Brownie Quest. Sample Meetings

Transcription

1 Brownie Quest Sample Meetings

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3 What is a Girl Scout Journey? A Journey represents the experiences Girl Scouts engage in to achieve the leadership outcomes. Journeys are one packaged approach to engaging girls and volunteers. The journeys allow the girls to be the planners, implementers and evaluators of their Girl Scout experience. The leadership keys, Discover, Connect, and Take Action are central themes in the Journeys where the Girl Scout Leadership Experience comes to life for girls and adults. The three main program processes from the Girl Scout Leadership Experience are incorporated in all of the grade level journeys. These processes are: o Girl-Led - girls play an active part in figuring out the what, where, when, how, and why of their activities. o Learning by Doing (experiential learning) - girls participate in hands-on learning that engages girls in cycles of action and reflection that result in deeper understanding of concepts and mastery of practical skills. o Cooperative Learning - girls work together toward shared goals in an atmosphere of respect and collaboration that encourages the sharing of skills, knowledge, and learning. These sample sessions outline these key program processes and illustrates how to include them in your meetings. Journey Awards In a Girl Scout Journey, awards link experiences, discussions, and ideas that girls explore together. As girls progress through the levels (from Girl Scout Daisy to Girl Scout Ambassador) their awards signify attaining new and higher levels of knowledge and skills, and ultimately a deeper understanding of what it means to be a leader who makes a difference in the world. All the steps girls take toward earning awards are built right into the Journey. Adult guides for each level provide tips for coaching girls along the way. Girl Scout Daisies and Girl Scout Brownies track progress together. From Girl Scout Juniors all the way up, girls track their own progress. Another important tradition that helps girls remember what awards stand for is the ceremony. Journeys offer girls ideas about meaningful ways to celebrate earning awards so that girls always know why these accomplishments matter.

4 Sample Brownie Quest Meetings This packet includes three sessions of the Brownie Quest Journey, offering your troop a place to get started. These samples offer you a taste of the Brownie Quest resource. In order to see the complete sessions and many other helpful tips, check out the Journey book for yourself! This 3-Session Sample Journey packet includes each of the program processes. The three sample meetings are based on two sample meetings in the guide, so that leaves five full unplanned sessions for you to use. If you want to continue this Journey with your girls you can purchase the full adult guide and girl books from a Girl Scout store near you. In the Adult Guide for the Brownie Quest, you can read more about the processes, Girl Scout Traditions, how to work with girls with disabilities, and more! A few things to remember as you begin your Journey: Adjust the timeframes to fit your troop. These are listed as a guideline, not a rule. As you work together with your girls, your girls will spend more time on some activities than others. Your troop can add snack times, ceremony time, outside time, or other ways to break up sessions. The girls will have many ideas. When you involve them in planning, they become more interested in the group activities. Girl Scout Program Resources How to Guide Girl Scout Brownies on Brownie Quest Brownie Quest Girl Book The Girl s Guide to Girl Scouting, new for Resources to Use with these Sample Meetings Resources Available from Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Girl Scout FUNdamentals Leadership Essentials for Girl Scout Brownies Your regional Girl Scout Center s library Program Opportunities for Girls and Adults Guide, which contains -Workshops -Patch Programs -Camp opportunities Volunteer Resource Guide Songs and Games Workshops Activity websites for games, such as: Human Resources Service Unit Meetings Program Consultants Program Services Specialists

