Letters and notes from leaders
(most recent usually first)
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July 19, 2000
Junior Troop 318 and Family:
Hope you are all having a great summer!! I am getting ready for my trip home but just wanted to touch base to update you on some of the upcoming plans for the year. The first year of Juniors we will be doing activities that center around animals and art. (The second year is health and fitness/ better you-better world).
A. As a starting point, on June 1st I sent home a letter with the pet care badge requirements. Hope some of you are working on it!! If you don’t have a pet modify those activities (use a plant etc). In case you have misplaced the requirements they are: (page 40-41 in Junior badges and signs book follow guidelines or use those below) Keep a notebook etc and turn it in when completed to show you have done each activity. You can either drop it off at my home or Margarets when completed, mail it to me or bring it to our first meeting. If you don’t have a pet you can still do this…… be creative!!
1. Identify four animals that would make good pets. Make a chart showing a picture of each pet and describe the reasons why it would be a good pet. Include things like how long it will live and their daily needs. Make a list of 4 animals that would not be a good pet and why.
2. Take responsibility for a pet (your own or someone else’s) by providing it with the care it needs- shelter, food, exercise, and grooming. Keep a record for 2 months of how you cared for this pet. What other things must be done regularly to care for a pet? Include the cost of care and the time it takes. What laws does your community have about pets?
3. Identify two diseases that pets can get and spread such as Lyme disease. Find out what is being done to control these diseases and what can be done to prevent your pet from getting them. Educate someone about these.
4. Pretend your pet is lost. Write a newspaper ad or notice describing what your pet looks like, where it was lost, and how you can be reached. (for ideas look at examples in the paper).
5. how do you communicate with your pet? Is it possible for your pet to communicate with you? How do you show a pet what you want it to do? How does your pet communicate to you what it wants? Describe what your pet does when it is angry, hungry, playful etc.
B. Troop Crest, badges etc: These items should be purchased thru the Girl Scout Council Shop for your Junior sash or vest: The troop crest is Hawaiian Lei: Symbol of circle of friendship, Official Insignia etc for sashes (abt $4.50-$5.00)or vest ($13.25-$14.25): Remember when buying a sash or vest they are for 3 years.
Other items you will need to purchase to sew on are; GSUSA Identification strip $1.50 (be sure to buy JR level), Council Identification strip $1.50 (be sure to buy JR level), Troop Crest $.75 (Hawaiian Lei), the number 3,1 & 8 $ .65each, Junior Insignia tab $1.60 (optional).
You already have: All membership stars including those received at bridging, Bridge to Juniors (those who earned it), Brownie Wings (those who earned them), world association pin and GS membership pin (received at bridging) and first Junior Badge. Optional… Dude ranch, parade and or religious patch goes on back (some girls may not have these and some may have purchased them).
***While at the council ask them for a picture of where to sew items on, call me if you need one or it is posted on our website.
C. Girl Scout Badges and Signs: If possible I would like each girl to have this book this year. As juniors the badges become MUCH more involved. This would allow girls to work on assigned ones at home. Also this would be a very effective way for us to keep track of which badges the girls earned and their activities. Margaret and I are willing to store and transport books, girls could take home when there is independent work etc. The cost is about $7.75 plus tax. (The other book, Jr Girl Scout Handbook is not necessary).
D. Trip Ideas: Some trips our coordinator is working on for the upcoming year are, A trip to Highland Animal Hospital and the SPCA, Trip to a giant corn maze, Everson Museum, Landmark Theatre, Sainte Marie, Pottery by you, The Limited at Carousal Mall, and Eastman House in Rochester. (Then early Sept. 2001 a trip to Adirondacks possibly?).
E. Camping: October 6, 2000 we will be going to Camp Near Wilderness is Parish. We will be staying at Stevens Lodge. Arrival time will be 5pm and departure will October 7, 2000 about 1:30. The cost will be $5.00 per person. Each girl will also need a white t-shirt to tye dye (to wear in spring parades etc). Dad’s can attend this camp but would have to stay outside in tents…. Could be really cold. On November 10, 2000 we will be going to Camp Hoover in Tully. Arrival time is 10am and departure is November 11 about 1:00. The cost will be about $5.00 per person. At Hoover the GIRLS will be making a “Thanksgiving” dinner. It should be interesting!!! Dad’s are welcome again and can stay indoors this time.
F. Other
cost: Dues this year will
be $1.00 a week (about $33.00 for the year).
Also there is the $7.00 registration fee again.
I would like to strongly encourage the parents who regularly go on our
trips (especially camping) to become registered adults.
