I am a leader of ten 10-year-old Girl SCouts. We have an end of the year party coming up in a few weeks. I was hoping to make something for each of the girls but I am hitting a road block in coming up with something personal for each girl. I like sew and can do beading and jewelery making as well. I am looking for suggestions. This is a special day for us as the troop is splitting in two as the girls move on to other schools. It will be the last time I will be a leader to 6 of the girls.
little backpacks: get bright fun material cut into a rectangle sew up the long sides and notch the top and thread a ribbon threw it to sintch it. Ribbon for straps. With fabric paint or beads put designs on each one. They can also attach their swaps on them. The troop leader at my sons school did this with the girls, she had a unique one for each girl and they decorated it.
Last year when my girls bridged from Brownies I made them each a flower pot. I took the pictures from over the years and printed them on paper (took them to Office Max) and then applied them with Decoupage. I added a clear coat and some decorative stones to the rim of the pot. I also gave them a pack of seeds to plant. They loved them, and its a nice keepsake, especially for those who are moving on to the next level/school. When they bridged from Daisy's, I made them each a little photo scrap book.
How about bracelets with a bead that has their name or just initial on it? They have some that are a bit more "grown-up" looking than the typical camp plastic beads. You should be able to make them in 5-10 min each once you get the materials. I like the clasps that are magnetic for bracelets because they're much easier to get on yourself.
How about a book "thong" with beads on each end? 10-year-olds read! They make great bookmarks, and you can put beads or charms on each end with knots...a quick make and something the girls can use?
I saw my friends making picture frames for the girls in their troop -- a plain frame (no wood) with "sticker" jewel-flowers on the corners and a picture of the troop in the frame. Very cute, glizty and fun!
When I was in the same situation, I went to Dollar Tree. I purchased a decorative bird house for each girl. While handing them out, I talked about how the troup had been their "home" over the years, but that now they would fly away. We also talked about remembering their home and their "homies!" Fine-point sharpies were passed around, and the girls autographed the bird houses for each other. They really liked the whole thing.
If the bird house idea doesn't work, then autograph books might. They can sign each others as they might for a yearbook. Alternatively, since you are crafty, you could make autograph books, perhaps with a photo of the troup on the cover.
Enjoy!
Dear Fellow Girl Scout Leader!
My daughter is graduating from Daisy's to Brownies this year and as a troop we have thought of making a "Laundry Bag" of sorts. My mom and I made these as graduation gifts for my friends when I graduated from High School and 22 years later I still use mine...Only I use it for GS lock-ins and sleep overs. I can fit a pillow/sleeping bag and small toiletry kit in it. All you need is a large piece of fabric and cotton cord so you can make a drawstring closure. We stenciled everyone's name on the front along with a cute picture. If you use a large enough piece of fabric, you can fold it in half and then you only have to make one pass with the sewing machine to make the bag and then a quick "hem" to insert the cotton cord/drawstring! This is something the girls can help make (stencils) and can use it to haul their stuff to overnight camps and sleepovers and by using the same pattern of fabric you can give them unity! Mine also has a large pocket on the front that I use to slip in the registration forms we will need at check in for easy access, although my daughter prefers to slip her favorite overnight friend into the pocket!
For Daycamp this year we also have thought of taking some cheap rain ponchos and letting each girl decorate them with the bathtub no slip daisy applications.
Hope these ideas help!
L. Isenberg
Service Unit 22, Daisy Troop 151
Staples, MN
i think some decorated flower pots would be cool. put a beautiful flower in each one. you have helped them "grow", too!
I just saw an entire section at Michael's in the scrapbooking aisle for Girl Scouts - could you make them a memory album for their pictures? They had some great stuff!
My daughter's Brownie Leader is stepping down after being their leader for 3 years. She took all her pictures from over the past 3 years and made a video slide show, put to music, and gave each of the girls a copy. It made all the Mom's cry and it's something that my daughter will cherish forever!
