Blog Archives
Getting Back in the Groove
I spent a lot of time preparing for and participating in Girl Scout activities for the 100th Anniversary. While I’ll still be working on projects on and off, it’s time to come back to the Adult Enrichment Project.
I’ll start releasing badge programs for review this week and you’ll start seeing new badge programs here shortly. From “Exploring Scribd” to “Teabag Folding Basics”, I have quite a few ready for review.
Have a great week!
Open Badges
Last night, I participated in Mozilla’s beta for Open Badges. In a short time, I earned two badges and started a Backpack.
Open Badges is a way for organizations and individuals to offer badge programs online. It is a vehicle for providing proof of supplemental education. You follow the steps and earn badges in what you are interested in learning.
The first badge in the beta was Badge 101 learning about the program. When completed, you’re asked to put your badge in Backpack. Backpack is where your digital badges are stored. Then, I was offered a second badge, Web Navigator.
If you’re interested in checking it out, go to openbadges.org.
Badge: Printables – World Games
Game printables are ideal for travel or as additional activities at events or meetings. A simple sheet and a few counters can go a long way to keeping kids, and even adults, occupied.
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Steps
1. Purpose and theme.
From hosting a World Game Night to celebrating a holiday like World Thinking Day, world games can be part of the activities or encompass the entire event. Determine your theme. Decide how you will use your game printables.
2. Preparing for multiple uses.
Many printables are created to be used once and discarded. With games, you may choose to use a game board multiple times. Laminating (clear contact paper) or placing your prints into plastic binder sleeves will help protect it for many uses.
If your game is for single use only, be sure to note that the original sheet is the “MASTER” so that others make copies of it and don’t destroy the original.
NOTE: Always keep digital masters of the printables you create.
3. More parts.
Many games need more than just a board to play. These parts can also be made out of paper. See what you can find online or create your own. Parts may include:
- Counters
- Playing pieces
- Dice
- Spinners
- Score sheets
What other parts could you include?
4. AEP printable sheets.
Explore the printable games and puzzles listed in the AEP Supplement list below. Find one or more that look interesting. Try the game(s) yourself. Do you think others would enjoy it?
5. Web finds.
Explore the Web for additional printed games and puzzles. Make sure each item includes instructions. Teacher sites have many theme-driven printables. Try one or more games that you find with others.
6. Adapt a game.
Find a non-printable game that you can adapt to a printable version. Recreate it as a printable. Include all items needed to play the game. Track the steps you take creating your game so you can do it again. Play test your game.
7. Create your own.
Create your own game using AEP Supplements, from other printables or your own imagination. Create rules and any additional parts you need. Play test your game and track feedback to improve your game. Release it to others.
If you really enjoy creating games, check out the AEP badge program “Printables: My Own Games.”
8. Creation challenge.
Challenge others to create a printable game based on a theme, existing game or other topic you wish. Create guidelines for creating the game. If you wish, also create guidelines for the game itself. Some things you might want to include are:
- One part should be printable
- Rules must be complete
- All play parts must be included
- Length of play
- Places it should be able to be played
- Ages of players
- Physical storage area
- Your additional rules
Host a play test night with score / comment sheets.
9. Make a night of it.
Host a game event / night featuring your printable games. Be sure to include instructions. You can have a variety of games or one game and declare a champion.
10. Share with others.
Create a binder, box or other way to distribute printed world games. Be sure to include the additional items needed to play such as counters and dice. A few places these might be enjoyed include:
- Camp library
- Service unit library
- Council library
- Day care centers
- Nursing homes
- Activity centers
- School library (to do when kids can’t go outside)
Donate your created materials at one of the locations above or a place of your choosing.
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Supplements Available
SUPP_Game_Achi_GhanaNigeria.pdf
Achi — reusable game board. Known as Achi in Ghana and Nigeria, Picaria in the Southwestern US.
