Investiture Ceremony

My troop did their first Investiture Ceremony!  I did a short introduction, then had the girls say the Promise (which most of them have memorized).

To help them do the Law, I assigned them each a couple of lines from the it.  I was a little disappointed that I was the only one who worked with my daughter on her portion of the Law.  Luckily, I am realistic, if not a little pessimistic, and I wrote out the sections of the Law and had the girls read from their script.

I then had the girls turn their pins upside down and I told them that they could turn it back the right way when they have done three good deeds and told the group what they have done.

I then awarded them each with their troop crest.  I had them vote on the meanings at a previous meeting.  They chose the Bluebird, which means "happiness and good fortune."  I had read on one site that it also meant "always singing" or "loves to sing" or something like that.  My girls do love singing and are a pretty happy group, so I think the Bluebird suits them well.

The ceremony was pretty short and simple.  I didn't want to do anything too long and elaborate, as this group is mostly Daisies.

After, we decorated Snickerdoodles and gave them to the staff at the retirement home where we meet as a "thank you" gift.  The staff appreciated their Halloween treat!

Thanks for reading,

 ~ Vanessa

Explaining TAPs

I am the the main leader of a Daisy and Brownie troop.  My co-leader leads the Daisies and I lead the Brownies.  With the exception of my daughter, a second year Daisy, the girls are all brand new to Girl Scouts.  The Brownies are approaching the end of their A World of Girls Journey.  We had sent out Flat Juliettes about two months ago, and had received no response, so we've had to move on with their TAP.

To help explain TAPs, I did an exercise with them to figure out wants versus needs and how they could build on that.  First, we started with humans.

These girls are more interested in animals, though, so we also did the same exercise with animals.

They actually came up with some great ideas that they could use for higher awards (Bronze, Silver, Gold)!  They were especially interested in per grooming.

In talking to each other, they discovered that they have both had snakes.  They decided to make educational snake posters and to make a climbing structure to be donated to Animal Services for snakes in foster care.  I was kind of leaning toward making the poster look more professional and have them tell me their ideas and I'd type it out, so it could be donated to Animal Services.  They vetoed me and said they wanted it to be hand written and drawn.  Oh well, it is their first TAP, and it is supposed to be girl-led.  Hopefully, the climbing structure will turn out well!  I've never really been around snakes.  I've done my research and talked to a snake expert at PetCo, so hopefully, it will be what Animal Services wants.

Animal Services was very surprised when I called them and asked what they could make for snakes!  Most Girl Scouts want to do something for the cute and cuddly animals.

I will post pictures of their completed TAP.

Thanks for reading!

 ~ Vanessa