Garden Project Preparation

This week's troop meeting was all about our Garden Project Kickoff! With Cookie Season coming to a close, we used this meeting to begin planning and preparation for our upcoming garden project. About half of the funds the girls raised from this year's cookie sales will go towards a school garden next to the carpool lane dedicated to our Superintendent, Mr McMath, who recently passed away in December 2009. This garden will be approximately 15-20 feet long and 10-15 feet deep. It will be a free flowing shape, floating in an open area offset the sidewalk area that is currently dirt and over run by weeds. Our hope is to add beautification to the school grounds for all to enjoy on a daily basis. As well as be a reminder of how much Mr. McMath added positive influence to our lives.

After snack time and opening the meeting with the Girl Scout Promise, we played a game. The girls were given 5 minutes to go around the room and collect as many pictures as they could find. The pictures were hidden all over the room and were a variety of garden pictures. The goal was to familiarize themselves with the variety of items we would be working with as we do our project.

Once the girls found the pictures we discussed what each item was, why we used it, or why was it important. Items discussed were...

a rake
a shovel
dirt/compost
garden gloves
flowers
daisies
mulch
edging
a garden hose
earth worms
lady bugs
stepping stones
and a park bench

The park bench is going to be the responsibility of our Junior level of Girl Scouts. Under the supervision of leader, Stephanie, the Juniors will be given a budget of $200.00 to purchase a park bench and possibly have a small plaque made for the bench in honor of Mr. McMath. The girls have until April 5 to purchase the bench and have it at the garden location. The park bench will be a one of the focal points to our garden.

Leading to the park bench will be stepping stones made by each Girl Scout. Like a builder draws his plans for a new building project, so the girls drew their ideas for their stepping stone project. Each girl was given a blank sheet of paper (or two or three if they needed) and were shown some samples of pictures of a variety of stepping stones created by other people. These pictures gave them a visual idea of what stepping stones look like and inspiration for their own creation. (click here to see some of the pictures)

The pictures the girls drew were collected and will help us buy all the supplies needed for each stepping stone. The girls may also collect items from around their house (shells, rocks, etc.) or purchase their own embellishments to put on their stone if they choose to do so.

For those Girl Scouts who were not at this troop meeting, feel free to draw a picture and send it in to me through Jessie's homework folder. If you are unable to get a picture to me, don't worry!... we'll have plenty of embellishments for your Girl Scout to create a beautiful stepping stone.

Next troop meeting we will be creating our stepping stones!

All supplies for this project will be provided.