the center out of a paper plate. Cut long pieces of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple crepe paper streamers. Each streamer should be about two to three feet long. Staple a rainbow of streamers onto the paper plate. You now have a Rainbow Streamer.
Friendship Plate
Supplies: glue, scissors, construction paper, paper plates, markers, yarn
Instructions: Cut construction paper into petal shapes. Glue petals around paper plates. Write the troop number in the center of the plate. Each girl can sign one petal of each other's daisy friendship plate. Attach yarn to hang.
Daisy Girl Scout Activity - Earn the Daisy Petal for Courageous and Strong
Play a game called emotions. It requires the girls to pick out of a hat a piece of paper that has an emotion on it (i.e., happy, sad, mad, glad, excited, hurt, etc.). Next, each girl will stand in front of the group and act out the emotion without talking. If your girls are shy, it could take quite a bit of courage to stand up there and do that in front of everyone. Another cute idea is to have a fashion show that requires the girls to get up in front of the group. You could also visit the local fire department and interview the firefighters. Make a growth chart for the girls to take home and keep a measurement of themselves.
Giggle Gertie
Supplies: handkerchief
Instructions: Girls get in a circle with one in the center. The one in the center laughs and tosses the handkerchief in the air. The whole group laughs. Everyone must laugh until the handkerchief hits the ground. Then everyone must become silent and expressionless. Anyone still smiling or laughing is out.
Daisy Girl Scout Ceremony - Daisy Poem
This is a simple ceremony that the girls could do at the opening/closing of every meeting. Have girls recite this poem.
I'm a Daisy standing tall (stand tall).
I'm a Daisy, friend to all (wave to friends).
I'm a Daisy, helping every day (hands out, palms up).
Living my life in the Girl Scout way (give Girl Scout sign).
Seven Daisies in a Week
Supplies: post for each girl to hold with day of week written on it inside a Daisy. (e.g.: Sun-daisy) If you have more than seven girls, let on read and one hold the Daisy.
SUN-DAISY: My name is Sun-Daisy, and we're here to speak about Juliette Low and Girl Scout Week. Just before Civil War, Juliette was born in Savannah, Georgia on
October 31st.
MON-DAISY: Daisy was her nickname throughout her living days. She loved games and writing and performing in plays. When Daisy grew up, she began the Girl Guides. Her first troop was in Scotland, with seven girls by her side.
TUES-DAISY: Daisy sailed to America; March 12 was the day she started a troop called Girl Scouts U.S.A. Eighteen girls met with Daisy, very eager to start to make
uniforms and badges, each doing her part.
WEDNES-DAISY: Daisy spoke of the law for all Scouts to learn, and told of requirements for badges to earn. The troop went on hikes along nature trails, watching
birds of all kinds and recording details.
THURS-DAISY: Sports were important to keep the girls fit; basketball was the first game to become a big hit. Daisy told the girls of camping under the stars shining bright.
Destination...Camp Lowlands, the first Scout campsite.
FRI-DAISY: For the rest of her life Daisy spread the word 'round to millions of girls, in town after town. Shortly after her death a World Friendship fund began to honor
this grand lady and her work throughout the land.
SATUR-DAISY: Each year we partake in a friendship celebration with Scouts 'round the world and with great dedication. We'll remember Juliette Low of who
we will speak, for we're proud to be Daisies each day of the week.
Brownie Girl Scout Song - All Together Again
We're all together again, we're here, we're here,
We're all together again, we're here, we're here.
And who knows when, we'll be all together again?
Singing all together again, we're here!
Hello
(Tune: I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing)
I love to hear the word Hello,
Wherever I may go.
It's full of friendship
And good cheer
And warms the heart up so.
Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello,
Hello, Hello, Hello...
When e'ver we meet
Like friends let's greet
Each other with Hello.
Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello,
Hello, Hello, Hello...