5 Working With Girl Scout Brownies Some Characteristics of Girl Scout Brownies EMOTIONAL SOCIAL PHYSICAL INTELLECTUAL Girl Scout Brownies can be inconsistent in behavior and moody. They need a lot of praise and encouragement and may react negatively to direction. They are very interested in the difference between good and bad and do not like to try new things alone. Girl Scout Brownies like to work in groups, and they like to help others. They are concerned about being accepted by others and often have a vivid imagination. Girl Scout Brownies enjoy playing in groups and may begin to show independence from family. Girls of this age want to have a lot of friends, however may have a best friend. You will see your Girl Scout Brownies begin telephoning friends and notice that they will begin to see both sides of an issue. Girl Scout Brownies are very active and are eager to learn and become independent. They can work or play in one place without fidgeting and are able to do activities involving fine motor skills. Girl Scout Brownies have good hand-eye coordination. Girl Scout Brownies may begin to show the signs of puberty (and may be quite self-conscious about it). Girl Scout Brownies are beginning to develop verbal skills and writing skills. Many girls are beginning to read at proficient levels and are interested in make-believe and fantasy stories. Their attention span is no more than 30 minutes for an activity and generally, they will need some action within that activity.

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7 Brownie Quest - Girl Scout Brownies Sample Meeting Outline #1 Goal: Girl Scout Brownies discover and give voice to their special qualities and appreciate their sister Brownies. Then they find the values of the Girl Scout Law and prepare to share them with their family. Supplies: Nametags Markers Ball Pieces of the Girl Scout Law cut into slips My Family Star Worksheets Family Postcards Large Paper for creating rules 1. Welcome and Group Organization (15 Minutes) Take attendance. Sit in a circle. Pass out sticky nametags and let the girls write their names. Teach the quiet sign: When a leader raises his/her right hand high, girls do the same. This is the signal for silence. When a leader has their hand up everyone should close their mouth and raise their hand. The room should become quiet. Review the Girl Scout Promise. The Girl Scout sign is made when you say the Girl Scout Promise. Hold the three middle fingers of your right hand up, and bring the pinky finger and thumb together. 2. Main Activities (60 Minutes) A. Ball Toss: Discovering Our Special Talents and Qualities (15 minutes) - (pages in How to Guide Girl Scout Brownies on Brownie Quest) This activity is designed for girls to discover and name some of their special talents or qualities, and then discover and appreciate what other girls bring to the Brownie Circle. Say something like, Today are going to begin our BROWNIE QUEST! We are going to form a Girl Scout Brownie Circle. When we join this Circle, we are making connections with millions of girls all over the world standing in Girl Scout Brownie Circles just like this one. Imagine 500,000 girls doing this same thing - you are part of this amazing sisterhood. The first step is to discover all the skills, talents, and qualities each of us brings on our Quest. As we toss around the ball, say your name and one special skill, talent, or quality that you bring to our Brownie Circle. How to play: As the girls toss around the ball, encourage them to introduce themselves and to describe their qualities and talents. If they get stuck, prompt them with like, In school, I think it is important to At home I take care of. by. I really like to. I am really good at. etc.

8 After everyone has had a turn, take some time to process the activity with the girls (program process: experiential learning). Ask some of the following questions. What did you notice during this activity? What did you learn? Was there anything that surprised you? What does this activity mean for you? For the troop? What was the best part of it? What was the worst part of it? Summarize the qualities and talents the girls bring to their Brownie Circle. Consider ending this activity with a friendship squeeze, asking the girls to appreciate the qualities of the girl next to them as they pass along the squeeze. B. Going ELF (35 minutes) - (page 47 of How to Guide Girl Scout Brownies on Brownie Quest) In this activity, the girls will deepen their awareness of the Girl Scout Law by searching for, discovering, and then talking about the Law s values. They will also begin the tradition of ELF (explore, link arms, and fly into action). Begin by saying something like: Now it is time to use those qualities that make us special to discover the first key on our Brownie Quest! There are important clues to our first key hidden all around this room (be sure to use some descriptor: on pink paper, tied with a red ribbon, etc). You need to find the clues and put them together to discover what they mean. Before you start searching, you need to know about an important tradition for Girl Scout Brownies and that s ELF. What do you think that stands for? This is a secret Girl Scout meaning! Explore Link Arms Fly into Action You are going to go EXPLORING, by LINKING ARMS with a partner. Then listen for special FLY INTO ACTION instructions along the way. (You can decide if you want each group to collect the whole law or a couple of pieces). As girls move about, give special Fly into Action instructions like: Skip around with your arms linked as you search Hop around and keep hopping even if you are picking up a clue Remember to stay linked Flap your free arms When all of the clues have been found, ask the girls to unlink and return to the Brownie Circle. Ask girls if they recognize what pieces they have in their hands. Depending on how many girls you have, you can give each girl one to two pieces of the Girl Scout Law and then call them to link arms with the rest of the group by announcing their number. After everyone is in the circle, have the girls read aloud their part of the Girl Scout Law as they are linked. Explain why the Girl Scout Law matters. You might say: Each line of the Girl Scout Law represents a value something we believe is important and that we try to live by. Our values are a part of what makes us special - just like all the talents and qualities you shared today.

