Brownie Fair Play Badge

There are 5 requirements to earning the Brownie "Fair Play" badge.

1. Follow the rules.
2. Include everyone.
3. Be part of a team
4. Keep score.
5. Have a field day.

Maya completed this badge as part of the GSEP "Fit Fun" program.  She had a great time, and even learned some Zumba moves!

From the description:
Do you like sports and recess? Get creative and work within small groups to create new rules for your favorite games. You’ll discover how much fun changing things up can be! We are going to have a field day full of friends, fitness, and festivities. Playing games is exercise, and exercise is fun!

Brownie Explorer Program and the Brownie Archery Try-It

Maya participated in the Brownie Explorer program run by our Council.  Although no badges were earned, girls could have used the activities (archery, nature hike, nature art) to fulfill other requirements.  Because Maya loves archery, we've decided to complete the requirements of the Girl Scouts of Southern NJ's Brownie Archery Try-It.  (You can find the requirements here and purchase the badge here.)  Maya completed the following steps of the requirements:

 

4. Demonstrate the correct way of pulling an arrow from the target, and picking it up from the ground.

5. Demonstrate the correct stance used for shooting
6. Know the safety zone.
7. Know and follow the archery range whistle commands.

Here is a video of her at SR and SR, and here is today at MH.
She completed most of these at the Courageous Campers program at the Shelly Ridge camp, but then repeated and expanded upon them at the Brownie Explorer program today at Mountain House camp.   Funny enough, she completed the requirements of the Cadette Archery badge.  I have a feeling that will be her first Cadette badge in a few years!

Here are some pics from the program.

Brownie My Family Story Badge

There are five steps to earning the Brownie "My Family Story" badge.

They are:
1. Explore family stories.
2. Know where your family is from.
3. Make a story tree.
4. Find an object that means something to your family.
5. Share your family story.


Step 1. Explore family stories: Read 2 stories staring families.
Maya handled story time for her two younger brothers.  She selected 2 books from the library that she felt talked about families. "Mad and Mommy" and "Lola Reads to Leo", then she read to her brothers during our homeschool time.  Afterwards, she and I discussed the families in the story and how they are similar/different to our family.

Step 2. Know where your family is from: Ask about a family recipe.
For her youngest brother's birthday party, Maya helped to make "Mimi's Party Punch", a punch that her maternal grandmother has been making for family parties since the 1970s (and a recipe she learned from her aunt).  It's something we make for every party.  (I have no pictures because I was too busy getting the party ready).  It's a simple punch, but one that we enjoy because of all the memories.
Mimi's Party Punch
-1 large can of pineapple juice
-1 bottle of 100% juice fruit punch
-1 liter of ginger ale
-1 cup of orange juice
-2 pints of different sorbet (we like lemon and mango) (originally, this was sherbet, but I have a child allergic to food dye, so we use natural sorbet instead)
To keep it cold, I also like to add frozen fruit.
Mix and serve!  It's that easy!


Step 3. Make a story tree: Use the story tree.
Because we have more family than the tree allowed, I copied and pasted over the book tree.  This allowed Maya to make sure her siblings were all included.  While she colored the pictures, she asked me to write down the fun facts that she chose.  Here were her selections:
MAYA- Favorite color is blue
ROBERT- Nickname is Bobby
NICHOLAS- Favorite food was pork chops*
SOPHIA- Favorite food was kielbasa and pierogi*
ALEXANDER-Nickname is Alex*
MICHAEL- Loves to eat superhero cheese
LUCAS- Favorite food is milkies
NEW BABY- Will be born around Mother's Day 2017**
DADDY- Likes "knock knock" jokes
MOMMY- Favorite thing to do is write

Step 4. Find an object that means something to your family: Talk about an object that has been handed down.
Maya learned about a ring that is special to our family.  Her great-grandmother, known as Yaya (Greek yaiyai for Grandmother), gave me a pearl ring before she died that, one day, I'll pass on to Maya.  The ring was made by Maya's great-grandfather's brother, who made jewelry, as a gift for her great-grandfather to give to her great-grandmother.  The filigree was all done by hand  and the large pearl is real.  The ring itself is invaluable, both for the pearl and for the history.  Maya was so excited to be able to put the ring on and talk about Yaya and how the ring came to be mine.