Brownie Girl Scout SWAP - Rainbow Cloud
Supplies: white fun foam, pipe cleaners the color of the rainbow, tacky glue, pin back
Instructions: Cut piece of white fun foam in the shape of a cloud and use rainbow colors of pipe cleaners and glue the arch of rainbow colors across the bottom of the cloud and let dry.
Just Ducky
Supplies: white pipe cleaners (4 each), orange pipe cleaners (1 each), glue, small wiggly eyes, pencils, scissors, pins
Instructions: Connect 2 white pipe cleaners end to end. Twist doubled pipe cleaner around pencil to make body; twist another white pipe cleaner around cleaner for the
head. Bend the orange pipe cleaner in half and thread the folded end into the head and out through the side (for the beak). Thread the body onto the orange pipe cleaner
and bend the ends for v-shaped feet. For wings, cut and bend two 3-inch sections of white pipe cleaner. Insert wings with a small dab of glue (if wanted for extra strength), then attach eyes or draw them on with a marker. Attach pin back.
Brownie Girl Scout Craft - Felt Mouse
Supplies: felt (two colors), scissors, wiggle eyes, glue or (needle and thread), stuffing
Instructions: From a piece of felt cut out a heart shape that will be the body. Cut a 12" piece of yarn for the tail and lay it along the middle of the heart, hanging out the curved end. Fold the felt heart in half and sew (or glue) most of the way around. Stuff the mouse with filling and finish sewing (or gluing). The pointed end is the nose. Glue or sew on two felt ears (1/2 circles) and eyes. Have the girls take their mice home and for one week every time they do a “Good Turn” have them tie a knot in the mouses tail. Next meeting have them bring in their mice to see how they did!
Little Hands Greeting Cards
Supplies: cardstock, pencils/crayons/markers, scissors, decoration extras
Instructions: Fold the piece of cardstock in half. Trace the girl's hand on the paper with the little finger of the hold. Cut out around the hand, leaving the little finger as the fold. Decorate with crayons, etc. Card looks like two hands opening.
Brownie Girl Scout Activity/Ceremony - The Brownie Story (with actions)
Have the girls count off 1 – 6. This will divide your group into six smaller ones. Give each group their "cue word" and let them practice their sound and motion, so they know what to do when their "cue word" is read.
Word Sound Motion
Girls - giggle hands in front of mouth
Granny - oh, my! both hand slap knees
Brownies - Be Prepared! stand and make the Girl Scout Sign
House - come in! motion with right hand to come in
Owl - whoo-whoo bend arms and flap hands
Forest - moan and sway with arms up and fingers moving
Story
Once upon a time, there were two little girls who lived in England with their granny and their father. The girls played all day while the granny and father had to work very hard. One day granny told the girls about the Brownies, who used to do lots of things to help around the house. They are gone now, she said, but we were always so much happier when they helped. The girls wanted to know where the Brownies had gone and how to get them to come back. Granny said, "only the wise old owl knows!"
That night, when everyone else was asleep, one of the girls ran out of the house into the magic forest. There she found the wise old owl. "Please", said the girl, "where can I find the Brownies to come and live with us? The owl said, "I know where two live – right in your house!" She was very surprised! Tell me how to find them, she begged. He told her to go to the pond in the magic forest, turn around three times and say, "twist me and turn me and show me the elf… I looked in the water and saw…….!" The wise old owl said, "When you finish the rhyme, you will see the Brownie in the magic pond."
The girl went to the pond in the magic forest and did as she had been told. She went back to the forest and found the wise old owl and said, "something must be wrong, I did all you told me to do and I only saw myself! And I am not a Brownie!" " Are you sure?" said the owl. To be a Brownie, you must be ready to help those around you, make friends wherever you can, and every day try to discover something new. "I'd like to be a Brownie", said the girl. Then go home and try, the wise old owl said kindly. He touched her hand with his feathers, and suddenly she was back in her house, in her own bed.