SUPP_Game_Battleship_USA.pdf
Battleship — paper version of the popular board game.
SUPP_Game_Categories_USA.pdf
Categories — word game.
SUPP_Game_Cootie Catcher1.pdf
Cootie catcher / fortune teller — positive version.
SUPP_Game_Cootie Catcher2.pdf
Cootie catcher / fortune teller — positive version.
SUPP_Game_Cootie Catcher3.pdf
Cootie catcher / fortune teller — yes / no version.
SUPP_Game_Dots_Squares_USA.pdf
Dots — create squares by drawing lines between dots.
SUPP_Game_Foldovers_USA.pdf
Foldovers — different people draw the head, chest/arms, stomach/hips and legs/feet for crazy creatures.
SUPP_Game_FriendshipCode_USA.pdf
Friendship Code — make your own code with the English alphabet.
SUPP_Game_Hangman_USA.pdf
Hangman — sheet to play this word game.
SUPP_Game_Jan-Ken-Pon_Japan.pdf
Jan-Ken-Pon — play “Rock-Paper-Scissors” as they would in Japan.
SUPP_Game_KimsGame_England.pdf
Kim’s Game — 4-up sheet for writing down ten items only. You’ll need to provide the rest.
SUPP_Game_LenChoa_Thailand.pdf
Len Choa — reusable game board. Known as Len Choa in Thailand, also Hat diviyan keliya in Sri Lanka.
SUPP_Game_Nim_China.pdf
Nim — reusable game board.
SUPP_Game_Quoits_AlaskaAleuts.pdf
Quoits — outside ground game adapted to paper.
SUPP_Game_Seega_Egypt.pdf
Seega — reusable game board.
SUPP_Game_Tanagram_China.pdf
Tanagram — cut the pieces apart to reuse.
SUPP_Game_Tanagram_Diagrams.pdf
Tanagram Diagrams — a few diagrams to try with the tanagram pieces.
SUPP_Game_Tapatan_Philippines.pdf
Tapatan — reusable game board. Also known as Noughts and Crosses (Roomans) and Tripp Trapp Trull (Sweden).
SUPP_Game_UR_Iraq.pdf
Ur — reusable board game. Also includes sheet of dice. Adapted from the ancient board game.
SUPP_Game_WanTuZum_Malaysia.pdf
Wan Tu Zum — another variant on “Rock-Paper-Scissors”, this one from Malaysia.
SUPP_Game_Why_Because_USA.pdf
Why? Because! — Writing game where one person writes the question and another the answer.
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Sites to Explore
jc-schools.net/tutorials/gameboard.htm
familycrafts.about.com/od/printablegames/Printable_Games.htm
www.toolsforeducators.com
familyfun.go.com/printables/printable-games-and-puzzles
www.freeprintable.com/free-printable-games
www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Board-Game
antidote.hubpages.com/hub/makeyourowntradingcardgame
boardgamegeek.com/wiki/page/Print_and_Play_Games
ravensblight.com/papertoys.html
Move Nearly Complete
All of the badge programs have been moved here from Blogger.
So, I will be spending the weekend checking links and making sure everything works. 
Afterwards, I’ll start uploading additional supplements for Girl Scout Traditions and Printables: Girl Scouts.
Watch for new badges coming soon!
Badge: DNR – Project WET
Project WET deals with water issues from healthy drinking water to conservation. It is designed for kids aged 5-18.
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Steps
1. DNR in your state.
Find the Web site of the Department of Natural Resources in your state. Explore the educational offerings specific to your state. Locate your state’s Project WET materials.
2. Project WET online.
Review the Project Wet site. Learn about its history, goals and how it works.
3. Project WET materials.
Some materials come free with training. Some you can purchase. Review the materials available on the Web site and store.
NOTE: Some materials in the store are free.
