Blog Archives
Badge: DNR – Flying Wild (revised)
Flying WILD deals with migratory birds – conservation and environmental awareness. Flying WILD is a part of Project WILD.
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Steps
1. Flying WILD.
Flying WILD has 43 activities focused on birds. They explore conservation and environmental issues through contests, quizzes and hands-on projects. Review the table of contents to see what this program has to offer.
2. The Birding Beat.
www.flyingwild.org/guide/TheBirdingBeat.pdf
Review “The Birding Beat” activity available online. Is this something you can incorporate into your programming?
3. Gulf Oil Spill resources.
www.flyingwild.org/resources/gulfoilspillresources.htm
Review the materials for the Gulf Oil Spill resources.
4. Explore birding links.
www.flyingwild.org/resources/links.htm
Explore the extensive list of links to additional birding resources.
5. Participate in a Flying WILD workshop.
Find and participate in a Flying WILD workshop. Review all of the materials you receive free at the end of this workshop. Explore one or two activities that you can use with others.
6. Incorporating Flying WILD with Girl Scouts.
www.illinoisaudubon.org/NEWFWfiles/FWpdfs/GSALinks.pdf
Look through the provided lists to see what activities you can incorporate into your Girl Scout activities.
7. Incorporating Flying WILD with Boy Scouts.
www.illinoisaudubon.org/NEWFWfiles/FWpdfs/BSALinks.pdf
Look through activities to find out how to incorporate Flying WILD with Boy Scout activities.
8. Create an activity box.
Create an activity box based on the program/youth you work with to introduce adults to Flying Wild. Include instructions on how the activity works and where the adult can get their own materials if they are interested in learning more.
9. Service.
Explore how you can do a service project with a group or individually-based on Flying WILD. Plan and do your project.
10. Become a trainer or coordinator.
Find out what you need to do to become a trainer, coordinator or volunteer for Flying WILD.
11. Explore ways to share Flying WILD.
Find ways to share Flying WILD with others beyond those in Step 10.
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Sites to Explore
All links are provided within the steps above.
Badge: AEP Innovator (revised)
An Adult Enrichment Project (AEP) innovator either creates or substantially contributes to a badge program. Badges for this program are created by placing the word “Innovator” over the design of the badge the recipient worked on.
The steps for this badge can also be used to review badges to make sure they fit into the AEP and are comparable to other badge programs available.
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Steps
1. Become an innovator.
Do you have a subject you excel at or are passionate about? Brainstorm your own list of badge programs that you think you could create. On a separate list, brainstorm badges you’d like to earn, but you need to research to create them. From your lists, pick out one. Work through the steps below to create your badge program.
2. Narrow your topic.
Just like a good term paper or speech, if your topic is too broad your exposure won’t be enough to learn anything. Focus your topic. Ask yourself if the members earning your badge will go away with something they can use. Would a more concentrated program on one area work better?
For example, paper crafting is a huge industry. While you could do an “Explore Paper Crafts” to get an overview of the industry and to try a few small projects, doing a program on “Scrapbooking” would give someone interested in just that one topic a lot more information.
3. Why.
Why would a member choose to earn your badge? Write out your answer. This will become the introduction to your badge.
4. Time to complete the levels.
Are there enough steps and activities to give the member 40+ hours of fun in your topic? Remember, our levels are:
- Discover (3-10 hours)
- Explore (11-25 hours)
- Connect (26-40 hours)
- Complete (40+ hours)
If your topic is too narrow, can you add a step that is related to your topic to help broaden understanding of it?
5. Discover.
Does your badge program have steps to discover a new field of interest? What can you discover?
- Yourself
- Others
- The world
- STEM
- New skills
- Fun
6. Explore.
Through the steps of your badge program, how will the members explore?
- Physically
- Emotionally
- Intellectually
- Socially
- Individually
- As a group
7. Connect.
After discovering a new topic, or perhaps only a part of your topic, the member needs to continue to engage with it. They will explore the topic in greater detail. As they connect, it needs to become part of them. They may choose to connect by:
- Sharing with others
- Teaching to others
- Enjoying it themselves to a greater depth
- Using it as a jumping block to learn something else
8. Categories.
We have eighteen categories. Often, you’ll find your badge program may fit into more than one category. Choose the category that you feel most reflects your program. Review the list and determine where it will go.