Quietly, she woke up her sister, told her all that had happened. Together the girls tip-toed into the kitchen and began to clean the house. In the morning, when granny and father saw the house, they wanted to know what had happened. "Who did this?" said granny and father! The girls danced around and shouted, "it's the Brownies!" And from that day on, theirs was a very happy house near the forest, all because of the Brownies!
Brownie Story Play
Scene I (at home)
Grandma: (speaking to children) - Oh, me, Oh, my. I've worked so hard to clean this house all day. I think that you should help a bit, but all you do is play.
Father: I've chopped the wood and swept the walk, the cows and pigs are fed. My poor old back is aching and my legs feel like they're dead!
Grandma: Some folks I know had all the luck, a brownie used to come and wash the dishes, sweep the floor, and pick up every crumb.
Father: I wish we had a brownie so that we could rest a bit. Where could we find one? OH the wise old owl that's it!
Scene II (the wood)
Mary: Oh! Here's the tree in which the owl has built his little nest. I hope that he'll be wise and not say no to my request. Oh, Mr. Owl, please help me! For you're so very wise, I want to find some brownies to take home as a surprise. I play all day and do not help at home a little bit. I haven't any time to spare from play, I must admit.
Owl: To-whit, to-whoo, there was no reason that you should have to roam. For there are brownies living with your Grandma in your home.
Mary: How can that be? Why they have never shown themselves at all! Please tell me - are they fat or thin, and are they short or tall? Please tell me how to find them, I will do just what you say. If I could help my Grandma, I would thank you every day.
Owl: Go to the lake-the moon is bright, and turn three times around then gaze into the pool and there a brownie will be found. But first you say some magic words before you start to look and there they are - you'll find them written in that open book.
Mary: Twist me and turn me, And show me the elf, I looked in the mirror and saw _____.
Owl: To-whit, to-whoo, I'm really such a very wise old bird, do what I've told you, then you'll find the missing magic word!
Scene III (another part of the wood)
Mary: Well, here I am - I'll say the verse while looking in the pool, and I shall see the brownie gazing up through the waters cool. "Twist me and turn me and show me the elf, I looked in the water and saw MYSELF".
Activity: Shoe Scramble
Instructions: Divide the girls into two teams. All girls remove their shoes and place them in a pile in the center of the floor. At the signal, all the girls try to find their shoes. The first team that has their own shoes on, laced and tied, wins.
Ceremony: Brownies
B Brownies together we all want to be,
R Ready for learning in grades, one two, and three.
O Our time spent together is time that we share,
W While helping our friends and showing we care.
N New things to do and new friends to greet,
I Interest to share and people to meet.
E Each new discovery can open a door,
S So watch us keep going and growing some more
Activities for Junior Girl Scouts
Junior Girl Scout Song - Who's that Girl?
Who is that girl they're all talking about?
Why, don't you know?
She's a Junior Girl Scout!
A Junior is honest, she knows what is true;
She tries to be fair when she's playing with you.
She helps when she is needed - she'll get the job done;
She's happy and cheerful to everyone!
She's friendly and kind whenever she's out,
And acts like a sister to every Girl Scout.
She listens to parents and leaders as well,
She tries not to be wasteful, and that you can tell.
She takes care of her world and gives back what it needs;
She shows others she cares through her words and her deeds.
Now you don't have to wonder who that Junior can be,
You knew all along that Junior is ME!
O Christmas Tree
Softly falls the light of day,
As our campfire fades away.
Silently each Scout should ask,
"Have I done my daily task?
Have I kept my honor bright?
Can I guiltless sleep tonight?
Have I done and have I dared,
Everything to be prepared?"
"I have kept my honor bright.
I can guiltless sleep tonight.
I have done and I have dared,
Everything to be prepared."
Junior Girl Scout SWAP - Do a Good Turn Daily Pin
Girls can make a pin with 7 beads that can be slid along a ribbon to keep track of good deeds.
