As Girl Scouts we are all members of a worldwide organization, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, WAGGGS. February 22nd of each year is designated as our official international "Thinking Day". Thinking Day was created as an opportunity for the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all around the world to have fun learning about scouting, the people and their cultures throughout the world. Celebrating Our own annual Thinking Day event allows our girls to share what they have learned with other local Girl Scouts in a fun way.
The official website for WAGGGS is here.
THEME
This year’s theme is all about WAGGGS REGIONS Imagine going from one country to another learning about a traditional celebration from each! You might be sampling foods and receiving a SWAPS souvenir Learning a song, hearing a story.
DATE AND PLACE
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If at all possible PLEASE have an adult or two from your troop come at 1:00 p.m. to help Juli set the room up.
WHAT TO DO:
First, at your very next troop meeting have your girls choose three countries from the 144 nations which are members of WAGGGS and their choice of subject matter (Customs, folk art, music and games etc.. The complete list with links to the websites of the various nations' WAGGGS headquarters can be found here. See the bottom of this page for a copy of the list. You select three because when you register your first choice (or second) may already be taken.
Call or e-mail Dianne Ward immediately to reserve your favorite country. ( 532-5557 dianne710@comcast.net )
Information to help your troop choose a region, nation and category can be found by searching Google.com. Type in:
(your nation) + customs
OR
(your nation) + "folk art"
OR
(your nation) + games
Yes, type in the + and type in quotation marks whenever you want to search a phrase
Click on the button at the bottom of this page for a growing list of resources.
Your troop participation may include:
1. We will have one long table for each troop. The troop is to decorate it with displays of some type based on the selected nation and holiday. Costumes can be great fun to wear and to see on others. Costumes are not mandatory but some form of symbolic costume strongly recommended. They need not be elaborate. Be creative!!
2. Samples of food from your selected region/nation.
3. 160 was last years' total-number, this years' will be posted after registration is completed. Swaps* for trading with other troops
4. A brief (5 minutes or less) song, dance, skit, game, or some other form of sharing to be done on stage.
You must let us know what type of performance your troop is presenting in order for us to prepare the program.
Please send Dianne a copy of your recipes so they can be posted on your table for the information of those who might have food allergies and for possible printing in a booklet of recipes for the event. If there is a story or explanation about the food and it's use in your chosen culture please include that.
Troops are responsible for their own table covers, and paper plates, cups, napkins, spoons etc if needed for the food they are serving. Please bring your own trash bags.
*SWAPS!*
What is a SWAP? It's a small token of friendship between two Girl Scouts. They have been defined as:
"Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere."
The trading of SWAPS has become one of the most popular parts of our Thinking Day celebrations. The number of swaps needed will depend on the total registration. That number will be posted on this page the middle of January. It's smart to begin making them right away and use them as a "filler" or before or after meeting activity.
Last year troops made about 160 swaps each to share with others. Better too many than not enough. It may be a bit higher or lower than last year. Remembers, leaders like them too! The real registration number will be posted here.
They should be something the girls themselves can make which will in some way symbolize the nation you have selected.
Another great resource for all kinds of crafts is:
Swaps can be as simple or as elaborate as you like.
Click on the button at the bottom of this page for more resources.
All Deadlines are very important and firm!!!
Mailing Address to pay fees:
"Thinking Day Event"
Dianne L. Ward
1002 Coolidge Rd.
Aberdeen, WA 98520
Deadlines are very important and firm!!!
One person cannot run this event. Juli needs some help.The following is a list of help needed.
1.We need someone to arrange performances and be M.C.
2.We need a troop to run opening and closing ceremonies including the flag ceremony and a song.
3. We need one or two adults from each troop to arrive early to help set up the room.
If you are interested in helping with any of these please let Juli know by phone
DAISY LEADERS, You may sign up your troop to represent a country if you like. However, Daisy Girl Scouts can earn the Thinking Day patch by simply attending the event. You do have to register and pay the $2 per girl fee but you need not sign up for a country etc. ONLY Daisy Girl Scouts qualify for this alternative.
List of Member Organizations
Nations which have already been selected by troops will appear in red. (2006) I'll revise this list as to troops selections of country and subject as soon as I get the information from Juli.
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin, People's Republic of
Bolivia
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Central Africa Republic
Chad
Chile
Colombia
Congo
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Domincan Republic
Ecuador
Egypt, Arab Republic of
El Salvador
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
Gambia, The
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malaysia
Malawi
Maldives
Malta
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands Antilles
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Norway
Oman, Sultanate of
Pakistan
Panama, Republic of
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Saint Kitts & Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincents and The Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Surinam
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Yemen Republic
Zambia
Zimbabwe
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