Macrame Bracelets

Several months ago, we started working on macrame bracelets.  Unfortunately, we had some difficulty and chose to set the project aside until we did some additional research.  You can read about our experience here.  By learning to macrame, our Brownies would satisfy Step 5 Enjoy Girl Scout Traditions for the Girl Scout Way badge.  At the same time, our Juniors would complete Step 4 Create Jewelry Inspired by Another Culture for the Jeweler Badge. 

This year we have nine girls in our troop:  six Juniors and three Brownies.  These girls are between the ages of seven and ten.  I wanted to find a video that would show us how to make macrame bracelets without having to use a flame to join cords together.  After watching portions of countless (and often complicated) tutorials on YouTube, I came across a video I knew would provide the best instructions for our group. You can view this 15-minute video called "How to tie a 2 color paracord bracelet without melting the cords together" here.  Thanks to this video, Macrame Bracelets: Take Two was a success!

Prior to our first attempt at making these bracelets, I had purchased packages of parachute cord (4 different colors, 25 yards each) and clips from a craft store.  I cut two pieces of parachute cord for each girl.  Each piece of cord was two yards long.  A flame was used to melt both ends of every cord.  

MY SUGGESTIONS FOR THIS PROJECT:

• Anyone who will be helping the girls make these bracelets should watch this video prior to the meeting.  We had three adults and nine girls, and it still took us about 90 minutes to help them all finish their bracelets.
• Get together with these adults at some point before the meeting to practice   making a macrame bracelet. 
• Connect your electronic device to a television with a USB cord to allow the girls to see and hear the YouTube instructions clearly.  This also allows you to pause and replay the video as needed.
• Cut the parachute cord and melt the tips prior to the meeting.  We used a BBQ lighter to singe the ends.  When it was time to finish the bracelets, we found it was easier to light a candle and use its flame.
• As is mentioned in the video, measure the girls' wrists when they get to the meeting.  Mark the core cords with a Sharpie to show the girls where they should stop the macrame.  For example, if a girl's wrist is 6.5" around, then mark her core cords at 6".  The clip will account for the rest of the length of the bracelet, assuring a perfect fit.
• Place a throw pillow on the table and connect the clip to the pillow with a safety pin.  We had four bracelets anchored to one pillow.  We also taped the core cords to the table to hold them tightly in place (though that is not shown in the picture above).

After our meeting, my eight-year-old daughter asked to make another bracelet.  I helped her through the initial and final steps, but she was able to do the majority of it on her own.  We finished her bracelet in about twenty minutes.  Once the girls learned the technique, the process went rather quickly.  They seemed to have fun with the project, and they all agreed to wear their bracelets to school the next day.  I highly recommend referring to this video tutorial if your girls would like to learn to make macrame bracelets.  I hope you find it to be as helpful as I did!  Thank you for reading.

Celebrating Juliette Gordon Low's Birthday

Juliette Gordon Low is a common name in the world of Girl Scouts.  For those readers who may not be familiar with her, "Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts of the USA, was born Juliette Magill Kinzie Gordon on October 31, 1860, in Savannah, Georgia."  Girl Scouts are encouraged to recognize and celebrate our founder's birthday each year.  Since our troop had a meeting scheduled on October 29th, and we did not have plans for a Halloween event this year, I thought this meeting would be the perfect opportunity to celebrate and to work on a few steps toward various badges.  Here is the agenda for that meeting:

4:15pm  Girls arrive.  Take yogurt snack orders.
4:30pm  Promise and Girl Scout Law Song 
              Learn 2 new Girl Scout songs
              Juliette Gordon Low Skit
5:00pm  Yogurt Snack
5:20pm.  Macrame Bracelets
6:00pm  Closing

Our girls learned a valuable lesson during this meeting:  Sometimes the best plans and intentions don't go as expected, and that is okay.  Here is what actually happened during that meeting.

4:15pm  Girls arrive.  Take yogurt snack orders.  Kapers assigned.
4:30pm  Girl Scout Promise and Girl Scout Law song.  We were SO excited the girls were able to sing the entire song without referring to this YouTube video or the Girl Scout Law poster we display at our meetings.  

 
As I mentioned in a previous post, we have a blended troop this year.  Our Brownies are working on the Girl Scout Way badge.  To satisfy Step 1, they learned three new Girl Scout songs.  In addition to the Girl Scout Law song, the girls sang The Banana Song and Princess Pat.  Many of the Juniors enjoy singing, and they had a good time joining the Brownies as they learned these songs.

The Brownies could celebrate Juliette Low's birthday to satisfy the second step for the Girl Scout Way badge.  The girls agreed to wear their Halloween costumes to the meeting, and I offered to make a special treat for them to take home after the meeting.  I found a directions for a Spooky and Sweet Halloween Treat on pages 14 to 17 in the September/October 2014 issue of the American Girl Magazine.  Since I was making this candy for Girl Scouts, I chose dark cocoa mint and green Wilton candy melts.  I melted the candy melts individually and in separate bowls in the microwave according to the directions on the package.  I quickly poured the melted candy onto wax paper I had previously placed on the kitchen counter.  I used a wooden spoon to spread the candy out until it was about 1/4" thick, and I swirled the brown and green candy together.  I sprinkled crushed Oreos over the top of the candy.  I carefully placed candy eyes, knowing I would be cutting the candy into pieces once the candy had hardened.  

