Sleep Over at the Museum

The girls went to a Girl Scout Sleepover at the Museum of Nature & History in Fair Park.  The Museum is the result of the 2006 mergers of the Dallas Museum of Natural History (established in 1936), The Science Place (1946) and the Dallas Children's Museum (1995).  They earned this as part of making their Girl Scout Cookie Quota.  (Parents also pitched in some..)

The museum just happens to be having a Dinosaur exhibit, so what a great time to also get some requirements knocked out for the Dinosaur Try It!

If you are interested in doing this try it, please note there are TWO.  The link for the requirements here for the Chicago & Northwest Indiana version, and here for the Colorado version.  There is also a Dinosaur Explore it Patch, requirements here.

The girls had a chance to check out dinosaur footprint sizes, make a fossil, dig for "fossils", and visit life-sized dinosaurs.  Then they slept at the museum!

Fire Department Visit and Safety Sense Try It

This past week the troop worked on their Safety Sense Try It at the Fire Department!

Our local fire department (Flower Mound #3 !) Graciously offered to give the girls a tour.  We saw where they eat (they buy their own food), where they sleep (4 to a room) and even a cool close up peek at the equipment.

Then we got down to serious business.  In the meeting room, our fearless leaders had the girls come up with 2 escape routes for both of our meeting places. 

They also split up into pairs and practiced the Heimlich maneuver.  Each girl went home with a fire station visit badge and a little homework.  First, have your mom turn on the fire alarm so you can hear what it sounds like.  Also, practice opening a window so you know how to unlock it.  And finally, go over your home safety plan for a fire, including your outside meeting place.

Stitch it Together and Quit It! Try Its

Last meeting I got a rare glimpse of how hard our faithful leaders work for us.  It was wonderful!

For information on the quilting try it-- there is an extrememly helpful website:
http://math.arizona.edu/~rbt/GS/GS_Quilt_Home.htm .


I got to host a sewing / badge earning meeting at my house, with the help of many, MANY moms and leaders.  We took on not only one- but TWO badges.  We ahve 8 girls, and had at least 8 helpers, and the meeting still ran long. Here's what we did:

1. First we started with stitching a book. (Stitch it together req.) To prep for this, I had scrapbooking paper cut into books, along with paper filler.  These were punched through a binding machine.  Set up at a table I had 8 of these (1 for each girl) and a piece of yarn with a yarn needle. 

Once there book was sewn, I had them use it to draw two quilt patterns that I showed them, and told them they would make a diary in it of their quilt project. (This covers two req if the Quilt it! Try It.)

2. (Stitch it together.)Also on the table for each girl was a small embroidery hoop, hooped with a piece of fabric.  Each girl was given a needle and thread (They had to thread the needle, tie a knot.)  They chose buttons to sew on.  Each girl was shown how to sew a flat button, and how to sew a shank button.

3. Each girl was shown how to do a simple cross stitch, and a chain stitch.  They did these on the same piece of fabric as their button "collage"- in the hoop.  The hoops definitely made things easier. (Stitch it together req.)

4.  Next, using precut pieces of fabric- we had the girls head to three sewing machines, each armed with a mom helper.  (We also had a mom helper with the ironing board.)   The girls took turns sewing four square pattern quilt squares. (quilt it! req is to make a potholder and quilt it.)  One of my machines is a childs machine (naturally slower) and one had a speed adjustment.  (It was set to stitch very slow.  The girls who were confident and careful, I let them go a tiny bit faster.  In between sewing squares, they took their stitching to the ironing station.

5. After layering with precut batting, the girls stitched three sides of their potholder together.  These were turned and pressed.  We then stopped for snack.

6. To finish, the girls had to stitch the final side of the potholder (sew what? req) , then they quilted the potholder.  Each girl went home with a finished project, plus their button collage, diary (to bring back the next meeting filled), and embroidery.

I promise to post photos soon.  (I'm still in recovery!)

Let's Go GEO Try it!

Some Try-Its start as a chance to see if you'll like an activity, and some times- it works the other way.

The girls and I decided to try out Geocaching the other day.  I was actually looking for applications for my android phone, and one of the ones that popped up was cGeo.  It's free, and designed to help you track and find geocaches locally.

