The GIRL SCOUT PROMISE and DAISY GIRLS

After we had snack and opening ceremony (Flag and Girl Scout Promise), the Daisy level broke off on their own to learn the Girl Scout Promise. For our two returning Daisy girls, they had a chance to brush up on the Girl Scout Promise and were given their Journey books to begin on their own if they choose. (more info below)

For our first time daisy girls (5 girls), memorizing the Promise will be their first patch earned- the center blue patch of the Daisy Emblem. To help the girls, we recited the Promise several times, we played a game with the Girl Scout Promise, and each girl scout made a pinwheel with the Promise on it.

For the first time Daisies, once the center patch is earned, projects and activities will be accomplished to earn each pedal themed around the Girl Scout Law.

Daisy Learning Petals --- girls are awarded petals when they demonstrate understanding through their words and deeds and the true meaning in the following areas of the Girl Scout Law.
Blue Center: Learn the Girl Scout Promise
Light Blue: Honest & Fair
Yellow: Friendly & Helpful
Spring Green: Considerate & Caring
Red: Courageous & Strong
Orange: Responsible for what I say and do
Purple: Respect Myself & Others
Magenta: Respect Authority
Green: Use Resources Wisely
Rose: Make the world a better place
Violet: Be a sister to every Girl Scout

Our two returning Daisy girls have earned every piece of their Daisy Emblem and will be challenged and encouraged to complete two Journey Awards this year along side the rest of their Daisy level earning their pedals. The first Journey Award, the DAISY FLOWER GARDEN JOURNEY AWARD, will be worked on September-January. The second Journey Award will the BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY DAISY AWARD which will be worked on January-May. Our second level Daisy's are natural leaders to our first level Daisy girls and will have opportunities to work on their Journey awards during troop meeting time as well as occasions to share their journey challenges with the rest of their Daisy peers.

This year will prove to be another special year!

SWAPS

Keepsakes for Girl Scouts

Swaps, the tradition of Girl Scouts exchanging keepsakes, started long ago when Girl Scouts and Girl Guides first gathered for fun, song, and making new friends.

Swaps were widely exchanged at national Girl Scout Senior Roundups in the 1950's and 1960's.

In more recent years, some Girl Scouts describe the types of objects now preferred as swaps by calling them:
Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.

Swaps are still the perfect way for Girl Scouts to meet each other and promote friendship. Each one is a memory of a special event or Girl Scout Sister.

Swaps Basics
Swaps should:
Tell something about the givers or their group. (Girls may include their address or email information so others can write to them.)
Represent the givers' country, community, or local Girl Scout council.

Tips for Swaps Givers
Girls should:

• Think about the kind of swap they would like to receive from someone else.
• Try not to spend a lot of money. Consider making something from donated or recycled material.
• Be creative, and take time to make hand-crafted swaps. (Include directions for making the swap if it is a craft project that can be replicated.)
• Try to have one swap for each event participant and staff member.
• Plan ahead so there's time to make the swaps.
• Make swaps that can be worn, used, or displayed.
• Ask their group or service unit for help, if needed, in putting swaps together.
• Make swaps portable. Remember: Swaps must be carried or shipped ahead to the event, where other girls will be carrying them away.

What to Do With Swaps
Girls can:

• Include swaps with thank-you letters to sponsors and those who helped them go to a travel or destinations event.
• Make a display or scrapbook for travel night or troop visits.
• Keep swaps in a memory box or shadow box.
• Make a quilt, using swaps.
• Put pins and patches on a hat or jacket.
• Start a council best-of-swaps collection.

Swap Safety and Etiquette
Girls should:

• Never refuse to swap with another person.
• Swap face-to-face, especially if exchanging addresses or email information.
• Avoid using glass and sharp objects in swaps.
• Follow all Safety-Wise guidelines.
• Avoid using food products, unless they are individually wrapped.

Girl Scout Law Bracelets

Our meeting this week proved to be fun and interesting. We opened our meeting with snack then recited The Girl Scout Promise together. For our activity to help everyone learn the Girl Scout Law, we made beaded bracelets where each colored bead represents a part of the Girl Scout Law.

"I will do my best to be
honest and fair, (Blue bead)
friendly and helpful, (Yellow bead)
considerate and caring, (Spring Green bead)
courageous and strong, and (Red bead)
responsible for what I say and do, (Orange bead)
and to
respect myself and others, (Purple bead)
respect authority, (Magenta bead)
use resources wisely, (Green bead)
make the world a better place, and (Rose bead)
be a sister to every Girl Scout. " (Violet bead)

Hopefully the girls will enjoy their new bracelets as they learn and memorize each character quality of the Girl Scout Law.

History of Girl Scouting

Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low assembled 18 girls from Savannah, Georgia, on March 12, 1912, for a local Girl Scout meeting. She believed that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. With the goal of bringing girls out of isolated home environments and into community service and the open air, Girl Scouts hiked, played basketball, went on camping trips, learned how to tell time by the stars, and studied first aid.
Within a few years, Daisy's dream for a girl-centered organization was realized. Today, Girl Scouts of the USA has a membership of over 3.4 million girls and adults, a significant growth from its modest beginnings nearly a century ago. In fact, more than 50 million women in the U.S. today are Girl Scout alumnae. We invite you to learn about our robust organization and its rich history. From our willingness to tackle important societal issues, to our commitment to diversity and inclusiveness—Girl Scouts is dedicated to every girl, everywhere.

Read Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low's Biography and see how one visionary affected so many lives. For more information about Girl Scouting, visit the Girl Scout Official Website.