I've worked with Girl Scouts for nearly two decades (it really doesn't feel like that long!) and one of the things I loved most about having a Girl Scout troop was our holiday and seasonal activities. The ideas I share in these monthly posts are from a New Leader Booklet that was shared with me when I started leading Girl Scout troops in the early 2000s. Since our council (and as far as I know any other) no longer shares this information, I want to make it accessible on the internet. Enjoy!
Have an Investiture Ceremony. If you find your self putting it off because it's too complicated - it is too complicated! A few pointers and Girl Scout lore:
- Girls shouldn't wear their uniforms until they are invested.
- Girls should attend four meetings before they are invested (or it could be their fourth meeting).
- Pin the pin upside down. When a girl does her first "good turn" then it can be turned right side up.
After the ceremony, the girls could serve refreshments to their families (a good turn!) and invite their siblings to play some Girl Scout games they have learned.
- Decorate pillow cases with fabric markers and let girls autograph each other's pillow case and outline a hand print.
- Get glow-in-the-dark necklaces to play with at bedtime and to serve as nightlights.
- Be sure to let the girls cook their own food!
- Make shadow puppets to play with after dark by using stencils to trace shapes onto heavy construction paper and tape onto Popsicle sticks.
Make cranberry relish with an old fashioned food grinder and the recipe on the back of a package of whole cranberries. Put in small jar (originally we used baby food jars, but now I shop for food safe small jars at the craft store) and perhaps decorate with a ribbon and circle of fall print fabric to five as gifts to families for Thanksgiving dinner.
Visit an elder-care, or a convalescent or children's hospital. Or. deliver groceries to someone in need.
Have a kidnap breakfast. Arrange ahead of time to have the families keep the girls in bed or at least in their pajamas, but don't tell the girls! You arrive (in your pajamas) at the homes of the girls and wake them up. As you have picked up more girls, bring the crowd with you into the bedrooms. Go to a restaurant, a Scout House, or someone's home for breakfast. They'll never forget this one!
Make tree decorations for the birds. String fruit loops or cheerios, cut up fruit, and popcorn or make ornaments by spreading old break with lard and cutting it with cookie cutters. Tint the lard with a bit of food coloring if you wish. You could also make suet bags with squares cut from plastic onion bags tied with yarn. Mix a spoonful of suet with birdseed and place in the center of the square before you tie it up.
Make a troop quilt. Have each girl decorate a square with fabric pens and hopefully participate in sewing the squares together. Remember to leave a few squares empty for future troop members.
Learn about Kaper Charts and use them at your meetings.
Find out about boats and ships (especially the Mayflower). Sing a few sea chanteys.
Bring a pet to visit an elder care home or plant some bulbs at a park or other public place or at a convalescent home.
Learn how to make baskets or do weaving.
To the best of my knowledge, this booklet originated in the San Francisco area (the original specified places in that area along with including a San Fran phone number.) The ideas I have shared are not my own, though I have modified a few to include more updated information.
