A Girl Scout Leader's Musings . . . .

Golden Gate Bridging 2009

2010-01-20T18:50:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been to the Golden Gate Bridge? If so have you every walked across it?

Last year two troops from our area Bridged from Juniors to Cadettes. And my troop (already Cadettes) worked security.

Here are some pics of the event. Click HERE for link

Cookie Sales & rounding UP!

2010-01-13T15:28:00.000-08:00

For several years now I have rounded up my daughters pre-order. The 1st year I did it I felt like I was going to throw up. It scared me to death. I was responsible for all these cookie. Geez, what the heck am I thinking! She sold those on the 1st night passing out her cookies and we had the get 6 more cases from the cupboard within 3 days.

So the next year I rounded up and added 8 cases. That was a little more of a struggle to get rid of. Last year we rounded up and added 6 cases. That seems to be the perfect amount. She could have sold more but didn't want to put the effort into it. He final total was 566 boxes. Down by almost 300 the year before, but she still made the 550 club.

This post is not to brag about my daughter (although she rocks) this is to tell you what I have asked of my troop this year.

I requested that all the girl round up their initial order. Their eyes got huge. What, what do you mean?? I know that is what they were thinking. I am trying to get them to sell more cookies then just their pre-order and booth sale orders. I asked them to bring extra cookies with them when they make their deliveries. I also told them to team up and go door to door (you know in the old days when I was a kid).

I did give them an OUT. I told them whatever they had left when we did our 1st booth sale they could return to the troop.

I will let you know how this works out.

next time: how I have taught them to present the cookie flavors.

Sorry for the mess

2010-01-13T11:18:00.001-08:00

sorry my blog is such a mess. Photobucket dumped my graphics. so now I have to start again.

Made by Veterans – Served by Girl Scouts

2010-01-08T14:30:00.000-08:00

Several local troops have been lending a hand at the VFW Post 1900 monthly pancake breakfast. Local Veterans of Foreign Wars prepare pancakes, eggs, biscuits & gravy, sausage and bacon – and the girls deliver the made to order breakfast to your table.

The girls have been instrumental in helping the veterans serve over 100 meals each month.

Join the veterans and Girl Scout troop 10417 Saturday January 9^th, from 8-11AM at the Veteran’s Hall in Ukiah, on Seminary Drive.

For just $5 for adults, and $2.50 for kids, you won’t find a better or more affordable breakfast in town!!

Ornament Exchange

2009-12-07T15:33:00.000-08:00

For the past three years my troop has been doing an ornament exchange. We have been doing it "pirate", or "steal" style. This year we decided to invite all the other "older girl" troops in the area to celebrate with us. So instead of our traditional manner of exchange we are going to do a right/left story. This is the one I chose.

The Right Family #4

Christmas was almost here and Mother Right was finishing the Christmas baking. Father Right, Sue Right, and Billy Right returned from their last-minute Christmas errands. "There's not much left to be done," said Father Right as he came into the kitchen.

"Did you leave the basket of food at the church?" asked Mother Right. "I left it right where you told me to," said Father Right. "I'm glad my shopping is done," said Billy right. "I don't have any money left."

The hall telephone rang, and Susan Right left to answer it. She rushed right back and told the family, "Aunt Tillie Right left a package for us right on Grandma Right's front porch. I'll go over there right now and get it," she said as she left in a rush. Father Right left the kitchen and brought in the Christmas tree.

By the time Susan Right returned, Mother Right, Father Right, and Billy Right had begun trimming the tree. The entire Right family sang carols as they finished decorating. Then they left all the presents arranged under the tree and went to bed, hoping they had selected the right gifts for their family.

Now I hope you have the right present for yourself, because that's all that's left of our story...except to wish you a merry Christmas... Isn't that right??

Click here for more choices.

Merry Christmas

Journeys?

2009-11-03T10:29:00.000-08:00

**beware - before reading know I am not happy. So please don't read this one if you are not interested in my complaint.

So these Journey's come out. All that we are told is that they are "wonderful". That's it! Well what the heck are they? Why is there no training for them? They offer training for everything else.

Last Saturday at bunch of us took Teen Adviser Training. I figured it was the new Studio2B training so I went ahead and took it again. I figured it would talk about the Journeys. WELL IT DIDN'T. It was the New Leadership Experience. They trained us how to talk to teenagers. Hello, we are troop leaders and live with teenagers I think we know how to talk to them. Geez.

Anyhow, there were five of us at this meeting and everyone of us wanted to know about the Journeys so our training is coming back up here to talk to use about it. I guess I am not so dumb after all. Because none of us really knew how they worked. Except that they are WONDERFUL!

Community Service

2009-10-16T08:20:00.000-07:00

Wow it has been over half a year I feel so bad. I rarely get comments so I forget about this blog.

So my Cadette/Sr/Am troop started something new last May. The church I attend has 5 planter boxes in the court yard. One is maintained by a nice old lady from church. I asked the girls if they would like to maintain two of the boxes. They thought it would be a great idea.

So for the 1st time I asked them to divide themselves into partols (there are only 6 of them). They did that easily enough.

Then I asked the big question. How will this get paid for? I guess I should have talked about how we handle our money earlier. But that is an entire post unto itself. Anyhow, they voted to pay for it our of their own pockets. OK that works out nicely.

So our last meeting of the year we spent two hours cleaning out the boxes. We brought tools, water and bags. The troop provided the manure. Man was it stinky. So now the boxes are clean. Now what. Well I explained to the girls that it was up to each patrol to get together at a store to make their purchases and then plant. On top of that I explained that the plants will require a lot of watering at 1st so they had to take turns hand watering their beds several times a week.

The sister troop that we meet with also did a planter box. There was a method to our madness. We needed to find a new meeting location. So what better way to sway the Church Board then through beautifying their court yard. It worked :)

Random Thoughts and Comments

2009-01-07T08:15:00.001-08:00

I have been slacking in my writing to this blog. I am very sorry. I know I don't have a lot of readers out there but for the few I do have I should really be posting here more regularly. There will be no rhyme or reason to this post so please bare with me.

We did our toiletry drive at the end of November. I got a ton of stuff. I need to remember to bring it to our meeting tomorrow night and take pictures. The girls still need to decide who to donate it to. We have enough that maybe they should choose several locations.

My co-events chair and I have decided that the girls are not ready to plan a huge event like the camporee. I told my daughter that yesterday and she agrees. She said that we should start with something smaller.

I stepped outside my comfort zone on Monday. One of the people in charge of the cookie rally said that they would be purchasing pizza from Round Table. What! Are you crazy! That is way too much money. And frankly the girls done care if the pizza is from Round Table or Little Caesar's. So I jumped on the phone and made a call. "Hi I am Sandi from Girl Scouts and we need to feed 60 hungry girls this Friday night at our cookie rally. Yes, it's cookie time again. So how many pizzas would I need and what can we do about the price." It is really difficult for me to ask for a discount. I don't know why it is just is. But I did it. Yeah for me!

We are finishing up two IPAs this month! From Fitness to Fashion, and Disability Awareness. I am just loving this year. Each girl chose a IPA and they are in charge of deciding what and when to do. I just sit back and watch, LOL. I reserve about 15 minutes at each meeting for business. Up coming events, voting on things, etc. But that's about it.

Tomorrow the girls are going to register for Program Aide Training (an on going thing), and also register for PA for Spring Encampment. *sigh* this means attending additional planning meetings. I have also volunteered to be THE Cook for Spring Encampment. I will probably end up being the cook for PA Training.

On the 16^th of this month we will be attending a Murder Mystery Dinner. It sounds like a lot of fun. I have never attended one so it should be interesting.

I have more but I will share it later in the week. I think I have droned on long enough for now.

Leaders Meeting

2008-12-02T09:47:00.000-08:00

I am trying to figure out a way to spice up our Leaders Meeting (Service Unit Meetings). Just like all areas (as far as I have heard) attendance in the monthly meetings is low. I want to boost it up. What is the point of going to the meeting if all we hear is “Here are the flyers we get from the council office at the SUD meeting.” Gee, thanks, I think I can read those on my own (if I am even interested, which usually I am not). That’s all I have to say about that.

Here is my big plan. I want to teach something each month. This way the leaders come and learn something new. A song, a ceremony, or a craft. Anything to make it interesting and worth their time to attend. I tried this last year with the intention of having our SUD ask different leaders each month to provide something. Well that didn’t happen. So once again I am a one man band. I shared something last month but can’t remember what. Hmmm, I must be losing my mind.

Tonight I am going to have everyone make bags of Magic Reindeer Dust. I was able to find all the supplies in my home so this project is free. I will have each leader make their own. I have everything pre-cut. They just need to put it together. I will let them know there are variations of this project. It can be as fancy or as simple as they like. They can just take this simple project and gear it to the age of their troop.

Magic Reindeer Food Links
Magic Reindeer Dust Links

Leadership Hours

2008-12-01T20:12:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow night my daughter and her friend are going to earn some Leadership hours tomorrow night. They will be doing the Caring and Sharing Try-it with a brand new brownie troop. This will take place during their 1st meeting while the Leaders and Parents have their meeting.

They put together this booklet for each of the brownies to complete. They are thinking about starting the meeting with the mingle, mingle, mingle game. This is always good ice-breaker. It gives the girls a chance to get to know eachother. It also shows them that they all have something in common without them event knowing it. Sneeky.

Anyhow, I have attached a copy of the booklet here for you to see and maybe share with other Brownie Leaders. Caring & Sharing Wookbook

Toiletry Drive

2008-11-25T12:34:00.001-08:00

My Cadette troop is working on the From Fitness to Fashion IPA. On of the requirements is the have a Toiletry Drive. So we meet today in an area of our town the is rich with Doctor and Dentist offices. I have the girls go in the dentist offices in groups of 2 and 3 (don’t need to overwhelm anyone working there). Here is what they said.