What are geocaches?  They are little hidden "treasure" boxes hidden around the city, and plotted by GPS points.  The site to find out more about it is geocaching.com.  It already tells the history and how to get started in the sport.

To get started, you do not need an expensive GPS.  Many can be find with just a mobile phone that has GPS.

There are several programs to help you find the caches.  So what is a cache, exactly? They are containers, sometimes big, sometimes small, sometimes TINY.... usually painted camoflage.  Some contain tiny "prizes" suitable for children.  All contain a log, that must be signed for the "find" to count.  Cachers do not usually sign their real name.

Why do we love it?  It's fun, it gets the kids outside with a purpose, and it's FREE.  (mostly.)  Many caches are hidden in a spot meant to make you discover something. (There's one in our town near a 100 year old oak tree.)  Some are hidden in plain site, but disguised as something else.  (A pinecone, a branch...)

I digress... if this is one you are interested in, I recommend taking the following steps before venturing out with kids.
1. Grab a flashlight, some small toys (think very small- silly band, small pin, etc.  NO FOOD) , a pen, a plastic step stool, a tweezers (long and skinny) -- you don't necessarily need all these things-- but you might!
2. Go to the geocaching.com website and sign up for a free account.  (Make up your caching name and use it!)
3. Download c:Geo to your android phone, or another app for your iPhone.  There is one for Windows 7 phones also.

A couple of basic guidelines.  Geocachers are a clean bunch.  They have a saying "Cache in, trash out".  (See how well this goes with scouting?) So while you are caching, take along a plastic bag, and grab some trash while you are there. 

If you take something from a cache, you need to leave something of equal, or preferrably slightly greater value.  Do not worry-- cachers leave family friendly things as many cahers bring children and grand children.

Respect private property.  Caches listed will mostly not be in dangerous or privately owned locations.  Never near a railroad track, never on an electrical pole. 

NOW-- on to the try it!
The requriements are available on the web.  fmgirlscouts.org/resources/Geocaching$2BTry-It.doc

The actual try its can be ordered by phone: (315)698-9400.  As of 3/12/11 these are still available.
I ordered enough for the troop.  I think it would be a super spring activity to do together!

Steps we took:
1. What does it stand for?  When we started this, it wasn't for the try it (didn't know there was one...) so certain questions just "came up".  It's fun to hear her tell this information to other girls when she talks about geocaching.  Natural curiosity only takes you so far.  I also asked her questions along the way... "So, do you know how this works?" "Do you want to know what GPS stands for?"  "Do you know what a satellite is?" 

2. Part A - Take the Pledge - even though we have signed the Girl Scout pledge for other try its, I had her read it and sign it again.  Always a good reminder. 
Part B -Learn about 2 of the things listed. 

a)Travel Bugs - We found one of these pretty quickly on  our adventures, so learning about them happened naturally.  There is also a whole page devoted to this on geocaching.com . These are usually attached to a toy, but they are not to keep-- you put them in the next cache you find and log their travels at geocaching.com.
b)What is a cache box? - Again, if you are actually doing this activity, any girl will be able to tell you what this is.  It's the treasure at the end of the hunt! Sometimes they are tiny (we found one the size of a thumbnail..) sometimes large.  They always have a log- sometimes they also have SWAG.

c)What are two things you need for geocaching?  (When I asked this of my Brownie, she said "Well, toys..." (:P)  but she soon came up with a GPS and coordinates for a cache.
d)Open two caches near your home.  (Dare you.... try to stop at just one!) The girls are always asking me now while we're out... "Can we find one?" Don't forget to keep a pen on you-- or you'll be frowning when you find one and can't sign it!

3. Decode Me - This comes up quite a bit during geocaching. (The application I use on my phone does not have the "decrypt" button...)  And surprizingly, it's not as easy for an 8 year old to follow the code.  Practice is a good idea.

This also gave us a good chance to talk about what this message means. 
As you get more into the activity and start doing more difficult searches, there is frequently a puzzle involved. 

4.Stay Safe -  Although we did not do this activity, we do carry a baggie with us in the car (also for hiking..) that has bandaids, insect repellent, anti-bacterial gel (great for port-a-potty stops and the like), and a few other items.

5. Model a Motto - This is something my family does all the time.  We have started just carrying plastic grocery sacks in the car, so we can pick up a little trash when we go out.   Two things that model the motto: Leave it better than you found it by picking up trash and always replacing the cache back as you found it.

