This is a child who loves being a Girl Scout!
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| Maya, 9/14/16 |
Join us on our Girl Scout journey!
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Brownie Girl Scout Way Badge
There are 5 requirements for earning the Legacy "Girl Scout Way" badge for Brownies.
1. Sing everywhere
2. Celebrate Juliette Low's birthday
3. Share sisterhood
4. Leave a place better than you found it
5. Enjoy Girl Scout traditions
Step 1. Sing Everywhere: Make up your own song based on nature.
Maya created her own song and then we recorded her singing it. The words to her song are:
"My Nature Song."
-By Maya
I love nature.
Yes, I do.
Yes, I really do love nature.
I love the trees and flowers.
I love the birds that sing.
I love the bees and butterflies that pollinate the flowers.
Nature is beautiful, outside in the dark and light.
I love the sounds of the bees buzzing
And the birds that sing
And the flutter of wings of the butterflies.
I love to see bees pollinating flowers
And the butterflies flying by, sucking up nectar.
My favorite season is spring so I can plant flowers.
Spring makes me think of all the pretty things in nature.
I love nature.
Yes, I do.
Step 2. Celebrate Juliette Low's birthday: Throw a birthday bash.
Maya decided to help me plan and throw our Service Unit's JGL Birthday Halloween Party. More information about this event can be found here.
Step 3. Share sisterhood: Make a team flag.
Maya and her twin brother created a "family flag". They decided on images that represented each of us (pen and paper for Mommy the writer, a scientific beaker for Daddy the scientist, a turtle for the TMNT obsessed Maya, a rainbow (B's favorite) for her twin, an Elmo for her toddler brother, a bottle of milk for her baby brother, and 3 crosses topped with halos for her three older siblings who died). It was amazing to watch them work.
Step 4. Leave a place better than you found it: A better room or home.
On her own, Maya encouraged her brothers to join her in cleaning up our playroom/homeschool room. They worked with their dad and surprised mom.
Step 5. Enjoy Girl Scout traditions: Follow in a Girl Scout's footsteps.
Maya and I talked as part of our homeschooling about what it was like when I was a scout in the 1980s. We often chat about this when we are completing badges that I worked on when I was a kid. It was a longer conversation that normal, and was neat to hear about her scouting experiences as I remembered my own.
1. Sing everywhere
2. Celebrate Juliette Low's birthday
3. Share sisterhood
4. Leave a place better than you found it
5. Enjoy Girl Scout traditions
Step 1. Sing Everywhere: Make up your own song based on nature.
Maya created her own song and then we recorded her singing it. The words to her song are:
"My Nature Song."
-By Maya
I love nature.
Yes, I do.
Yes, I really do love nature.
I love the trees and flowers.
I love the birds that sing.
I love the bees and butterflies that pollinate the flowers.
Nature is beautiful, outside in the dark and light.
I love the sounds of the bees buzzing
And the birds that sing
And the flutter of wings of the butterflies.
I love to see bees pollinating flowers
And the butterflies flying by, sucking up nectar.
My favorite season is spring so I can plant flowers.
Spring makes me think of all the pretty things in nature.
I love nature.
Yes, I do.
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| Maya writing her song. |
Step 2. Celebrate Juliette Low's birthday: Throw a birthday bash.
Maya decided to help me plan and throw our Service Unit's JGL Birthday Halloween Party. More information about this event can be found here.
Step 3. Share sisterhood: Make a team flag.
Maya and her twin brother created a "family flag". They decided on images that represented each of us (pen and paper for Mommy the writer, a scientific beaker for Daddy the scientist, a turtle for the TMNT obsessed Maya, a rainbow (B's favorite) for her twin, an Elmo for her toddler brother, a bottle of milk for her baby brother, and 3 crosses topped with halos for her three older siblings who died). It was amazing to watch them work.
Step 4. Leave a place better than you found it: A better room or home.
On her own, Maya encouraged her brothers to join her in cleaning up our playroom/homeschool room. They worked with their dad and surprised mom.
Step 5. Enjoy Girl Scout traditions: Follow in a Girl Scout's footsteps.
Maya and I talked as part of our homeschooling about what it was like when I was a scout in the 1980s. We often chat about this when we are completing badges that I worked on when I was a kid. It was a longer conversation that normal, and was neat to hear about her scouting experiences as I remembered my own.
