Summer-themed SWAPs

My troop made very simple summer-themed SWAPs.  It was an unusually hot summer here, so I chose the sun for our SWAPs.  The girls each got to keep one and we've been using them to welcome new girls to our troop.  I bought poster board at the dollar store and used markers and safety pins that we already had, so this project was only about $1.50.

Thanks for reading!

 ~ Vanessa

Animal Habitats Junior Badge

In June, my troop voted on what badges that they would like to work on over the summer.  One of the badges was the Animal Habitats Badge.  One of the Daisies said that she wants to work on a badge at the beach, so I combined it and we worked on this badge at the beach.  We met at a local park and took a trail to the beach.  They watched for signs of wildlife along the trail (insects, birds, other creatures that may live in a forest, etc.).

In the water, we saw lots of jellyfish and a few ducks.  They lifted up a couple of rocks to find crabs hiding from the sun.  In the trees above the beach, we saw crows.  The beach was along the Puget Sound, so I was hoping to see more wildlife.  Someday, I think it would be fun to take a trip to go whale watching.

Where has your troop gone to work on this badge?

Thanks for reading!

 ~ Vanessa

Back to School Teacher and Bus Driver Gifts

This year, the kids and I decided to get their teachers and bus drivers a small gift to start off the new school year.  The teachers each received:  a coffee mug, hand sanitizer, and candy.  Since it was the beginning of the school year and school supplies were on sale, my daughter also picked out markers for her teacher for their classroom supplies.  The bus driver received the same thing as the teachers, except for a water bottle instead of the coffee mug, as I wanted to get something unbreakable for driving.

I really liked the mug pictured on the left, that I picked out for my daughter's teacher.  It was the most "masculine" one, but I was tempted to get it for myself.  My son said that his teacher likes patterns.  I didn't know if he was referring to math or rhyming for school or art choices.  Either way, I chose this.  Plus, he said that she has a similar looking one on her desk, so it was a safe choice.

What do you get for your kids' teachers at the beginning of the year?

Thanks for reading!

 ~ Vanessa

Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony

My troop had their second Bridging Ceremony this summer and it was very successful!  We had a great turn out.  All of the girls that bridged were in attendance, along with their families.  Nearly all of the non-bridging Girl Scouts also attended and received their final awards of the year and their membership star for the year.

We met at a local park and bridged over a wooden bridge by a scenic waterfall at a local park.  For the Daisy that bridged to Brownies, I found a poem online and attached it to a box of brownie mix.  For the two bridging Brownies, I found a cute cover for Junior Mints.  The bridging girls also received a certificate.

My husband made and decorated the Bridging cupcakes.  I think that they turned out great!  He made the design himself.

My daughter even did her first good deed after the Bridging Ceremony!  We had way too many cupcakes leftover.  My two kids went home with upset tummies after being in the hot sun and having junk food and sugar during the ceremony.  So, we donated the rest of the cupcakes to the local fire station.

It was a great first Bridging Ceremony for most of the girls!  I can't wait to see what they choose for the end of the year ceremony this year.  It will be interesting, as we currently have no girls that are due to bridge.

Thanks for reading!

 ~ Vanessa