Dance and Song Night with the Sparks!

If you havn't had a dance and song night put it on your list of things you have to try! The Sparks and Brownies decided to get together and devoted a whole meeting to learning some new dances and songs. We had a blast and everyone who came earned their Sing Ontario Sing 2017 badges as well as the interest badge "Share your talent for Dance"!

We were so busy movin' and shakin' that we didn't get any photos but we learned the following songs and dances (In case you want to give them a try). Youtube is great if you need some help with the dance moves. 

Dances:

- Hello Neighbour

- Chimes of Dunkirk

- Carmerusa

- Alleycat

Songs:

- Tall Trees

- Boom Chika Boom!

- I'm being Eaten by a Boa Constrictor

- My Dog Rags

- Black Socks

- The Beaver Song

- 40 Days on an Iceburg

- Make New Friends

All about Applique

First Tawny Owl talked a little bit to the girls about what applique is. We talked about the art of adding images or scenes to fabric using other fabric, thread and embellishments like buttons and patches. She then brought out a pile of black drawstring bags for the girls to design and decorate. Tawny Owl was able to get the bags from her partner's work. By using these we were also able to talk to the girls a little bit about using what you have and reusing instead of buying new. 

Tawny Owl set out various tables of material and sewing supplies for the girls to use. Generally they would pick some supplies and then move to the floor to plan out their design. Once they were happy with the design (part of it or the whole thing) they would either work on sewing or glue gunning to attach the fabric.

While we would have loved to have the girls sew everything down on their bags it just wasn't feesible with so many kids and an hour and a half meeting. Luckily each girl got to try out sewing if even just for a few items on their bag. 

I was truly amazed with what the girls came up with. We had owls, rainbows, gardens, and swimming pools just to name a few. Some got really creative with buttons and others played with colour and texture. Most importantly everyone had a great time!

Badge Blankets and a New Fun Craft

So as many know i'm a big crafter and a lover of badges. I love doing challenges, earning crests and adding them to my ever growing camp blanket.

A few years ago I was gifted an embroidery machine for Christmas because I wanted to try my hand at making my own Girl Guide patches. I fiddled around with it a few times but never was able to figure the patch thing out. Over another 2 years I tried out some design and digitizing software and am happy to say that i've made some progress!

Behold patches! Of course there is a long way to go but I don't think they are too bad for a first try. I am in no way looking at going to go into business here but its nice to know I have the option of making something custom if the need arises. The only thing I have to figure out now is what kinds of patches should I make!?

Sparks Experiment!

Of course the Sparks are back in action after the winter break too! Our first meeting was all about Chinese new year but we were so busy I got no pictures! No worries though as we had a great time this week starting our Exploring and Experimenting Keeper.

Today the Sparks were learning about flight. We brought in a model airplane to show them and talked about all of the parts of the plane. Afterwards we made paper airplanes and had a race to see which one could go the furthest!

Next we made balloon rockets and released them along string tracks. The girls loved how they wooshed forward as the air escaped the balloon.

Finally we inflated a whole bunch of balloons and played group keep up. The girls had an amazing time with this meeting and learned a lot about gravity, flight and propulsion. 

Beginning our Key to Arts and Completing the Puppet Play Interest Badge

In the fall our girls were very busy working on their Key to Brownies as well as their Key to me. Now that we are back from the break we are going to be working on the "Key to the Arts." This is one of my favourite keys to do with the girls because there is literally SO MUCH fun stuff you can do!


Our girls are super creative and are always up for crafts and dances. In our first meeting back in our meeting space we decided we would introduce the new key and work on one of my favourite interest badges to do altogether - Puppet Play!

First things first we wanted to review our fairy circle routine. We were in the big room today because our usual space in the church was being used for another function. Our girls have gotten really good at taking attendance and dues before coming together for our group opening. I'm super proud of the progress they've made since September. 

After opening we explained what the new key was and all of the girls were super excited! We jumped right into the first stage of puppet making - painting wooden spoons for our spoon puppets. We do this right away so the spoons have enough time to dry while we do some other activities. 

Once the spoons were painted I took the girls over to take a look at some different puppets. I have a background in puppeteering so was able to bring in hand puppets, finger puppets, marionettes and hand and rod puppets. 

After looking at the different kinds each girl got to take a puppet and try out different ways to work with them. First they paired up and tried having their puppets communicate with each other. Then we did an exercise where they walk around the room and try out different emotions with the puppets. " Show me how your puppet would show that they were happy. How about if they were scared. Excited?" Unfortunately I didn't get any picture of this because we were running around so much!

Once the spoons were dry the girls got to pull out all the bits and bobs from the craft cupboard and use their imagination to make a puppet. We had a snowy owl puppet, butterfly, grandmother and various people. Before the girls painted their puppets they decided on a short story to do in their fairy circles. They split up roles and each girl made her puppet to match the role they would play later. 

I still am so proud of how good they are with glue guns. We've come a long way with this skill :)

Once the puppets were completed it was time to get ready for the show! Working in their groups the girls drew out a scene for their puppet show. We attached this scene to a table that was laid on its side. Then the girls hid behind the table and were able to perform their show without being seen. 

Our parents came for pick up a little early so they could come and see the puppet shows. All of the girls performed beautifully.What a wonderful way to start off a new part of the program!

Family Skating Party!

The Brownies had an amazing winter break and celebrated the new year by having a family skating party! We've been taking the girls skating the first meeting back for as long as i can remember being a leader.

There is a local outdoor rink in our community and it is so wonderful to be outside in the crisp winter air on a starry night. Check out the photos below!

After an hour of skating we all took a break and had some hot chocolate! This was certainly the favourite part of the evening for many. 

The girls had an amazing time and all went home earning their "Swim and Skate" badge for trying out skating and learning how to properly dry and put away their skates after the activity. What a wonderful first meeting back!