Hi we are from troop 10417 and we are collecting Toiletries for those in need. Do you have any toothbrushes, floss or toothpaste that you would be able to donate?

I first office look at them like they were crazy and said they would need to check and asked for a contact phone number. They looked very disappointed when they walked out. I was starting to think that maybe this wasn’t going to work. Then we hit the next office and the girls came out with a box of toothpaste. Now the excitement was building. Each time they returned with items the girls would gather around and check out what they received. It was just like when you go Trick-or-Treating and you walk away from a house and check out the candy you received.

After about 1 ½ hours walking that street we jumped in the cars and headed over to a street that had three hotels in a row. We hit pay dirt there also. We collect shampoo, lotion, and mouthwash.

All in all it was a very successful day!

GS Jacket for Sale, WHAT!

2008-11-19T10:12:00.000-08:00

Last night I was killing time and was looking around on eBay. For the heck of it I typed in “GS Patches.” The screen pops up and at the very top is a patch jacket. click --> Hmmm, interesting who would sell that. (don't know how long this link will work) I clicked.

At the top of the screen shows a tiny picture of this item. Even that small my eyes zero in on several patches. OMG, I have a ton of patches this person has. And the ones that caught my eye we from Two Sentinels. I yelled to Heather “come here and check this out.” Then I scrolled to the additional pictures below and saw even more. There is a patch on the front with the name Heather. Hmmm, who could this be? I sent the link to my mom. She looked at all the pictures and gave it some thought came up with an answer. This person was in my Senior Troop.

Can you believe that! She identified someone through a GS Jacket!

New Leader Workshop

2008-10-31T08:24:00.000-07:00

Last night I hosted my 1st ever mentor meeting. Originally I was going to try and meet with the new leaders on a one on one basis. But then I decided to just host a “meet & greet.” It was informal and something I have never done before.

Please note I am not a trainer (no have a desire to be one) but I do have 32 years experience. I was a Girl Scout from Brownies all they through 12th grade. I was a co-leader for my sister’s troop when I was in high school. I was a Daisy, Brownie, Junior and now Cadette Leader. I was day camp director (at a week long day camp) for 6 years. I also have completed just about every training available to leaders. So I felt that I had something to share.

Training that the council offers is great. But to me it is more nuts and bolts. Paperwork, procedure. It must be done and is well worth the learning experience. But, I don’t think that it truly teaches you what you need to do to get a troop up and running.

Last night we started out with a craft. http://kidscrafts.suite101.com/article.cfm/kids_craft_marbled_paper

G-scoutmate - http://www.kscgroup.com/products/gscoutmate.html

Newsgroups (Yahoo) – GreenBloodNews, GreenBloodGab. GreenBloodTraditions, and many more.

Financial Aide – what it is and how to apply

Journys – what it is and how it works

Badges, Petals, Tri-its – I explained they would learn more about this in their level training. I suggested that they complete GS in the USA, and the GS Way 1st. That way they could learn about Girl Scouts together.

Help from other troops – I told them that there are Junior troops in the area that would like to help them during meetings. I also explained there were Cadette troops that would be there for them.

Choices – This is what our council (maybe all do) their activity guide. I told them to take a look at it and see what is offered.

Health History/Annual Permission Slips – I explained that I photo copy these double sided on cardstock. I also explained that during their Parent Meeting that this would be a good time for these to be completed. I also told them that I have created a Parent Handbook. I emailed them a copy and told them to use it as a base and tweak it anyway they see fit.

There was more but you get the idea. I was sent home with homework. Furnishing them with a list of items/supplies they will need to get their troop up and running. Good question and I am all over it today!

Were you a Girl Scout?

2008-10-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

I was! Or AM!

This is me flying up in 1973

Here I am in 1975. I was in a group called Ambassidors.
We were a color guard group.

Here is the group at the dedication of a new park

Kaper Chart Newsgroup

2008-10-15T14:28:00.000-07:00

I just started a new newsgroup on Yahoo. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kapercharts

The number one search result for my Leader Blog and Service Unit Website is KAPER CHARTS. What is it about Kaper Charts that make us scratch our heads in amazement?

What should we put on them? What do they look like? What are they made out of?

This group is for us to come together and discuss this mythical creature.Come and discuss Kaper Charts and let’s get to the bottom of this mystery.

Silver Award

2008-10-11T20:18:00.000-07:00

My daughter finally decided on her Silver Award Project. I was beginning to think that she wasn’t going to go for her Silver. In fact, when I asked her about it last year she said it sounded to hard and wasn’t interested. Well what are you gonna do, you can’t force her to do it. When we started planning the Camporee for next April three of the girls decided that they would earn their Silver doing this. That’s all well and good but I really don’t like group projects. But, once again I wasn’t going to say anything.

Well she has now decided that she is going to do a bowling workshop. A council has created Bowling IPA/Badge/Tri-it. So she is planning on offering all three at once. She has personally already earned her IPA. She has been bowling in a league since she was 5 years old, so it wasn’t a difficult award to earn.

She plans on attending a Silver Award Up All Night workshop. She has over half of her pre-requisite work already, this will just help her along the way.

Gold & Silver Up All Nights
Earn as many of the Gold or Silver Requirements as you can in 24 hours! Girls will decide how much they want to accomplish. Start with the Gold or Silver Training on-site and then begin completing the Steps to earn the Gold & Silver Awards. We will have IP workshops (4 hrs each) including Your Own Business, Focus Book workshops (2 hours each) including, Uniquely Me the Real Deal and Looking In, Reaching Out and we will work on the Silver Career Award and the 4B Challenges. There will always be 2-3 options for recognitions girls need to earn! Girls can stay up all night if they want to in the ‘up all night area’, but there will be no formal workshops from 1 AM-8 AM.

Sounds like fun.

Song Fest 2008

2008-10-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

Today our Service Unit hosted a Song Fest. Although we only had 18 attend we had a great time. We sang and played games for three hours. My oldest daughter was there and she had a wonderful time. It has been several years since she was in Girl Scouts but most of the songs she remembered and she even got up and led some. I highly recommend hosting an event like this in your area.

To the left is the fun patch we are purchasing from Joy Crest. Each Girl Scout also walked away with a song booklet for future reference.

Troop 10417 Goes Camping

2008-10-07T15:20:00.000-07:00

Cadette troop 10417 went camping at the KOA in Willits. It was decided that all meals would be cooked over open flames. No propane and no charcoal. The girls planned all the meals and shopped for the food. While there they would ask why we didn't bring this or that. I just kept telling them it wasn't on the menu.

The girls were amazed that it took so long to prepare the meals, and it really cut into their play time. It was also shocking that they were required to wash dishes after every meal.

The Willits KOA was really a great place to camp. They had FREE mini-golf, a petting zoo, play ground, volleyball net, horseshoe pits and G rated movies at nice. If you plan on taking your troop call directly to make reservations. Let them know that you are Girl Scouts and they will give you a 10% group discount.

for more photos http://www.girlscoutsmendo.org/troop_happenings.html

Shopping for Food

2008-09-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

My co-leader took two of the girls shopping for camping food yesterday. She sent them in alone with a list. They were so proud of themselves. They both told me that it only took them 28 minutes. They are so cute. They got everything on the list and it cost $39.00 even. Strange. Anyhow, I thought that was pretty good. In the back of my mind I was thinking that if they went to Lucky and Food Maxx instead of Safeway it would have been cheaper, but I kept my mouth shut. Amazingly!

A Camping We Will Go!

2008-09-25T08:31:00.000-07:00

I am taking my troop camping this weekend. It is the first time for us. Luckily all the girls have been camping before. Otherwise, I would be very nervous about this endeavor.

They created their menu last Monday. Then I went over it item, by item with them. It’s easy to write the menu, but then you have to think about all the items that are needed to create that meal. Not just the food, but how is it going to be cooked.

Tonight I need to go through my camping gear and get everything together and washed. I can’t remember the last time I went camping. I mean full blown camping, not what I did this summer where it was just somewhere to sleep.

My co-leader will not be going with us this weekend so I asked one of the registered mom’s to attend. Here is how I asked her “do you camp? And I don’t mean Motel 6”, LOL.

My co-leader is taking her daughter and one of the other girls from the troop food shopping tonight. Yea one less thing for me to do. I love it when I don’t have to do everything.

It was decided that we would cook all of our meals over the fire. Yep you heard me no propane and no charcoal. Open flames. I think the mom’s think I am crazy, but I know it can be done. These girls are going to learn a lot this weekend.

Wish me luck!

Camping Discount

2008-09-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

One of the mom's sent me this link to KOA, it doesn't work in our area, but it might in yours. $5.00 per person, or 10% off a Kamping Kabin.

http://www.koa.com/scouts/

Internet Safety

2008-09-17T08:08:00.000-07:00

I always remind my daughter the following when using the internet. Don't give your last name, and don't tell anyone where you live. I just recieved this e-mail this morning. I plan on printing it out and giving it to my daughter to read. I assume she careful when on the internet, but maybe this store will show her (I know it did me) how easy it is for these "people" to figure out who you are. I may even pass it out tomorrow night at our next GS Meeting. I will attach a PDF copy in case you would like to print it out also.

After tossing her books on the sofa, she decided to grab a snack and get on-line. She logged on under her screen name ByAngel213. She checked her Buddy List and saw GoTo123 was on. She sent him an instant message:

ByAngel213:
Hi. I'm glad you are on! I thought someone was following me home today. It was really weird!

GoTo123:
LOL You watch too much TV. Why would someone be following you?
Don't you live in a safe neighborhood?

ByAngel213:
Of course I do. LOL I guess it was my imagination cuz' I didn't see anybody when I looked out.

GoTo123:
Unless you gave your name out on-line. You haven't done that have you?