6. Make your Mark - Make up a caching name, and use it to sign logs.  My girls also want to try making their own pathtags-- little signature items to leave in the caches with their caching name.  By making a stamp on an eraser, you can also use the stamp at Letterbox hybrids.

7. Box it Up - Although my children are DYING to do this, geocahing.com recommends new cachers not make a cache until they have quite a few under their belt.  After 10, you start to see why.  Set a decent number for yourself before you do this- 20, or 50 if you can stand it. 

8. Go, Go, Go! - Enter coordinates and go get a cache.  (This would be an excellent way for them to get their badges.)  Place a cache near your meeting spot, and mark the coordinates.  Then place the badges in the cache.  (Do not publish this cache until after your troop has claimed their badges!) 

9. Search and find - She did part of this one, even though it wasn't needed.  Good review of vocabulary.

Hope this helps you on your quest!

Big K's Troop Completes Smart Cookie Try it, Healthy Habits Try It, Cookies Count Try It! and Science In Action Try it!

   Our fabulous troop leaders have been at it again!  Honestly, when I consider how long it takes Big K and I to get her to earn a Try It, and I see how much they get done during their meetings, I'm just amazed.  If one a week seems ambitious, try doing it all in 1 1/2 hours, and without "Try-Its" being their focus.  It's amazing!

     Today the girls worked on earning their Science in Action Try Its.  What fun!  Big K came home in a super mood from all the fun science action with her buds.  They made the gloop.. which they got to bring home in baggies.  Hers was a lovely stage of purple.  Dad, who hadn't made this before, got to experience it for the first time.

    In addition to the basic cookie requirements for the two cookie try its, the girls have earned (or are earning) a cookie patch.  Wow!
   

Weather Wise Try It

The Weather Wise Try it is a Council Own Try It from Black Diamond Council.  You can order this from their online store.

Read a fun weather story like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

Activity 1:
Learn about homemade weather instruments, and make at least one. Use a weather watch calendar for at least three days.  (If you are going to do the Space Explorer Try It, you can combine this with the phases of the moon and record both for four weeks.)

Homemade Barometer.  Another Barometer
Homemade Hygrometer
Homemade Rain Gauge, another rain gauge
Homemade Weather Vane, Wind Vane
Homemade Compass
Homemade Anemomoeter

Activity 2:
Learn a weather myth or legend, and share it with a friend. Here's a few choices:

How Thunder and Lightning Came to Be
Weather Legends: Native American Lore and the Science of Weather

Activity 3:
Know the rules of safe conduct during a thunderstorm out of doors and indoors.

1. Inside a house during the storm, avoid showering or bathing because plumbing can conduct electricity. Don't use a corded telephone, but cordless and cell phones are okay.
2. If you are caught outside during a thunderstorm, find shelter immediately. If boating or swimming, get to land. If there is no building available, take shelter in a car. If you are in the woods, find an area with a clump of trees, not one single tree. If there is no place and you are in an open area, get away from trees, metal objects, and poles. Crouch low to the ground and place your hands on your knees, head between knees.
3. Myths about lightening: Rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires do not provide protection. Lightening can strike twice in the same place and may because the place is more vulnerable. Finally, there can be lightening and no rain.

Activity 4:

Learn about and make the five weather flags. Fly a weather flag each day.

Activity 5:

Scavenger Hunt:

1. Something that needs sun
2. Something that is blowing in the wind
3. Something that is bending in the wind
4. Something that cannot bend in the wind
5. Something that could protect you from the rain
6. A place that gets no, or very little, sunshine
7. Something that reflects sunlight
8. A cloud
9. Something the color of a cloud
10. Something that is the color of the sky on a sunny day 
11. Something that is the sign of the season (leaves turning color, plant shoots, bird nests, tree, blossoms, acorns, insects, etc.)
12. Something that moves from place to place
13. A shadow of a living thing
14. A shadow of a non-living thing
15. Something that has been changed or damaged by the weather
16. A piece of clothing that has something to do with the weather
17. Something that could soak up the rain
18. A puddle
19. Something that feels warm from the sun
20. Something that is damp

These could also be done in teams.  For fun, if you have some instant / digital cameras- the girls could take photos of the items they find.