Supplies: (for each pin) 1/4" or 1/8" ribbon, 7 pony beads (red, yellow, blue, orange, purple, green, white), safety pin
Instructions: Measure the ribbon to about 20" long. Fold the ribbon in half and tie an overhand knot a little ways down from the top. You need leave only enough room for the safety pin. Slide your first bead on one ribbon strand, and then push the other strand up from the bottom of the bead. When you pull the ribbon snug (and with a little judicious adjusting) the bead will be sideways. Continue with the rest of the beads and tie another overhand knot about an inch below the bottom bead. Once it is made, girls can slide a bead to the bottom after each good deed they have done. By the end of the week, if they have done good deeds every day, all 7 beads should be at the bottom.
Bumble Bee
Supplies: black pipe cleaners (1 each), yellow pipe cleaners (1 each), glue, pencil, pin backs, wiggly eyes, white craft foam
Instructions: Hold the two pipe cleaners together and twist them around a pencil going down to the point. Slide them off the pencil. Add two wiggle eyes to the top - the point is the bottom. Cut white fun foam into wings and glue them to the back of the bee. Attach flat back pin on back.
Junior Girl Scout Craft - Bracelets
Supplies: hemp cord, scissors, tape, beads and buttons.
Instructions: To make a bracelet, you need two strands of hemp, one twice as long as the other. The lengths will depend on the hemp's width, but a 60- and a 30-inch length should fit most kids' wrists. Fold each strand in half. Hold the two midpoints together and tie a loop with them. Hang the loop over a nail or tape it to a board. You should now have four strands; put the shorter two in the middle. Next, lay the left outside strand over the middle two strands (it should look like the number four), then under the right outside strand. Bring the outside right strand under the middle two strands and up through the loop of the four. Pull the ends of the outside strands tight. This is the basic knot. To continue, simply alternate the side from which you start the knot. To add a bead, slip it onto the middle two strands, then tie the knot. When your bracelet is done, slip a four-holed button onto the four strands (one strand in each hole), then knot each strand end and snip off any extra hemp.
Fishing Swivel Bracelets
Supplies: size 14 swivels, seed beads, pliers
Instructions: Put seed beads on each swivel (approximately 10-14 each), and then hook them together in a chain.
Junior Girl Scout Activity - Pile Up!
Supplies: chairs.
Instructions: The objective of the game is to learn how to follow directions. Girls all sit on the chairs in a circle. The leader explains the rules. The girls must simply follow directions she will call out and move into the direction she tells them. If someone is sitting on the chair you are supposed to move to, you sit on top of them. If someone is sitting on top of you and you have to move then move them with you. Then the leader calls out questions, directing the girls to either move to the left or to the right if the question applies to them. For example: “If you have an older sister move to the right” or "If you have blond hair move to the left”, “If you like chocolate move to the left”. It is a fun game for the girls, but be sure that they are careful not to hurt one another when sitting on laps.
Mingle
Instructions: Everyone mingles around the room until a number is called. Girls must get into groups of that number as quickly as possible. Anyone left at 'time' is out. Continue until only a few girls are left.
Junior Girl Scout Ceremony - Nobody Told Me
You can use your imagination on how to set up for this ceremony, just be sure to assign each girl some type of part.
Reader 1 - Nobody told me I would really feel part of something so big, so wonderful, that when we said the Promise together that I would mean every word. Will I ever know all the words? You'll learn them, I was told.
Reader 2 - Nobody told me that while I worried and fretted about "doing the right thing at the right time", I would now be looked upon as "knowing all the answers" by the younger girl scouts. What if they won't listen to me? They'll learn from you, I was told.
Reader 3 - Nobody told me I would really have to cook on an open fire. "I don't know how to scramble eggs or put up a tent." You'll learn, I was told. Nobody told me that I would really want to go camping again. You'll learn, I was told.
Reader 4 - Nobody ever told me that I would become queasy or that my voice would crack when I led the Flag Ceremony. "But, I've never done a flag ceremony, I said. What if I forget the words? You'll learn, I was told.