 
 To recognize Juliette Gordon Low, the girls performed a skit I found online.  Conveniently, the skit had eight parts, and we have eight girls.  For troops with more than eight members, the girls are divided into groups, and parts can be assigned to each group.  Prior to the meeting, I printed out The Juliette Low Interactive Story.  I also wrote the parts on index cards.  The cards were randomly passed out to the girls.  I read the story, and when her character was mentioned, she stepped forward and said her line along with the action written on the card.  It was super cute...and really easy for me!




5:00pm  We served a yogurt snack to the girls to satisfy Step 5 Slurp a Snack (Brownies Snacks Badge) and Step 2 Whip up a Great Breakfast (Juniors Simple Meals Badge).  The Brownies had smoothies made with yogurt, frozen fruit, and orange juice.  The Juniors had a yogurt-granola parfait.  Up to this point, the meeting was running smoothly, and the girls were having a lot of fun together.

5:20pm  Macrame Bracelets.  By learning to macrame, the Brownies would satisfy Step 5 Enjoy Girl Scout Traditions (Girl Scout Way Badge).  At the same time, the Juniors would complete Step 4 Create Jewelry Inspired by Another Culture (Jeweler Badge).  I had purchased packages of parachute cord (4 different colors, 25 yards each) and clips from a craft store.  There were directions for two-toned bracelets next to the supplies, so I grabbed a flyer.  Prior to the meeting, I reviewed the directions and cut 16 lengths of cord, each 2 yards long, as directed.  I cut four of each color, knowing we could cut additional pieces during the meeting if needed.  When the other leaders arrived, they burned both ends of each cord, again as directed.  

Once the snacks had been cleaned up, we had the girls choose their cord colors and get settled.  As we began to instruct how to start the bracelets, there was some confusion.  Suddenly the directions weren't as clear as I initially thought they were.  After several minutes without success, we referred to a couple different videos on YouTube.  Minutes passed, and I began to panic.  In four years, this had never happened--our meetings and projects generally run rather smoothly.  After 30 minutes of scrambling, we bailed.  The girls were perfectly content playing a game together until their parents arrived.  Of course, I couldn't let this project go.  I continued to fiddle with the bracelet.  A couple minutes later, the directions clicked for me.  I am determined to get the bracelets started for the girls, and we will revisit this project during our Christmas party.  

Through this experience I have learned there may be occasions that require I get together with the other leaders prior to a meeting to make sure we're on the same page.  Next week our girls will begin knitting hats and scarves on a round loom.  We will be prepared this time!  I hope you check back with us.  Thank you for reading!

Team Banner: I Can't Wait to...

While on our first camping overnight last year, our troop worked on the Girl Scout Way badge.  To fulfill one of the badge requirements, the girls made a team banner.  The girls each traced their hand print, cut it out, and decorated it with crayons.  We glued these colorful hand prints to a piece of white poster board.  The team banner has been displayed during many of our meetings.

In early August, I attended a Fall Kick-Off Meeting at our Council Office.  I learned the theme for the Girl Scout membership campaign this year is "I Can't Wait to be a Girl Scout."  I came up with an idea that would not only tie this campaign in with our team banner, but it would serve as a good ice breaker during our first meeting.  At this point, I must provide some context:

Last spring, we asked the girls in our troop to vote on the badges they would like to work on during their second year as Brownies.  We gave the girls a handout to take home to review the badge names and a brief description of the requirements for each badge.  They were asked to mark down the badges that interested them and to indicate their top three favorites with a "1," "2," and "3" in the margin of the paper.  The girls turned in their papers before the end of the school year, giving us (the leaders) a good deal of time to prepare for this school year.  Please note that these girls have been together in the same troop for the past three years.  When a new girl joins the troop, we provide many opportunities for her to voice her opinions and vote when our troop needs to make decisions throughout the year.

To begin the first meeting of this school year, we had the girls read a list of all the badges, service projects, and events they had voted upon last spring.  Each girl was given a small slip of paper that read "I can't wait to..." across the top.  They were instructed to write something they are excited to do this year.  It had to be related to Girl Scouts, but they were allowed to write down an idea that was not listed on the paper.  We glued the papers to the hand prints. We are pleased with the result.  (Please excuse the white spots on the photo.  I wanted to respect the privacy of those in our troop). 

Whether or not your girls are Brownies working on the Girl Scout Way badge, making a team banner can be a great way to get your troop working together right from the start.  Maybe you have the girls share what they can't wait to do this year as a Girl Scout?  Maybe you choose a different question to break the ice?  The team banner can serve as a visual reminder that the girls don't have to be best friends outside of troop activities, but they are Girl Scout sisters.  They must respect and encourage each other.  They are there to support each other when and if someone needs a helping hand.   Thank you for reading!