9 C. Create Rules (10 minutes) Have girls list some rules, and then come up with consequences if they break the rules. Use paper and markers. Tell the girls to remember the Promise and Law when creating the rules. After the girls have finished making the rules, write them on a large piece of paper, and then have them sign it in agreement. 3. Clean Up and Goodbye (15 Minutes) Have girls help clean up the space. Use this time to explain the next activity (one they can do at home with their family). Send a postcard with each girl, as well as the Making a Family Star worksheet. Gather everyone in a circle, sing the Make New Friends song, and close with the Friendship Squeeze. A Friendship Squeeze begins when you hold hands in a Friendship Circle. One girl starts, with her right hand. She squeezes her neighbor s hand. Then that girl squeezes with her right hand. One-by-one, each girl passes on the squeeze until it travels all around the circle.

10 GIRL SCOUT PROMISE On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. GIRL SCOUT LAW I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

11 Make New Friends Make new friends, but keep the old One is silver and, the other's gold A circle is round, it has no end That's how long, I want to be your friend (Note: You can always repeat the song to make it longer and to help the girls learn it in the beginning.)

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15 Dear Girl Scout Brownie Family, During some of your Girl Scout Brownie s first adventure on the Brownie Quest, she discovered some of the talents and qualities that make her special. Ask her how she described herself to the group. At her next Girl Scout meeting, your Girl Scout Brownie will earn the very first Brownie Quest key! First, she has one important step to take, and she needs your help. Read the important questions on the accompanying activity sheet Making a Family Star to assist your Girl Scout Brownie in writing and talking about a value of the Girl Scout Law that is important to your family. Try to give your Girl Scout Brownie an example of what it means to act on a value described in the Law (such as being honest or courageous. Feel free to get creative with your family star! Thank you! Dear Girl Scout Brownie Family, During some of your Girl Scout Brownie s first adventure on the Brownie Quest, she discovered some of the talents and qualities that make her special. Ask her how she described herself to the group. At her next Girl Scout meeting, your Girl Scout Brownie will earn the very first Brownie Quest key! First, she has one important step to take, and she needs your help. Read the important questions on the accompanying activity sheet Making a Family Star to assist your Girl Scout Brownie in writing and talking about a value of the Girl Scout Law that is important to your family. Try to give your Girl Scout Brownie an example of what it means to act on a value described in the Law (such as being honest or courageous. Feel free to get creative with your family star! Thank you! Dear Girl Scout Brownie Family, During some of your Girl Scout Brownie s first adventure on the Brownie Quest, she discovered some of the talents and qualities that make her special. Ask her how she described herself to the group. At her next Girl Scout meeting, your Girl Scout Brownie will earn the very first Brownie Quest key! First, she has one important step to take, and she needs your help. Read the important questions on the accompanying activity sheet Making a Family Star to assist your Girl Scout Brownie in writing and talking about a value of the Girl Scout Law that is important to your family. Try to give your Girl Scout Brownie an example of what it means to act on a value described in the Law (such as being honest or courageous. Feel free to get creative with your family star! Thank you! Dear Girl Scout Brownie Family, During some of your Girl Scout Brownie s first adventure on the Brownie Quest, she discovered some of the talents and qualities that make her special. Ask her how she described herself to the group. At her next Girl Scout meeting, your Girl Scout Brownie will earn the very first Brownie Quest key! First, she has one important step to take, and she needs your help. Read the important questions on the accompanying activity sheet Making a Family Star to assist your Girl Scout Brownie in writing and talking about a value of the Girl Scout Law that is important to your family. Try to give your Girl Scout Brownie an example of what it means to act on a value described in the Law (such as being honest or courageous. Feel free to get creative with your family star! Thank you!