ByAngel213:
Of course not. I'm not stupid you know.

GoTo123:
Did you have a softball game after school today?

ByAngel213:
Yes and we won!!

GoTo123:
That's great! Who did you play?

ByAngel213:
We played the Hornets. LOL. Their uniforms are so gross! They look like bees. LOL

GoTo123:
What is your team called?

ByAngel213:
We are the Canton Cats. We have tiger paws on our uniforms. They are really cool.

GoTo1 23:
Did you pitch?

ByAngel213:
No I play second base. I got to go. My homework has to be done before my parents get home. I don't want them mad at me. Bye!

GoTo123:
Catch you later. Bye

Meanwhile.......GoTo123 went to the member menu and began to search for her profile. When it came up, he highlighted it and printed it out. He took out a pen and began to write down what he knew about Angel so far.

Her name: Shannon
Birthday: Jan. 3, 1985
Age: 13
State where she lived: North Carolina

Hobbies: softball, chorus, skating and going to the mall. Besides this information, he knew she lived in Canton because she had just told him. He knew she stayed by herself until 6:30 p.m. every afternoon until her parents came home from work. He knew she played softball on Thursday afternoons on the school team, and the team was named the Canton Cats. Her favorite number 7 was printed on her jersey. He knew she was in the eighth grade at the Canton Junior High School She had told him all this in the conversations they had on- line. He had enough information to find her now.

Shannon didn't tell her parents about the incident on the way home from the ballpark that day. She didn't want them to make a scene and stop her from walking home from the softball games. Parents were always overreacting and hers were the worst. It made her wish she was not an only child. Maybe if she had brothers and sisters, her parents wouldn't be so overprotective.

By Thursday, Shannon had forgotten about the footsteps following her.

Her game was in full swing when suddenly she felt someone staring at her. It was then that the memory came back. She glanced up from her second base position to see a man watching her closely.

He was leaning against the fence behind first base and he smiled when she looked at him. He didn't look scary and she quickly dismissed the sudden fear she had felt.

After the game, he sat on a bleacher while she talked to the coach. She noticed his smile once again as she walked past him. He nodded and she smiled back. He noticed her name on the back of her shirt. He knew he had found her.

Quietly, he walked a safe distance behind her. It was only a few blocks to Shannon’s home, and once he saw where she lived he quickly returned to the park to get his car.

Now he had to wait. He decided to get a bite to eat until the time came to go to Shannon’s house. He drove to a fast food restaurant and sat there until time to make his move.

Shannon was in her room later that evening when she heard voices in the living room.

'Shannon, come here,' her father called. He sounded upset and she couldn't imagine why. She went into the room to see the man from the ballpark sitting on the sofa.

'Sit down,' her father began, 'this man has just told us a most interesting story about you.'

Shannon sat back. How could he tell her parents anything? She had never seen him before today!

'Do you know who I am, Shannon?' the man asked.

'No,' Shannon answered.

'I am a police officer and your online friend, GoTo123.'

Shannon was stunned. 'That's impossible! GoTo is a kid my age! He's 14. And he lives in Michigan!’

The man smiled. 'I know I told you all that, but it wasn't true. You see, Shannon, there are people on-line who pretend to be kids; I was one of them. But while others do it to injure kids and hurt them, I belong to a group of parents who do it to protect kids from predators. I came here to find you to teach you how dangerous it is to talk to people on-line. You told me enough about yourself t o make it easy for me to find you. You named the school you went to, the name of your ball team and the position you played. The number and name on your jersey just made finding you a breeze.'

Shannon was stunned. 'You mean you don't live in Michigan?’

He laughed. 'No, I live in Raleigh It made you feel safe to think I was so far away, didn't it?'

She nodded.

'I had a friend whose daughter was like you. Only she wasn't as lucky. The guy found her and murdered her while she was home alone. Kids are taught not to tell anyone when they are alone, yet they do it all the time on-line. The wrong people trick you into giving out information a little here and there on-line. Before you know it, you have told them enough for them to find you without even realizing you have done it. I hope you've learned a lesson from this and won't do it again. Tell others about this so they will be safe too?'

'It's a promise!'

Meeting Results

2008-09-09T07:59:00.000-07:00

I think everything went very well last night.

Loretta (adult) took minutes.
I ran the meeting (Roberts rules of order) a 1st for these girls

1st thing 1st. We went around the table and each girl provided a theme idea. Once that was done I made a motion that we incorporate the Pirate theme with the Earth connection badge. It was approved.

Then the girls decided that Junior level was their target.

Then we took turns reading our of Safety Wise in the group camping section.

It was determined that two girls would find the location. The other two girls would turn the chosen activities from the Jr. Badge in the Pirate Theme (at least in name).

The results will be given at the next meeting.

We also decided that the minutes from the meeting will be emailed to the other Cadette Leaders so they have an idea of what we are doing and maybe some more girls will join us in the planning. It was also decided that we would meet at my house due to cost, and several available computers so things can be looked up and researched during meetings.

So in a nutshell, things went well and I plan on posting progress here to share with anyone interested.

1st Camporee Committee Meeting

2008-09-08T17:22:00.000-07:00

Wish me luck tonight is the 1st Camporee Committee Meeting. I sure hope girls attend from other troops.

For our 1st meeting we are meeting at Round Table Pizza in the back room. I asked each girl to bring $3.00 to help cover the cost. The Events Committee will provide the overage.

I am bring raffel tickets and GS t-shirts (never worn) for a raffel prize. I have sign-in sheet to get their names, phone numbers and email addresses. I set up a google group (did I already talk about that?) for communitcation throughout the month.

My co-hort Loretta and I were talking about trying to find a meeting place with WiFi. That way we can bring laptops and the girls can look stuff up at the meetings if necessary.

I will try to remember to post the results of tonights meeting tomorrow.

Girl Lead Meeting, LOL!

2008-09-05T08:29:00.000-07:00

Well last night was our 1st meeting of the year. At the beginning of the meeting I passed out a bunch of flyers for up coming events. Then I told the girls now that you are older you are ready to run your own meetings. You need to decide what you want to do this year. So we left the four of them along to decide.

Background: one 7th grader, two 8th graders & one 11th grader. Of course, the oldest one was focused. The other three were all over the place. No one could agree on what IPA to do. Ugh.

So finally I stood up and said “OK everyone heads down” Now who is interested in this, and who is interested in that. Out of all my questions no more the two hands from any choice went up. Finally I said “OK heads up”

Then I proposed the following. Before the next meeting each of you choose a IPA. Decided which items will be done on each. Also, be prepared to lead it because your may be the 1st one chosen. So this means we will be doing four IPAs this year. The girls asked “what about the two that aren’t here.” I said “you snooze, you lose” they weren’t at the 1st meeting, and I think that four IPAs will be plenty.

So we survived our Girl Lead Meeting!

Sad State of Affairs

2008-09-04T08:33:00.000-07:00

So we had our 1st Service Unit Meeting of the new season. Attendees consisted of One Membership Specialist, One SUD, and Three Leaders. Well that doesn’t sound so bad does it? Well here is the thing. The three leaders and one SUD all belong to the same troop. In fact, we consist of one Cadette troop and one Junior troop. We all meet together.

So, if it going to continue that way, maybe the SUD should just bring the info and flyers to our by-weekly meeting and be done with it.

Geez!

Frustration

2008-09-01T15:16:00.000-07:00

Last October is was decided that our service unit would create a website. I said I would do it, I have experience and it is something I enjoy doing.

On this site there would be tons of links, general information, and calendar of events, forms, on and on. I worked had on getting it up and running. I have done a total makeover on it twice to get it looking just right. And yes, it has the seal of approval from our council office.

There are people all over the country looking at it. Does anyone leave a comment, no. Does anyone report broken links, no. But here I the big thing does anyone from our area look at it? Rarely. I have the chair of our events committee, and leaders ask me, when is this even, when is that. I just look at them and say it’s on the website. Grrrr.

The other intention was for parents to know about it. This way they can look at the calendar of events and see if it is something they would like to sign their daughter up for just incase the leader doesn’t pass along the information.

So if you read this, please help me feel better about myself. Look at the website, and leave a comment.

UPDATE: I provided the wrong URL yesterday. Sorry. http://www.girlscoutsmendo.org

Thanks

Phone Services

2008-08-31T17:34:00.000-07:00

In case you don't read the comments posted here I would like to share one from my post below.

Heather writes that she uses these services for automatically calling groups of people:
http://www.phonevite.com (free for up to 25 numbers per message)http://www.callingpost.com (low cost)

Thank you very much for the information. I moved all of my Bowling League numbers to phonevite.com I plan on keeping the Girl Scout numbers with call-em just because I want them to be sure to get the messages. It's my understanding that phonevite doesn't do call backs. I may have misunderstood.

So for right now I am will stick with the two services. And with booth League and GS beginning this week I will be giving them a trial run. I already tested both of them on my daughter's phone. Lucky her.

Check This Out

2008-08-31T14:09:00.000-07:00

This is so cool. All I do is record a phone message and this program will automatically dial the phone number until it reaches a person or answering machine! Then it sends me a report. No more worring about parents not checking their e-mail. I am going to use it for the 2 Junior Bowling Leagues also.

Camporee in Ukiah

2008-08-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

I am determined to have a Camporee this year. At 1st Loretta and I (Events Committee) were going to plan it. But we now have several PAs (Program Aides) in the area I have decided that it is time for them to plan a event from start to finish!

I sent a flyer to the other cadette troop leaders today. Beginning next month we will have a planning meeting. I want the girls to decided everything from start to finish. They will complete all the paperwork, flyers, registration, etc.

I have asked that each come up with a theme and present it to the group at the 1st meeting. Not only do I want to theme but I want crafts, games, badges, the whole nine yards.

