Our Brownie Troop and Daisy Troop 72105 Earn Doll Collector Try-It

At our last Brownie Meeting, we were joined by a half dozen Daisy Scouts from Troop 72105. We started the meeting with one of the Daisy Scouts reading the Girl Scout Promise. Then, each of the girls from both Troops went around the table to read a line from the Girl Scout Law.
The two Troops joined for a combined meeting to meet the requirements for bridging and to also earn the out-of-state Doll Collector Try-It.
The meeting was billed as a Scout & Doll Tea Party. Each Daisy & Brownie Scout brought either a doll or an action figure to the meeting. Many of the girls brought their American Girl dolls.
The girls munched on Daisy Go Round cookies and grapes and drank juice, provided by the Daisy Scouts. Each Scout talked about their doll for about a minute.
Afterwards, the leaders talked to the two Troops about the different type of dolls - antique, collectible, series, etc. Then, one of the moms of the Brownies showed the two Troops dolls she collected as a child, many were from various countries around the world.
Post a Q&A discussion, the girls were listened to one of the Brownie leaders read the story The Surprise Doll.
Also during the meeting, the Brownies showed the daisy Scouts their vests and talked about what pins and patches they have earned. Each Brownies told the Daisy Scouts either their favorite Try-It or participation patch they earned. There was a short Q&A afterwards.
To end the meeting, the Brownies taught the Daisy Scouts the Brownie Smile Song and sang that song and Make New Friends in a Brownie Circle. The Brownies then taught the Daisy Troop the Friendship Squeeze and how to do Girl Scout Out!

Meeting summary - Exploring Nature, Embracing Differences, and Creating Rules

At yesterday's meeting, the Brownies worked on two Try-Its -- "Citizens Near & Far" and "Eco-Explorer."
During snack, Bella talked to the Brownies about attending a Council Movers Try-It workshop before school vacation. She showed the girls her flyer/glider she made and told them about creating and flying a paper helicopter and making a wind sock.
Also during snack, the girls reviewed the Try-It badges. As there are more than 60 possible Try-Its badges Brownies can earn, we asked the girls to identify a Try-It they wished to earn before they bridge from Brownies at the end of third grade. The girls when they made a decision wrote the name of the Try-It they wish to earn individually on a poster sheet. Before the end of the second year, we will provide parents will information on how their daughter can earn that Try-It over the summer by completing four requirements and completing a Try-It worksheet.
After snack, we joined in a Brownie Circle. The girls recited the Promise & Law.
Then, we talked about upcoming events, including a potential fall overnight camping trip outside.
Then, as a group we made Troop 2082 rules. (I'll post the Troop rules on this Web site later this week.) This was one of the requirements of the Citizens Near & Far Try-It.
Post creating rules, leader Pam led the girls in a discussion on getting along with people who are different than us. This was part of the Citizens Near & Far Try-It. In a group, we talked about situations that involve differences. The girls shared experiences in which they were treated unfairly - based on the color of the their skin, wearing glasses, or for no reason at all. We talked about how to react if the situations happens again to them or to a friend.
The girls have now earned 3 of the 4 requirements to complete the Citizens Near & Far Try-It.
*** After the two group activities, we then went outside and began work on the Eco-Explorer Try-It. The girls explorer nature in the area outside of the church. They tried to find both living and non living things in the natural environment. The girls found green leaves with insect holes, identified a ladybug, watched ants, discovered a feather, uncovered a spider web, and more.
Afterwards, the girls joined a Brownie Circle again for the Friendship Squeeze and to play Girl Scout Out.
Each girl was then given a photograph of them at the Girl Scout Museum Field Trip last month and a memo to parents about upcoming events and the possible fall camping overnight. Some girls were awarded a ballet patch for the back of their vest for attending an optional activity earlier this month.
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NOTE: Parents if you have not signed a permission slip for the hike next Monday or the bank field trip please contact a leader. We need these signatures for your daughter to attend. We will post directions to the Framingham hike site later this week, along with information on what we will do in a downpour or thunderstorm.
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FIELD TRIP: Girl Scout Museum in Waltham