16 GIRL SCOUT PROMISE On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. GIRL SCOUT LAW I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout. GIRL SCOUT PROMISE On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. GIRL SCOUT LAW I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout. GIRL SCOUT PROMISE On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. GIRL SCOUT LAW I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout. GIRL SCOUT PROMISE On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. GIRL SCOUT LAW I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

17 Brownie Quest Girl Scout Brownies Sample Meeting Outline #2 Goal: Girl Scout Brownies work together to accomplish goals. Girls continue to work towards their DISCOVER key as they begin to understand their strength as a team. Supplies: Nametags Markers Balls (the smaller the ball, the more difficult the game) Hula Hoops (at least 2) Two Star worksheets for the troop star Healthy Recipes to vote on for sample meeting #3 Sheet of Paper with Girl Scout Law 1. Welcome and Group Organization (15 minutes) Take attendance. Form a circle or sit at a table and welcome the girls. Pass out sticky nametags and let the girls write their names. Remind the girls of the quiet sign and go over the rules you created last week. Review the Girl Scout Promise. This is a great time to review the Girl Scout Law. Ask the girls to share about their family stars with questions like: 1. What line or value of the Girl Scout Law did you talk about with your family? 2. What do you do in your family that shows why that value is important? 3. Was it easy to think about what values are important to your family? Why do you think so? 2. Main Activities (55 Minutes) A. Family Star for Girl Scout Troop (20 minutes) This activity will help the girls bring their activity that they did at home about the Girl Scout Law back to the troop and continue to foster cooperative learning. This activity was developed from an idea in How to Guide Girl Scout Brownies on Brownie Quest. Ask the girls to share their favorite line of the Girl Scout Law. As a group, give the girls a chance to lead and pick their favorite lines that describe the whole troop. 1. Leader should cut out both stars and cut on the dotted lines. 2. Connect the stars by putting the slit from Star 2 into the slit on Star Punch a hole at the top of the star where indicated and put a string through the hole. 4. Lay the combined star flat. 5. In the center of the star write: Girl Scout Brownie Troop # is., such as: Girl Scout Brownie Troop is friendly and helpful. (Half of the writing will be on one star and half on the other star). 6. On the corners of the star, the leader writes each girl s name and ways they live the Girl Scout Law. (Jada helps her little sister, Trisha smiles, etc.) 7. Place a small piece of tape down the middle of the star. 8. After you have written on the star, hold one of the stars with one hand and rotate the other star with the other hand creating a 3-D Star.