I also set up a private google group for them to commnicate with eachother. I have uploaded files to it to help them get going in the right directions.

Keep your fingers crossed because I think we are in for a bumpy ride!

It's Been A While

2008-07-03T09:22:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while since my last post. I have been consintrating on our SU website. And, I am already planning events for next year! My big plan is to have a Camporee. I am gathering info like crazy. I haven't been to one in 15+ years.

I want our Program Aides to run it. I don't know, maybe I'm crazy. It will take a lot of guiding. I will nail down the dates and location first. Then we will begin to have planning meetings. With that many teenage girls I will really have to keep them reigned in! Maybe, I will post our progress here. Sort of an online journal through the insanity of it all!

education.com

2008-06-04T09:13:00.000-07:00

Here is a nice article about the GS organization

GS Update

2008-05-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

Last night was our last meeting of the year. Next week the Girl Scouts have rented the Roller Rink for a private party. I mailed 80 postcards yesterday notifying everyone about the event. Hopefully we will get a good turnout.

Also last night we had two new girls join out Cadette Troop. They are not new to scouting they are just to us. Their troop started in 4th grade and over the years it has dwindled down to two girls. Their leader is tired (& I can’t blame her). We spoke last night and she explained that she has never had a real co-leader. It has always been just herself with another registered adult. I told her that I totally understood. It was like that for me in my past two troops. But, for the past two years I have had Siobhan and that has made a world of difference. So, Connie and I talked and she is rearing to go now and she will be my new co-leader.

This Saturday is Day Camp. Just one day from 8am – 4pm. I was smart and signed up to be the 1st aider. Yeah, freedom. I will not be trapped in a unit. That is something I have always tried to avoid through my long GS career. I have been Head Cook, Hive Person (supplies), Day Camp Director. But never, never unit leader.

Scavenger Hunt @ Michael’s

2008-04-11T08:28:00.001-07:00

I meet up with my troop last night at Michael’s craft store. I had four sealed envelopes. Each chose one. I told them they have 35 minutes to locate as many items as possible. All they had to do was write down the price. I also told them is I caught any of them running in the store they would lose a point.

I wondered around asking them if they needed any help. Sometimes I would point them to the correct isle. Sometimes they just didn’t know what something way. They asked if they were allowed to ask an employee for help. You bet.

They had a great time. 1st place won a $10 gift card; all the others won $5. When it was done they all chose a pre-make unfinished bird house to paint next week. They asked if they could purchase embellishments with their gift cards. Yep.

Scavenger Hunt

2008-04-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow night my troop is going to Michael’s for a scavenger hunt. A couple of weeks ago I went there (without Heather) and chose one item per isle. I wrote down the brand, item name, item number and cost. I have four active girls and I will sort each list be each of the headers above. So each one will have the same words, just in a different order. I will remove the prices, and that is what they will need to write down to prove they saw it. I am giving them 30 minutes to get as many as possible. I will have tie breaker questions from the last two crafts we have completed. I think I will reward them with Michael’s gift certificated. She be fun and it will complete yet another task from our current badge.

Site and Door2Door Sales

2008-03-02T20:02:00.000-08:00

Took Heather out to sell door 2 door yesterday. She did very well. I extimate that she sold about 3 or 4 cases in an hour. We took her friend out today. This is B's 1st year in scouts and she needed to learn how to promote the product. She also did well. We figure she sold 35 boxes in an hour.

I recieved a call from my co-leaders for our Jr. Troop and they sold 12 cases today in 3 hours! She is very excited!

Delivery Day

2008-02-28T10:25:00.000-08:00

Well this doesn't look like to many. . . . .

But look how deep the piles are!!!

Thinking Day is here!

2008-02-14T09:54:00.000-08:00

This Saturday our SU is having a Thinking Day event. I guess we are ready. My troop is doing Japan. I don’t know how well it will turn out. The girls would talk about ideas, but there was no follow up. Maybe because it was their 1st time. I know I should have let them fail, but I just couldn’t do that.

I found the Girl Guides of Japan website and printed ALL of it. We cut the pages down and the girls decided what and how to put it on the display board. The only person that completed their assigned task was Heather, but that’s not fair because I was there to remind her everyday. Tonight we are making our snack to share. We are making faux Sushi. Rice Krispy treats (cut thin), with a Swedish Fish (jelly fish), and then fruit roll-up wrapped our. So we will have rice, fish and sea weed (lol). They are cute.

So for next year, they will have experience and should know what to do. I will stand back and let them fail, but hopefully I won’t have to. Hopefully they will step up and get it done without me!

GS Challenge

2008-01-11T10:48:00.001-08:00

I have been searching the web for other GS Councils to see what IPA (badge) they offer as a Council's Own IPA. I found some very interesting ones.

I found one called Discover California, and a geocaching one. Now the one you see pictured is for the Underground Railroad. I was pleasantly surprised that all 5 girls knew what that was. I gave them a two week challenge to get this one done. I think it will only take a couple of hours. They just need to go to the library or get on the internet and all the answers are there for them.

Baking cookies

2008-01-04T09:40:00.000-08:00

We had each scout bring a batch of cookie dough as well as baking sheets. Luckily the church that we meet at has 2 ovens. It took us the entire 2 hours but we got them all baked. Then we divided them up so each scout could take some cookies home. I tell you what I have never seen that many chocolate chip cookies. I guess it is easy to make. I know I know the reciepe by heart. But, I don't usually make them at Christmas Time. I hope everyone had a good time. I sure did.

Coconut Licorice Lip Balm

2007-11-21T08:04:00.000-08:00

2 tbs beeswax
1 tb coconut oil
3 tsps crushed black licorice
2 tsps canola oil

Mix beeswax, coconut oil and licorice together and melt in microwave for 3 minutes. Take out mixture and stir till liquidy. Add canola oil. Mix and put in jars. Set to cool

New Newsgroups

2007-11-21T08:01:00.000-08:00

I got hooked up with a new newsgroup though Yahoo Groups. greenbloodnews they send out some very interesting stuff. On the greenbloodnews you can only get info. On greenbloodgab you can reply and ask questions. Sign up there is some good info.

Nut Sales

2007-11-13T08:53:00.000-08:00

This is the 1st year that my troop has sold nuts. Last Sunday was the the 1st time we had a booth sale. I will have to say it was a success only because we did sell some. They don't fly off the shelf like Cookies do.

I had 4 girls show up. 1 Junior and 3 Cadettes. They sold 20 cans in 2 hours. So that is 5 cans per girl per 1/2 hour. I guess when you look at it like that, that is not to bad. I can't wait until this is over.

Training and Tea

2007-11-05T10:34:00.000-08:00

SATURDAY
Two nice ladies came up from the Council Office and held a Leader/Daughter Tea for us. There wasn’t a large turn-out, just the usually leaders. We made our own center pieces out of tissue paper, and then we played a game. After that we had tea and finished up with a craft. It was nice.

SUNDAY
I took my Cadette troop down to the council office for Awards and Destinations training. We had to take this one prior to our Silver Award Training which will happen next week. This was all repeat for me (I had level training last year), but I didn’t put it into practice so it was a nice refresher. Having a different trainer was nice. Same training, different words, just a new way to look at it.

One of my girls told my daughter that it was boring. Yes training is boring, but a necessary evil. I think she didn’t understand most of it. I think we will go over it at our next meeting.

When we got home my daughter whipped out her program book and started highlighting everything she wants to do, from IP workshop to PA hours. She was going crazy. I told her to try to keep it to one item a month. All of these activities take place in Santa Rosa 60+ miles away!

Event Summary

2007-10-29T15:11:00.000-07:00

The Events Committee put on a Costume Party last Saturday. I do believe it went off without a hitch. As far as I could see everything went smoothly. I don’t think we forgot to bring anything.

But with everything it could be better. So I created a word doc with event info on it. I filled in my part, and then sent it to the next person. She will add her thoughts and send it to the last committee person. Then it will come back to me. This way we can each read what the other person thought. With it all combined on one form we will not have to repeat ourselves. I came keeping this in a binder so that next year we will remember what went right and what went wrong. Maybe we will have all new people on the committee. This way they can read our summary and somewhere to begin.

View or download a copy of my form

Cool Craft

2007-10-25T08:27:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I read about this cool craft on Kellskorner Blog. I showed it to my daughter and she plans on teaching it to a younger group. This will cover a requirment to one of her IP projects.

Tonight my Cadettes are getting together at my house to plan their bridgeing and I thought it would be cool for this to use this technic to create their invitation. Heather and I tried it last night. It is simple, cool and cheap. Check it out. Marble paper.

Big Week Ahead

2007-10-24T10:38:00.000-07:00

It’s a big week around here for Girl Scouts.

1) Tonight is a Pizza Party for Older girls. There is a volunteer in the area that is trying to get a Juliette program going for older girls. Tonight is the kick-off.
2) Tomorrow night my Cadette troop is meeting at my house to plan their bridging ceremony. Should be fun
3) Saturday the Events Committee is hosting a Costume Party for the Scouts of Ukiah. With games, crafts, contests, dancing and food. Oh, and goodie bags!

Wish me luck. I think I am going to be tired!

Service Unit vs Association

2007-10-22T13:31:00.001-07:00

Why do some areas have Service Units and some have Associations? What is the difference?

Hurray for the Trainers!

2007-10-22T13:17:00.000-07:00

After a few emails ( we groveled, sniveled, and whined ) and some phone calls, it worked out that a Silver Award Training will be held here in Ukiah! Yahoo!

Otherwise, we would have to drive one hour down and one hour back (yes 2 hrs) for a 1 ½ hour training.

All that was required of us was to take a pre-requisite training in Santa Rosa (remember the 1+1 drive) but this time it is for a 3 hour course. A lot easier to swallow. This will be on Sunday Nov 4th. Then the following Saturday Nov 10th we will have a training here. The timing was perfect, because the person that teaches this will be heading through our area for a training in the afternoon in Lake County. About 1 more hour drive for her. So she will be coming up a few hours earlier for us.