4. Participate in a Project WET workshop.
Project WET is a free six-hour workshop that gives educators tools to teach water resources. Upon completion of the workshop, participants receive a 516-page curriculum and activity guide at no charge. Though the workshops are designed for teachers to incorporate environmental science into their curriculum, many adults find these materials are also beneficial for working with youth groups. Review the materials you receive after the workshop and find some you would like to do.
5. Incorporating science into other subjects.
Materials in Project WET reach beyond environmental science. The concepts are designed to be used with health, language arts, history, math and more. Find ways of incorporating Project WET materials into other areas.
6. Beyond Project WET.
Explore other water science programming / educator guides also offered by the DNR. If you find any that interest you, explore those as well. Remember to look beyond “teacher” offerings. See what Project WET has to offer parents, corporations, aquariums, etc.
- WOW! Wonders of Wetlands
- Healthy Water, Healthy People
- Conserve Water
- Discover Floods
7. Check out Project WET in other states.
Examine offerings from other states. Compare to find out what materials are also used by other states and those specifically made for them. Are there materials you can use as well?
8. Incorporating Project WET with Girl Scouts.
www.uni.edu/~iowawet/G_Scout.html
Project WET has activities that work with Girl Scout badges and patches. Look through their provided lists to see what activities you can incorporate into your Girl Scout meetings / events.
9. Incorporating Project WET with Boy Scouts.
Compare the offerings of Project WET with individual merit badge books to find activities to incorporate Project WET with Boy Scout awards.
10. Share with youth.
Share some of the information you received in training or from your materials with youth. This can be a troop, group or even individuals. Use your materials to create a summer camp day or week to encourage kids to become more aware of environmental science.
11. Create an activity box.
Create an activity box based on the program/youth you work with to introduce adults to Project WET. Include instructions on how the activity works and where adults can get their own materials if they are interested in learning more.
12. Service.
Design a service project with Project WET in mind. Run it yourself or ask others to help. Ask participants to evaluate the program after it has completed and offer creative criticism to improve your service project.
13. Become a trainer / coordinator.
Find out what you need to do to become a trainer / coordinator for Project WET.
14. Explore ways to share Project WET.
Find ways to share Project WET with others beyond Step 13.
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Sites to Explore
www.butlerwebs.com/hunting/statelist.htm
www.projectwet.org
www.watereducation.org/doc.asp?id=1012
www.nationalwatercenter.org
www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/poisonedwaters
Badge: AEP Awards (revised)
Graphics are available for everyone to create their own “badges”. With this program, we’ll explore different ways you can create your own “badges” from AEP’s provided graphics.
NOTE: We are working to find a badge provider that is affordable.
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Steps
1. Vector graphics.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_graphics
All badges are vector graphics. This means they are created in a drawing program and defined by points, lines and curves. It makes the graphics non-resolution dependent. Learn the differences between vector and raster graphics.
2. Physical display.
Your badges can be displayed a variety of ways. As you read through the steps, think of the different ways you’ll be able to display each of the possibilities. Which will work for you? Do you want to wear your badges? Place them on display on a banner or blanket? Make your own badges? Share your ideas.
3. Web display.
All web badge graphics can be saved to place on your blog, online photo album, Facebook page or any other social media site. The standard graphics are available on Flickr for viewing. They can be resized, saved to various formats and sent out on request to fit your needs.
4. Certificates.
Certificates are available for each step of the badge, for the completed badge and for innovating (see AEP Innovator badge program) as follows:
- Discover, tan (3-10 hours)
- Explore, bronze (11-25 hours)
- Connect, silver (26-39 hours)
- Complete, gold (40+ hours)
- Innovator, teal
These sheets can be given to your council (Girl Scouts) or placed in a folder to support your continued dedication to learning. See the AEP badge program My Education and Experience for more on how additional experience and education can help you.
