Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis

Equipment, Packets and Helpful Resources

Information on How to Do a Flag Ceremony

Flag Ceremony (PDF)

2007-08 Camp Equipment for Loan/Rent Resources. This resource has all the information needed for camp equipment that is available for loan or rent.

2007-08 Camp Equipment for Loan/Rent Information (PDF)

2007-08 Service Center Equipment for Loan/Rent Resources. This resource has all the information needed for equipment at Brooklyn Center Service Center that is available for loan or rent.

2007-08 Equipment for Loan/Rent Information (PDF)

2007-08 Troop/Juliette Program Resources. This new resource has all the information needed for Program Kits, Patch Programs (including Super Troop), books, games, and equipment.

2007-08 Troop/Juliette Program Resources Booklet (PDF)

2007-08 Brownie Girl Scout Planning Tool. This new resource is a Program Bulletin companion piece to utilize during girl planning.

2007-08 Brownie Girl Scout Planning Tool (English-PDF)

2007-08 Brownie Girl Scout Planning Tool (Spanish)

2007-08 Junior Girl Scout Planning Tool. This new resource is a Program Bulletin companion piece to utilize during girl planning.

2007-08 Junior Girl Scout Planning Tool (English-PDF)

2007-08 Junior Girl Scout Planning Tool (Spanish)

Girl Scout SWAPS
What are they and what are they used for?

SWAPS: "Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned SomeWhere" or "Shared With A Pal"

History of SWAPS
"SWAPS" can trace their roots to POTLATCH, the Native American custom of a ceremonial distribution of gifts. They were introduced to Girl Scouting/Girl Guiding as a way to meet one another. The swaps were traded and a conversation would result from explaining the swap. Many of these "SWAPS" started long friendships that lasted although the two swappers may have lived in different countries. A SWAP is usually, but not always, a small homemade item that represents the person, their community, or their background.

How to learn more
The internet is a great resource for finding SWAPS etiquette, history and examples/directions of how to make SWAPS; simply type "SWAPS" into the search engine. There are many sites but the most recommended is www.makingfriends.com/pro_swaphistory.htm.

Girl Scout Resources
Own Council's Badge!
In collaboration with The Bakken Museum, with whom we have partnered with for the last three years, a new award for Junior Girl Scouts was launched in January 2006.

The "I'm Electric!" badge is an earned-award, meaning it may be worn on the front of the uniform sash/vest. Because it is an Our Own Council's award, it is unique-our council's members are the only ones to earn it!

The award helps girls learn about electricity, in particular electricity in the human body, through fun experiments, career exploration, and hands-on modeling how muscles, nerve cells, and neurons work. The activities are easy for leaders to facilitate, and require a few supplies that can be found at home, in local stores, and through the Girl Scout Store.

The award requirements were distributed to Junior Girl Scout troops/groups by Service Unit Resource Coordinators at January Leader Meetings. Girls can either earn the award with their troop/group or individually, or they can attend one of the "I'm Electric! Badge Day" council event sessions and earn the award in an event setting. More information about these sessions can be found on the Program Bulletin.

Own Council's Try-It!
Also in collaboration with The Bakken Museum, a new award for Brownie Girl Scouts was launched.

The "Electricity Party" Try-It is also an earned-award unique to our council, with easy-to-lead activities and few supply requirements.

The award helps girls learn about electricity in fun and hands-on ways, like experimenting with static, batteries, and magnets. Girls can either earn the award with their troop/group or individually, or they can attend the Electricity Party Try-It Day council events and earn the award in an event setting.

Girl Scout/Bakken Museum Programming
Girl Scouts has been collaborating for more than two years with The Bakken Museum to offer programming to educate and excite girls about science.

Choose from hands-on evening workshops, specially-themed Saturday events, and more! There are opportunities for individual girls, families, and troops/groups, so that everyone can learn and have fun!

And, the evening workshops and Saturday events help girls earn requirements towards Girl Scout awards! For a list of Program Links for the Family Science Saturdays, click on the quarter or month and year you attended/plan to attend:

September 2007 - May 2008

2008 GIRL SCOUT PATCH AT THE ZOO!
Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scouts can earn an exclusive patch from the Minnesota Zoo. Simply drop by Guest Services and request an activity packet. Patches are $2.00 each. For complete details visit www.mnzoo.org.

High On Life
Attention Junior Girl Scout Troop/Group Leaders!

Did you know?

50% of 9th grade girls living in our Council jurisdiction have had alcoholic beverages to drink within the last 12 months.
One in five 8th grade girls who sniffs inhalants does so at least once per week.
The percentage of 8th grade girls in the U.S. who use marijuana has tripled in the last decade.