18 There are ways to alter this activity to make this individual based or do the star on a larger scale. Using the ideas in the guide and your own creativity will make this experience memorable for the girls. Reflect on this activity: We created a star that shows each girl in the troop and the special talents we have. Why did you choose that characteristic? Who else do you know that lives the Girl Scout Law? Tell us about one of your family members and one of their special talents or characteristics and what line of the law might describe them B. Pass the Ball, Please and Loop the Hoop (35 minutes) These activities help the girls build upon their connection from the previous activity and continue to grow as a team. In the next sessions, your group will progress and build upon this connection. Pass the Ball, Please Five or more players try to pass a ball from one end of a line to the other end without using their hands or letting the ball touch the ground. (page 61 of How to Guide Girl Scout Brownies on Brownie Quest, check out more teambuilding games online or at your local library.) To play: 1. Players sit on the floor in a line (or two parallel lines) with their legs straight out 2. The ball is placed between the ankles of the first girl, who, without touching it passes it to the next girl. 3. If the ball touches the ground, the team must begin again. Loop the Hoop Four or more players try to move the hoop from player to player without letting go of each other s hands. To play: 1. Players stand in a circle, holding hands. 2. Hang a hula-hoop over one player. 3. While holding hands, players pass the hula-hoop completely around the circle without letting it touch the ground. Variation: For a large group, use two hoops, starting side by side, but going in different directions. The game ends when the hoops meet. Questions to ask after the games 1. How did you feel about that game? 2. What are some of the things you did to help each other pass the ball or hoop? 3. What was difficult about this game? What was easy? 4. What would you do differently next time? 5. Did you need to trust each other? Why? Was that hard or easy? 6. What makes being on a team together fun? 7. Sometimes teams have trouble. What would make us feel bad about being on a team?

19 3. Clean Up and Closing (15 Minutes) Have girls help clean up the space. Give the girls a chance to choose which healthy recipe they will work together to make during your next session. (You can use the recipes in this packet or choose some of your own. This is a great time to let girls practice leading. With Brownies, this can look like letting them vote or speak on behalf of their option and try to problem solve if there are disagreements. Double check food allergies to make sure all of the options provided would include every girl. Gather everyone in a circle, sing the Make New Friends song, and close with the Friendship Squeeze.

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21 Star 1 Cut

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23 Star 2 Cut

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25 SNACK MIX Prep time: 5 minutes What you need: 1 cup whole grain cereal (squares or Os work best) ¼ cup dried fruit of your choice ¼ cup nuts, such as walnut pieces, slivered almonds, or pistachios ¼ cup small, whole-grain snack crackers or pretzels Equipment and supplies: Large bowl Measuring cups Large spoon What to do: 1. Measure out ingredients. 2. Combine in large bowl. How much does this recipe make? Three to four ½-cup servings FRUIT KEBOBS Prep time: 15 minutes What you need: 1 large red apple, cut into 8 wedges 6 marshmallows 1 small jar of creamy peanut butter 1 large banana, cut into 1-inch slices AWESOME APPLESAUCE Ingredients: 2 small red apples 2 tbsp. lemon juice 2 tsp. sugar 2 pinches of cinnamon Utensils: Knife (you'll need help from your adult assistant) Blender or food processor Measuring spoons Serving bowls Directions: 1. Peel the apples and cut them into small pieces. Throw out the core. 2. Put the apple pieces and lemon juice into the blender or food processor. Blend until the mixture is very smooth. 3. Pour the mixture into two small bowls and stir in the sugar and cinnamon. 4. Enjoy your awesome applesauce! Serves: 2 Supplies: Skewers Butter knife Sharp knife What to do: 1. Carefully push a skewer through the ingredients, starting with a piece of apple, then a marshmallow, then banana, then another marshmallow. 2. Spread a dollop of peanut butter on top of the last marshmallow. 3. Now, skewer a piece of banana and another marshmallow (with more peanut butter) and finish with a piece of apple. 4. Repeat with a second skewer. How much does this recipe make? Two kebobs.