Thank you Stacey for starting the emails rolling. Thank you Joey for taking my phone call. Thank you Kathy for agreeing to do our training for us!

Great Blog

2007-10-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

So are you looking for more GS subject blogs to read? Check out Kellsborner she has some great stuff. As she posts often! Make sure you add her to your bookmarks.

My New Kaper Chart

2007-10-21T18:00:00.000-07:00

It's finally done. This is my new Kaper Chart. I even took pictures just for you.I purchased this round plaque from Michael's. My husband drilled a hole in the center and did a counter sink on the back. This picture shows the back.

Then I watered down acrylic paint and used a sponge brush to paint it.

Then I painted pop-cycle sticks gold. I used one size larger then you normally see. But they are not the jumbo size. Also purchased at Michael's.

My husband drilled holes on one end. He placed tiny washers in between each one. This way they wont rub on eachother.

I had each partol choose a name. The Monkey's, Peanuts and Crazy Squirrls. I then made a pie chart (with the help of my cousin) and put the tasks on each section.

Then we screwed it all together. The hands move around to show the tasks for the week.
And this is my kaper chart creation. Nothing is permantly fixed on it. Everything can be changed as the troops needs change.

Taking Baby Steps

2007-10-19T08:44:00.000-07:00

The other day I spoke about frustrations. I am prepared to help take baby steps in fixing the situation. Here is my suggestion to our Service Unit Manager and Council Rep.

Create a SU website. I said I would take on that task. This would be a central location where people could find information regarding up coming events, meeting, etc. Not only would a calendar be posted there but we could post pictures. I am also toying with the idea of Troops having websites/blog whatever connected there.

Yesterday afternoon I did a search to find other service unit websites. I compiled a list and sent them to our SUM. I didn’t necessarily like the look of these websites I just thought it would give up some ideas of things to add. In addition, we would give us some ideas of things we could do to make our area better.

Here is the list I sent:
http://canyoncrestgirlscouts.com/
http://www.alamitosmarina.org/index.html
http://su676.grgsc.org/
http://www.cowles-mtn-scouts.org/index.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/va3/su805
http://www.geocities.com/monument06340
http://www.geocities.com/oklawewa
http://www.geocities.com/villagetrails/index
http://www.crestablanca.com/
http://www.wcgsa.org/
hey this is the association I grew up in http://www.phgsa.org/
http://www.lafayettegirlscouts.org/

Does your association have a website to share with me? Please let me know.

More on Nut Sales

2007-10-18T14:40:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it's the company we are going through or if it is a council decision but we have to enter our troop orders online. I don’t have a problem with that.

Last night some of us got together to learn how to enter the info. There was only one problem with this. The web site that we had to use couldn’t handle so many people being on it at once. We all got together for NOTHING! Finally we all gave up and went home.

I logged onto the site when I got home and just kept hitting refresh until it would come up. I think they need to work on that before next year. I am not complaining just suggesting.

Anyhow, we all had a nice time chatting with each other waiting for it to come up.

Frustration

2007-10-18T07:50:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel ignored by your council? We are situated approx. 55 miles from our council office. Well it used to be the council office, I guess now it is our “area office” due to the merger. Lord only knows where the main office is now.

Anyhow, we feel like they don’t pay any attention to us. Like we are not worth their time or expense. It’s not like we don’t bring in any money. Last year out of the top 10 sellers our service unit had 2 for the entire council. We do provide money.

We don’t ask for much. We would like to see our local rep. taken out of her closet of an office. No really it is a closet, maybe 8’ x 8’. But, no that isn’t going to happen. We would like to see more training in our area. Don’t see much of that either.

Yes we are mad, and yes it is frustrating. But showing you are pissed off isn’t going to solve the problem. It is time to take action!

We have dropped down to approx. 48 registered scouts in our area. I think we have about 5 or 6 active troops. OK great. I am sure council thinks that isn’t enough to spend time on. Fine let’s build those number.

Let’s let people know we are here. Let’s bring in those girls. No it wont happen this year and maybe not next year. With perseverance we CAN and WILL build girl scouts back up in this area. Let’s not give up! Let’s make sure that we keep the girls we have. Then let’s go out and get some more!

We can make a difference. Let’s build those numbers and then maybe, just maybe our council will take note of us!

Fall Product Sales ~ NUTS

2007-10-17T10:41:00.000-07:00

The 1st steps of Nut Sales are done. My co-leader and I have been collecting order forms. So far we have sold 232 cans. We are still waiting for one more form. I am really surprised the girls didn’t do better then this. My daughter sold 90 cans and she really didn’t try very hard. The profit from nuts is so much higher then cookies. Next year we will try to get the girls to push a little harder.

Our troop will be the only one in the area doing booth sales. For years I didn’t even thing that the Girl Scouts were still selling nuts. Everyone stopped doing Nut Booth Sales. I which more troops would get out there and sell nuts. We are working on building the number of scouts in the area and booth sales is just one more way to be seen. Not only that but most people don’t even know that the Girl Scouts sell nuts!

When I was a scout we had the sell calendars. Gee, everyone just couldn’t wait to get their hands on one (NOT).

Tracking Your Troop

2007-10-16T10:42:00.001-07:00

How do you track your troop information? When I was a Leader 15+ years ago not everyone had computers. Shocking I know. We did everything by hand. Towards the end someone had created a program that track some of the info. I downloaded it and used it. Then my oldest daughter didn’t want to be in girl scouts anymore so I got rid of everything.

Last year I became a Leader again. I figured there had to be a program out there now that would do everything I wanted. So I started searching. There are in fact several. In my research I came across G-Scoutmate. It says that it is the only one authorized by GSUSA. Well I guess that is the one for me!

I tried to download it, but was sent a email informing me that if my Council Store sells it I was not able to use the downloaded version. So I sent my husband down to Santa Rosa to make the purchase for me.

I was so excited when I got home from work that day. Yes, this is going to be great! Then I started using it. Holy Cow, this was not an easy program to use. But, with perseverance and forcing myself to use it I can now hole hardily say that it well worth the effort.

The G-Scoutmate people are constantly doing updates (for free). There is a user group on Yahoo. So there is support there if you need it. I know this program does way more then I use it for. Over time I will delve into other aspects of it.

But the very BEST part of using this program was when it was time to do my end of year financial report. Not a problem! I just printed our the report, filled in the blanks and BAM it was done! No stress. What a change.

Creating a Scarecrow

2007-10-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

We had 4 Ukiah troops come together to create our scarecrow. The girls were excited and really wanted to help. Below they are creating the stuffing. This is a group of some of the older girls punching holes in the bail of straw that will be the base for this guy.

Interest quickly gave way to fun. The girls played games and sang songs. They had a great time.

GS Scarecrow

2007-10-15T09:46:00.000-07:00

Our Service Unit created this scarecrow last week to be displayed in our Oktoberfest in downtown Ukiah. We took 3rd place! Yahoo! We received $50 from our sponsor Pleasant View Dairy and $50 for 3rd place. So for just a couple hours work our SU earn $100.

Silver Award Idea

2007-10-10T10:21:00.000-07:00

NOTE: Read “No Disappointments Here” post before reading this one.

At our last SU meeting our local Council Liaison started bringing items out of her office. (She is the 3rd person we have had in this position in the past two years. She is doing a fantastic job.) Anyhow, some of the items were new products that she had i.e. badges, charms, sashes, pins, the list goes on and on. We all talked about selling these items.

On the way home I thought to myself that compiling a inventory of these items would be a great project for my Cadettes. Then this idea started to expand in my mind even more. This would make a great Silver Award Project for my girls.

I made some notes and told my daughter about it. She thought it was great. Now I just need to present it to the other 3 Cadettes and see what they think about it. Here are my ideas:

1) Create a SU website and maintain it
2) Inventory all craft items on hand and create a list for leaders
3) Inventory all store items for sale
4) Inventory all books on hand
5) Create a lending system for Books and Craft Supplies
6) Open our “Store” one Saturday and sell our new items
7) When orders for new items come in fulfill these order
8) First and foremost interview Jacque and see if the above would meet her needs and find out if there is any other way that she could be assisted.

But as always it is up to the girls to decide if these are items they would like to do. I know my daughter is interested so that is one!

No Disappointments Here

2007-10-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

Our Service Unit is located in a rural section of Northern California. As of October 1st we are no longer Konocti Council. We are now GS of N. California. Which makes us even more rural from the rest of the Council? Fifteen years ago I was a GS Leader for my older daughters’ troop. We had approx. 25 troops at that time. The SU meetings always consisted of 15+/- leaders. Now I am a leader again and it is so sad. We have approx. 7 troops now. The Girl Scouts in this area are dying off.

Last April one leader suggested that we put together a party for Spring Registrations. Myself and another leader said we are interesting in helping. We meet every Tuesday for a month planning. On our last meeting prior to the event we decided that this was a really good idea and proclaimed ourselves the “Events Committee.”

We whipped out a calendar and choose dates and named events for the up coming year. We are planning one event for September through June.

Our intention is to keep Girl Scouts alive in Ukiah. One additional reason for these events is because our Council sets a min. number required for events to take place. Many events are cancelled through out the year. One of them was a bridging ceremony from Jr. to Cadettes. Word has it that they were short less then 10 girls. It starts to become very disappointing when events are planned and then cancelled. How are the girls to remain inspired if they are constantly being disappointed?

So our events will never be cancelled. No matter how many scouts show up.

Kapers by Patrols

2007-10-09T15:05:00.000-07:00

I know that I post a lot about Kapers but frankly it seems to be a very important part of running our meetings.

