Blog Archives
Badge: Girl Scout Traditions – Senior
As Girl Scouts reach and pass their first centennial, looking back to where we have been gives us an idea of the accomplishments that have been made by one person’s vision — Juliette Gordon Low. The Girl Scout Traditions badge set allows you to explore not only each level available as of 2012, but also general traditions that have been developed by Girl Scouts worldwide for generations.
NOTE: Read through the steps below. Note any resources that you might need to complete this badge program. Check SUPP_GS_Traditions_Glance.pdf for a listing of all Girl Scout Traditions supplements. If you need resources beyond what is provided, check your Service Unit and Council archives. You can also check with other leaders for assistance with acquiring materials.
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Girl Scout Seniors are girls in grades 9 and 10. Explore their past and future with this badge program.
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Steps
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Exploring the past
1. Starting of Girl Scout Seniors.
Girl Scout Seniors have been mentioned from the beginning. In the 1915 Leader’s Manual, Seniors are “older women” who only do “first aid, signaling and the Scout program.” By the 1917 How Girls Can Help Their Country, they were expanding on the program of the younger girls and teaching them. In 1937, they were recognized as their own level for girls 14-17 and official uniforms were available. Over the years, Mariner and Wing Scouts were developed and then brought back into Seniors level. Review how Seniors became their own level over the years.
2. Decade sampler.
Do at least one activity per decade (1912 to present) to experience what Girl Scouts did in the past as Girl Scout Seniors. Find information from one of these:
- Handbooks (badge requirements, things to do, activities)
- Leader’s Guides (things to do, activities)
- GSUSA supplemental materials
- Local “council own” badges / programs
- Historical Girl Scout YouTube videos
- Girl Scout Alumnae
- Supplements for the Girl Scout Traditions badge set (AEP)
If you cannot find Girl Scout specific activities, try some of the activities listed in Step 4. For additional ideas, see the badge program “Girl Scout Traditions” for non-level activities and materials.
3. Adapting to the times.
Some of the activities may not correspond to beliefs or resources we have today. Find an activity, or more than one, and look for an equivalent you might do today. Adapt your activity if there is no updated equivalent so girls today can try it. Share your final activity with others.
4. History sampler.
Experience the world as the girls did in the past. You can do one or more of the following:
- Watch a period movie
- Watch newsreel reports that used to run before movies
- Listen to old radio station broadcasts
- Historical reenactments
- Educational activities
- Local events
- Conduct research at your local library
- Trends at that time including music, fashion, popular activities, etc.
Feel free to do other activities that give you a sense of the history of Girl Scout Seniors.
5. Earn insignia.
Completely earn one badge from your level doing the requirements from at least ten years ago. If there is no badge, try some of the activities they did to see if any can be used with your girls today. Look for a badge to wear or create a charm or other item that illustrates the requirements / activities you did to show your proficiency. If you find activities that you enjoy more than the badge(s) at your own level, share them with others.
6. Earn patches.
Girl Scouts partners with many organizations to provide current materials for girls. They also create a lot on their own. Review patch programs that were available in the past and earn one that would have been done by Girl Scout Seniors. Again, try to find a patch to wear or create a charm or other item to show your proficiency.
7. Additional awards.
Explore any additional awards girls at your level may have earned. This might include higher awards, bridging awards and participatory awards. How have these changed over the years?
8. My own experience.
Girl Scout Alumnae are adults that were previously with GSUSA but may not now be active. Review your own experiences with Girl Scouts. Collect stories / items you might want to share with new Girl Scouts.
9. Troop event.
Prepare a troop event to share what you learned with your girls while exploring the past.
10. Larger event.
Work with a group of adults to create and offer an event outside your own troop / group. Use the materials you have found while exploring the past or start a new tradition.
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Moving to the future
11. Explore badges.
Review the Girl’s Guide for Girl Scouting for your level. Review and do one badge for your level. How does it compare with insignia that could previously be earned?
12. Explore Journeys.
Review at least one of the Journeys. How might you customize it to make it more palatable to girls at your level? Brainstorm ideas and put them inside your Journey so you have them when you review the Journeys with your girls.