- Careers / Business
- Communication
- Crafts
- Education
- Games / Sports
- General
- Groups
- Hobbies / Recreation
- Holiday
- Home / Skills
- Outdoors
- Performing Arts
- Personal / Health
- Recipes / Nutrition
- Service
- STEM
- Web
- World
9. Test your badge program.
Do you have a friend who is willing to try new things? Perhaps you work with a youth organization, senior citizens group or even homeschoolers. Ask others to either try it or, at the least, review it.
Expect critical feedback. If someone cares enough to ask questions or make comments, they are helping you improve your badge program. Keep note of what your reviewers say and determine if their comments pertain to your badge program and if you can adjust it to make it better. Also, make sure you say “thank you”, even if the feedback isn’t helpful.
10. Proofread.
If you aren’t a great proofreader, ask someone else to do it. Any questions you might have should follow the “Chicago Manual of Style” or an equivalent resource.
11. Provide steps.
Completed, tested and proofread steps should be released to the group for their comments. When agreement is made that the program looks complete, the administrator will place the files on the blog as well as create a printable PDF for distribution.
12. Artwork.
If you want to create your own badges, you can create your own artwork. Request templates to work with or provide artwork to be incorporated into the badges, graphics and certificates. As soon as the badge program is released to the members, you will receive the “Innovator” version of the badge.
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Innovating through Adjustments
13. Adjusting other badges.
Innovator badges can also be earned by making significant adjustments to a badge. Usually, the badge will be out for a while and other members will post adjustments, additional steps, etc. that they feel would improve the badge. The innovator would take the original badge and all the comments. The innovator may make one of the following decisions:
- Adjustments fall within steps and need incorporated
- Adjustments require steps to be added
- Adjustments require that the badge has become too broad to be effective
14. Creating badge programs from adjustments.
If the adjustments require creation of new program(s), determine if a general one should remain or if there is enough information to create multiple specific badges. You can ask members who contributed if you are unsure for their opinions.
15. Review steps for creation.
Review the new badge program(s) against this list to ensure that it meets the standards for other badge programs. Then, do steps 9-11. You can do step 12 if you choose to or leave it to the group to use the existing design and adjust it for the new programs.
NOTE: Making minor adjustments for typographical or grammatical errors does not constitute innovation.
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Sites to Explore
larajla.com/adult-enrichment-project
groups.yahoo.com/group/adult_enrichment_project
www.squidoo.com/adult-enrichment-project
www.scribd.com/collections/2582310/AEP-Badge-Programs
www.flickr.com/photos/28598163@N04/sets
www.facebook.com/pages/Adult-Enrichment-Project/118595491548017
Badge: Explore How to Sites (revised)
“How to” sites are very popular on the Web. This badge will help you explore and find “how to” sites that you like to give you resources for your badge fun.
NOTE: The Adult Enrichment Project will utilize many of the “how to” sites to keep the cost of earning badges low (and hopefully always free).
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Steps
1. Go surfing on the Web.
Visit some or all of the sites listed at the end of this badge program.
2. Your favorites / bookmarks.
Create a special folder in your favorites / bookmarks to hold the “how to” sites you like for future reference. Feel free to make smaller folders within the main one to help break your areas from general sites to those specific to crafting, cooking, etc.
3. Your choices for “how to” information.
You’ll find podcasts, html pages, video sites, etc. in the sites as you visit them. Explore the sites and find out which ways you feel most comfortable using to learn.
4. Beyond your personal computer.
“How to” resources can be accessed through other means. From a local library’s network to your smart phone, explore other ways you can learn online.
5. What interests you?
Start a document, spreadsheet or database. Note what subjects interest you on the sites you bookmark. As new badges are released, it will help you in locating “where you saw that.”
6. Find more sites that support “how to.”
Try searching for “how to”, “free classes” or anything else you can think of to expand your list of sites. Make sure you make bookmarks / favorites of those sites that you feel will be helpful later.
7. Narrow your search.
Now that you have found general sites, try narrowing you search into fields that interest you. Add these notes to your list started in Step 5.
8. Share your sites.
With your research complete, share any sites you found. Add a comment about what’s on there and why you like it.