Have you done any online research for Kaper Charts? What do you find? I found a bunch of sites that mainly show Brownie Kaper Charts. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but my girls are older.

I found that most of the Kaper Charts showed a task for each scout. As your troop grows that requires a very vivid imagination to come up with that may things to do.

Another type I found a lot of was “camping” charts. Now the interesting thing about them was that they have the girls in groups or patrols doing tasks together. Why wouldn’t you do that during troop meetings? I also have found that when you attend trainings all the paperwork provided shows camping kaper charts.

Why or why do you have to give each scout their own task? Girl Scouts are all about the group working together as one. Why not assign their tasks as groups. That way they are doing things together. It’s not all about me (well sometimes it is but that’s a different story, LOL). Sorry ;)

Pop-cycle sticks

2007-10-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

A while back I wrote about our 1st troop meeting of the year. I asked the girls to come up with a way to decide who gets to bring snack to the next meeting. It was decided that they would write their names on pop cycle sticks and they would be pulled out of a bag.

Wow, what a great idea. In the past I had figured out months in advance who would bring snack. But, when a new girl entered the troop we would have to squeeze them in to the cycle.

So last week I handed them all a stick and told them to decorate them anyway they wanted just as long as their name and the word snack was on them.

While we were at it I handed them all another stick and had them do the same thing, but instead of snack they wrote It Other on it. While I was explaining to the new girls what this meant the following phrase popped out of my mouth “there are my fair stick.” Hmmm, I like that Fair Sticks! This way I don’t choose one girl to many or not enough times. (for more info on this scroll down I wrong an entire article about this).

So we now have Fair Sticks and Snack Sticks. I have them separated into “snack size” zip lock bags. The Fair sticks get put back into the same bag at the end of a meetings, but the snack sticks are in two bags 1) snack done and 2) no snack yet.

Full Schedule for October

2007-10-08T13:32:00.000-07:00

We have a very busy month ahead of us. And being on the “Monthly Events Committee” for our Service Unit it just makes it a little more “special” for me.

Oct 11th – All of Ukiah get together to create a Scarecrow for the “Scarecrow City” at the up coming Oktoberfest. Our sponsor is Pleasant View Dairy. Gee, I think we can work with that. You know Cookies & Milk

Oct 13th – Oktoberfest Parade. We are keeping the float simple. Not much in the way of decorations. Our main focus to following the Safety Wise Guidelines.

Oct 13th – Program Aide Training. My daughter has finally hit that special age. She is now eligible to be a PA! So this weekend Heather and her friend from another troop are about to attend a 2 day training. Not here in town (that would be to easy), but 1 ½ hrs away.

Oct 19th – Older Girl Get together / Pizza Party – We have an Adult in the area that has volunteered to run a Juliette Program for Cadettes & Seniors. They will be getting together on the 19th to get to know each other and sign up for local workshops. Should be fun.

Oct 27th – Costume Party – We will be having a costume party as well as celebrating Juliette’s birthday. I still need to order supplies for this event. I have got to remember that. Otherwise, Oriental Trading will not get it to us in time.

Oh, and all of this is over and above our regular meetings of course.

I love girl scouting, I love girl scouting. If I say it enough times maybe this won’t seem like so many things. I know some of you reading this are saying, well that’s nothing. You should read my other blog, it talks about some of the other things I volunteer for!

Happy Scouting

3 new scouts

2007-10-08T13:29:00.000-07:00

We picked up 3 new scouts in our troop last Thursday. It is so nice having a nice sized group of girls. 12 now have 12 registared scouts. Now we are able to have 3 patrols (which just makes more since to me).

The new Kaper Chart is progressing and should be ready for our next meeting on October 18th. And as promissed I will be posting pictures.

Candy Apple Bits part 2

2007-10-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

OK, last Saturday night I made the candy apple sauce (easy to do) and I cut two apples into 6 pieces each (and cored them of course).

I had my daughter and her friend (also in our troop) dipped them using long wooden sticks. They seemed to cover just fine. They placed them on a buttered cookie sheet to harden.

Then the leaking began! I think the hot sauce partially cooked the apples and what happens when you cook apple pie? The liquid comes out of the apples to make a sauce. The candy hardened but slid off the apple because of the oozing.

They tasted good, but didn't work out the way I had hoped. So, my advice.
If you want to make Candy Apples use the entire apple. Don't try to cut them.

Candy Apple Bits

2007-09-28T10:59:00.000-07:00

Our events committee is going to get together this sunday to plan our GS Halloween Party. I was thinking it would be cool to make candy apples. But once I started thinking about it we would have to worry about all the safety issued, etc. So if the other ladies like the idea I will make them at home.

So here is my question: I was thinking that an entire apple would we to much per girl to eat, plus messy, messy, messy. Do you think that I would cut them into wedges and dip them that way? This way I could get 4 pieces out of each apple, and it would be just enough to sample.

Comments please.

Possible New Scouts

2007-09-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

At our Service Unit meeting the other night I was giving a list of 4 new possible scouts. Then there is another person in the area that possibly wants to put her daughter in my troop. If all this comes to be that will may 16. That is really great.

I need to wait and see if that is going to happen before I make my new Kaper Chart. It's a good thing that I have put it off for a week. If I have that many girls I want to split them into 3 patrols instead of 2. Plus we will need to come up with more tasks.

If my local friend wants to put her daughter in my troop I have asked her to be my 2nd co-leader. That way each of us can be incharge of a patrol.

I will let you know soon.

It & Other Bag

2007-09-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I mentioned It & Other Bag. We learned about this in one of our trainings. I don't like the title or it, but that is what it is called.

You need two bags
Enough index cards for each girl.
Put one girls name on each card.

Place all the cards in the "It" bag. When someone needs to be chosen to do something pull out a name. Then place that card in the "other" bag. Once the "it" bag is empty return all the cards back into that bag and start again. Our girls would remind us to get out the bags when it came time to choose tasks.

By using this method you don’t have to worry about choosing your daughter to often or not enough. I was a Leader’s Daughter and you feel neglected because I am sure that my mom didn’t want to be accused of choosing me too often.

This settles that problem.

Girl Scout Binders

2007-09-20T08:28:00.000-07:00

Last year we presented all of our girls with their own binder. They are responsible to brining it to every meeting. This is where the put any hand-out we give them, or permission slips.

In addition, I give them a monthy calendar. When we are planning badges they write down which one, and what task we are doing that night. It also tells them whos turn it is for snack.

Our 1st meeting is tonight. I decided to give them calendars for Sept thru Dec this time. This way we can plan far ahead. It shows when our meetings are, any up comming events, and all the dates for Nut Sales.

I was going to give them calendars for the entire year, but then remembered that I didn't have the dates for Cookie Sales.

What is it about Kaper Charts??

2007-09-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

What is it about Kaper Charts that has us Leaders scratching our heads? Below are some of the stats from my Stat Counter. These are most popular searches that have connected people to my blog.

I to have been doing searches on the net for kaper charts. Mostly I just end up at different Council Sites in the glossary of terms section. What I am looking for are pictures with detailed description of kaper charts. I have to confess, when I wrote about the chart we created for our troop I did not post pictures. Sorry, I need to do that.

Tomorrow night will be our 1st troop meeting this year and I want the girls to break up into new patrols and create a kaper chart. Once it is complete I promise to post pictures this time.

Be sure to read through the searches below. I think that some have been very creative. I plan on trying some of their examples myself. I may even go wild and crazy and use a different search engine besides Google! LOL!

25.00% kaper charts
17.31% multi-age troop girl scout
11.54% kaper chart
7.69% premade swaps
5.77% the choice is yours junior badge
3.85% kaper chart ideas
3.85% girl scout cadette meetings
1.92% scouting web kaper chart
1.92% how to choose patrols in girlscouts
1.92% kaper chart patrols
1.92% creative kaper chart
1.92% ukiah
1.92% premade kaper chart <-- I wonder if this is a possibility??
1.92% girl scout clip art
1.92% transfer junior badges to cadette vest <-- you can't do that! 1.92% pictures of kaper charts <-- would be nice
1.92% kaper chart wheel
1.92% girl scout kaper charts
1.92% junior girl scout badge tracking sheet
1.92% what does your kaper chart look like? <-- Yeah!

UPDATE: Here is what I came up with in my search. Several have pictures. Yahoo! But most are set up for camping. Boo! I want to know what people are doing during troop time!

http://www.geocities.com/eabrandt2001/KAPER.html
http://www.geocities.com/hicksvillebrownies/kaperchart.html
http://www.gsican.com/KaperReview.htm
http://www.geocities.com/brownie2368/kapers.html
http://www.gsican.com/KaperTree.htm
http://www.gsican.com/KaperChart1.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9385/8basic.htm#kaper

Please let me know what you come up with.

I need advise

2007-09-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

OK, I know there are people out there reading this blog. I have a site counter so I know it isn't my imagination. But no one posts.

I really do need help with this. Please post.

When you are looking for a place for a meeting or event, and there is no money in the budget (because we all know Girl Scouts don't pay). What is the wording you use to ask to use the meeting place? Do you make a phone call, or do you go in person.

This is my least favorite thing to do, well besides asking for donations for Raffles.

Help please, someone!!!!!

1st Meeting of the Year

2007-09-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

This Thursday is our 1st meeting this year. We will be doing the following:

PATROLS
1) Have the girls divide into two patrols. I would like to see 2 Cadettes and 2 Jr. in each patrol.
2) Choose a Patrol Name
3) Decide what tasks will be on the Kaper Charts

SNACK
I would like to see snack go away. My Co-leader would like to see it stay. So . .
1) Have the girls vote on snacks (I know it will be yet)
2) Decided what is a appropriate snack to bring
3) Determine the rotation of snacks
4) Figure out how the “snack person” will remember to bring snack

HANDBOOK
1) Hand out the Parent Handbook to the girls
2) Go over the book with them
3) Explain how events will be paid for this year

Prepare the girls for Nut Sales (beginning Oct 1st)
Make it/other cards (will post about this tomorrow)
Play games

That should pretty much take up our two hours

Girl Scout Bucks

2007-09-12T15:21:00.000-07:00

These are GS Bucks. You can find instuctions for making them at the Making Friends website.