Step 5. Share your family story: Make a family crest.
Maya created a coat of arms using the webpage http://makeyourcoatofarms.com.  It was free and I recommend it for this step of the badge.  She had a lot of fun selecting the color, motto, and values.  She chose "Friendship and Honor" as our family motto, and selected the following 4 values: animal loving, brave, creative, and fair.

Brownie Pets Badge

There are 5 requirements to earning the Brownie "Pets" badge. 

They are:

1. Find out what care different pets need.
2. Keep a pet comfy.
3. Help a pet stay healthy and safe.
4. Make a pet feel loved.
5. Feed a pet.

1. Find out what care different pets need: Play bingo at a pet store.
We went to our local pet store, where Maya chatted with staff (including a former Girl Scout!) and learned about the animals the store had, how to take care of them, what they eat, and what animal would be a good fit for our family.  Maya found out about dogs, hamsters, bunnies, fish, cats, and birds.  (And now, she is desperate to add a dog to our family!)

2. Keep a pet comfy: make a cozy sleeping space for a pet.
Maya read through her pet book and then using our pretend (stuffed animal) dog, she made a doggie bed using towels, blankets, and a box, and then made a chew/play toy out of one of her dad's old shirts.

3. Help a pet stay healthy and safe: all three (adapted).
Maya created a pamphlet on how to keep dogs healthy (choice 1), how dogs get exercise (choice 2), and how to keep dogs looking good (step 3).  She had to go to the library to get information about the options and then, over the course of a week, read about dog care and needs, and worked on her trifold brochure.

4. Make a pet feel loved: Learn about how three different kinds of pets communicate their feelings.
We did a take on this.  Instead of finding out about three different pets, Maya was really interested in learning about PPD in dogs.  The dog she fell in love with at the pet store had postpartum depression.  Maya had heard this phrase before, because I've suffered with PPD, mildly with her younger brother and to a greater extent with her youngest brother, and she wanted to know all about it in dogs.  (This dog had even another check mark because she and I share birthdays.)

So, we came home from the store and researched PPD in dogs and we found out several things.  Like humans, dogs lose interest in food, may sleep excessively, and may not bond with their puppies (which may be a precursor or promote PPD since the puppies may be taken away).  Some dogs may completely ignore their puppies or "overmother" them.  As we read this, Maya was sad; she wanted to bring home Arcadia even more.  But she was happy to hear that there is treatment for PPD in dogs.  (Of course, part of how Maya wants to treat her, is to adopt her!)

5. Feed a pet: Make a pet budget for two pets for a month.
We decided to make a monthly pet budget for a fish and a dog.   Maya was blown away by how expensive it is.  This was her list of needs for the month.

Dog: water, food, dog biscuits, vitamins, one toy per month, shampoo/soap, flea/tick collar
Dog: Water: Free (from the tap at home)
Dog Food: $48 for 30lb bag times 1 bag/month = $48
Dog Biscuits: $8 for 20oz times 1 bag/month = $8
Dog Treats: $6 for 10oz times 2 bags/month = $12
Dog Vitamins:$9 for a bottle times 1 bottle/month = $9
Dog Toy: $8
Dog Soap/Shampoo: $17/ bottle times 1 bottle/month =  $17
Dog Flea/Tick Collar: $40 (but lasts for 8 months so 2 per year $80 divided by 12 months) = $7
Total: $109

Beta Fish: water, food
Beta Fish Water: $4/gal times 4 gal/month = $16
Beta Food: $2/ bottle times 1 bottle/month = $2
Total: $18/month








BEYOND THE BADGE:
We explored animals that are wild but can be domesticated, such as chickens, goats, sheep, ponies, reptiles, and birds at the Elmwood Park Zoo.  The kids talked about different ways that life in the wild would differ from life in a home.