Brownie First Aid Badge
There are 5 requirements for earning the Legacy "First Aid" badge for Brownies.
1.Find out how to get help from 911.
2.Talk to someone who treats injured people.
3.Make a first aid kit.
4.Learn how to treat minor injuries.
5.Know how to prevent and treat outdoor injuries.
Step 1. Find out how to get help from 911.
Maya completed this step in conjunction with her Safety Award. We discussed stranger danger, calling 911, and what to do when lost. (This dose double duty as step 1 of the First Aid badge). We created a safety plan for the Farmer's Market that we attend weekly.
Step 2. Talk to someone who treats injured people.
Maya completed this step while she worked on her Outdoor Adventurer badge. We met with a park ranger at Mauch Chunk Lake in Jim Thorpe, and Maya talked with him about being safe at the lake, what is in the Lake's First Aid Kit, and how to treat common injuries found at the Lake.
Step 3. Make a first aid kit.
We went to a local store after researching things found in a common, basic first aid kit. Maya picked out the items she wanted (bandaids, gauze, tape, Neosporin, alcohol wipes, and hand sanitizer) and then put them in her kit, which she plans to take on all of our Girl Scout adventures.
Step 4. Learn how to treat minor injuries: Get tips from a medical professional.
Maya completed this part of her badge while she had her annual retinology appointment. She met with Dr. G, the surgeon who did her laser eye surgery in infancy, and before the appointment, she spoke with him about proper eye care for children.
Step 5. Know how to prevent and treat outdoor injuries: Take a hike.
Maya completed this step while she worked on her Hiking badge. Prior to our hike in Stony Creek Park, we discussed the common things found while hiking, like poison ivy and poisonous plants that appear edible. Because we were walking through a nature path, we discussed the probability that we would see bees and how to avoid being stung. Maya was able to identify poison ivy several times on our walk.
1.Find out how to get help from 911.
2.Talk to someone who treats injured people.
3.Make a first aid kit.
4.Learn how to treat minor injuries.
5.Know how to prevent and treat outdoor injuries.
Step 1. Find out how to get help from 911.
Maya completed this step in conjunction with her Safety Award. We discussed stranger danger, calling 911, and what to do when lost. (This dose double duty as step 1 of the First Aid badge). We created a safety plan for the Farmer's Market that we attend weekly.
 |
| Maya discussing her safety plan |
Step 2. Talk to someone who treats injured people.
Maya completed this step while she worked on her Outdoor Adventurer badge. We met with a park ranger at Mauch Chunk Lake in Jim Thorpe, and Maya talked with him about being safe at the lake, what is in the Lake's First Aid Kit, and how to treat common injuries found at the Lake.
 |
| Maya talking to the Mauch Chunk Lake Park Ranger |
Step 3. Make a first aid kit.
We went to a local store after researching things found in a common, basic first aid kit. Maya picked out the items she wanted (bandaids, gauze, tape, Neosporin, alcohol wipes, and hand sanitizer) and then put them in her kit, which she plans to take on all of our Girl Scout adventures.
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| Maya and her completed First Aid Kit |
Step 4. Learn how to treat minor injuries: Get tips from a medical professional.
Maya completed this part of her badge while she had her annual retinology appointment. She met with Dr. G, the surgeon who did her laser eye surgery in infancy, and before the appointment, she spoke with him about proper eye care for children.
Step 5. Know how to prevent and treat outdoor injuries: Take a hike.
Maya completed this step while she worked on her Hiking badge. Prior to our hike in Stony Creek Park, we discussed the common things found while hiking, like poison ivy and poisonous plants that appear edible. Because we were walking through a nature path, we discussed the probability that we would see bees and how to avoid being stung. Maya was able to identify poison ivy several times on our walk.
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| Maya spotting poison ivy on our walk |
Brownie Make Your Own Badge: Yoga Elf
Maya is really enjoying her year as a Brownie and decided to create her first "Make Your Own Badge". As a yoga instructor, I was really excited when she decided that she wanted to learn more about yoga! Here is a link to our Yoga Elf badge requirements.