9. Keeping what you find.
Sometimes you’ll find something that you want to keep. Printing it all out is costly and storage of printed documents can quickly become overwhelming.
By keeping a digital library of those special articles, podcasts, etc. you can sort them and have them available when you’re putting together a meeting or event. Use Adobe Acrobat (full version) or a free PDF maker like doPDF and “print” your PDFs for reference.
10. Update your list.
Sites frequently change and the information you want may or may not remain. As you visit your “how to” sites, be sure to update your links and tracking document (Step 5).
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Sites to Explore
www.ehow.com
www.wannalearn.com
www.findtutorials.com
www.makeuseof.com
mashable.com
www.youtube.com
www.instructables.com
www.expertvillage.com
www.5min.com
www.wonderhowto.com
www.doityourself.com
www.wikihow.com
www.howstuffworks.com
www.makezine.com
lifehacker.com
howto.wired.com/wiki/Main_Page
about.com
www.creativity-portal.com
www.howtodothings.com
www.howcast.com
www.videojug.com
www.monkeysee.com
www.wonderhowto.com
h30187.www3.hp.com
www.sutree.com
sclipo.com
teachertube.com
oedb.org
www.free-ed.net/free-ed
www.gcflearnfree.org
www.worldwidelearn.com
www.learnfree.com
www.apple.com/education/itunes-u
www.learnoutloud.com
www.tricklife.com
www.viewdo.com
www.dadcando.com
www.scribd.com
www.smashingmagazine.com
Badge: Cooperative Games (revised)
Cooperative games allow your group to work together during a game. These types of games are inclusive. They emphasize participation and challenge rather than defeating another person or team. There is no “winner” or “loser”, just having fun!
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Steps
1. Explore group dynamics.
While cooperative games are inclusive, some steps may be difficult for your group. Review the participants you will have playing and find games that can be played by everyone.
2. Start with the provided PDF.
You will find SUPP_Cooperative Games.pdf on Scribd, Google DOCs and our Yahoo! Group. Review the games on this PDF. Find a few you’d like to try.
3. Play the games.
Play the games you chose with your group. Keep notes on things that worked and whether the group liked the game.
4. Adjusting games.
Sometimes you’ll want to play a game, but the rules don’t enable you to play or you need materials you don’t have. Perhaps the game is too easy or hard for your group. The simplest thing to do is change the rules. If you’ve played the game before with your group, make sure you communicate any changes. Always make notes on what you’re changing so that you remember in the future without losing a lot of time on discussion. Try modifying one or two of the games.
5. Finding more.
Search through books or Web sites to find more games to add to your collection. We have some sites to start you out below. As you collect them, make notes to any that you feel need modification to make them more usable.
6. Other game areas.
Other games areas where you might find cooperative games include parachute games, clapping games and even video games. Look outside games you would normally play to expand your cooperative game collection even further.
7. Design your own.
Take a personal challenge and design your own cooperative game. You’ll need to take into account your group, the time you want to spend and perhaps a theme if you’re trying to tie it into other activities.
8. Share.
Share your game collection with your organization, other groups or AEP members.
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Supplement
SUPP_CooperativeGames.pdf
Sample cooperative games.
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Sites to Explore
www.mrgym.com/CooperativeGames.htm
www.creativekidsathome.com/games/cooperative_games
www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activities/cooperative-games.page-1.html
dragon.sleepdeprived.ca/games/cooperative_games/cooperative_games.htm
www.responsiveclassroom.org/blog/?p=841
www.ehow.com/how_5638455_design-cooperative-games.html
scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/Program/Games.htm
Badge: Explore Crafts (revised)
Crafts can be a fun hobby or a way to earn extra cash. Let’s explore a variety of crafts to enrich your life as well as share with others.
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Steps
1. Look at crafts.
A starting list is on the last page. Choose one you’d like to try from the list or discover your own by choosing from materials you like to work with, skills you have, something you’ve always wanted to try or any other way you’d like to chose.
2. Online research for your chosen craft.
Go to your favorite search engine and do a search for your craft. Not only may you find tutorials or workshops, chances are you’ll find patterns and templates as well. Check out the following types of sites:
- Vendor / supplier sites
- Magazine / pattern publishers
- Associations or groups that feature your craft
- Pattern sites, free
- Tutorial / workshop sites
- Template sites
- Individual enthusiasts
3. Traditional research for your chosen craft.
Go to the library and find out if they have books, magazines or even DVDs that can help you explore your chosen craft.