13. Create your own badge.
Share the excitement of changing the world. Challenge yourself to create a badge program that you feel girls at your level might enjoy. Ask your girls to review your badge and make suggestions for improvement. Offer it to others outside your normal troop / group.
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Supplements Available
SUPP_GS_Traditions_Glance.pdf
. Listing of all supplements available with the Girl Scout Traditions Badge Set.
. As of October 2011, it stood at 147 supplements for all eight badge programs.
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Sites to Explore
www.girlscouts.org
www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/history
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_Scouts_of_the_USA
www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/Traditions/ScoutTraditions.htm
www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/Program/History.htm
www.wagggsworld.org/en/about/guiding/guidinghistory
www.juliettegordonlowbirthplace.org
www.scouter.com/compass/Scouting_History
www.youtube.com/user/girlscoutvideos
Badge: Girl Scout Traditions – Cadette
As Girl Scouts reach and pass their first centennial, looking back to where we have been gives us an idea of the accomplishments that have been made by one person’s vision — Juliette Gordon Low. The Girl Scout Traditions badge set allows you to explore not only each level available as of 2012, but also general traditions that have been developed by Girl Scouts worldwide for generations.
NOTE: Read through the steps below. Note any resources that you might need to complete this badge program. Check SUPP_GS_Traditions_Glance.pdf for a listing of all Girl Scout Traditions supplements. If you need resources beyond what is provided, check your Service Unit and Council archives. You can also check with other leaders for assistance with acquiring materials.
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Girl Scout Cadettes are girls in grades 6 through 8. Explore their past and future with this badge program.
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Steps
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Exploring the past
1. Starting of Girl Scout Cadettes.
Girl Scout Cadettes were part of “Girl Scouts”, started in 1912 with Juliette Low’s historical meeting. From 1912 to 1963, Cadettes were part of the Girl Scout / Girl Scout Intermediate program. In 1963, they became their own level, including girls aged 12-14. They earned the same insignia as the Juniors, but the borders of their badges were yellow to show the additional work and skill they had to put into their badges. Today, they are Girl Scout Cadettes. Examine the combined levels as well as the separation of the program in 1963 to see how this level developed.
2. Decade sampler.
Do at least one activity per decade (1912 to present) to experience what Girl Scouts did in the past as Girl Scout Cadettes. Find information from one of these:
- Handbooks (badge requirements, things to do, activities)
- Leader’s Guides (things to do, activities)
- GSUSA supplemental materials
- Local “council own” badges / programs
- Historical Girl Scout YouTube videos
- Girl Scout Alumnae
- Supplements for the Girl Scout Traditions badge set (AEP)
If you cannot find Girl Scout specific activities, try some of the activities listed in Step 4. For additional ideas, see the badge program “Girl Scout Traditions” for non-level activities and materials.
3. Adapting to the times.
Some of the activities may not correspond to beliefs or resources we have today. Find an activity, or more than one, and look for an equivalent you might do today. Adapt your activity if there is no updated equivalent so girls today can try it. Share your final activity with others.
4. History sampler.
Experience the world as the girls did in the past. You can do one or more of the following:
- Watch a period movie
- Watch newsreel reports that used to run before movies
- Listen to old radio station broadcasts
- Historical reenactments
- Educational activities
- Local events
- Conduct research at your local library
- Trends at that time including music, fashion, popular activities, etc.
Feel free to do other activities that give you a sense of the history of Girl Scout Cadettes.
5. Earn insignia.
Completely earn one badge from your level doing the requirements from at least ten years ago. If there is no badge, try some of the activities they did to see if any can be used with your girls today. Look for a badge to wear or create a charm or other item that illustrates the requirements / activities you did to show your proficiency. If you find activities that you enjoy more than the badge(s) at your own level, share them with others.
6. Earn patches.
Girl Scouts partners with many organizations to provide current materials for girls. They also create a lot on their own. Review patch programs that were available in the past and earn one that would have been done by Girl Scout Cadettes. Again, try to find a patch to wear or create a charm or other item to show your proficiency.
7. Additional awards.
Explore any additional awards girls at your level may have earned. This might include higher awards, bridging awards and participatory awards. How have these changed over the years?
8. My own experience.
Girl Scout Alumnae are adults that were previously with GSUSA but may not now be active. Review your own experiences with Girl Scouts. Collect stories / items you might want to share with new Girl Scouts.
