Girl Scout Ways in April

I've worked with Girl Scouts for over two decades (it really doesn't feel like that long!) and one of the things I loved most about having a Girl Scout troop was our holiday and seasonal activities. The ideas I share in these monthly posts are from a New Leader Booklet that was shared with me when I started leading Girl Scout troops in the early 2000s. Since our council (and as far as I know any other) no longer shares this information, I want to make it accessible on the internet. Enjoy!

Have a "Silly Party" to celebrate April Fools Day. Call the girls prior to the party and tell them to wear whatever they have on at the moment (a "come as you are" idea). Have everyone bring something "different" to share as the food part of the party. Then, exchange presents - a totally useless/tacky item from around the house, wrapped beautifully. Play goofy games and sign silly songs.

Talk a walk and notice all the spring time changes. Don't forget to take a trash bag with you to pick up any trash you find along the way.

Celebrate Earth Day. Talk about recycling, cutting up six-pack rings, waste from fast food, etc. Bury different waste products (lettuce, apple, plastic, paper, Styrofoam). Plan to dig them up in six weeks and then again in six months.

Make recycled paper. Tear up paper and put in water in a bowl to soften. (You can add a small amount of colored paper to color your finished product). Put softened paper in blend, pour out onto an open section of newspaper. Place a piece of window screen over it and squeeze out excess water with a board. Let dry for several hours. Make invitations to the Court of Awards ceremony on the recycled paper.

Make "food chain" - paper chains starting with one thing and each ring is something that east that thing. Play some nature games. Another activity that would go with the food chain is to watch The Magic School Bus Gets Eaten (it's on Netflix and SchoolTube). 

Make travel sit-upons for bringing to Camporee. Decorate a square of fabric with markers and laminate with clear contact paper. The sit-upon can be folded and carried in a pocket.

Talk about fire safety and practice fire building with edible camp fires. Have the girls tie back hair and check for clothing that might dangle into the fire. Give out paper napkins (fire circle) and clear clear with a fork (rake). Make woodpile by stacking wood according to size (coconut - tinder, pretzels - kindling, and tootsie rolls -fuel). Fill cup with beverage (water bucket) and have a straw (poker). Check for wind direction (back should be to wind). Add two "mini-handfuls" of coconut tinder. Make an "A" with kindling in center of fire circle. Place red-hot (fire starter) under top bar of "A". Put candy corn (match) on fire starter to light. Add more candy corn (flames) and add more kindling and tootsie rolls (fuel). Put flames out by sprinkling from fire bucket (sip). Eat everything so you leave a clean fire circle.

April 6 is North Pole Day - a celebration of Arctic wilderness. Do some activities with magnets, discovering polarity. Learn how to use a compass.

April 7 is World Health Day. Is there a service project your troop could become involved with that promotes good health? Perhaps you could hold a drive to collect hygiene products to send to people in need. Tuck toiletries such as soaps, shampoos, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, face cloths, etc into a pair of new socks and tie with a ribbon. Perhaps you could even include gift cards for fast food chains as well. Donate to a homeless shelter.

April 14 is National Dolphin Day, to remember all sea creatures. Take part in a beach clean up or learn about sea creatures. Eat goldfish crackers and do a craft with fish.

Celebrate Spring! Decorate a pot with rubber stamps paint and plant a pretty flower.

Make butterflies with tissue paper twisted in the middle with a pipe cleaner or a clothespin.

Have a She and Me game day at a local park. You could have teams of girls and their adults taking part in different activities like three-legged races, egg toss, etc.

Initiate a book swap. 

Learn some simple facts about women scientists, Then put the name of one scientist on the back of each girl and let her go ask yes/no questions to figure out who she is. Only one question asked of each person!

Plant trees for Arbor Day!

Make a collection of tree leaves. Arrange the leaves carefully between sheets of newspaper or blotting paper and press them under bricks or books for several days. Mount the leaves neatly on sheets of poster board or drawing paper. Label each leaf with the name of the tree. Make sets to show which are deciduous and which are conifers or make plaster casts of leaves.

High Yield Activity: Invisible Ink

Here's a fun activity that serves as a High Yield activity that can be used for Project Learn, STEM, and to meet a badge requirement for Junior Girl Scout Detective Badge and the vintage Brownie Girl Scout Try It Science Wonders.

Target Area: Science Lab, Art Studio, or Cafeteria

Objective: Members learn how chemistry is used practically in real life.

Target Age Group: Tweens Age 10-12 years

Time to Complete: one 45 minute rotation

Materials Needed: lemon juice (other safe liquids are optional), paper, heat source (iron or light bulb) and paint brushes or cotton swabs

Instructions:

Ask members how they would pass secret messages if they were spies. After giving them time to share their answers, tell them some stories of spies how used secret ink to pass messages.

FOR STAFF/VOLUNTEER USE: Science Daily Article

Using lemon juice, have members write or paint a short, secret message on a piece of paper. After letting each piece of paper dry, members trade papers and use heat to reveal the words. Lightbulbs and irons are sufficient heat sources to reveal the letters. Be careful not to burn the paper when revealing the letters.

Ask the members why they think this happens. Explain that this is possible due to the chemistry involved. In the case of lemon juice, its acidity makes it easily oxidize (combine with oxygen in the air) when heated, which makes the paper turn browner where the lemon juice has been applied.

Encourage members to experiment with other liquids including milk, soda, juices, and other safe liquids. What can be used for secret writing? (Orange juice, vinegar, and apple juice will react similarly.)

Girl Scout Fun Ideas for December

I've worked with Girl Scouts for nearly two decades (it really doesn't feel like that long!) and one of the things I loved most about having a Girl Scout troop was our holiday and seasonal activities. The ideas I share in these monthly posts are from a New Leader Booklet that was shared with me when I started leading Girl Scout troops in the early 2000s. Since our council (and as far as I know any other) no longer shares this information, I want to make it accessible on the internet. Enjoy!

