Summer camp time is around the corner! Girls will be learning all kinds of cool songs at camp! My favorite camp song is one that is sung at our local Girl Scout resident camp. They sing it at the end of every camp session. It became more poignant as my oldest daughter grew older and I knew her time at camp was nearing the end.
Say Why
Say why, do we have to say goodbye
Say why, do we have to say goodbye
Say why, do we have to say goodbye
Say why, my friend, say why
Say when, will we every meet again
Say when, will we every meet again
Say when, will we every meet again
Say when, my friend, say when
Say where, and I’ll meet you right there
Say where, and I’ll meet you right there
Say where, and I’ll meet you right there
Say where, my friend, say where
Say why, do we have to say goodbye
Say when, will we every meet again
Say where, and I’ll meet you right there
Say why, say when, say where!
This video looks like it was created by a counselor who also loves this song! It gives you the tune to sing the song to!
The Year of the Girl just keeps getting better and better! Yesterday, May 29, 2012, Juliette Gordon Low was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her nephew was on hand to receive the award in her memory. What a great tribute to a great lady! She was a true visionary and inspiration to our girls(and leaders!).
You can hear the President talk about Juliette at the 11:23 mark. The medal presentation to her nephew is at the 26:30 mark.
Several Girl Scouts were able to attend the ceremony. Here is the link for the official Girl Scout blog post about the honor.
One of my favorite ways to close a meeting (especially a hectic one!) is to sing “Day is Done”. (Also known as “Taps”.) We always used the hand motions. This helped us get into position for the closing friendship circle! Here are the words with hand motions.
Taps
Day is done. (Hands out to sides, palms up)
Gone the sun, (Turn palms down)
From the lakes, (Hands in front at waist height, palms down)
From the hills, (Hands in front at shoulder height, palms down)
From the sky. (Hands high above head)
All is well, (Right hand to left shoulder)
Safely rest, (Left hand to right shoulder)
God is nigh. (Bow head after singing, bringing hands down still crossed, join hands with girl next to you)
Here is a video version with the music:
When we were in Savannah, we held our pinning ceremony in the Garden at The Birthplace. To close the ceremony we sang the Daytime version of Taps.
Only 23 days until the Rock the Mall event in Washington Dc! Have you learned the official song for the event? The song was written by Melinda Carroll for the event.
Here are the words!
IGNITE
written by Melinda Carroll
All Rights Reserved. ASCAP
IGNITE is the Official Theme Song for Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital, Rock the Mall, 100th Anniversary Sing-Along, June 9, 2012.
1st Verse
Can you believe that we’ve come this far? We really are on our way,
To becoming, to believing, to be living the dream,
Dreamed a hundred years ago today!
2nd Verse
Can you feel the magic in the air? It’s our courage spreading evrtywhere!
Where we live, where we play, where we meet every day,
Our song this week is a camp favorite. It is easy to teach and easy for the girls to learn. There are also motions that go along with the song to create some action!
Elevator Operator
I know this man in this Mississippi town,
(echo each line)
Makes his living going up and down
(both arms up then down)
Cause he’s an elevator operator
(push imaginary button with index finger)
Easy Rider
(Fists out front like riding a bike, rock back and forth)
Low Rider, Low Rider
(Bend knees, hands still fisted, make circles with hands and body)
Left and Right and Left. Huh!
(Both hands swing to the left, then back to the right, then to the left, finally up in the air, palms facing outwards)
2. Women
3. Dog
4. Cat
5. Mouse
6. Cheese (last verse the cheese is as refrigerator operator)
Here is a group at camp demonstrating the song. (They go really fast! But the girls are able to keep up!)
It’s May and it’s that time of year again – Bridging Ceremonies! I have found a few videos that show some really cute ideas for bridging ceremonies. Let the girls sing their favorite songs and help plan and practice for the ceremony.
This ceremony incorporates the “Twist me, Turn me” from the Brownie Story.
This ceremony is a candle lighting ceremony showcasing the Promise and Law.
Last weekend, my troop taught me something new. They taught me a craft! One of the girls had discovered a bracelet made with paracord and taught it to the troop. (Great use of her leadership skills!)
Now I’ll attempt to share it with you! There are many different techniques to creating paracord bracelets. You can search YouTube for different knots, etc. This is the one we were taught this weekend.
Skill Level: Juniors – Ambassadors (adult supervision with fire)
Supplies: Paracord (6 feet of 2 colors or 12 feet of one color), plastic buckles, fire starter or lighter, wax paper, scissors
Directions:
Step 1: Cut cord the length of your arm span (about 6 feet). This is great if you’re at camp and don’t have a tape measure! Do this for both colors.
Melt two ends of cord together. This must be done with adult supervision! It takes two people to do this step. (Do this step over a piece of wax paper.) One person holds the two ends of the cord while the other person lights the lighter. The ends are brought into the flame and “pushed” together. The ends should be melted together to “create” one long cord. You can blow on the end to help cool the ends. When the cords have cooled, test the strength of the joint by pulling. If the joint comes apart, remelt. (You may want to do this step outside – there are some strong odors from the cords.)