($7.00 also). This covers
you under the Girl Scouts insurance.
G. Our website: Jr 318 is up and running and some of the dude ranch pictures are there. If anyone has a picture of Staci or Sara Hilton on their horses I would appreciate it if I could borrow it to scan and put up. Also if anyone has bridging photos…unfortunately I was not able to take any of the girls but would like to scan some for the web. New at our site: Each girl, if OK with mom can pick a nickname and have their own page about them. There are privacy guideline, no real names, where they live etc. Check out the one that is done (Lucky)…. It is Kayleigh’s. The girls will get to design their own, if ok with mom and dad.
H. Our site is http://www.incpark.com/centralsquare/junior318.htm
or you can go to http://www.incpark.com/centralsquare click on TOC and then page down to whatever you want to viewJ
I. Registration
Day: Saturday August
19, 2000 will be registration at my house from 10am-1pm.
I need a parent to stop over during that time to fill out paperwork.
I will need the Health History’s filled out (so please bring Insurance,
doctor info), registration form ($7.00 payable to CNYGSC, $14.00 if adult
registering too etc), after school permission slip, emergency contact info, and
snack sign up. If you can not make
it that day please call me Aug. 18 and let me know.
J. Misc. Troop Info: In the past, all of you have been very supportive. I hope that this continues. With Juniors the badges are so much more involved and with a very large troop it will take a little more patience. (Usually Junior troops are 12-15 members). The other thing is hopefully not this year, but soon, peer pressure will kick in. I know other troops are experiencing the “it’s not cool to be a Girl Scout” already. We have such a great group of girls I am hoping they see it through. To help keep their interest, they will be more in control of what they do and we will try to keep it fun and interesting and BUSY for them. With the support of our parents I know we can have a very successful Junior troop!! I will contact you in August with more details on troop but as it stands now, we will remain Thursday after school until 5pm, dues will be $1.00 a week and registration I believe will still be 7.00. We will sell calendars in the fall to make some quick money and get us off the ground.
If you have any questions please feel free to call usJ Heather (deleted for privacy) Margaret (deleted for privacy)
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June 1, 2000
Junior Troop 318 and Family:
1. Great Job at Memorial Day Parade, especially for such a serious event!! I was once again very proud of our troop and of the Daisy who joined usJ
2. Field Day Parade, June 17, 2000 at 6pm. Line up is at MHP…you should be there by 5:30.
3. Troop Crest: We need to pick a troop crest. The crest should say something about our troop. The choices are listed below. I would like each girl to vote for one (their choice, if mom wants to she can vote separate and adult votes will be considered to break any ties). Call me or email me by Sunday June 4th so I can send home the winner with the girls Monday thru school. This is important because it tells other troops about us. Also when places badges on our new sashes or vest, if we know what it is you can pick it up and won’t have to judge how much space to leave.
Bluebird: Traditional symbol of happiness and
cheerfulness.
Cardinal: Known for its song, good cheer and bright color, at home in the
city or in the wild.
Clover Leaf: Traditional symbol of good luck: also the shape of the girl
scout trefoil.
Daffodil: Spring flower, symbol of sunny personality.
Dogwood: New life, rebirth, a spring flowering tree.
Falling Star: Symbol of good luck--makes wishes come true.
Forget-Me-Not: Long standing symbol of friendship and loyalty.
Hawaiian Lei: Symbol of circle of friendship.
Lightning: Symbol of power in nature.
Lily of the Valley: Symbol of purity---in folk-lore, it is known as Fairy
Bells.
Morning Glory: Symbol of awakening a new day.
Music Notes: International symbol of music and song.
Pine Tree: Symbol of boldness, loyalty, and stability.
Purple Pansy: Also known as :Hears-Ease+ACI- stands for service and
friendship.
Purple Violet: Symbolic today of a clean environment and a clean earth.
Red Rose: The All American flower, symbol of beauty and love.
Sailboat: Symbolizes freedom on the wind and adventurous journey.
Seashell: A promise of discovery-a gift from the sea.
Star of Bethlehem: A guide beacon that shows the way, a goal.
Unicorn: A symbol of magic, mystery and purity.
Waterfall: A symbol of the Royal House of Stuart---it stands for loyalty
and challenge, (It was also the crest of the first troop in Savannah, GA.)
White Rose: Symbol of faith and loyalty and the quest for truth.