Reader 5 - Nobody told me that the Laws were made to help us become better people. How will I learn to get along with so many girls, we're all so different. You'll learn, I was told.
Leader - Nobody told me that getting to know these girls would be so much fun. Nobody told me, I learned.
In Unison - We are Girl Scouts. Four words, but, behind them, hundreds of feelings and thoughts. We are Girl Scouts because we love the out-of-doors, singing, reading, learning how to make things, and because we enjoy sharing with our friends in Girl Scouting. Nobody told us that we would make so many friends! Nobody told us. We learned.
The Girl Scout Tree
Once Daisy planted the sapling tree,
And passed its care on to you and to me.
Its roots are deep and spreading still.
Its branches reaching, her dreams to fulfill.
The golden sun will help it grow.
The gentle rain will nourish it so.
For generations we'll keep it true;
Girl Scouts forever, for me and for you.
Activities for Girl Scouts ages 11 - 17
Girls 11 to 17 Song - Can A Woman? (to the tune of She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain with new words by Iris Hirsch)
Can a woman fly an airplane? Yes she can, yes she can.
Can a woman build a building? Yes she can, yes she can.
Can a woman fight a fire? Can a woman change a tire?
Can a woman lead a choir? Yes she can, yes she can.
Can a woman be a lawyer? Yes she can, yes she can.
Can a woman fix an engine? Yes she can, yes she can.
Can a woman be a drummer? Can a woman be a plumber?
Can she play ball in the summer? Yes she can, yes she can.
Can a woman be a doctor? Yes she can, yes she can.
Can a woman drive a tractor? Yes she can, yes she can.
Can a woman lead a nation? Can she run a TV station?
Can she head a corporation? Yes she can, yes she can.
Just you wait until we're older then you'll see,
We'll be women in tomorrow's history,
As we grow up through the years, We will sing out loud and clear,
Can we start the process here? Yes we can, yes we can!
A Smile is Quite a Funny Thing
(Tune: Auld Lang Syne)
A smile is quite a funny thing.
It wrinkles up your face,
And when it's gone you never find
It's secret hiding place.
But far more wonderful it is,
To see what smiles can do.
You smile at one, he smiles at you,
And so one smile makes two.
He smiles at someone, since you smile,
And then that one smiles back,
And that one smiles until, in truth,
You fail in keeping track.
And since a smile can do great good,
By cheering hearts of care.
Let's smile and not forget the fact
That smiles go everywhere.
Girls 11 to 17 SWAP - Girl Scout Law Beads
Supplies: length of plastic lanyard or cording, beads, Law printed out (in color) and laminated, pin
Instructions: Make a knot at one end of plastic lanyard or cording, add beads in the following order from knot: lavender, lt pink, green, magenta, purple, orange, red, spring green, yellow, lt blue. Make a loop and knot the top adding The Girl Scout Law before making the final knot. Add pin.
THE GIRL SCOUT LAW
I will do my best to be:
Honest and fair (lt blue)
Friendly and helpful (yellow)
Considerate and caring (spring green)
Courageous and strong (red)
Responsible for what I say and do and to: (orange)
Respect myself and others (purple)
Respect authority (magenta)
Use resources wisely (green)
Make the world a better place, and (lt pink)
Be a sister to every Girl Scout. (lavender)
Mini Easter Bonnets
Supplies: mini straw hats (1 each), glue scissors, scrap craft foam, 1/4" green ribbon, 1/8" hole punch, 1/4" punch, pin backs, toothpicks
Instructions: Cut a piece of ribbon and glue around the brim of the hat. Punch holes out of craft foam. Use toothpicks and glue to make flowers out of the punch holes.
Hot glue on a pin
Girls 11 to 17 Craft - Homemade Lip Gloss
Supplies: paraffin wax, coconut oil, petroleum jelly, candy melts (to color the gloss and make it taste sweet), oil-based candy flavoring (if you want a special flavor), grater, wax paper, ziploc bag, small container (recycle old makeup containers or 35mm film containers, or look in stores that carry beads, crafts, or fishing tackle).