4. Take a class in the craft you’ve chosen.
Check out local and online craft stores, interest groups or even online classes. Perhaps your local YMCA, library or other community area has craft programs for adults. Choose a class that appeals to you.
5. Practice your new craft alone or with a group.
Most crafts are done individually. Explore ways to make your craft more of a group activity. Search for online groups as well as those that meet locally. Start out with free resources to find out if you actually enjoy the craft before looking at “for pay” groups.
6. Share your new craft with family and friends.
Show what you have learned and be able to answer the following questions.
- Why did you choose it?
- Would you do it again?
- What did you like / didn’t like about it?
- How can you share your experiences?
7. Share your new craft with other enthusiasts and find out more information.
Here are a few ways you can share your craft. Include any others that you enjoy.
- Web (Yahoo! Groups, blogs, etc.)
- Local individuals
- Formal or informal groups
- Vendors / suppliers
8. Cultural exploration.
Some crafts have cultural variations. Research to find out if there are techniques or additional information outside the mainstream for your chosen craft.
9. Creativity counts.
Some crafts evolve as people add their own creativity. This may be as simple as new crochet stitches or as expansive as creating a new craft. Look into your craft’s history and see how it has evolved. Can you add your own creativity to your craft?
10. Teach others what you’ve learned.
Turn this into a training session for other adults, teach it to kids or even family members who show an interest. By teaching your craft, you’ll have others who may want to continue doing it with you.
11. Start or help with a club for your craft.
Sharing your craft not only expands your knowledge, you also can have fun with others sharing similar interests. Find out if there are any local craft clubs in your area, including local craft stores. If not, explore what you need to do to start your own.
12. From craft to career.
Some people enjoy their craft so much they make it a successful career. Writing about your craft, submitting completed projects, providing supplies or even teaching can provide either a supplemental or full income. Explore the possibilities of how you can make money from your craft.
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Sites to Explore
www.ehow.com/how_2185225_find-craft-websites.html
www.creativity-portal.com/howto/artscrafts
familycrafts.about.com/od/craftstechniques101/u/findaproject.htm
www.squidoo.com/groups/Explore-a-new-craft
52crafts52weeks.wordpress.com
www.favecrafts.com
www.allfreecrafts.com
craftideasweekly.com
www.craftsnthings.com/Default.aspx
www.brighthub.com/arts/crafts.aspx
www.crafterslovecrafts.com/paper-crafts.html
www.howtodothings.com/hobbies/how-to-find-craft-templates
findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1249/is_n4_v70/ai_19926663
www.factly.com/Article/Choosing-a-New-Craft-Hobby/91959
Badge: Card Making Basics (revised)
How many times have you looked for the perfect card only to “settle” for what the store had?
Reasons to make your own cards include: express your individuality, use your own words / images, design for your recipient, celebrate non-traditional holidays or events and much more.
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Steps
1. What event would you like to make cards for?
Brainstorm specific holidays, birthdays or even “just because” events that you would like to send a card for so others know you are thinking of them.
2. Explore your purchased card selection.
Start at your favorite card store. Take shots with your phone / camera of cards you like. Include color combinations that you find pleasing. Make notes about styles, sayings and colors. Purchase any that you must have for your personal collection.
3. Explore online card selection.
Search for images of cards you like. Again, you can take notes, make PDFs of the page or do screen captures. If you find a site that you find exceptional, bookmark it. Don’t limit yourself to “printed” cards, e-cards often break outside of the traditional card lines and follow more niche areas.
4. Examine your choices.
Look at the cards, images and notes you have. Why did you choose each item? Did you find the colors and design pleasing? Why or why not? Were the words thoughtful or did they fall flat? Do they just not “sound like you”?
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Let’s play!
5. Sizes and shapes.
Print out the standard US sizes for letters and envelopes if you’re in the United States. If you’re not in the US, what are the standard sizes your Post will accept? Keep your sizes handy for future steps. Feel free to share countries / sizes on the blog to help others.