9. Troop event.
Prepare a troop event to share what you learned with your girls while exploring the past.
10. Larger event.
Work with a group of adults to create and offer an event outside your own troop / group. Use the materials you have found while exploring the past or start a new tradition.
.
Moving to the future
11. Explore badges.
Review the Girl’s Guide for Girl Scouting for your level. Review and do one badge for your level. How does it compare with insignia that could previously be earned?
12. Explore Journeys.
Review at least one of the Journeys. How might you customize it to make it more palatable to girls at your level? Brainstorm ideas and put them inside your Journey so you have them when you review the Journeys with your girls.
13. Create your own badge.
Share the excitement of changing the world. Challenge yourself to create a badge program that you feel girls at your level might enjoy. Ask your girls to review your badge and make suggestions for improvement. Offer it to others outside your normal troop / group.
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Supplements Available
SUPP_GS_Traditions_Glance.pdf
. Listing of all supplements available with the Girl Scout Traditions Badge Set.
. As of October 2011, it stood at 147 supplements for all eight badge programs.
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Sites to Explore
www.girlscouts.org
www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/history
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_Scouts_of_the_USA
www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/Traditions/ScoutTraditions.htm
www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/Program/History.htm
www.wagggsworld.org/en/about/guiding/guidinghistory
www.juliettegordonlowbirthplace.org
www.scouter.com/compass/Scouting_History
www.youtube.com/user/girlscoutvideos
Badge: Girl Scouts — Journeys
With the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, all Girl Scout materials have been recreated to include this ideal. Learn about the Journeys and how to incorporate them into your programming.
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Steps
1. Why Journeys?
Each Journey gives girls the ability to lead. There are three themes to choose from, see Step 5. Through each Journey she chooses to take she discovers herself and her abilities, connects with others and takes action by making the world a better place. Explore ways you can encourage ways to complete one of the three Journeys this year.
2. Think national, act local.
While the Journey program is designed to be consistent across the USA, using local resources is necessary. As you review your Journey materials, keep notes on how you might be able to make this a “local” program.
3. Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
www.girlscouts.org/gsle
Take this 10-minute tour to see how GSLE will provide experience for your girls.
4. Leadership Essentials.
training.girlscouts.org
Take the 45-minute introduction to the use of Journey books with the GSLE.
5. Choose a Journey.
Review the Journey themes with your girls. What does the theme mean to you? To the girls? With your girls, choose a Journey to complete.
- It’s Your World – Change It! (Theme: Advocacy)
- It’s Your Planet – Love It! (Theme: Environment)
- It’s Your Story – Tell It! (Theme: Creative Expression)
6. Read the girl Journey book.
After selecting your Journey (Step 5), read the appropriate girl’s book for your level. Keep notes on ideas you have as you read the book to make your Journey more local — resources available, experts you might consult, organizations that you might partner with, other volunteers who have skills to complete steps, etc.
7. Read the adult Journey guide.
Read the facilitator’s guide that goes with the girl’s Journey book. Make notes for your Journey as you did in Step 6.
8. Journey maps.
www.girlscouts.org/program/journeys/maps
Review the Journey map for your chosen journey. See how GSUSA looks at your Journey.
9. Brainstorm.
Brainstorm ideas based on the notes you took while reviewing the Journey. Break it down by each piece the girls must earn. Ask the girls to review your brainstorm list and add their own to create options to what you might do based on the Journey. For older girls, ask them to brainstorm first, then add your own ideas to theirs.
10. Sample sessions.
Find the sample sessions in the adult guide. With your brainstorm list, see if you’re on track with the outcome of the requirements. Will the girls get the same experience with the items they brainstormed? Are any too easy for the girls or too difficult?
11. Planning sheets.
After the girls have decided on their activities, create a planning sheet with them. Depending on the level, you may ask for input (Daisies) through doing a final review to make sure they didn’t miss anything (Ambassadors).
Do NOT give older girls an answer to why something might not be appropriate. Instead, ask open-ended questions and start a dialogue. Take your notes and continue asking questions until they have a plan that you feel is appropriate for their abilities / age.