Wild Rose: Perseverance and adaptability even in the face of adversity,
beauty in strength, and exploring the possibilities
4. Girl Scout Badges and Signs: If possible I would like each girl to have this book this year. As juniors the badges become MUCH more involved. This would allow girls to work on assigned ones at home. Also this would be a very effective way for us to keep track of which badges the girls earned and their activities. Margaret and I are willing to store and transport books, girls could take home when there is independent work etc. The cost is about $7.75 plus tax. (The other book, Jr Girl Scout Handbook is not necessary). These can be purchased thru the Girl Scout Council Store or if you send me a check for $8.29 by June 16 I will order/pick them up. Mail to my home or send home with Kayleigh (St. John).
5. Official Insignia etc for sashes (abt $4.50-$5.00)or vest ($13.25-$14.25): Remember when buying a sash or vest they are for 3 years.
Other items you will need to purchase to sew on are; GSUSA Identification strip $1.50 (be sure to buy JR level), Council Identification strip $1.50 (be sure to buy JR level), Troop Crest $.75 (once votes are in), the number 3,1 & 8 $ .65each, Junior Insignia tab $1.60 (optional).
You already have: All membership stars including those received at bridging, Bridge to Juniors (those who earned it), Brownie Wings (those who earned them), world association pin and GS membership pin (received at bridging) and first Junior Badge. Optional… Dude ranch, parade and or religious patch goes on back (some girls may not have these and some may have purchased them).
***While at the council ask them for a picture of where to sew items on, call me if you need one or it is posted on our website.
6. Our website: Jr 318 is up and running and some of the dude ranch pictures are there. If anyone has a picture of Staci or Sara Hilton on their horses I would appreciate it if I could borrow it to scan and put up. Also if anyone has bridging photos…unfortunately I was not able to take any of the girls but would like to scan some for the web. New at our site: Each girl, if OK with mom can pick a nickname and have their own page about them. There are privacy guideline, no real names, where they live etc. Check out the one that is done (Lucky)…. It is Kayleigh’s. The girls will get to design their own if ok with mom and dad.
7. Our site is http://www.incpark.com/centralsquare/junior318.htm
or you can go to http://www.incpark.com/centralsquare click on TOC and then page down to whatever you want to viewJ
8. Optional Summer Homework: excited to be a Junior??? Here is a badge you can work on this summer;
(page 40-41 in Junior badges and signs book follow guidelines or use those below) Keep a notebook etc and turn it in when completed to show you have done each activity. You can either drop it off at my home or Margarets when completed, mail it to me or bring it to our first meeting. If you don’t have a pet you can still do this…… be creative!!
1. Identify four animals that would make good pets. Make a chart showing a picture of each pet and describe the reasons why it would be a good pet. Include things like how long it will live and their daily needs. Make a list of 4 animals that would not be a good pet and why.
2. Take responsibility for a pet (your own or someone else’s) by providing it with the care it needs- shelter, food, exercise, and grooming. Keep a record for 2 months of how you cared for this pet. What other things must be done regularly to care for a pet? Include the cost of care and the time it takes. What laws does your community have about pets?
3. Identify two diseases that pets can get and spread such as Lyme disease. Find out what is being done to control these diseases and what can be done to prevent your pet from getting them. Educate someone about these.
4. Pretend your pet is lost. Write a newspaper ad or notice describing what your pet looks like, where it was lost, and how you can be reached. (for ideas look at examples in the paper).
5. how do you communicate with your pet? Is it possible for your pet to communicate with you? How do you show a pet what you want it to do? How does your pet communicate to you what it wants? Describe what your pet does when it is angry, hungry, playful etc.
9. Trip coordinators: If possible I would like to have 1-2 parents who are willing to do research and calling/ writing about some trips for us. I would let you know what we want to do and then you could gather info etc. For example: to tie into our summer optional badge work, I would like to plan a trip in September to visit a vet or humane society. If interested please let me knowJ Also we have got to get into some more serious community service projects.
10. Misc. Troop Info: In the past, all of you have been very supportive. I hope that this continues. With Juniors the badges are so much more involved and with a very large troop it will take a little more patience. (Usually Junior troops are 12-15 members). The other thing is hopefully not this year, but soon, peer pressure will kick in. I know other troops are experiencing the “it’s not cool to be a Girl Scout” already. We have such a great group of girls I am hoping they see it through. To help keep their interest, they will be more in control of what they do and we will try to keep it fun and interesting and BUSY for them. With the support of our parents I know we can have a very successful Junior troop!! I will contact you in August with more details on troop but as it stands now, we will remain Thursday after school, dues will be $1.00 a week and registration I believe will still be $7.00. We will sell calendars in the fall to make some quick money and get us off the ground.
If you have any questions please feel free to call usJ Heather (deleted for privacy) Margaret (deleted for privacy)
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