Note: Please be careful to remember that not everyone celebrates Christmas! If all of the girls in your troop are of one faith, you could go ahead and do the typical crafts, holiday caroling, etc. However, it is much better to remember that Girl Scouting is not a Christian organization, and that we want to inclusive to girls of all faiths. As such, this might be a perfect opportunity to learn about other faiths by doing activities such as Hanukkah dreidels, something related to Kwanzaa, etc. 

Take part in a service project benefiting others, such as a food drive, toy drive, or gift giving to those less fortunate.

Have a cookie exchange.

Decorate cookies or cakes to donate or keep.

Make gingerbread houses with graham crackers and small milk cartons.

Make angel dolls. Cute what material approx. 8"x 5". Satiny material looks great. Fold down 1/3 and stuff a ball of stuffing for the head, tie with attractive cord. Add a second piece of material approx. 4"x 12", tie around the shoulders with a cross cross in front for wings. Add doll hair, use markers for faces, and make a halo with star garland.

Make sock snowmen: Take one boys' tube sock, turned inside out (so you have the fleecy side out). Stuff with three balls of polyester stuffing, (largest at bottom, smallest on top for head). Turn down cuff of sock; stripes form hat. Decorate with black pompoms for face and buttons and add a shiny piece of orange felt for the nose. Glue with tacky glue or glue guns (be careful!). Tie ribbon around the neck and sing Frosty the Snowman.

Take an outdoor hike, especially in the rain. Notice all of the changes taking place (bare trees, etc.) Be sure to take along a trash bag and pick up any trash you find. If everybody doesn't have a raincoat, cut holes in large trash bags for arms and heads. Jump in puddles. Find a rainbow.

Make rain pictures. Put a piece of paper down on the ground, weighted down on the edges so it won't blow away. Sprinkle some dry tempera paint on the paper. Let rain sprinkle on the paper. Look to see what designs were made.

Play with your food! On December 23, the Festival of the Radishes is celebrated in Mexico. Giant radishes are carved into figures of people and animals. Prizes are awarded. Practice knife safety and carve a few radishes, too. Perhaps you can even practice making beautiful garnishes for food during the holidays. 

To the best of my knowledge, this booklet originated in the San Francisco area (the original specified places in that area along with including a San Fran phone number.) The ideas I have shared are not my own, though I have modified a few to include more updated information. 

Girl Scout Fun Ideas - May Edition

I've worked with Girl Scouts for nearly two decades (it really doesn't feel like that long!) and one of the things I loved most about having a Girl Scout troop was our holiday and seasonal activities. The ideas I share in these monthly posts are from a New Leader Booklet that was shared with me when I started leading Girl Scout troops in the early 2000s. Since our council (and as far as I know any other) no longer shares this information, I want to make it accessible on the internet. Enjoy!

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Have a piñta. Make tortillas. Mix approximately 2 teaspoons of Masa Harina with about 2 teaspoons water in a ziploc bag. When it is well mixed, make patties and cook on a griddle.

Plan menus for Camporee and make Kaper Charts.

Go shopping for Camporee food according to menus and shopping lists prepared by the girls.

Make SWAPS for Camporee if that is being planned this year. SWAPS are small items that can be pinned to a hat. Each girl should make about 10 to 12 to share.

Have balloon rocket races and make different kinds of gliders. Cut a piece of yarn or string to about six feet in length. Insert the string through the drinking straw. Attach ends of string to stable objects such as chair backs, etc. Push the straw to one end of the string. Roll a small piece of masking tape, sticky side out. Attach one side of tape to the straw. Have a girl blow up a balloon. While holding the closed end, have the girl attach the balloon to the tape with the open end toward her. She then lets go of the end and the other end will propel itself to the end of the straw.

Make Air pictures. Place a small amount of poster paint on a piece of paper and blow the paint with a drinking straw.

Practice singing camp songs.

Go to Camporee! Camping is a highlight for the girls, and there is no easier way for the leaders to do it all than Camporee. Don't forget that at least one adult must attend Outdoor Skills Training.

Walk to a local park and play some rowdy outdoor games. Or, go to where there is a par course and do those activities. Get silly and loud.

Make your own puzzles by drawing a on a piece of poster board or card stock. Cut it up into small shapes (specify the number of pieces based on age and ability). Trade puzzles and try to put them back together.

Have a Bike Rally. You might be able to arrange for the Juvenile Officer from your local police department to come and talk to the girls about the rules of the road and safety rules. Decorate the bikes with crepe paper streamers. Set up some cones to ride in and out of. Practice hand signals.

Plan a Court of Awards ceremony and some entertainment. Remember that the ceremony doesn't have to be fancy or elaborate. The most meaningful ceremonies are planned by the girls!

May 1 is May Day in England. Celebrate with any kind of flower craft or activity, or have a May Pole.

Memorial Day is celebrated in May. Take part in decorating veteran graves with flags.

Learn about flower arranging and have a troop display for parents or another troop (or use to decorate your Court of Awards ceremony).

Make a troop banner with the girls' handprints and signatures. Bring to Camporee.

Blow Bubbles! Just use the store bought kind or make your own: 3 tablespoons glycerin, 3 tablespoons Dawn dish soap, 1 cup warm water, a pinch of sugar. Mix everything together with an egg beater or whisk. Use the store bubble wands or make some with thin wire. Try differently shaped wands or cut slits about 1/2 inch long into the end of a drinking straw.

Have a magic show! There are books at the library or check out kids' magic kits at toy stores (or Amazon). Let each girl perform a trick, and take your show on the road to a preschool, a children's hospital, or a children's shelter.