5. Magnets or fridgies.
So, you have a vector graphic and a web button. What can you do with them? You can craft your own badges, including:
- Bottle caps —print the badge and punch with a 1” circular paper punch, decoupage or resin to seal the print
- Glass — attach a print of the badge to the back of a flat glass marble
- Decoupage — decoupage a print of the badge to a wooden circle, chipboard or similar material
- Paint — use the design as a pattern and paint the design on your own circle shape
All of these can go on your refrigerator, a specially made magnetic board, cabinets at your meeting place, etc.
6. Iron-ons.
Purchase and print iron-on sheets specific for your printer. Iron-ons can be placed on any fabric. The coolest t-shirt I saw looked like a sash was stenciled on the shirt and the badges placed on the sash (woot.com).
Fabric items you can attach iron-ons to include:
- Shirts
- Vests
- Sashes
- Pendants
- Ribbons
- Blankets
- Pillows
- Jackets
- Badges
7. Stickers.
You can get templates for circular sticker paper from companies like Avery. Sizes are 1.5”, 1.625” and 2.5”. They come pre-cut on a standard sheet of paper at your office supply store. Stickers can be placed almost anywhere. Print your own and start tracking how much you’ve learned. You can also use this as a visual aid for your girls to review when they want to try something new.
8. Acetate.
You can print the badges on acetate, also known as transparencies. This will allow light to come through. You could string them together to make a banner, divider or anywhere you want the transparent effect. Make sure to seal the side with ink so it doesn’t scratch off.
9. Buttons.
You can get a low-cost button machine at Badge-a-Minit. Buttons are sized from 1.25” to 3” with 2.25” being the most popular. To cut the paper for inside, you can purchase a cutter at this company as well. Other companies also provide badge makers.
You can get cheap buttons at hobby stores that are completely plastic as well as variable circle cutters.
10. Jewelry pendants.
Jewelry pendants (charms) are everywhere. Like the bottle caps, just punch out the image, place into the shape and fill with resin or decoupage. These are smaller than a lot of the other options. The charms are metal, though, and get heavy quickly.
Also note that there are square shapes available so you can color coordinate a background paper with your attire if you’re looking to match a uniform and place the punched badge image on top of that.
11. Shrink plastic.
Purchase shrink plastic for your printer and print a size larger than you need. Then, shrink down the plastic for small charms or attach pin backs. They’ll be lighter than the jewelry pendants.
Note: Experiment with your shrink plastic. When you place a hole in the plastic before shrinking, it will fill in if it is too small. Keep punched holes to a size of 1/8” or larger.
Recycled #6 plastic can be shrunk down if you do not want to pay for shrink plastic sheets. In this case, print your badge out on paper. Tape it to the plastic. Outline and color it with markers or colored pencils to duplicate the design. Then, cut out, punch and shrink as usual.
12. Decoupaged paper.
Print your badge out. Decoupage your image to your base — wood, chipboard, glass, etc. Put a decoupage medium on both sides and edges to make sure it is sealed. Allow to dry thoroughly. Additional coats of decoupage will make your badge more durable. I have seen buttons made this way with a pin back stuck to the paper — a cardstock should be used to make sure the paper can hold up to use. You can also use embossing powder on the paper instead of decoupage.
13. Badge book.
Get a small photo album and place a print of your badge in it. You can also include the steps you completed, a picture of yourself doing an activity, a finished product, etc. You might even want to expand it into a scrapbook of your own adventures.
14. Needlework.
You can create your own needlework patterns and make your own badges to wear. This can be done with graph paper or needlework design software. You can make your own badges by purchasing blank badges, cutting out circles from fabric and serging the edges or stitching directly onto material.
Techniques you can use include:
- Hand embroidery
- Machine embroidery
- CrossStitch
- Plastic canvas
15. Stenciling.
The badge graphics are created so that there are a limited number of colors. This should make the job of stenciling and machine embroidery easier. If you’re making only one “badge”, you can use a thick paper or tape to tape off the area you don’t want color. If you’re planning on creating multiple badges, you can print and cut out acetate. Putting spray adhesive on the back helps hold the stencil in place.