Instructions: Grate some paraffin wax onto wax paper. Measure 1/4 teaspoon grated wax into the plastic bag. Add 1 teaspoon coconut oil, 1 teaspoon petroleum jelly, and 1 candy melt. Add 1/8 teaspoon oil-based candy flavoring if you like.
Seal the bag and carefully put it in a bowl of hot tap water to melt ingredients, about 3-5 minutes. Use tap water! Never use a microwave or stove to heat the water). Once all the ingredients are melted, remove the bag from the water. Squish ingredients around in bag to mix; work quickly! Clip off a tiny corner of the bag and squeeze gloss into the clean container. Let it set for an hour, or put it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. There you go! Use a cotton swab instead of your finger to apply gloss. Your lip-gloss should last a long time. If it changes color, odor, or texture, throw it away and make a new batch.
Girl Scout Birthday Candle
Supplies: wide candles, metallic fabric paint, fake jewels/rhinestones
Instructions: Decorate with candle paint. Make a larger "puddle" or dot of paint on the side where you wish to place the rhinestones/jewels. Can add a birthday
message or ribbons around bottom. Let dry completely.
Girls 11 to 17 Activity - Knots Game
Safety: Make sure girls do not squeeze hands too hard or lock arms.
Instructions: The group forms a circle. Everyone puts one hand into the circle and holds the hand of someone across from them. Then place the remaining hands into different peoples hands. Without breaking hands, the group should try to untangle into a circle.
Girls 11 to 17 Ceremony - The Common Flame Ceremony
Supplies: 1 large green candle, 6 smaller candles of six different colors (except green) to represent the continents, matches, candle holders
1st Girl Scout: I light the flame of sisterhood that burns in the heart of every Girl Scout. (light green candle)
2nd Girl Scout: Girl Scouts come from many lands. All with smiles and helping hands, though they speak another way, the Law, the Promise, they obey. (light candle)
3rd Girl Scout: I light this candle in friendship for all the Girl Scouts and Guides who live in Africa. Watch the flame closely please. (light candle)
4th Girl Scout: I light this candle for all the Girl Scouts and Guides who live in South America. Watch the flame closely please. (light candle)
5th Girl Scout: I light this candle for all the Girl Scouts and Guides who live in North America. Watch the flame closely please. (light candle)
6th Girl Scout: I light this candle for all the Girl Scouts and Guides who live in Asia. Watch the flame closely please. (light candle)
7th Girl Scout: I light this candle for all the Girl Scouts and Guides who live in Europe. Watch the flame closely please. (light candle)
8th Girl Scout: I light this candle for all the Girl Scouts and Guides who live in Australia. Watch the flame closely please. (light candle)
9th Girl Scout: Have you noticed the light from one candle is the same as the other even though the outside covering is different on each one?
10th Girl Scout: The culture of the nations vary from one to the other but we all have basic needs. We wish to be recognized, to be called by name, and to be loved.
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Girl Scout Week
Self-discovery and community service were core values that the Girl Scouts of the USA founder, Juliette Gordon Low, sought to instill in girls from the earliest days. When the organization was founded in 1912, many girls’ paths in life were limited. Low’s vision was to establish an organization where any American girl could expand her personal horizon by having fun while exploring new interests and contributing to society. Low was determined to help expand opportunities and learning for the average American girl and founded Girl Scouts on March 12, 1912.
Juliette Gordon Low, in 1925, gave the following birthday message to Girl Scouts: “I realize that each year Girl Scouting has changed and grown until I know that, a decade from now, even a year from now, what I might say of it would seem like an echo of what has been instead of what is… So, today, instead of trying to tell you what Girl Scouting means to me, I should like each of us to ask herself, “Where is Girl Scouting leading us?”
