Make new friends badge

Last night we worked on our Make New Friends badge. The girls were able to invite non scout friends to the meeting. Out of 7 of my scouts we had 4 friends show up. I think that is a great turn out.

We started the meeting with the law and the promise. We did a call and repeat style so the new girls would know what to say.

Then we played a game called "hey me too!" We stood in a circle... Ok my girls didn't want a circle, they wanted a square which turned in to a squishy square and in the end became known as a lemon bar. Idk, but these girls are creative and funny. Anyway, then I girl started and she would say, I love soccer and any girl who liked soccer would say hey me too. It went over really well and they were all giggling. In the end. Even the girl who was a little shy was getting into it.

Next I had purchased a parachute from Michaels, like the one from elementary school. We all grabbed a hold and I would call things about the girls. If I said girls with blue eyes, they would have to go under the chute and come up in a different spot. 

They were having so much funny. I was so happy it was going well. 

We moved into the kitchen and started to make our snack. I needed something quick easy and fun. I tend to really overdo things and run out of time, plus these other girls don't know me, so I definitely wanted something easy. I went with fruit salad. We used strawberries, grapes, bananas and pineapples. 

I had two girls wash the grapes. Two girls peeled and cut the bananas, two girls cut the strawberries. The pineapple was a bit harder because I forgot my corer, but Miss B got out the knife and we sliced it up. All the girls out the fruit in a bowl and we stirred and viola fruit salad.

While they were eating it was interesting to listen to what 3rd grade girls talk about. And I was so happy to see the girls spread out. A girl might have been invited by one girl but for snack she was sitting by another. Everyone was talking and laughing. 

We then cleaned up and had a craft. I got felt book markers from Michaels and stickers and they started to make them. All of a sudden the girls start singing "baby bumble bee". I love to hear girls singing.

We finished the meeting with the squeeze, the brownie song and make new friends. I think this meeting was a total success! This really was on point with what the badge was all about. We made new friends and even if all the girls did not have a friend show up, the new friends were very welcomed into the group and everyone had a good time.

Safety award/brownie first aid

This badge we did the first year but I wanted the girls to earn their safety awards. Good thing my #2 has a mom who is a nurse. Nurse Linda, as the girls called her, agreed to come in and talk to us about camp safety.

I was so happy about that because not only are we doing our troop came at Echo Trail this year but some girls will be camping every month till October! She went over some basic first aid but more importantly poisonous plants.

Now I grew up in the woods. My sister and I made playhouses in the trees. I spent my summers equally outside or in my room. I made it 33 years without getting poison ivy. The first time I got it I was at a festival and it clearly had posted to be aware of the poison ivy. Sat in a field listening to music and the next month was itchy as all heck. I swore I would never do that again.

Next year, I went to the same festival but avoided the ivy field. Still got it! This time it was worse and took a long time to heal.

I am going to the festival again this year, but hopefully my little brownie will be able to point out the plants before I get itchy!

The girls listened intently to her and asked a crazy amount of questions. Then we made small first aid kits for each girl to take to camp.

Making games

I think I got a glimpse of what Juniors will be. We have been working on our games. We divided the girls into two teams. Each team had to come up with a board game, design it and the rules and make it. It took them 3 weeks to do but they had to do it on there own, no help from me. The girls had a blast and it was so nice for me to not have to plan a meeting. First time in 4 years!

It's over!

Cookie season that is! Finally deposit went into the bank this week and our council will take its cut next week. 

What is it about cookies that stresses a leader out? But I am so glad that it is over. I call it a success because we will be able to go to camp and Reptile Land. The girls are so excited.

We have been working on our own board games at the meetings. This is for our making games badge. The girls are split into two groups and they have to make their own game, then play their game and switch with the other group and play their game. They are putting so much into this game. 

Last week we had a visitor to talk to the girls about first aid. Next week we are going to the local junior troop to do our bridging work.