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27 Brownie Quest Girl Scout Brownies Sample Meeting Outline #3 Goal: Girls continue to work towards their DISCOVER KEY by practicing leadership and learning more about using their skills to explore healthy living. Supplies: Nametags 1 jar for each girl Markers Stickers, jewels, other decorative materials. Paper Health Magazines (4-6 magazines gives girls a chance to share materials and practice cooperative learning) Scissors Glue Butcher Paper Ingredients for your recipe 1. Welcome and Group Organization (10 Minutes) Take attendance. Sit in a circle. Pass out sticky nametags and let the girls write their names. Review the quiet sign. Review the Girl Scout Promise. Ask the girls questions about their experience thus far on the Brownie Quest. 1. What have we spent our time on the Brownie Quest doing so far? 2. What different things have you discovered? (Have you discovered your skills and talents? Discovered the talents and skills of others? Discovered the Girl Scout Law? How?) 3. What have you discovered about the group? How did the team work together last time we were together? 4. Today we are going to take the final steps to earn our DISCOVER KEY on the Brownie Quest. We are going to learn more about healthy living and make something to take home to our families to share! 2. Main Activities (60 Min) A. Family Fun Jar (30 minutes) The Brownie Quest is dedicated to helping girls practicing their leadership skills. This activity will give them a chance to lead their families. This activity is in How to Guide Girl Scout Brownies on the Brownie Quest on page It is a family activity that can be adapted to be a troop activity. Ask the girls: What are some of the ways you lead? How many of you have had a chance to be a leader in school? With friends? At home? Did you know that part of leading is showing that you care about others, including your family?

28 In groups, we are going to brainstorm some healthy-living activities that you can do with your family. Split the girls into small groups and have each group brainstorm some healthy living ideas. Let the girls get started by flipping through some health-themed magazines if they need ideas. Instead of writing a list, they can draw a picture or use pictures from the magazine. (This idea is from Brownie Age Level Training.) After they have had a chance to make a list, invite each group to share. Make a group list of these activities on butcher paper so that girls can use these ideas in their Family Fun Jar. After each group has shared their ideas, tell them, Today we are going to make a FAMILY FUN JAR. The point of this jar is to fill it with fun healthy-living actions that you can do with your family. Make a decision as a family as to when you ll use your Family Fun Jar. Give each girl a jar and spread decorating materials around the group. Give them 10 minutes to decorate their jars. After they have made their jar, now they get to put ideas for healthy-living that their family could use in the jar. Each girl can use the Family Fun Jar worksheet to write ideas for healthy living. After they have written them down, they can then cut them out and put them in their Family Fun Jar. B. Healthy Snack (15 minutes) At this point, girls have worked together to discuss some of the aspects of a healthy life. Take this one step further by sharing some information about healthy eating. First, discover what the girls already know about healthy eating: Why is it important to eat healthy foods? What is your favorite healthy snack? How many of you know some healthy snacks you can make at home? Today we are going to make and eat a snack that is both healthy and yummy. Let the girls help prepare the dish, as well as eat it. Explain the importance of eating a wellbalanced diet, the importance of cleanliness when preparing food, and the benefits of eating food that is good for you. After all have eaten the snack together, be sure each girl has a chance to share what she felt about the food. Ask questions that lead them to think about the process of planning and preparing their own food. 3. Clean Up and Closing (10 Minutes) Have girls help clean up the space. Congratulate girls on doing the final activities to earn the Discover Key on the Brownie Quest. Say something like: Each Girl Scout Brownie here has earned the Discover Key because you discovered yourself and your values as a Girl Scout and a member of your family. Repeat after me (read the message written in the star)

29 The Discover Key It s all about me: What I believe And my family Gather everyone in a circle, sing the Make New Friends song, and close with the Friendship Squeeze.

30 Family Fun Jar! Fill in all of the spaces with the healthy living ideas you came up with to share with your family! Take a walk after dinner! Play catch! Try a new healthy snack.

31 Dear Troop Leader, Congratulations! Your Girl Scout Brownie troop has reached its way to the end of the first step in their Journey! The girls have now earned the Discover Key. The Connect, and Take Action Keys await your Girl Scout Brownies! Will you continue this Journey with them? These three sample meetings were based on the first two sample sessions found in How to Guide Girl Scout Brownies on Brownie Quest. There are five more samples sessions in the guide and much more material to serve as a resource for you in this guide. In addition to the Journey Guide, the Girl Book has many pages of stories and activities that your troop can use to stretch their journey. Girl Scout FUNdamentals, Age Level Resources, and more were used to build these lessons. KC:pb/

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