Note:  By far, this was the most difficult badge for us thus far.  We don't have pets and, at this point, don't foresee having any in the near future.  Nor do we have regular access to pets.  This badge required a bit of adaptation and some thinking outside of the box.

Brownie My Great Day Badge

There are 5 requirements for earning the Brownie "My Great Day" badge.  They are:

1. Start your day right.
2. Sort out your stuff.
3.  Make homework a breeze.
4.  Plan ahead.
5.  Help others get organized.

1.  Start your day right: Lay out your clothes, Make your bed.
Maya decided to do both of these activities.  She checked the weather app on her tablet to look at the weather for the next day and, before bed, she laid out an appropriate outfit.  In addition, she made her bed and made it a goal to make her bed every morning when she gets up.  She also helped her brothers make their beds.

2.  Sort out your stuff: Organize your clothes
Every season, I go through the kids closets to box up clothes they can possibly wear next year or to use as hand me downs, to look at what to keep, and to bag up to give away.   Maya and I went through her closet together, making piles to either bag up and give away or to keep in her closet.  We ended up with 2 trash bags worth of giveaways and she went with me to drop the clothes in the Drop Off bin.

3.  Make homework a breeze: Create your own homework space, Make a homework station.
As homeschoolers, we eschew homework.  :)  That being said, Maya has a chair and bookcase in her room where she does her reading and some of her independent tablet work.  She cleaned up that area to make it more functional.  She also organized the reading nook downstairs.  Downstairs, in our homeschool room/playroom, Maya organized the table where she and her brothers work on homeschool assignments.

4.  Plan ahead:  Be a family grocery helper.
One of Maya's weekly activities/chores/errands is to come with me to the Farmer's Market.  She used our standard "needs" list to shop and to make sure that our staples were in stock.  (She also took the opportunity to chow down on some gelato and the stand put her picture in their newsletter.!)

5.  Help others get organized: Help a relative, friend, or neighbor. 
Maya cleaned up and organized our family room and homeschool room/playroom.  She also encouraged her brothers to help her clean up.

Brownie Making Friends Badge

There are 5 requirements to earning the Brownie "Making Friends" badge.  They are:

1. Make friendly introductions.
2. Show friends you care.
3. Share favorite activities.
4.  Learn how to disagree.
5. Practice Friendship.


1. Make friendly introductions: introduce yourself.
Maya went to an indoor playland with her grandmother, where she made new friends.  Although she is shy and has anxiety, Maya often tries to make new friends.  This badge has encouraged her to introduce herself to new people.  Today, she met a group of 3 new kids and was able to talk to them about homeschooling, girl scouts, and playing.

2. Show friends you care: give something special to a friend.
Maya drew a picture of Rainbow Dash from MLP, the favorite pony of her BFF (who is also a Daisy scout).  She addressed an envelope and then hand delivered the picture.

3. Share favorite activities: share a favorite activity with a friend.
Maya invited me to go to her favorite spot downtown (our local Starbucks) for an after dinner coffee.  She even offered to use the Starbucks giftcard that she received for her birthday to pay for our treats, as a thank you for my helping her clean her room.

4.  Learn how to disagree: find kind words.
Maya made a list of phrases that are kind and can be used to compliment or diffuse a situation.
"I'm sorry"
"Great job"
"I forgive you"
"I love you"
"You're really helpful"
"How can I help?"
"You look nice today"
"Do you want to play?"

5.  Practice friendship: Go to a dance or art class, sports game, camp, or other activity.
Maya attended the GSEP event "Courageous Campers".

You can see videos of Maya bouldering here and here.  Videos of her archery can be found here and here.