Fifteen Brownies from Troop 2082 toured the Girl Scout Museum at Camp Cedar Hill in Waltham this afternoon. (Thanks to Ayushi's and Sagan's mom for driving!)The girls viewed uniforms for all Scout levels dating back to the early 1920s.
They saw a painting of Girl Scout Founder Juliette Gordon Low, who began Girl Scouts in 1912. They learned about Girl Guides all over the world.
The Brownies tried on different scout hats and posed for a Troop photograph.
The girls had the opportunity to check our pins from all over the world and badges through the years.
The field trip today was lead by volunteer Janet Coombs, who showed the girls her Brownie pin when she was about their age. (She told the Troop that when she was Brownie you had to be a third grader.) Brownies used to be first-second-third graders. Starting next year, Brownies will only be second and third graders.
Coombs told the girls that as a Brownie she didn't have uniform options. She had to wear a dress. pants were not allowed in school or at a Troop meeting.
The Girls learned why there was a pocket on the Brownie dress and why the pocket was not straight (Ask your daughter why. Hint: she can sing a song about it.)
The Brownies sang that song at the Museum.
Coombs showed girls a Brownie Beanie (hat). The girls had the opportunity to try on a Beanie.
The Brownies also had the opportunity to see what they would look like in a old-fashioned Brownie and Girl Scout uniform. (See some of the photographs below of them...)
The girls learned about the Cedar Hill site. They learned about Cornelia Warren, who lived on the site in a mansion, which was her summer home. The mansion does not exist anymore. In her will, she left the land to the community and in 1923 it was given to the Girl Scouts.
The Brownies had the opportunity to build a world trefoil using blue and gold felt. They also read about the symbolism in the World Trefoil Pin.
The girls had the opportunity to see pictures and miniatures of the camp site at Cedar Hill.
The Brownies had the opportunity to make a craft and play a memory game, using Brownie and Scout memorabilia.
Afterwards the Troop came together in a Brownie Circle and let Coombs start the Friendship Squeeze after singing Make New Friends. Coombs taught the Troop how to turn the circle inside out and showed us a new way to end our meetings with a Brownie Tunnel.
Girls line up in two rows, holding hands across the space between the rows. The pair at one
end of the “tunnel” walk under the raised arms of the girls. Each pair of girls follows as they become the first in line.
* The Troop had a fun time and we actually stayed longer than our hour.
Below are a few photos from the field trip outing:

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Meeting Summary: Penny Power and Learning About Money

At Monday's meeting, the Brownies began work on the Penny Power Try-It badge.
Before starting work on the badge, the new girls who joined the Troop, this year, were presented with their World Trefoil Pin.
Presented with the pin were: Ayushi, Alyssa, Erin, Tovah, Sagan, & Sasha.
Ask your daughter to tell you some of the symbolism behind the pin.
(Hint: ask her about the sun, sky & stars)
As the Troop began working on the Penny Power Try-It, we talked about money.
What does money look like?
Why there are different designs for coins and bills?
We talked about counterfeit money.
We discussed who is pictured on money.
Then, we had a discussion about earning money. We talked about our cookie sale.
As a Troop of 16 Brownies, the girls sold about 700 boxes.
At the two cookie booth sales, they sold about another 600 boxes of cookies.
We did a little math too. The girls figured out at $4 a box how much money was collected. Then, they tried to figure out how much money the Troop earned, if the Troop keeps 60 cents for each box sold.
After a discussion of cookie sales in the Brownie Circle, we then began some fun money/finance activities as part of the Try-It requirements.
The Brownies played a game similar to one found on the game show The Price is Right.
Two objects were placed in front of them and the Brownies guessed which item was more expensive.
(Surprisingly, a majority of the Troop thought a Magic Treehouse paperback book cost more than a hardcover book.) We explained that typically hard cover books cost more money.
The Brownies did better when it came to a battle between Barbie and a Webkinz (Barbie costs less.)
The Brownies also thought that a can of Progresso Soup cost more than a box of cereal.
Afterwards, groups of 3 0r 4 girls were shown an object (Game of Clue Jr., a Gymboree top, a pair of kids shoes, a video game cartridge, etc..) and had to try to guess what it cost.
The girls will finish work on the Penny Power Try-It at the next meeting.
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In the final Brownie Circle of the meeting, we reminded the girls of the importance of wearing their vest and Brownie uniform to Thursday's field trip to the Girl Scout Museum and about an optional activity -- Alice in Wonderland ballet and post-performance tea party.
Then the girls did the Friendship Squeeze and Girl Scout Out.

Girl Scout Museum Car Pool Details

Just a reminder about the field trip to the GS Museum in Waltham tomorrow.
We will be meeting in St. Andrew's parking lot at 1:30 and drive in 5 cars.
The tour runs from 2:30-3:30 so we plan to be back to the parking lot around 4:30.
Below is the list of cars:

Pam O'Callaghan
Kelly Sydney
Emily S. Talia
Becky
Kate

Susan Petroni
Bella
Madison
Erin

Shawn Granoff
Sarah
Jessica
Tovah
Hannah

Preeti Shirke
Ayushi
Alyssa
Sasha

Claire Oliphant
Sagan
Emily D.