Juliette Low included badges in her first handbook, How Girls Can Help Their Country, that were considered quite controversial for the time. Girls had the opportunity to learn about topics from flying an airplane to playing basketball. (Note: When the girls played basketball, they had to draw curtains around the court, so the public would not see them in their bloomers.) It might be fun to compare what girls can do now with ones girls did back at the beginning of the program. Carol Lee Spages from New Jersey created asheet that compares activities from then and now.
Girl Scouts used to establish seven days of service during Girl Scout Week. During the 42nd celebration, in 1954, Girl Scouts established the following seven days of service in honor of Girl Scout week:
* Girl Scout Sunday and Girl Scout Sabbath (Saturday) was a time girls attended services at their house of worship.
* Monday was designated Homemaking Day.
* Tuesday was Citizenship Day.
* Wednesday was Health and Safety Day.
* Friday was Arts and Crafts Day.
* Saturday was Outdoors Day
Create your own day(s) of service. You could prepare a layette basket to welcome the first baby girl born on March 12th in your area. Remember to tuck in a box of Girl Scout cookies for the mother.
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Take the Journeys to Camp
You don’t have to leave the journeys behind when you go to Day Camp, even if your Day Camp is indoors or in a small city park. You can do activities that teach about the great outdoors.
It’s Your Planet-Love It! There are many ideas about enjoying the outdoors tucked inside this journey. Loving nature is a great motivator for protecting it. Daisies can hike and observe all that grows at camp. Brownies can take a look at water issues. Juniors can discover nature’s energy sources. Invite Cadettes to enjoy "a square inch" of silence. Seniors can check the soil and prepare the day’s snack from locally grown food. Ambassadors do the math as they consider the footprint on a day camp.
It’s Your World – Change It! This journey might not be obvious, but it’s easy to use it at camp. Daisies can work on a Take Action Project that improves how things are growing at camp. Brownies can learn how to follow a map or use a compass on a trail or while walking on the sidewalk in town. Juniors can create their own obstacle course and create stories to tell around the campfire. For Cadettes, camp provides freedom from the usual cliques and routines. Camp offers a great space for using the "Where Do You Stand" exercise with the girls. Seniors can create their own mini perfect world at camp. Ambassadors can discover their inner child and make gourmet s’mores.
Websites Day Camp Directors and Staff Might Find Useful
www.scoutingweb.com/Program/outdoors1.html The scouting web has ideas for camp themes.
dragon.sleepdeprived.ca Becky’s Campfire is a Canadian Girl Guiding Site with songs, graces, skits, and camp recipes.
www.scoutorama.com This Boy Scout site features skits, songs and camp recipes.
www.buckskin.org This Boy Scout Council site has a variety of outdoor camp ideas, songs, skits and activities.
www.ultimatecampresource.com The site has camp games, skits and songs.
www.naturely.com This "For Kids Naturely" site has nature activities grouped by age level. You can acess this information for a fee.
www.nwf.org The National Wildlife Federation website has outdoor activities for all levels.
Council Resources
Activity Guides
95 Ways to Explore the Outdoors
Odee the Otter
Molly the Manatee
Lorax and the Guardbark
Incredible insects
Zink the Zebra Goes to Camp
Appalachian Heritage
Kits
Mammalicious
VOICE Eyes on Herbs: The Science of Folk Medicine and Natural Dyes
Other Resources
Project Wild activities book
Project Aquatic activities book
Project Learning Tree activities book
Trees for the 21st Century
Volksport
To receive a copy of an activity guide or to check out a kit contact Cindy Moffatt, Program Secretary by calling 304.345.7722 ext. 13 or 1.800.756.7616 ext. 13 or emailing cindy.moffatt@bdgsc.org. Other resources can be accessed by contacting Susan Smith, Program Specialist by calling 304.345.7722 ext. 22 or 1.800.756.7616 ext. 22 or emailing susan.smith@bdgsc.org.