Brownie My Promise, My Faith Pin (1)

My Promise, My Faith

You can earn this pin each year that you’re a Brownie.  You’ll find that Girl Scouting and your faith have a lot in common!  Complete these 5 steps to earn the pin.
1. Choose one line from the Girl Scout Law.  Find a story, song or poem from your faith with the same ideas.  Talk with your family or friends about what that line of the Law and your choice have in common.

• I will do my best to be… COURAGEOUS AND CARING
• “Glory in the Cross” (the Good Friday words, especially verse 2)
• Let us ever glory in the cross of Christ who redeems us with his blood.  Let us tell the story of the cross of Christ and the power of his saving love. Like a lamb he was slain; he carried our shame, to show us the mercy of God.  Let us ever glory in the cross of Christ and the triumph of God’s great love.
• Let us bring our burdens to the cross of Christ who has known our sorrow and tears.  IN the great compassion of the heart of Christ, God had walked in our hopes and fears.  He was mocked and betrayed, deserted by friends, and banished to die among thieves.  Let us ever glory in the cross of Christ and the triumph of God’s great love.
• Let us kneel in homage at the cross of Christ where we see God’s human face.  We behold the Maker of the sun and stars as he hangs on the throne of grace.  As we share in his pain, his sorrow and shame, our hearts will be tested in fire.  Let us ever glory in the cross of Christ and the triumph of God’s great love.
• Maya can be seen singing verse 2 of the Good Friday words here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o3eji-0g5Q

2. Find a woman in your own or another faith community and ask her how she tries to use that Law in her life.

• Maya emailed her Aunt Eileen, who is the music director at our church.  
• Dear Aunt Eileen  I am earning my My Promise, My Faith pin and am asking for your help.  My favorite part of the Girl Scout Law is I will do my best to be courageous and strong For part 2 of my pin can you tell me how you use that part of the girl scout law in your life and what that means to you as a Catholic.  Thank you. Love, Maya

• (The Response)  Dear Maya,  I am very proud of you for working to earn this pin. Thank you for asking me about being courageous and strong. I believe that as a Catholic and lover of Jesus I need to always try to do what is right in God's eyes. This takes courage because it might be more fun to do what I want sometimes! But then I think about how much God loves me and blesses me, and then I can't say No to Him. He gives me the strength to do His work through me.  Love, Aunt Eileen

3. Gather at least 3 inspirational quotes by women that fit that line of the Girl Scout Law and put them where you can see them every day.

• Maya selected 12 quotes from different female saints.
• “If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!”  -St. Catherine of Sienna
• “We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear the greatest trials.”  -St. Teresa of Avila
• “Love God, serve God; everything is in that.” -St. Clare of Assisi
• “Whatever God gives and permits…he gives and permits it for our good.”   -St. Catherine of Siena 
• “If you suffer with Him, you will reign with Him.”  –St Clare of Assisi
• “I am not afraid.  I was born to do this.”  –St. Joan of Arc
• “Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring”  –St Catherine of Siena
• “Jesus…my strength, fortify me.” -St. Faustina
• “Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.”  -St. Rose of Lima
  “I am the handmaid of the Lord.  Let it be done to me according to thy word.” -Blessed Virgin Mary 
• “The source of justice is not vengeance but charity.”  -Saint Bridget of Sweden
• “I know well that the greater and more beautiful the work is, the more terrible will be the storms that rage against it.”  -St. Faustina
• “Do not allow yourselves to be disheartened by any failure as long as you have done your best.”  – St. Teresa of Calcutta

4. Make something to remind you of what you’ve learned.

• Maya made a craft out of the quotes from #3.  We colored one side of popsicle sticks, then taped a quote to the other side.  Maya decorated a small jar with Brownie stickers and now the jar of inspiration to be courageous and strong sits next to her bed for prayer time.

  

 

5. Keep the connection strong.  Talk with your friends and family about what you’ve learned about your faith and Girl Scouting.  Show them what you’ve made!