There are 5 steps to complete in the Brownie Make Your Own Badge process. They are:
1. Pick a topic.
2. Learn.
3. Do.
4. Share.
5. Make your own badge.
Part 1. Pick a topic.
Maya often asks to do yoga with me, but other than moving her body, she hasn't really explored yoga. She decided that she would create a "Yoga Elf" badge that explored yoga.
Part 2. Learn.
Maya decided to learn about the following aspects of yoga: how yoga started, what to wear when doing yoga, how to become a yoga teacher, and basic yoga postures. In order to learn these things, she came up with the following options: talk with a yoga instructor, practice yoga at home, read books or websites on yoga, or attend a yoga class. Maya decided that she would do several of these, including practicing yoga at home, researching yoga in books and online, and talking to a yoga instructor. In addition to chatting with me about yoga, she talked with a fellow teacher friend of mine and kept her interview with her badge work.
Part 3. Do.
Maya wanted to learn something that she could do on a regular basis, and we decided that the basic foundation of most yoga classes is the Sun Salutation. She learned a simple version, and decided that, in order to earn the badge, she would practice it 7 times for 7 days. She made a video of doing a Sun Salutation.
Part 4. Share.
Maya came up with the following ways to share her knowledge about yoga. Some possibilities are: teach the sun salutation to other kids, attend a yoga class and participate, or do a presentation about yoga to friends and family. Maya decided to help teach her brothers yoga. She took time out of our daily gym to teach the kids how to do yoga with her (and she did well with it!).
Part 5. Make your own badge.
We played around with the Make Your Own Badge software and Maya came up with a badge that encompassed yoga (a hand that she says represents doing a headstand) and a world (because yoga is practiced all over the world).
When she completed her Yoga Elf, requirements, she added this neat certificate to her badge book!
Beyond the Badge: Maya had so much fun doing this that she signed up for a Brownie yoga workshop through our GS Council.
Did you decide to become a Yoga Elf? Great job!! You can print out the requirements and a certificate for your badge book!
There are 5 steps to complete in the Brownie Make Your Own Badge process. They are:
1. Pick a topic.
2. Learn.
3. Do.
4. Share.
5. Make your own badge.
Part 1. Pick a topic.
Maya often asks to do yoga with me, but other than moving her body, she hasn't really explored yoga. She decided that she would create a "Yoga Elf" badge that explored yoga.
Part 2. Learn.
Maya decided to learn about the following aspects of yoga: how yoga started, what to wear when doing yoga, how to become a yoga teacher, and basic yoga postures. In order to learn these things, she came up with the following options: talk with a yoga instructor, practice yoga at home, read books or websites on yoga, or attend a yoga class. Maya decided that she would do several of these, including practicing yoga at home, researching yoga in books and online, and talking to a yoga instructor. In addition to chatting with me about yoga, she talked with a fellow teacher friend of mine and kept her interview with her badge work.
Part 3. Do.
Maya wanted to learn something that she could do on a regular basis, and we decided that the basic foundation of most yoga classes is the Sun Salutation. She learned a simple version, and decided that, in order to earn the badge, she would practice it 7 times for 7 days. She made a video of doing a Sun Salutation.
Part 4. Share.
Maya came up with the following ways to share her knowledge about yoga. Some possibilities are: teach the sun salutation to other kids, attend a yoga class and participate, or do a presentation about yoga to friends and family. Maya decided to help teach her brothers yoga. She took time out of our daily gym to teach the kids how to do yoga with her (and she did well with it!).
Part 5. Make your own badge.
We played around with the Make Your Own Badge software and Maya came up with a badge that encompassed yoga (a hand that she says represents doing a headstand) and a world (because yoga is practiced all over the world).
Beyond the Badge: Maya had so much fun doing this that she signed up for a Brownie yoga workshop through our GS Council.
Did you decide to become a Yoga Elf? Great job!! You can print out the requirements and a certificate for your badge book!
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Brownie Home Scientist Badge
There are 5 steps to complete in the Brownie "Home Scientist" badge. They are:
1. Be a kitchen chemist.
2. Create static electricity.
3. Dive into density.
4. Make something bubble up.
5. Play with science.
Step 1. Be a kitchen chemist: Make a salad dressing.