This year our troop is going to use them to reward the girls for their Product Sales. They will recieve 50% of their sales in this format. They can use them to pay for events, or they can turn them into one of the leaders to purchase uniforms or handbooks.

The following is what I put in the parent handbook that I created.

Event cost and procedures:
1) All events will be paid for in full in advance (by the Parents or Using GS Bucks) to insure attendance and no money lost from the troop.
2) Girl Scout “bucks” will be awarded to each girl based on a percentage of their product sale.
3) GS bucks are only good within out troop.
4) Each Scout will be responsible to holding on to her own bucks.
5) You will be able to use your GS bucks to purchase a vest or sash (but this transaction will need to be complete through Sandi or Siobhan)

Girl Scout Nut Manager Training

2007-09-12T14:47:00.000-07:00

Last night our Service Unit had Nut Training. Our fearless Nut Leader is Stacey. She did a great job. Wham bam thank you mam we were out of there!

As I have mentioned before our two is now multi-level this year, so my co-leader and I are both Nut Managers. She will handle the Jrs and I the Cadettes. This should be interesting. I haven't sold number in 11 years.

Everything sure looks tasty. Hmmm, I can't wait to get my hands on some!

I hope we don't go NUTS! Sorry I just had to say that. Hope I don't drive you NUTS! Oops I did it again. LOL!

Proper Vest and Sash

2007-08-31T10:24:00.000-07:00

One of the most difficult things for parent to figure out is where everything goes on their daughters vest/sash. If they would purchase the Handbook it shows them, but . . . I won't go there.

I had a parent bring in her daughters sash last year after she sewed on the basics, and she asked me how her daughter was supposed to wear it. I took one look at it and informed her that she had sewed everything one the bottom. The whole darn thing was upside down! It was so funny. But no I didn't laugh.

I just found this great pdf file showing how all the uniforms are put together. I plan to include it in the Parent Handbook I have been writing.

http://www.girlscoutsmcc.org/pdfs/diagramUniform.pdf This would make a great handout for any troop.

Multi Level Troop

2007-08-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

So this will be my 1st year having a multi level troop. Junior and Cadettes. It makes me nervous. Don't know why it just does.

Anyhow, I came across this site that shows Level to Level Badge Comparisons. Hmmm, interesting. Maybe we will be able to do some badge/Interest Projects together.

I will let you know how it works out. The link is also in my sidebar.

Links Updated

2007-08-29T13:44:00.001-07:00

I updated all the links (well not the song links yet) but anyhow, they should all be working. If you want a link added to my Blog please post a note. If you find any broken, please let me know that also. Nothing worse then clicking a line, and nothing happening!

Goal for the Day

2007-08-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

My Goal for today is to update all my links. Sorry I guess I have a bunch of bad ones. I will post when the update is complete.

Free Fieldtrips

2007-08-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

Got this link from one of my newgroups

Free Fieldtrip Factory Now there wasn't anything in my area, but I do like in a small community, but maybe there will be something in yours!

I just noticed they even have a Scout section.

I think I will keep checking to see if anything is added. I may even go wild and crazy and see if they have a newsletter letting me know when something has been added.

GS National Meeting Aug 26, 2007

2007-08-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

I recieved the following infomation from the G-scoutmate news group.

Adopted by National Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of the USA at meeting
held August 26, 2006.

PROGRAM MODEL ENDORSEMENT

MOVED by Sharon Matthews, and seconded,

RESOLVED, That the National Board endorses a Girl Scout Leadership Development Program whose purpose is to build leadership skills by engaging girls in activity cycles based on the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law and the vision expressed in the Girl Scout mission statement: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the
world a better place;

and further RESOLVED, That this action be effective October 1, 2008*, *and supersede and rescind all previous National Board action on the Girl Scout Program Model - 4 program goals. Adopted.

AMENDMENT OF MEMBERSHIP STANDARDS

MOVED by Mrs. Matthews, and seconded,

WHEREAS, To meet the needs of girls, it is necessary to differentiate groups by grade level, thereby requiring a realignment of membership age groups and the addition of a new identifying name; and WHEREAS, To strengthen the Girl Scout brand, the words "Girl Scout" will be included and emphasized at the beginning of each identifying name;

RESOLVED, That the following membership age groups and identifying names be effective October 1, 2008:

Grades Names

K-1 Girl Scout Daisy

2-3 Girl Scout Brownie

4-5 Girl Scout Junior

6-8 Girl Scout Cadette

9-10 Girl Scout Senior

11-12 Girl Scout Ambassador

And further RESOLVED, That this action supersede and rescind all previous National Board action on membership standards. Adopted.

GIRL SCOUT UNIFORM

MOVED by Sharon Matthews, and seconded,

WHEREAS, It is necessary to update Girl Scout uniform requirements;
RESOLVED, That the Girl Scout uniform shall be such that

The following elements are required:

. Girl Scouts at each level will have one official uniform item (e.g. tunic, vest, sash) for the display of official pins and awards. This uniform item will be required when girls participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout Movement.

. The official dress code will unite girls as Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts will wear solid white shirts and khaki pants or skirts with their official uniform item, which will be required when they participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout Movement.

. The adult uniforms will be a scarf worn with the membership pins for women and a tie for men. The scarf/tie and membership pins will be worn with navy blue business attire.

The following elements are available:

. Girl Scouts at the Daisy and Brownie levels will continue to have a full uniform ensemble available.

. Girl Scouts in high school will also have a scarf, uniting them in the WAGGGS tradition.

. Girl Scouts of the USA will continue to develop and offer a range of appealing casual wear for girls and adults.

And further RESOLVED, That this action be effective October 1, 2008, and supersede and rescind all previous National Board action taken on Girl Scout uniforms. Adopted.

Multi Age Troop

2007-07-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

It’s the end of July. I guess it is time to start thinking about GS Meetings again.

This year a new challenge faces me. I/We will have 6 girls in Jrs. And 4 in Cadettes. I have never run a multi age group before. Does anyone have any advice on how to proceed?

I know the Cadettes are supposed to pretty much run themselves. Should they break off into different groups? Each group should choose what badge (or interest project) they want to work on. So we can’t tell them that they have to choose the same type of badge. I also know the the IPs are more difficult to do.

Help! I am starting to stress.

Spaghetti Feed in Ukiah CA

2007-07-26T20:01:00.000-07:00

We are planning a Spaghetti Feed here in Ukiah. We plan to use the funds towards monthly events throughout the year. We just need some seed money to get started. We are so far away from our main Council Office that we just felt that we needed something special in Ukiah to keep the girls Jazzed about being a GS.

If you are in the Ukiah area August 16 @ 6pm come join the fun. 200 Waugh Ave at Grace Lutheran Church. $5.00 adults, $3.00 girls (families up to 4 children and 2 adults $15.00)

Girl Scout PJ Party

2007-05-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of April when our Service Unit meeting was over Stacey announced that we should have an event to get the girls to participate in Spring Registration. Loretta said OK and I said count me in. So we had a 15 minutes meeting. We hammered out some basic ideas and decided on a date. Then we agreed to meet again the following Tuesday and see how we had progressed.

We meet and decided that everything was moving along smoothly but we decided that it would be best if we meet every Tuesday that month just to feel comfortable. So we did. By the last meeting we had decided that this was something that should be none monthly. No the weekly meetings but an event for the local girls. We want them to remain excited about Girl Scouts and we felt that this was a way to help it happen. So we whipped out our calendars and decided on monthly themes and chose dates. Then we presented it to the Service Unit the following Tuesday and everyone thought it was great idea.

The Girl Scouts in Ukiah have been dying off over the years so I really hope that this boosts things back into place.

My Patch Jacket

2007-05-08T19:49:00.001-07:00

This is my latest project. I am re-doing my patch jacket. My other one was so only that is was starting to fall apart. I have been looking for a new one, but windbreakers are hard to come by there days. When we were at the council office last Saturday I noticed this one. It was 50% off because it had the council name on it (which is changing October 1st).

When I got home I started taking my patches off. I found out that some of them had been on my 1st patch jacket. Man that’s old. I had that one in elementary school. I sure hope I never have to do this again. I hate sewing. I know some of you are saying, Oh it’s so relaxing. I can just sit there for hours, and hours and clear my head. Well, GOOD FOR YOU! I hate every bit of it. I sit there in the garage sweating, and shoving the jacket in that little space. Grrrr. But it must be done.

As I started to put the patches on my new jacket (in order and categories) I would smile at some of them and remember when I got them. I thought that I had all of them rounded up and then I went into the top drawer of my dresser (shhh, it’s my junk drawer) and found more. Yeah. Then last night I looked out in the garage and found even more. So what you see in the picture is just the tip of the ice-berg. I have atleast 20 or 30 more.

There is one shining moment to this entire project. My friend Stacey told me that she used clear thread to sew her daughter’s patches and badges. What’s this clear thread why has no one ever told me about this. You know what I may have to make her my best friend, because clear thread is the best thing since sliced bread.

If you are not a girl scout you are probably looking at my jacket and thinking why would anyone want to wear that. Well the patch jacket is a dying thing. It comes from the old GS days (you know when I was young) and the more patches you have on your jacket the cooler you were. When I went to a meeting a few weeks ago someone started talking about patches and one of the teachers said that someone had a cool patch jacket here. I said that was mine. That’s right my jacket is cool. In fact, it is about to get cooler. I will take another picture once I am done.