Please bring a booster seat, if you feel your daughter needs one.
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FIELD TRIP UPDATE: Girl Scout Museum on March 26

Just want to remind everyone that in additon to our regular meeting on Monday 3/23, we are going on a field trip the Girl Scout Museum in Waltham on Thursday March 26th.
***We will be organizing car pools and meeting in the church parking lot at 1:30.
***The tour runs from 2:30-3:30, so we should be back by 4:30.
***We need at least one other chaperone that can fit 4 girls in her car or 2 chaperones to fit 2 each.
***Can all of you respond to me ASAP to confirm your daughter's attending, so we know how many spaces in cars to arrange.
Thanks so much!
-Pam

Oct. 15: Brownie Meeting & Ceremony

Just a reminder that we have a Brownie Meeting tomorrow ( 3:45-5:15 in the basement of St. Andrews).

Please have the girls wear their vest with patches and pins on it. (Shawn will be bringing newly ordered vests for Rebecca and Madison). If you need any help give me a call 508-877-3436.

Also, have the girls wear their "uniform" brown pants, skirt, skort with an off white or cream top if you have gotten one already. If not, don't stress out. (Also, Susan Petroni has size 5 velour brown pants, that Bella has outgrown, that she will bring tomorrow if anyone needs them.)

For girls that were Daisys last year, put your daisy pin and world trefoil pin (blue one) on the vest as well.

At the beginning of the meeting, we will be having a small investiture ceremony - where the girls receive their brownie pins. We welcome parents who are able to stay and watch the ceremony. If you can't be there, please know that we will take a picture of each girl.

Also, at drop off we need parents of anyone attending the math and computer workshop next weekend or rollerskating outing to sign a permission card. If you are carpooling with someone else, we can make other arrangements to sign the cards.

Lastly, since the church building is locked until we arrive and leaders need some time to get the room set up, we ask that girls don't come into the building until 3:40. If we have time to get settled, we can better greet the girls and tend to any questions all of you may have.
Thanks for your understanding.

We are excited for a fun year with the troop!
See you tomorrow

-Pam, Shawn and Susan

Make New Friends -- Brownie Song

Make new friends,
but keep the old.
One is silver,
the other is gold.

A circle is round,
it has no end.
That's how long,
I will be your friend.

BROWNIE SMILE SONG

I’ve got something in my pocket, it belongs across my face,
I keep it very close at hand, in a most convenient place.
I’m sure you couldn’t guess it, if you guessed a long, long while
So, I’ll take it out and put it on, it’s a great big brownie smile!

Brownie Uniform

Please wash the vest before you iron on the patches.
1) Put top of Flag patch about 1 ¼ to 1 ½ away from the shoulder seam.
2) The Girl Scouts USA ½ patch should go ½ inch from the bottom of the flag patch.
3) Place the second ½ of Eastern Massachusetts patch touching the bottom of the Girl Scouts USA patch.
4) Number Patches: Place the 0 and the 8 first. About ½ inch from the “Eastern Massachusetts” patch.
The number patch edges should touch each other (no space in between numbers). Suggestion – line up the where the 0 & 8 patches touch and eyeball to the middle of the patch “Eastern Massachusetts”. Don’t forget to place the two 2’s.
5) IF you have the Bridging Rainbow patch…. place that 1’ below the numbers.
6) IF you have the Gold star with blue disk, put that under the first #2.
7) IF you have a Daisy pin, place that to the left of the Rainbow patch, but below the star.
· Non triangle “Try It” patches are put on the back of vest.
· IF you are not a sewer or don’t have an iron, use Patch Attach/Attack found at any craft store.
Any questions please don’t hesitate to email or call me
shawn@granoff.net
(508) 872-8753
Good Luck!

BROWNIE GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Girl Scout sign: Hold the middle three fingers up by putting your pinky and your thumb together.
Girl Scout handshake: Shake hands with your left hand while making the Girl Scout sign with your right hand.
Friendship circle: This stands for an unbroken chain of friendship with Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all around the world. Everyone stands in a circle and places their right arm over her left and holds hands. Everyone makes a silent wish as a friendship squeeze is passed from hand to hand.
Friendship squeeze: After someone shares something in the circle, they squeeze the hand of the person standing next to them and then it gets passed around the circle.
Girl Scout motto: “Be prepared!”.
Girl Scout slogan: “Do a good turn daily!”
Brownie ring: A circle that Brownie Girl Scouts sit in to share ideas.
Brownie Try-It: Recognition earned by Brownie Girl Scouts. Girls have to complete a required number of activities for each Try-It. There is no minimum or maximum number of Try-Its to earn throughout the year. As part of Troop 2082, girls will earn on average 3-5 Try-its per year. Brownies may also earn a Try-It on their own (ask your troop leader for more information.) Try-Its maya lso be earned at special events and Girl Scout Camps.

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.

What is a Brownie?

From Girl Scouts USA: Brownie Girl Scouts work together in groups, earn Brownie Girl Scout Try-Its, and explore their community. Friendship, fun, and age-appropriate activities begin at the Brownie Girl Scout meeting and move out to the community and wider world.
To learn more about Brownies visit, http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/what_is_gs/brownie.asp