Using the suggested recipe (1tsp mustard, 1tbsp vinegar, 1/2c olive oil, salt & pepper), Maya made a salad dressing to top the salad that she made for dinner.
Step 2. Create static electricity: Make salt and pepper dance.
Working with her dad, Maya created static electricity with a balloon and caused salt and pepper to dance around on a sheet of paper. She made a video of the experiment.
Step 3. Dive into density: Lemons VS Limes.
Maya did this experiment first with lemons and limes (she thought they would both sink and was surprised that one sank and one floated) and then did the same with a peach and a plum. She made a video of the experiment.
Step 4. Make something bubble up: Soda Geyser.
We made 3 soda geysers, mixing baking soda with moutwash, apple cider vinegar, and Coca Cola. The mouthwash had no reaction; the ACV showed a big geyser; and the soda was a small geyser. Maya made videos of her experimentation. (video 1, video 2, video 3)
Step 5. Play with science: Giant Bubbles. Maya did an adaptation of this option by creating a "lava lamp" with 1/2 bottle of Coca Cola and 1/2 a bottle of corn oil before dropping an alkaseltzer tablet inside to watch the bubbles create!
Beyond the Badge:
Maya loved this badge and doing science so much that she and her dad continued playing with static electricity. They even made a can move! See it on their video.
1. Be a kitchen chemist.
2. Create static electricity.
3. Dive into density.
4. Make something bubble up.
5. Play with science.
Step 1. Be a kitchen chemist: Make a salad dressing.
Using the suggested recipe (1tsp mustard, 1tbsp vinegar, 1/2c olive oil, salt & pepper), Maya made a salad dressing to top the salad that she made for dinner.
Step 2. Create static electricity: Make salt and pepper dance.
Working with her dad, Maya created static electricity with a balloon and caused salt and pepper to dance around on a sheet of paper. She made a video of the experiment.
Step 3. Dive into density: Lemons VS Limes.
Maya did this experiment first with lemons and limes (she thought they would both sink and was surprised that one sank and one floated) and then did the same with a peach and a plum. She made a video of the experiment.
Step 4. Make something bubble up: Soda Geyser.
We made 3 soda geysers, mixing baking soda with moutwash, apple cider vinegar, and Coca Cola. The mouthwash had no reaction; the ACV showed a big geyser; and the soda was a small geyser. Maya made videos of her experimentation. (video 1, video 2, video 3)
Step 5. Play with science: Giant Bubbles. Maya did an adaptation of this option by creating a "lava lamp" with 1/2 bottle of Coca Cola and 1/2 a bottle of corn oil before dropping an alkaseltzer tablet inside to watch the bubbles create!
Beyond the Badge:
Maya loved this badge and doing science so much that she and her dad continued playing with static electricity. They even made a can move! See it on their video.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Brownie Hiker Badge
There are 5 steps to completed the Brownie "Hiker" badge. They are:
1. Decide where to go.
2. Try out a hiking skill.
3. Pick the right gear.
4. Pack a snack for energy.
5. Go on your hike!
Step 1. Decide where to go: Find a trail.
Because we wanted to work on this badge in between when Dad came home from work and dinner, we opted to choose a close spot with a nature trail: Stony Creek!
Step 2. Try out a hiking skill: Know the trail.
Maya drew the trail and, although her drawing isn't to scale, she worked really hard to include the items at the park, like the pond and the playground.
Step 3. Pick the right gear: Ask an older girl scout/invite an experienced hiker to your meeting.
Maya decided to interview Mom, who as a runner who utilizes the SCP trail often, would know what to bring on our hot, evening walk. We decided that we would need water to stay hydrated, that sneakers were the best shoe choice, that a small backpack to carry our first aid kit, snack, and water would suffice for a half hour hike, that our already made first aid kit would be a good fit for us, and that a reusable water bottle with ice to stay cold was the best water choice.
Step 4. Pack a snack for energy: Make a walking snack.
We made a walking salad that contained carrots, celery, dates, and cucumber slices.
Step 5. Go on your hike: Play I-Spy.
We played I-Spy on our hike finding leaves (red), dog collar (orange), flowers (yellow), leaves and grass (green), wild blueberries (blue), wild berries (purple). We had a great time!