-OR-

Take a Wind Walk.

Activity 6:

Learn ten of the weather symbols used by the National Weather Service.

 

 

Wisconsin Badgerland Council's Fabulous Council's Own

We are finishing up Big K's Chemistry badge, which I have to say has been one of the most fun to work on.  She has enjoyed every activity, and we have extended the activities as her interest develops.

To me, this is the whole point of Try-Its... to see what you like, what you are interested in.  Mom couldn't be more thrilled that Chemistry is one of them! (Apple not falling far from the tree, I guess...)

I was searching the Wisconsin Badgerland Council page, to see if there were any other fun Try-its from their Council Own page that Big K might want to work on when we were finished.  ALL of their badges are really well layed out with great plans that have substance.  I love that.

So, not living in Wisconsin-- I decided to see which of these were adaptable to the Dallas Fort Worth area of Texas. Many of these can be accomplished in the DFW area.  In fact most of these can be done at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Preserve.

• Let's Get Digging - Luckily, there are rocks here.  Plenty of them.  Since Big K really seems to "dig" rocks... we might stretch this out a bit, and collect them as we travel this spring/summer.  There are no caves in the Dallas area, but there are caves near Austin.  Not a neccessary activity-- but might be fun.

• Prairie Magic - Dallas/Fort Worth is in the Prairies and Lakes Region of Texas, so this one definitely might work.  Fort Worth holds Prairie Fest in April, and activities include free guided walking tours. In 2011, one of the activities was seed planting. (One of the Try-it requirements...).  If this isn't available, Bluebonnet seeds are widely available and can be planted in the spring.  Finish off by building a bird house, butterfly house, or planting  a butterfly bush.  (We live near the migration route for butterflies, so a buttrfly house might be nice.)    Another resource in our area is  the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. It offers Saturday hikes that point out wildflowers, animals and insects.

• Fun in the Forest- Getting to know trees is definitely doable.  The Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano offers a glimpse of Upland forest and Riparian Forest (also Blackland Prairie--for above patch..) The Upland Forest is uphill-- a tougher walk, and the Ripariean Forest is along creeks. The Upland forest is very unusual for Texas. Might want to bring a piece of paper to write down things that are living, dead, and were never alive-- to help remember later. Leave collection and planting the tree can be done in the neighborhood.

• Fossil Safari - North Texas is a fabulous place to find fossils.  The acitivies for this Try It are centered around 8 fossils you must find.  Some places do no let you remove the fossils, so you might want to bring a camera. The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge has fossil limestone EVERYWHERE.  We found many, many fossils without even trying very hard.  Fossils can be found at digging, road construction sites-- but probably not super safe for an 8 year old.
• Ice Skating - Perfectly obtainable in DFW.  Only 1 activity requires actual ice skating, and can be done in a rink.  Many local rinks offer Brownie packages, but most do this in conjunction with the Sports and Games try It.  Talk to them in advance about what you want the girls to cover. The Polar Ice Rinks around town offer an affordable way to try out skating. (Currently $10 with skate rental)

• Our Feathered Friends - Is not specific to birds of Wisconsin.  This can be done anywhere. 

Definitely enough there to make it worth ordering a few.  Plunge in!

How to Earn your Brownie Chemistry Try It

The Girl Scouts of Wisconsin -Badgerland Council offer ther Council's Own Chemistry try it.  This is areally fun science one!
It's still available at this writing, but check before starting it with your own girls.
Their website is: http://gsbadgerland.org/ForGirls/BadgesandPatches/tabid/316/Default.aspx

There are several activities to choose from, and some others listed for areas where the girls might want to do even more.  All of the hands on experiments use things pretty readily found.

#1: Acids and Bases
This experiment uses litmus paper (available on Amazon.com or  from Learningresources.com) You'll probably want at least 10 strips per girl.  A package of 100 at this writing runs about $5.00.  I made a little chart, included here for the girls to use. It would also be good to have some dixie cups to hold the liquids.
This activity needs about 15-20 minutes, but if you have time-- it can go longer.  Natural curiosity takes over, and the girls wanted to test and compare other liquids too.