12. Parent encouragement.
Keep parents in the loop. They may have resources you are unaware of. If you’d like an expert but don’t know someone, ask your parents. If steps might be completed individually, ask the parents to supervise younger girls. How else might you keep your parents in the loop? What other help might they offer?
13. Customize.
Using local resources, utilizing planned events and more allow you to customize your Journey. Anything you do that is not specifically in the book is customized. Review It’s Your Journey – Customize It! book or the PDFs available on GSUSA for the Customize It! and Transforming Leadership to keep your guidelines in mind as you customize your Journey.
In addition, the facilitator’s guide also has some ideas for customization. Be sure to review those to get more ideas.
14. Beyond your troop.
Look beyond your troop for possible activities, events, organizations or individuals that would help fulfill a requirement in your chosen Journey. Volunteer to help with an activity / event at your service unit or council to ensure that it is not cancelled. Discuss the event with your service unit / other troops so they can see how you plan to incorporate an event as part of your Journey.
For younger girls, ask to join with organizations whose goals align with your Journey plan. Ask individuals to share their knowledge with the girls to help them understand concepts / topics they need exposure to. Share your ideas and what the girls are planning to do. Encourage older girls to start the communication with organizations, service units, etc.
15. Resource kits.
See if your service unit or council has resource kits available to help girls with the Journey. If not, document what you do and create one to share. If others in your service unit are working on the same Journey, create a resource kit as a multi-troop effort.
16. Other resources.
Look online for additional resources. For example, through Yahoo! Groups you can find many level-dependent Girl Scout groups. So, if you’re a Brownie leader, you can join a Brownie group that focuses on that level. Adults often share materials they create for their own girls, so be sure to check out the Files area. Look for other online resources and share what you find.
17. Badges.
Most Journeys have badges that accompany it. Review the supplement SUPP_Journey_QuickReference.pdf to see if the Journey you are working on has badges linked to it. If so, look at this with your girls and see if a little more activity while working on your Journey allows you to earn badges.
18. Higher awards.
The Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards can only be earned if the girls have completed a Journey. Unlike previous years, girls can now earn their Gold Award without earning their Silver. In this case, girls must complete two Journeys instead of one for their Gold Award.
Leader in Action (Cadettes) can be earned while working with another troop. Find the requirements to these awards and inquire if the girls are interested in learning even more about their Journey.
19. Take action!
Each Journey ends with Take Action project. These actions need to be sustainable. As your girls work on their final action, make sure they keep sustainability in the process.
20. Share your success!
Create an honor roll of girls who earn their journey leadership awards. Publish it with your local newspaper, council newsletter, etc. Find other ways to honor your girls for their achievement!
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Supplements
FOUND_customize_it_handouts.pdf
. Handouts from the “Customize It!” book from GSUSA.
FOUND_2011_transforming_leadership.pdf
. Transforming Leadership PDF to help guide customization.
FOUND_2011_transforming_leadership_continued.pdf
. Transforming Leadership Continued PDF.
FOUND_2011_WhatGSDoAmbassador.pdf
. Ambassador program overview.
FOUND_2011_WhatGSDoBrownie.pdf
. Brownie program overview.
FOUND_2011_WhatGSDoCadette.pdf
. Cadette program overview.
FOUND_2011_WhatGSDoDaisy.pdf
. Daisy program overview.
FOUND_2011_WhatGSDoJunior.pdf
. Junior program overview.
FOUND_2011_WhatGSDoSenior.pdf
. Senior program overview.
SUPP_Journey_QuickReference.pdf
. Quick reference sheet for Journey materials.
SUPP_Journey_Customize.pdf
. List of possible ways to customize your Journey.
SUPP_Journey_Forms.pdf
. Sample forms to help you through your Journey.
SUPP_Journey_Planet_Brownie.pdf
. A customized idea for WOW! Wonders of Water.
SUPP_Journey_Planet_Daisy.pdf
. Customized ideas for Between Earth and Sky.
SUPP_Journey_TakeAction.pdf
. Learn more about Take Action projects.
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Sites to Explore
www.girlscouts.org/program/journeys/your_world
www.girlscouts.org/program/journeys/your_planet
www.girlscouts.org/program/journeys/your_story
www.girlscouts.org/program/journeys/maps.asp
www.girlscouts.org/program/journeys/curriculum
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