1. Decide where to go.
2. Try out a hiking skill.
3. Pick the right gear.
4. Pack a snack for energy.
5. Go on your hike!
Step 1. Decide where to go: Find a trail.
Because we wanted to work on this badge in between when Dad came home from work and dinner, we opted to choose a close spot with a nature trail: Stony Creek!
Step 2. Try out a hiking skill: Know the trail.
Maya drew the trail and, although her drawing isn't to scale, she worked really hard to include the items at the park, like the pond and the playground.
Step 3. Pick the right gear: Ask an older girl scout/invite an experienced hiker to your meeting.
Maya decided to interview Mom, who as a runner who utilizes the SCP trail often, would know what to bring on our hot, evening walk. We decided that we would need water to stay hydrated, that sneakers were the best shoe choice, that a small backpack to carry our first aid kit, snack, and water would suffice for a half hour hike, that our already made first aid kit would be a good fit for us, and that a reusable water bottle with ice to stay cold was the best water choice.
Step 4. Pack a snack for energy: Make a walking snack.
We made a walking salad that contained carrots, celery, dates, and cucumber slices.
Step 5. Go on your hike: Play I-Spy.
We played I-Spy on our hike finding leaves (red), dog collar (orange), flowers (yellow), leaves and grass (green), wild blueberries (blue), wild berries (purple). We had a great time!
Brownie Outdoor Adventurer Badge
There are 5 requirements for the new Brownie Outdoor Adventurer Badge.
They are:
Step 1. Play outdoors in a new way: Have fun with water.
In honor of my birthday, we decided to visit Mauch Chunk Lake. The kids have never swam in a lake before, so we decided that this was a perfect, warm day to do so. Maya loved the lake, and said it was more fun than the pool!
Step 2. Explore nature: Nature Walk
We visited Stony Creek Park as part of our Hiker badge and completed a nature walk. Maya found a variety of berries, leaves, and pinecones. She loved searching for fallen pine cones and was amazed by seeing the cones on the trees.
Step 3. Buddy up and play outdoor games: Marco Polo
Usually the kids play with water toys in the pool. At the lake, we introduced them to Marco Polo. This was one that they all loved, especially Maya who really loved trying to avoid being captured!
Step 4. Learn a camp skill: Learn to roll a sleeping bag.
Maya has camped out before, but I've always been the one to prep her sleeping bag. It took a while, but she finally can roll it tight enough to fit it into the built on carrying bag!
Step 5. Care for the outdoors: Help an outdoor space you love.
Maya helped weed our flower garden near our shrines to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In addition, she weeded and planted the memorial garden for her Uncle Robert, to celebrate his memory and his upcoming birthday.
(Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures of this one, since my hands were dirty and I didn't have my phone handy.)
They are:
- Play outdoors in a new way
- Explore nature
- Buddy up and play outdoor games
- Learn a camp skill
- Care for the outdoors
Step 1. Play outdoors in a new way: Have fun with water.
In honor of my birthday, we decided to visit Mauch Chunk Lake. The kids have never swam in a lake before, so we decided that this was a perfect, warm day to do so. Maya loved the lake, and said it was more fun than the pool!
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| Maya at Mauch Chunk Lake |
Step 2. Explore nature: Nature Walk
We visited Stony Creek Park as part of our Hiker badge and completed a nature walk. Maya found a variety of berries, leaves, and pinecones. She loved searching for fallen pine cones and was amazed by seeing the cones on the trees.
 |
| Hunting for Pine Cones! |
Step 3. Buddy up and play outdoor games: Marco Polo
Usually the kids play with water toys in the pool. At the lake, we introduced them to Marco Polo. This was one that they all loved, especially Maya who really loved trying to avoid being captured!
 |
| Marco Polo! |
Step 4. Learn a camp skill: Learn to roll a sleeping bag.
Maya has camped out before, but I've always been the one to prep her sleeping bag. It took a while, but she finally can roll it tight enough to fit it into the built on carrying bag!
 |
| Rolling her sleeping bag |
Step 5. Care for the outdoors: Help an outdoor space you love.
Maya helped weed our flower garden near our shrines to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In addition, she weeded and planted the memorial garden for her Uncle Robert, to celebrate his memory and his upcoming birthday.
(Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures of this one, since my hands were dirty and I didn't have my phone handy.)
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