Step 2: Take the loose ends of the cords and fed them through one side of the buckle. When you get the ends feed through to the buckle, you will have a loop, feed your loose ends through the buckle and pull taut.
Put the two halves of the buckle together (this insures that you don’t twist the cords). Now feed the loose ends of the cord through the other end of the buckle – one end will come from the “bottom” and feed up, the other end will come from the “top” and feed down. (Hopefully the photo helps describe this better than I can!)
Step 3: Unbuckle the buckle. Measure the length of your cord to fit your wrist. You will be measuring the actual cord (not including the buckle). This is usually anywhere from 6 to 9 inches. If you are camping you can wrap the cord around your wrist and rebuckle – adjust to fit.
Step 4: Starting with the loose ends – one will be in front and the other cord will be at the back (there will be two cords in the middle – these are your base that all the cords will tie around!).
A. Using the cord from the back – make a “4 or P” with the cord (in this case, mine was the white cord).
B. Then take the cord from the front (black in the above photo for me) and feed it behind your base cords and through the loop of the “4 or P”. Pull taut.
C. Continue using the cord you started with (for me, it was white) until you get to the other end with the buckle.
Notes: Another tip – the color that shows up in the “middle” is the color you use to create the “4/P”. If you pull your knots tight, your bracelet will be very stiff. If you make the knots a little looser, you will be able to see your base cords and it won’t be as stiff – individual preferences!
Step 5: To finish off the ends, cut the cord to about 1″ in length. Do this step over the wax paper again. With adult supervision, heat the ends until it is melted and roll it to attach the end to the bracelet. Repeat with other cord. (Warning melted cords are very hot, do not use your fingers to “push” the cord onto the bracelet.)
These make up super fast (faster than I can write about it!) and are super cute. You can make up any combination of colors to make everyone happy!
Today’s song is one that the girls probably already know – He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. Girl Scouts have added their own “twist” to the song! I have heard many different versions of this song – so the bottom line is – there is no one right way to sing this song! You can make this song fit your girls!
Here is one version of the lyrics of the Girl Scout version of He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands:
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands Girl Scout Version
He’s got the whole world in His hands
He’s got the whole world in His hands
He’s got the whole world in His hands
He’s got the whole world in His hands
He’s got the Dainty, Dainty Daisies in His hands
He’s got the Dainty, Dainty Daisies in His hands
He’s got the Dainty, Dainty Daisies in His hands
He’s got the whole world in His hands
He’s got the Busy, Busy Brownies in His hands
He’s got the Busy, Busy Brownies in His hands
He’s got the Busy, Busy Brownies in His hands
He’s got the whole world in His hands
He’s got the Jazzy, Jazzy Juniors in His hands
He’s got the Jazzy, Jazzy Juniors in His hands
He’s got the Jazzy, Jazzy Juniors in His hands
He’s got the whole world in His hands
He’s got the Crazy, Crazy Cadettes in His hands
He’s got the Crazy, Crazy Cadettes in His hands
He’s got the Crazy, Crazy Cadettes in His hands
He’s got the whole world in His hands
He’s got the Sassy, Sassy Seniors in His hands
He’s got the Sassy, Sassy Seniors in His hands
He’s got the Sassy, Sassy Seniors in His hands
He’s got the whole world in His hands
He’s got the Awesome Ambassadors in His hands
He’s got the Awesome Ambassadors in His hands
He’s got the Awesome Ambassadors in His hands
He’s got the whole world in His hands
He’s got the Lovely, Lovely Leaders in His hands
He’s got the Lovely, Lovely Leaders in His hands
He’s got the Lovely, Lovely Leaders in His hands
He’s got the whole world in His hands
Here’s a video version of this song with slightly different lyrics and hand motions!
Does your troop have another version of the song that you sing? Add your version in the comments below!
While I was searching around on the YouTube universe for this week’s video, I discovered this little gem! This Brownie created a video to describe what she learned about Junior Girl Scouts.
What a cool idea for a troop to work on for their bridging activities! They could also create a video for those bridging into their old level!
Whether she's headed to resident camp or a backyard sleepover with friends, the Slumberjack Girl Scout 30 Degree Sleeping Bag will keep her toasty warm and comfortable so she'll wake up ready to explore the natural world and take in all the wonders it offers. Versatile and functional, this insulated sleeping bag features a built-in pillow pocket to ensure it stays put through the night as well as an interior chest pocket so she can keep her treasures safe and sound. Outdoor adventure awaits with the Slumberjack Girl Scout 30 Degree Sleeping Bag.
While I was searching around on the YouTube universe for this week's video, I discovered this little gem! This Brownie created a video to describe what she learned about Junior Girl Scouts.
What a cool idea for a troop
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