Girl Scout Spirit

World Thinking Day 2013

Happy World Thinking Day! Enjoy celebrating and sharing your Girl Scout Spirit!

Thinking Day Inspiration: Mexico

We love this tri-fold board featuring Mexico!! The bright colors really stand out on the black background. Using the colors of Mexico's flag for the cut-out letters is a nice touch. Placing the flag in the center of the board really makes it pop! This troop offers a quick language lesson with a few words and phrases in Spanish! In addition to the Girl Guides information, there are some great pictures of animals commonly found in Mexico - something we don't see very often on Thinking Day displays. The maracas and the sombrero at the top of the display are cute touches as well!

¡Nos gusta! (We like it!)

 

Thinking Day Inspiration: Norway

We love how the red on this Norway tri-fold makes the display really pop! The flag is featured in the middle, along with a handy map and some skiing pictures. There are also beautiful landscape pictures in the bottom left-hand corner. Trolls are an important part of Norway's culture and take up a large section on the board. We also really like the folk art pictures in between the American Girl dolls in Norwegian style clothing! 

Det gjør oss ønsker å reise til Norge! (It makes us want to go to Norway!)

Thinking Day Inspiration: Japan

This troop did a super job of showing many characteristics of Japan. On their tri-fold display board, they included information about the national language, currency, and also displayed a map. The troop's display board also showed the differences between Girl Scouts in the United States and Girl Scouts in Japan. 

FYI: Please see the comments from our observant readers about this board. Although this troop has many wonderful facts on their Thinking Day display, they have accidentally used the word "Namaste," which is not a Japanese word. Thanks to our great readers for pointing this out. 

Thinking Day Inspiration: France

Is your troop setting up a Thinking Day Booth to recognize Girl Guides in France? Here are some ideas to get you started! Below is an example of a tri-fold display board. Both cultural aspects of France and French Girl Guiding are shown.

The Mona Lisa picture board was a huge hit among the girls visiting this France booth! It is an activity that is inexpensive, but one that everyone will want to try. If your troop is interested in purchasing a Mona Lisa picture board, check out this website. Make sure to bring a camera! 

Of course, French food is always a yummy addition to a Thinking Day booth! This troop offered chocolate éclaires so that girls could sample a French favorite. 

Orangina is a popular French drink that girls will love. Be sure to serve it with blue, white, or red napkins!

Even the passport stamp can be France themed. This troop used a fleur de lis stamp, but your troop could use an Eiffel Tower stamp, or maybe one that depicts the country itself. 

Bonne chance avec votre stand (good luck with your booth)!

International Night

As a part of the Girls' World Forum in Chicago, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all shared a piece of their cultures at International Night. Booths were set up that displayed pictures, items, SWAPS, and even food. Everyone was dressed in their country's traditional wear, so it was fun to see everyone dressed up! Some girls even performed a song or dance that is popular where they live. It reminded me of a large-scale Thinking Day (it also gave me some ideas for a future booth!), and everyone had a really fun time!

Here is a girl who wore a long black dress with pretty purple flowers on it!

The two Girl Guides in their traditional outfits on the left are from South Africa. The Girl Scout on the right is representing her state with her home team's basketball t-shirt.

This table is set up with pictures and postcards from the Girl Scouts of Maine.

The pretty beads and little snacks were brought from Nigeria. 

Here is the set up from the Girl Guide Association of Curacao AGPNA Netherlands Antilles. Their coconut was extremely sweet and they even had a slide show running on their laptops!

The two councils from Kentucky showed a little about the Kentucky Derby and even brought some Ale 8, a soda only made in Kentucky. I tried a sample and it was yummy! 

Girl Scouts from the Nation's Capital brought "the Washington Monument" in honor of Rock the Mall!

Henna was also available at a booth from Girl Guides from the Middle East. It looks awesome! 

I love these bags that were on display! They feature the WAGGGS trefoil symbol - perfect for International Night. 

Girl Scout Week: Thursday

Thursday of Girl Scout Week is International Friendship Day. Today, Girl Scouts in America think of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all around the world. If you have just participated in your Area's World Thinking Day Event, try to remember a new fact that you learned about another country. If you don't know what Girl Guides do in Canada or Germany, today is the perfect day to find out. After all, we have millions of Girl Scout sisters from around the world!

(Picture of 2 UK Girl Guides in 1922 featured in this article on MailOnline)

Happy World Thinking Day!

Today is the official celebration of World Thinking Day! As Girl Scouts in the US, we usually celebrate Thinking Day on one of the Saturdays during the month of February, but today is the official day. February 22 was the birthday of both Lord and Lady Baden Powell, and today we are thinking of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all over the world. We may have different uniforms, different promises, and different badges, but we are all united through WAGGGS. What interesting facts can you learn about a troop in Brazil, France, or Switzerland? What are the differences and similarities between Girl Scouts in America and Girl Guides in Germany or Guatemala? These are the questions that we are thinking about today.

Thinking Day: How to Set Up a Booth, Part 4

 

Here is a checklist of things that can help your troop have a great Thinking Day Booth. Of course the list will vary depending on the country, and what your troop decides to have at the booth, but these are the general items your troop should have.

• Flag for the parade of countries (if your area has the parade of countries)
• A display showcasing your country (like a tri-fold poster board)
• Props someone in your troop might already have (souvenirs, example of your country's money)
• Plastic tablecloths (white or colored to match your country's flag)
• Craft supplies (if you have a craft)
• Food and/or drinks (if your troop is selling food or drinks)
• Plates, napkins, cups for food and/or drinks
• Purell (for food and/or drink set-up)
• Change box or other container to collect quarters
• Stamp pad and stamp
• Signs with prices and tape to secure them to your tablecloths
• First aid kit
• Garbage bags
• Permission slips, health histories
• Girl Scout Uniforms or costumes
• Water (for girls and adults working the booth)
• Camera

 

Thinking Day: How to Set Up a Booth, Part 3

 

Your troop needs at least 1 stamp and stamp pad if your Thinking Day event includes passports as part of the program. As each girl makes her way around to the different countries, she receives a stamp in her passport from each booth. Your stamp should represent your country. Here are some examples.

Australia: a kangaroo or a boomerang

Canada: a maple leaf

France: the Eiffel Tower or a fleur-de-lis

Greece: a column

Guatemala: a cup of coffee or a parrot

Kenya: a lion or an elephant

India: a tiger

Ireland: a shamrock

Jamaica: a banana

Madagascar: a crocodile or a gecko

Mexico: a sombrero or maracas

Netherlands: tulips

Norway: a fish or a whale

Switzerland: mountains or a watch

Trinidad and Tobago: a tropical flower or palm tree

United States: the US flag or the Liberty Bell