Hiking and Geocaching with Troop

2007-04-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we did two firsts with our troop. #1 we went on a hike and #2 we went geocaching. All of these things completed our badge Your Outdoor Surroundings. It was also the 1st time that none of the months came with us. It is nice to have additional adults with us, but it was rather nice to see the girls interact with us alone for the 1st time.

Once again we headed to Low Gap Park. For those of you from the bay area it is our version of Briones or Mt. Diablo. Anyhow, we went over the badge work that we needed to cover while hiking and took off. Our goal was to locate a cache that Heather and I were unable to locate in January. I have spoken to the cache owner several times since then and he game me additional clues. But alas I left them in my care. I was a little flustered when I got there because something in the rear of my car snapped on the way there. When I got out of the car my rear end was about 2” above my tire. Grrrr, not again!

Anyhow, off we went up, up, up. When we got to the top I look out my regular cache page and started to read it again. We agreed that we were at the correct trail head. I then explained to Siobhan that one of us had to be at the head of the line and one at the end. Since I had one of the GPSs I lead. I tell you what it sure was pretty there. We hiked for about 10 minutes through the trees and up and down the hills.

Finally we arrived within 25’ of the cache and to the left was a bench (which the owner said we would find). The girls sat down to have some water. We read the instructions again and were off. According to what we read we were supposed to go past the cache and then find the “sneak trail”. So we found it and headed off. Hmmm, this isn’t correct. Finally I said let’s go back. Once at the top I announced that it was snack time.

I then took off through the bushes trying to locate our goal. The trees were very thick and I couldn’t get within 17’. When I went back up Siobhan said “We are not leaving without it.” Hmmm, sounds like someone has the bug. She even asked how much one of these things cost.

Finally it was decided that she would stand on the main trail where the GPS pointed to the cache and I would take the girls (that wanted to) about 5’ into the bush and a rather icky trail. So off we went when I got to where Siobhan was she said stop. I then told the girls to spread out and start looking. They said what are we looking for. I said, something about this big. Remember look for broken branches because someone was just where 3 days ago, and look for something that doesn’t belong here. Katie R. said that box doesn’t belong where! Yahoo, I could have kissed here. It was a ammo can about 2’ from me. I told the girls to go back up and I would toss it up to them.

They opened it up and made their trades. Well I provided the trades because no one brought anything. One of the girls pulled out a travel bug and I said NO THAT IS FOR ME. Katie signed the log Troop 335 and Heather signed it as Team Orville.

I climbed up through the bushes and had scratches all over but I was very satisfied. On the way back I taught the girls a hiking song. They had a great time singing it over and over again.

Here is a shout out to all my Girl Scout friends. Can you remember any of the hiking songs we used to sing? I can only remember one so I need help!

Patrol Time

2007-02-12T15:44:00.000-08:00

We meet in a church. Usually when we enter the hall there are two large tables in the center of the hall, and then two smaller tables set to the side. We have assigned each of the smaller tables and the patrol tables.

One the table is an 5x9 envelope. On the front is a print out so the patrol leader can take attendance and collect dues. If I have any special notes for the girls I clip them to the front. Each Scout will be patrol leader for a month. When they are done they turn the envelope into me. I transfer all the info onto my master form. If I have any questions I check with the PT before they leave.

Kaper Chart Progress

2007-02-12T15:40:00.000-08:00

We have been using our Kaper Chart for 3 weeks now. It is going very well. We have the following tasks on it:

1) Flag Ceremony
2) Check Floor
3) Straighten Chairs
4) Clean-up after snack

5) Take Leader totes out to cars (I like this one best)

6) Hmmm, can't remember the last one

5 out of 6 items are for clean up, but the girls are so scattered we had to start somewhere. As they progress we may be able to mix it up a bit.

Time to have some fun

2007-02-01T10:39:00.000-08:00

Our troop has been working really hard on earning badges this year. We have already earned 4. I think that is pretty darn good. And cookie pre-sales just ended. So we think it’s time for the girls to blow off some steam.

So tonight I am going to begin teaching them how to do a flag ceremony and then the rest of the night we are just going to play games. I hope it goes well.

Kaper Charts

2007-01-23T10:25:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of our troop we tried to create patrols. I don’t think I ever created them with my old troop so I was sort of fumbling around. And we let the girls choose their own names (something else that didn’t work out very well). So the patrols went into the wastebasket. Until now.

We divided the girls into two patrols. We looked at ages and tried to mix them up a bit. Then I choose 6 names for them to choose from. I know six is a lot but I was feeling generous.

I have linked to the pieces of our Kaper Chart that I created. All of the pieces will be laminated and have Velcro on the back. I plan to mount the pieces on felt board. This way things are easy to more around. In addition, we can customize the chart to reflect any special tasks that need to be completed. I think we will even be able to take it with us camping. Just change the tags and off we go.

I am setting it up as follows:

Header (troop name/Kaper chart)
Then 2 columns with Patrol symbol at the top of each column.
Directly below approx. 3 tasks per patrol.

Simple, simple and easy to read.

http://www.ourmugshots.net/GS/patrol_choices.doc

Troop Binders

2007-01-18T08:23:00.000-08:00

When we started out troop we gave all of our girls 3-ring binders. Each month we give them a calendar. Is says what we are doing at each meeting, and any events coming up. Only 2 girls in the troop have badge books so we give them photo copies of the badges.

Last month I created this check list for them. This is their way of tracking what they have completed. My next post will show you the Leader Tracking Sheets I created.

http://www.ourmugshots.net/GS/Badge_Sheet_Girls.doc

Door Hangers

2007-01-17T09:47:00.000-08:00

I think this is a great idea. I created door hangers for out troop. When they are out doing door to door sales and someone is not home they can leave this on their door and hopefully get a phone call. I left a space for the scout to write their name and phone number. They also explain what she is doing and has a small sales pitch.

I made them in black and white so they cost less to have photocopied. I think they should be copied on card stock or cover stock.

If you would like some for your troop please send me an email and I will put your troops number in the proper place.

sandi AT gregsgoods DOT com

Suggested Badge

2007-01-16T11:11:00.000-08:00

Below are some suggested badges to work on during cookie sales time.

The Cookie Connection - Page 8
Business Wise - Page 10
Consumer Power - Page 34
Lead On - Page 18
Money Sense - Page 22
My Community - Page 52
The Choice is Yours - Page 60
Creative Solutions - Page 144
Model Citizen - Page 20
Math Whiz - Page 160
Cookie Biz*
Don't Think So! A Book about Staying Safe for Girls, ages 8-11

Kaper Charts and Patrols

2007-01-16T10:54:00.000-08:00

We are finally ready to brake our girls down into patrols and create a Kaper Chart. What do you have on your Kaper Chart? How many patrols do you have? How many tasks does each patrol perform a week?

Definations:

Patrol
Small group of girls that plans and carries out activities within the troop/larger group.

Patrol Leader

Elected or appointed leader of a troop/group patrol. Patrol system A form of troop government composed of patrols and a Court of Honor. Junior, Cadette and Senior Girl Scout troops often use the patrol system.

Kaper Chart

A grid system, wheel or table showing the job assigned to each girl or group of girls for any given project. Useful for meetings, camp-outs and special events.

Suggested tasks

What is a SWAP

2007-01-15T21:04:00.000-08:00

A SWAP is a little remembrance that one Scout gives another. SWAPS are handmade, thus the girl is giving a part of herself to show friendship. SWAPS are exchanged at National Conventions, Council events, Wider Ops, SU or neighborhood events, troop meetings and most frequently at Day Camp. They can have a tag attached with the event name and date or the Troop number, Council name or State. In some countries SWAPS are called hat crafts. Swapping promotes friendship and encourages girls to talk to other people. SWAPS are great mementos of a good time as well as a great way to share something about where we live and what we do.

Many, many years ago when Tab was a girl scout we made swaps out of soda bottle tops. Not the plastic twist top but the kind that you use a bottle opener with. I remember when we painted black and then painted red wings and black dots to make Lady Bugs. We also painted some dark green and used yellow paint to write GS and our troop number. Lastly, we flipped some over and painted the inside silver, added a drop of glue, and then sprinkled some gold glitter. These we called Gold Pans. Cute, cute, cute.

Purchase bottle caps here - we collected ours for free
More Bottle Cap SWAP ideas - no pictures but they will give you ideas

SWAPS

2007-01-15T09:53:00.000-08:00

I just had to share this link. It is for a store on eBay that sells pre-made SWAPS and kits. They have some great ideas, so even if you don't purchase them from their store they are a great source of ideas. http://stores.ebay.com/The-Swapaholic-Shop

I am ready to begin

2007-01-15T09:12:00.000-08:00

I don’t know if anyone will be clicking over to read this blog, but I just had the urge to write it and share some info.

For those of you that don’t know me well I will give you a little of my GS background. I started brownies in 2nd grade. They didn’t have Daisy’s and brownies did start until 2nd grade (back in the dark ages). I was in Girls Scouts all the way through high school. While in high school I was also a co-leader for my mom who was leader of my sister’s troop. Oh my mom was also my leader brownies through cadettes.

Well I took a few years off until Tabitha’s was old enough to be a Daisy. I was her leader through 4th grade. Then she didn’t want to do it anymore. Heather started girl scouts in 3rd grade and has had a terrible time finding a good troop. So this year after a 10 year absence I consented to begin a leader again.

10 years ago there wasn’t much of a internet to speak of. But now, WOW almost anything you need to know can be found with just a quick search. Our 1st meeting was planned via email and I was able to send my co-leaders links to everything she needed to know, including word to the songs I plan on teaching!

Thank you Rebecca

2006-12-16T08:14:00.000-08:00

I would like my 1st post to be a Thank you to my Cousin Rebecca who created my blog template. She did a wonderful job. I highly recommend her to anyone that would like one made.