Congratulations Lilli!

Congratulations to Lilly Beaty on earning her Bronze Award! Lilli has worked for many months to complete the requirements and did so with a wonderful project called "Bears Because We Care."

"I know that the bears will make children feel better and make them feel comforted. I like knowing that I can help children in need." ~ Lilli

 
It all began as an effort for a Church mission trip to Oklahoma after the deadly tornados, and led to assisting the Statesville Police Department. These bears are to be used as officers find children in need of comfort. 

There is also a place at First Presbyterian Church where people can go sew bears to take the Police Department once a month. If you are interested in helping, Lilli can direct you on how to do just that!

Project & Work

I thought you may like to learn a little more about what your girls have been doing in our meeting over the past weeks. You may have seen a couple of Facebook posts where I mention how much they are growing as a team and individuals. Mrs. Mary and I have been working very hard to provide them with the tools they need to be great leaders and thinkers.

Lately we have been working toward facilitating discussions rather than always leading them. We want to see the girls begin to drive their own discussions and to really find their voice. We have been doing exercises and team building skills where they have to work together to come to a consensus. Sometimes they may not always agree, but they are learning to support decisions made as a team. Not only is this a great lesson for Girl Scouts - it is a great lesson for life!

Through the Agent of Change Journey the girls have really learned the Power of ME, the Power of TEAM, and now the Power of COMMUNITY. I've mentioned before that I feel as if this Journey in particular gives a great foundation as we move forward with the three major Girl Scout Awards.

The work involved with Girl Scouts has changed quite a bit. As the girls age and badge/award milestones present themselves - commitment rather than mere attendance is important. Completing these service projects and awards requires hard work and a willingness to take on responsibility.

As we approach the service project with the Pregnancy Resource Center, girls will have to complete their assigned tasks. There will be goals set that will need to be met by the individual and the troop. Each girl will have to pull their weight and put forth the work and effort to earn the badge. We need your help to stress the importance of task completion, and to make sure your scout is doing the work. These are also badges and awards that have to be completed by the girl - we as parents are resources for them. If you have any specific questions please feel free to contact me to discuss. 

These girls are growing into intelligent and thoughtful people.

Earning Badges

As you know we are busy working on our Agent of Change Journey in our meetings. Some of the girls have expressed the desire to work on earning badges on their own. I encourage them to do so and would like for you, the parents, to understand a little more as well. Please take some time to go through this and aquaint yourself with the process. I really need your help supporting your child's efforts.

Our Currrent Journey

The girls are working together on most of the activities with our current Journey, but I am giving them items they are to complete on their own as well before each meeting. In giving them items to complete on their own I am trying to teach them accountability and dedication to the process. Over the last few meetings I have reminded them badges are not awarded simply by showing up - they have to earn them. Please help your daughter remember the at home part of the badge is just as valuable and important to the part we work on together. 

There are three parts to this Journey - The Power of Me, The Power of Team, and the Power of Community. I really like the building blocks! One of the reasons I chose this particular Journey is that I believe it illustrates the importance of working individually as well as with a team. Through this entire process I am really working to empower the girls. We had a fantastic discussion during the past meeting about what happens when someone fails to do their part and how it harms the process if others are counting on them. We talked about trust, and even did a fun trust game where I had to put my trust in them (ask them about leading me through obstacles while blindfolded). Every single part of this Journey reflects how the rest of Girl Scouts will be in the future. There is more work to do, but a bigger payoff! They are beginning to understand they have to put in the time.

Skill Building Badges

With each Journey comes another set of skill-building badges. In addition to the big Journey badge, they can earn 5 additional badges.These separate badge activities build fun and relevant skills they can use on their Leadership Journeys. If we were to accomplish all of these together we would have to meet once a week, or more. I encourage anyone who would like to work on these independently to do so! Please talk to me and let me know if your daughter would like to move forward with one or more of these. I've taken the time to highlight the badges and steps below:

The Digital Photographer

It seems like almost every gadget can take a digital photograph, from phones to laptops to, of course, digital cameras. But do you know how to get the most out of your digital device, and what it takes to capture a winning photo? You will if you earn this badge!

1. Learn about digital cameras from an expert
2. Take tons of photographs!
3. Edit three photos

4. Make a digital photo project
5. Share your photos
When I've earned this badge, I'll know how to use a digital camera to create one-of-a-kind photos.

Staying Fit

You need a fit body and mind to do all your favorite things, from roller skating to writing in your diary to sharing advice with friends. Jump into this badge to figure out what fitness, food, and fun you need to stay strong for life.

1. Start moving!
2. Keep your fit body fueled
3. Know how to stress less
4. Get the truth about health
5. Help your family stay fit

When I've earned this badge, I'll know what I need to get strong and stay that way.

Musician

Just about everyone loves music. And making it is just as fun as listening to it! Whether you're already a musician, or you just want to see what it's like to make sounds on an instrument, there's something for you in this badge.
1. Explore how music is made
2. Travel around the world of music
3. Check out the music in your life

4. Make your own music
5. Perform your music
When I've earned this badge, I'll know how music is made and how to perform music myself.