You can hand out cards instead of mailing them. That means you do not have to follow standard sizes. Also, you can make
“non-standard” cards for mailing, they will need to be hand-stamped and will cost more to mail. Keep this in mind as you design your cards. You may want to break the “rules” for posting cards.
Most cards are rectangular so they can go through automated systems, so we’ll stick with that shape.
6. Coordinating colors.
Look at the colors you found most pleasing. Purchase cards and envelopes in the colors you like. White and ivory tend to be the colors that are sold in bulk if you’re looking at making more than a couple cards. Now, choose paper to coordinate with your cards and envelopes. You can use solid colors or patterns. Compare the pieces to make sure they compliment or contrast to your taste.
7. Basic tools.
The basic tools you will need depends on how much you plan to put into the card. It can be as simple as a sticker or swash of oil paint on the front of the card with a handwritten sentiment on the inside to intricate layers and images you’re created on your computer. Read through the tool suggestions and decide which is right for you. Before you purchase any supplies, check around your house. You probably already own some of them.
- Paper or cards
- Envelopes
- Cutting mat, X-acto® knife and metal ruler; scissors; paper trimmer
- Folding bone or similar item
- Adhesives; tapes
- Ink; inkpads; paint
- Embellishments including stickers, ribbons, brads, eyelets, etc.
- Paper punches
- Rubber stamping supplies
- Computer and printer
- Pencils; markers; crayons; chalks
8. Explore card making tutorials.
You can find free card making tutorials on the Web, in magazines or in books from your local library. Designs and approaches to card making are varied. Using your likes that you’ve already explored, complete a few tutorials. If you know someone crafty or have a craft / scrapbook store nearby, you can take classes to learn the basics as well.
9. Finding templates.
Templates are outlines for creating paper crafts. You can find templates for envelopes, cards, bookmarks, tags, etc. Using your favorite search engine, find templates that you can download or view that deal with cards and envelopes. This is another way to create your cards without purchasing pre-made cards and envelopes.
10. Do it simple — creating layers.
One of the easiest ways to create a card is by layering paper and then putting a focal item on the top layer like a sticker or rubber stamped image. You attach contrasting or coordinating colored paper on the front of the card, but make each layer a bit smaller so you can see the colors underneath. Layers do not have to always be centered or aligned.
11. Do it personal —using your own art.
If you like to use oil paints, mix a couple colors and add a swash to the front of your card. This puts your own personality on it. If you like to sketch, make a photocopy or scan it and print it out to attach. Look through any art journals or doodles you’ve done. You can also create one-of-a-kind art directly on the card and / or envelope.
12. Doing it digital — in whole or in part.
Print a full sheet of paper with a digital photograph as the front of your card. If you’re putting your print into an A2 (4.375 × 5.75) envelope, an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper will fold into an 4.25 x 5.5 card. In addition to making full cards, you can print out parts to include with your card including salutations, individual words or found ephemera (vintage, public domain images).
13. Doing it right — recycle.
Do you save old cards with no reason why? Cut out the images you like from the front and reuse them on your cards. You can also recycle junk mail to make paper, cut stamps off to use for embellishment, etc.
14. Collecting quotes.
Start a document, database or even index card set with quotes and sayings you like. This might just be a sentence for inside the card or a front and back set that you find appealing. In addition to books like “Bartlett’s Quotes”, you can find many other free quote sources online. You can purchase quote books online, especially from scrapbook vendors. Going for the more personal card, use favorite sayings from your recipient as the theme for your card.
15. Creating blank cards.
In addition to creating cards for a specific recipient, you can create blank cards. You put a design on the front of the card, but leave the inside blank. When you need a card, you can personalize your message inside.
16. Storage for your cards.
Creating a spot where you can store your cards will save you a lot of headaches and money. You won’t have to do any more “last minute” shopping for a card. Make sure your storage system keeps the cards clean and organized.
17. Sharing with swap-bot (www.swap-bot.com).
If you don’t have a lot of people that you send cards to, you can always swap them with others. Swap-bot allows you to join (for free) and swap not only completed cards, but random items and more.
18. Upload images to Flickr.
AEP has a special area on Flickr to share completed projects for others to see. Search for “AEP” or “Adult Enrichment Project” for our sites and include cards you make.
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Sites to Explore
www.how-to-make-greeting-cards-rock.com/index.html