You can help girls get "high on life" instead of high on alcohol, inhalants and marijuana and you should start now, when they are in Junior Girl Scouts.

Girl Scouts have said they want to discuss these topics in a safe, non-school setting. Now our Council has resources to help you do just that!

Professionals from Hazelden Publishing have worked with Girl Scout staff to develop a Leaders' Guide full of fun, easy, hands-on activities you can do with girls to help them earn the "High on Life" Junior Girl Scout badge.

This Leaders' Guide to the High on Life Junior Girl Scout Badge was distributed one per 5th grade troop/group at January 2004 Leader Meetings, and other Junior Girl Scout troops/groups may borrow a copy of the Leaders' Guide through their Service Unit Library or purchase one through the Girl Scout store for only $2.75.

In addition, Hazelden donated two sets of three different prevention videos to help with earning the "High on Life" badge requirements. There are videos on alcohol, inhalants and marijuana. They can be borrowed through the Site & Equipment Registrar at the Brooklyn Center Service Center by e-mail siteregistrar@girlscoutsmpls.org or call (763)535-4602.

Sexual Assault Awareness Education
Attention Adults Working With Girl Scouts Ages 12-17!

Did you know?

6,501 sexual assaults were reported to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in 2001.
On the average, only 10-20% of victims report sexual assault.
One in four girls is sexually assaulted before the age of 18.

You can help girls lower their risk of sexual assault; if girls are taught to be aware of their surroundings, trust their instincts and identify potentially dangerous situations, they can be empowered to be safe.

Girl Scouts have said they want to discuss this topic in a safe, non-school setting. Now our council has resources to help you do just that!

A "Sexual Assault Awareness Education" Patch Program was developed to give girls valuable insight into the issue of sexual assault and violence.

This patch program was distributed one per 12 - 17 year-old Girl Scout troop/group at January 2004 Leader Meetings; Juliette Girl Scouts in this age range received one in the mail. A copy was placed in every Service Unit Library as well. Additional copies may be purchased through the Girl Scout store for only .15 cents; the patch itself is also available for purchase through the store.

In addition, thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, "Your Weapon Within: How To Lower The Risk Of Sexual Assault" videos, books and study guides. Members may borrow these resources through their Service Unit Library as well as through the Site & Equipment Registrar at the Brooklyn Center Service Center e-mail siteregistrar@girlscoutsmpls.org or call 763-535-4602.

Last, but not least, Activity 4 of the patch program involves attending a physical self-defense class. Council Events will be offered in January and April that will help girls achieve this activity. Visit the Online Program Bulletin for more information and to register.

Fit for Each Other Storytelling and Physical Activity Kits.
The Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis now has program kits to help enhance your Fit For Each Other service project. Click here for more information.

Equipment Rental
There is a variety of equipment available for rent from the Brooklyn Center Service Center. Equipment is rented on a first-come, first-served basis. Equipment may be picked up and returned when the Brooklyn Center Service Center office is open. Please check with the equipment registrar regarding the possibility of delivering equipment to store satellite delivery sites for pick-up. Rental period is one week, unless otherwise specified. Items include:

Clothing and Equipment, such as uniforms (current and historical), flags, horseback riding helmets, First Aid kits, and a megaphone.
Program Kits and Games, such as Lemmi Sticks, parachutes and a compass kit.
Books and Other Written Resources, such as Braille resources, the "Issues For Girl Scouts" series, "The 4 World Centres", and "Discovering Art".
You can find a complete listing of equipment for loan in the 2007-08 Troop/Juliette Program Resources Booklet (PDF).

For more information about equipment rental, call the Council Site and Equipment Registrar at (763)535-4602 or e-mail siteregistrar@girlscoutsmpls.org.

There is also equipment available for rent at the three Girl Scout Camps. See pages 72-74, and 105 in the 2007-2008 Council Resource Guide or click here.

Program Support Packets, Patch Programs, Earned Awards and Other Program Resources
The Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis has published "our own Council's" curricula to supplement that of Girl Scouts of the USA. The program support packets, and requirements for patch programs and earned awards, are sold by the Girl Scout Store as are the actual patches/awards (unless otherwise specified).

Curricula includes:

Program Support Packets, such as "Ceremonies For Girl Scouts", Community Service Guides for every program age level, Project Guides for the Girl Scout Gold and Silver Awards, and a World Thinking Day packet.
Patch Programs, such as Breast Cancer Awareness, African Heritage, and Super Troop.
Earned Awards, such as the Creative Writing Badge.

Other Program Resources
There are Girl Scout History resources, including archives, a historical collection, and traveling program visits available for troop and service unit activities.

For more information about our own council's curricula and other program resources, see pages 1-4 and 15 in the 2007-08 Troop/Juliette Program Resources Booklet (PDF).