16. Laminating.
Print and punch out the size you want. You can laminate paper with hot or cold laminate. You can also use clear contact paper or packing tape. Make sure all of the edges are sealed to keep moisture from getting to the paper. Punch through the plastic to create “charms” that can be placed on pins like SWAPs. You can also string them together with jump rings by placing holes in your laminate (but not paper) on either side or in all four cardinal directions and using o-rings to hold them together.
17. Your favorite craft.
Combine any of the above to make your own unique badges or use your own special techniques. Some may include:
- Polymer clay circles with image transfer
- Print directly on fabric and serge edges
- Keychains similar to “Buttons” above
- Clear bubble stickers over image for jewelry
- Sew felt pieces together for a soft badge
- Print the size of a recycled CD and use for demonstrations
- Inside the pages of a wearable mini-book
- Create a “first place” ribbon with the badge in the center
- Place a circular acetate print inside a clear spherical Christmas ornament
- Add your own ideas on the blog page so we can all have fun!
18. The future of awards.
In the future, AEP would like to create and offer badges for purchase. Currently, the cost is too prohibitive for this step.
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Supplement
SUPP_AEP Awards.pdf
. Two different badge book sheets to give you ideas for maintaining a record of your badges.
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Sites to Explore
www.avery.com
www.badgeaminit.com
www.instructables.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_graphics
www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/03/10/web-20-tutorials-round-up
www.diynetwork.com/decorating/bottle-cap-jewelry/index.html
craftingagreenworld.com/2009/03/25/crafty-reuse-ten-projects-for-old-bottle-caps
pinpunk.com/instructions.html
www.ehow.com/how_4796837_ironon-transfers-computer-printout.html
www.squidoo.com/imagetransfer
www.allfreecrafts.com/decoupage/jewelery.shtml
www.instructables.com/id/Create-embroidered-patches-from-digital-images
crafts.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Make_Your_Own_Decorative_Patches_With_Cross_Stitch
www.craftstylish.com/item/47743/decoupage-a-colorful-pendant-and-earrings-set
www.makeandtakes.com/links/scrabble-tile-pendant-tutorial
Ready, Set . . .
It’s a go for Girl Scout Traditions!
I have only gotten through two-thirds of the supplemental material, but I’m releasing what is done so far. I’ll continue adding to the supplements until December 2011.
For the most part, the badge programs for the Traditions set are very similar. The strength is in the supplements. Currently, I have 72 FOUND supplements and 75 that I have created.
Scribd and Google Documents have been adjusted. All Girl Scout-specific supplements will be placed in a collection named “Girl Scout Printables.” This will help anyone looking for Girl Scout materials by putting them all in one place.
I’ll start releasing badges tomorrow, starting with Girl Scout Journeys. The eight Girl Scout Traditions badge will come next. Lastly, the program for Girl Scout Printables.
On October 31st, I have a special announcement for all Girl Scouts!
So, I’m off for tonight.
Girl Scout Traditions Badge Set
UPDATE: All eight of the badge programs have been released for review.
Review should be completed October 16th.
The collections on Scribd and Google Documents for Girl Scout Printables will be updated and house all Girl Scout supplements and printables to help Girl Scout adults when looking for materials to support our 100th anniversary in 2012.
Supplements starting with FOUND are items found on the Web over the last ten years. Supplements starting with SUPP are ones I’ve created to support the badge programs.
Have a great day!
Laura
Friday deadline!
I will continue to take requests for our Girl Scout Traditions badge set through Friday.
So far, the requests I’ve had are . . .
- Junior level: Include the Dabbler badges from Worlds to Explore
- All levels: Provide lists of available badges
- Promise / law: Provide how it’s changed over the years
I have pulled all books and papers I have and will include all I can.
As a reminder, this will be a set of eight badge programs, six badges to cover the levels girls currently have, one for adults and a miscellaneous.