Entertainment Technology

There's an old saying that all work and no play makes life pretty dull. But if you learn the ins and outs of entertainment technology, you can end up with work that's all about play! Discover the sound waves in a ringtone, the light magic that makes movies, and the topsy-turvy physics of roller coasters.

1. Animate your own artwork
2. Dig into video game development
3. Try the science of amusement park rides
4. Create your own special effects
5. Surf a sound wave
When I've earned this badge, I'll know the science behind the world of entertainment.

Scribe

Words are powerful tools. Great writing can make people feel encouraged, entertained, or excited. It can create fantasy worlds or preserve events from history. And just writing down your feelings actually makes you feel better! In this badge, find out what you can do with words.

1. Start with a poem
2. Create a short story
3. Use words to share who you are
4. Write an article
5. Tell the world what you think
When I've earned this badge. I'll know how to write different kinds of stories -- both true tales and ideas from my imagination.

Legacy Badges

The seven Legacy badges build on 100+ years of Girl Scout history. These badges are: Artist, Athlete, Citizen, Cook, First Aid, Girl Scout Way, and Naturalist. You will hear Girl Scouts say these are the "traditional" badges. There are also financial literacy badges and a GREAT "Make Your Own" badge! All of these steps are found in you daughter's Girl Scout binder. We have already completed the First Aid badge and definately plan to do the Citizen. If your child has an interest in completing one of these badges on her own, please check with me first.

Much of what we do in Juniors is to give the girls opportunities by learning to take charge of their own plans. We partner with them to gain self-confidence to DO!

Guest Leader

Our next meeting (February 11th) is going to be extra special! We will have a guest leader - the awesome Ginnifer Scott.

Mrs. Gin is a seasoned Girl Scout leader who led Troop 647 from Brownies all the way to the Gold Award. You've heard me say many times that I model my leadership style from the best - Gin. The girls are going to have a real treat with Gin. 

As most of you know, Ginnifer is also a talented artist. On February 11th, she is going to continue work on our Agent of Change Journey with a really cool activity. 

After this meeting the girls will have earned the "Power of Me" part of the award. Your daughter has a few fun assignments due as part of the "Power of Me" that will be needed to help them with this awesome arts activity.

Agents of Change

We are getting ready to dig deep into our Leadership Journey - Agent of Change. Completing a Journey is a requirement for the Bronze Award!

I chose this particular Journey because of the content and how amazing it really is. I believe this is my favorite one to date. It is all about POWER! The girls will learn to discover their powerful selves, and if they really engage it will be something you can see. It's about real power - the power of one, the power of team, and the power of community.

Being on a higher level means there is actually more work to do. The work is pretty awesome and gets the girls to look at being a change maker. I got really excited when flipping through the guide and I am looking forward to all the meaningful conversations. Did I say I was excited?!

To go along with what we are doing there is a GREAT opportunity on February 23rd in Greensboro. You may have heard quite a bit of buzz surrounding the movie Girl Rising. It is a film I've been keeping my eye on for a while. The event is $5 for girls and $8 for adults. If you and/or your daughter want to go we need to register by February 7th! Please email me with your interest so I can plan. I've included information about the movie - Please take time to learn more yourself.

 

For more information:
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/World-Thinking-Day-2014--Educate-Girls--Change-the-World--.html?soid=1106908381402&aid=zesPjxhwW8Y

Assignments & Upcoming

I gave the girls the first of their at-home assignments during the last meeting. Ask them what it was and remind them about the importance of it - Hint: The Honor Code. I also told them to refresh their memory on the Girl Scout Promise (I noticed several had forgotten it already).

There is not much for them to do at home to prepare for the next meeting, as I am trying to ease them into working on Scouts at home. They are understanding that we will have action items together, and action items on their own.

We began working on the First Aid badge and enjoyed learning the very important first steps of helping someone in need. During our next meeting Karen Kauffman is coming in to chat about basic first aid, and answer our girls questions on simple issues such as bee stings. During that same meeting we will be putting together portable first aid kits for each girl. These are kits the girls can keep in their book bags, or in the glove box of your vehicle.

We will have a BIG treat when the Iredell County Rescue Squad comes in November to show us one of their rigs! Everyone was excited to hear about that special visit and interested in what life-saving items are in a rescue vehicle.

Welcome To Juniors

We have such exciting things in store for this year. I am personally getting inspired as I look through all the plans and work that we will be covering. Please make sure you take the time to look through the Journey and Awards tab (above) to learn more. Also, the calendar is updated with our meeting schedule and snack moms!

I know I have said this until I am blue in the face, but we have a great deal to accomplish this year. I promise it is going to be fun as well as work. The girls will have more work to do independently, and that is not something we are accustomed to in Troop 2348. It is now important for the girls to begin to take action on their own!

I will be sending home various bits of information. I will make sure to have holes punched so the girls can slide all the info into their binders. If you will please go through their Junior books as you would a school binder you will be able to keep up with requirements.

I would also like to welcome Sophie Keefer to our troop! Sophie is in the 4th grade at ARS. Her mom is Kristen Halsted and they are both fantastic new additions to this group.

Lastly, here is a great overview of Juniors! Just click on the link to see a large version of What Juniors Do.