Sit-upons

Merriam-Webster defines a SIT-UPON as "a square of waterproof cloth carried by hikers and campers for sitting on wet ground."  I remember making a sit-upon as a young girl with my Brownie troop.  As a troop leader, I knew our troop would enjoy making sit-upons during our overnight camping trip this past fall.  I searched "sit-upon" online and discovered many different examples of how to make this traditional Girl Scout cushion. 

I bought two vinyl tablecloths for $2 each at Walmart that measured 60"x120".  The girls were allowed to vote for their favorite tablecloth.  I explained it would be used for a craft at a future meeting.  The decision was unanimous.  They loved the watermelons!  I later used fabric scissors to cut the tablecloth at 15" increments along the 120" side which gave me 8 rectangles measuring 15"x60".  I then cut these rectangles in half on the 60" side to get smaller rectangles that measured 15"x30".  

I folded the 15"x30" rectangle in half to make a 15"x15" square.  I punched holes about 1" apart and about 1" from the edge, using a standard handheld 1-hole punch.  This was very time-consuming and tiring, so I worked on one sit-upon per night over the course of a couple weeks.  I researched different padding options for the cushion.  I considered recycling and reusing carpet remnants, plastic grocery bags, newspaper, and bubble wrap.  We ended up using pieces of thick, high-density foam one of our parents saw in a recycling bin at work and was able to donate to our troop.

I originally planned to have the girls use yarn and a plastic needle to sew the three open sides of the tablecloth together.  Days before our camping trip, I was at a Service Unit Leader Meeting, talking with another leader about the sit-upons.  She described a Duct Tape Sit-Upon she had come across on the Internet.  After some consideration, I scrapped my original plan and adopted this alternative idea.  I used a 40% off coupon at Michael's and paid only $2.65 for a roll of red Duct Tape to match our watermelon tablecloth.

We finished the sit-upons by spreading the tablecloth rectangles out on a picnic table.  The girls placed the precut 12"x12" foam square on the nearest end of the rectangle before folding the far end over the foam to cover it.  We helped them tape the edges of the tablecloth together.  The girls finished the sit-upon by adding a handle.  They folded one long piece of duct tape in half lengthwise and secured the handle to the cusion with smaller pieces of duct tape.  The girls used the sit-upons when they sat at the picnic tables for meals and to do crafts.  They also took them to sit on by the campfire later that night.  Super cheap...super useful...super fun!

Thank you for reading!

Pill bottle First Aid Kit

Last weekend our Brownie troop went on their first overnight camping trip.  We had a fantastic time together, though I feel like I am still trying to catch up on my sleep!  To earn a Brownie badge, girls must complete five steps.  They have a choice of three tasks for each step.  Details for each badge can be found in The Brownie Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting and in the three additional Badge Activity Sets.  During our overnight camping trip, our troop earned the Hiker badge.  They also completed some of the steps for the Senses badge, Snack badge, Girl Scout Way badge, and First Aid badge.

One required step for the First Aid badge involves making a first aid kit.  The Co-leader of our troop was a Girl Scout when she was younger.  She remembered making a pill bottle first aid kit.  I had also come across this pill bottle first aid kit while I was bumping around Pinterest.  It seemed like a perfect project for our camping trip.

I stopped by the pharmacy at our local Sam's Club to ask if they would donate pop-top pill bottles for our troop project.  I was hoping to reuse some empty pill bottles I had collected, but the child-proof lid would obviously have been too difficult for the girls to get on and off quickly.  The pharmacist happily donated the pill bottles.  He also gave us some literature that included a Child ID kit with a place for a photo and fingerprints.  I thought that was quite generous of him.  

I left the store and headed out to collect the rest of the supplies we would need.  Here is a list of what we included in our pill bottle first aid kits:
     whistle
     bandaid
     alcohol pad
     hand sanitizing wipe
     safety pin
     peppermint
     cotton ball

We only have six girls in our troop, so we did not need great quantities of the supplies.  Most of the items I already had on hand.  I would like to thank my mom for the alcohol pads, and Kristie (one of the moms in our troop) for the hand sanitizing wipes.  I did have to purchase the whistles which were found at Party City ($2.99 for 12).  My husband offered to drill a small hole in the middle of each pill bottle lid.  The whistle string was fed through the hole, allowing the pill bottle first aid kit to be worn as a necklace.  We discussed what should go into a first aid kit and why the items might need to be included.  We let the girls decorate the outside of the pill bottles with Brownie stickers purchased from Michaels for under $2 when a 40% off coupon is used.  The girls were really happy with the finished product.

As an afterthought, our Co-leader suggested adding a cough drop to the kit.  I thought that would be a good idea, so I wanted to be sure to mention it here.
Thanks for reading!