#2 Density
The experiment for denisty is an "oldie but a goody".  The dancing raisins!  (I love this one.)  The secret to making it work is to make SURE your raisins and your soda are FRESH.
The soda is listed as club soda, but any clear bubbly soda (like Sprite) will work.  Carbonated water (Perrier, etc.) do not work. They do not have enough bubble strength.
The raisins rise because the bubbles catch on the wrinkles in the raisins, increasing the surface area.  This does not change the weight of the raisin, just the area.  As the surface area increases, the raisins density decreases, so they rise.  When the bubbles reach the top- they pop.  This decreases the surface area, increasing the density of the raisin, which makes it sink.  They will continue to rise and fall as long as the liquid produces a strong amount of bubbles.
The experiment requires: Fresh raisins, clear cups (plastic are fine) and clear, sparkling liquid (not sparkling water).

#3 CO2 Interactions
Carbon Dioxide is a gas found in the atmosphere.  It is in the air we breathe. It is denser than air. Carbon Dioxide can be seen in soda as bubbles.

This experiment requires film canisters.  These are getting harder to find locally, but are still available plentifully on the web. Steve Spangler Science is one source, though his canisters are a bit pricey.  You can still find them on eBay at this point, for cheaper.  There's a great video about adding a variable on the Spangler website-- worth a look.

Needed : about 3 canisters and Alkaseltzer per girl.  Safety googles (Sunglasses would work...) outdoor area that can get messy (yard).


#4 - Polymers
A polymer is a long chain, with parts that are hooked together.  Think of a really long ladder.... the cross links make them stronger. The parts of polymers are very msall.  Plastics are an example of a polymer. There are also polymers in our bodies.

Each girl will need a plastic cup to mix in, and a plastic spoon.  As a group, you will need:
a LARGE bottle of elmers glue (perhaps two...) and a some Borax (laundry additive).

Mix one Tablespoon of the Borax in a cup of water.  (2 tablespoons in 2 cups if you have a large group.)
Each girl will use 2 Tablespoons of this mixture in her cup. Add 2 tablespoons of glue, and 2 tablespoons of water.

(This can also be done in baby food jars, if they are available... shake instead of stirring.)

Stir very hard and keep stirring. The mixture will become stringy. When it gets very stringy, you can take it out and work with it in your hands.

IT IS MESSY! The quicker you work it with your hands, the faster it becomes a solid.  Do not be afraid to put it in your hands and work it. (Trust me!)

All of these are super fun, and pretty quick.  :-)  Enjoy!

Math Fun, Colors and Shapes Try Its

This week is already full, so we will be working  on simple activities. 

From Math Fun, we will be completing #1 (My Numbers) portion.  This involves filling in numbers about yourself- your height, counting body parts, etc. 

Planned activity #3 -Can You Guess?  Involves making estimates on 7 different items.  We will take turns making guesses and calulating the results.  We will do this by giving the girls little containers (clear) to fill with different items.  They will then take turns guessing how many of each item the container holds.

Planned activity #4 - To start this activity, I gave each girl her own message coded using the system in the book.  I then let her figure it out, and read it.  Then, she had to answer me with a new coded message.  I also asked them to write a new code, and make me a message using the code.  They really enjoyed this!


Planned activity #6 - Calculate how much money your name is worth, using the chart.

These 4 activities could easily be done in one sitting.  We'll break them up, though- and do one a day.  It's the kind of activitity that works well after school at the kitchen table, while we are having snack.

No Longer Available Councils Own Try It Badges

No Longer Available Birds Bugs Butterfly Fun Confectionarily Yours Drop Everything and Read The Great Olympics Indian Lore On Ice On Stage Outdoor Skills Pet Love Photo Fun Science Wizardry Scrapbooking Sewing Sign Language Take a Hike Tea Party Water Safety & Fun

Brownie Try It Quest

A few things to know:
     These are try-its (now to be called badges) that Big K works on at home.  They also do them as a troop-- but those are not highlighted here. 
    
We don't always finish one before starting another.  This is because some times one of the activities may entice her, but we don't have the time/materials/resources to complete the whole badge at that time.  When we finish, I will update the original post, rather than start a new one.  (Help keep things tidy.)
   
 In an effort to not get ahead of the troop, I try to find try-its they won't be doing together.  We don't have a troop list of what they will work on.  So what to choose?  I have been trying to choose from The Council's Own.