It’s time to begin planning the biggest Girl Scout event of the year,
World Thinking Day!
As Girl Scouts we are all members of a worldwide organization of over 140 nations, 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 Girl 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.
2008 Theme:
THE OLYMPICS: It’s all about GAMES!!!!
Date: February 16th, 2008
Place: Hoquiam Elks building
Registration Fee:
$2.50 per girl
$2.50 Adults desiring Patch
REGISTER YOUR TROOP BY DECEMBER 1ST
ALL FEES DUE NO LATER THAN JANUARY 14TH
Time:
Check in and set up 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Event Activities: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (not firm)
Troop Booth and Room Clean Up 4:00 p.m.
All Deadlines are very important and firm!!!
Remember, your DEADLINES are:
December 1st:
Registration of selected country, and a tentative headcount to Dianne Ward. My e-mail is dianne710@comcast.net and my phone number is 532-5557.
January 14th:
You must have your money to Dianne by January 14th. NO EXCEPTIONS. Fee includes a Thinking Day patch and the cost of running the event. Make checks out to either Dianne Ward or Girl Scout Troop 651. Do not make them out to the council.
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. The complete list of the various nations is included in these pages. You select three because when you register your first choice (or second) may already be taken. REGISTER ASAP to reserve your desired nation!
Call or e-mail Dianne Ward immediately to reserve your favorite country.
During the months before the event use some meeting time to learn about the culture and customs of your chosen nation. It can be done a little at a time or entire meetings can be spent on the project. Activities can be used to fulfill requirements for Try-Its, Badges or IPs for each level of the Girl Scout Program. Each troop will make *SWAPS for the girls visiting their booths. Plan on making about 125-150 in total. SWAPS can be made during troop meeting time or as a great project for those hectic times when girls are waiting for the meetings to begin or waiting for their parents to pick them up from meetings. Each of your girls will receive a souvenir SWAP from all of the other troops at the event.
At the carnival style event troops will show table displays of what they have learned and share the information with other troops. Samples of crafts, games, photo displays, and any other form of sharing information may be used. Costumes, as simple or elaborate as you like, are great fun for the girls and are strongly suggested but not required. Each troop brings a sample of a food they discovered is from their nation for each person attending to try.. During most years include some type of stage performance like a song , dance, poem etc. This year there will be no stage performances because of the games.
One person cannot run this event. Dianne needs some help!
1. One girl from each troop to take part in the Parade of Nations and flag ceremony.
3. We need some people to run activities (games, crafts , etc.)
4. 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 me know by phone, 532-5557 0r e-mail me at dianne710@comcast.net
DAISY LEADERS, You 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 $2.50 per girl fee but you need not sign up for a country etc. ONLY Daisy Girl Scouts qualify for this alternative.
Any troops that are NEW THIS YEAR may, if necessary, register as “Travelers” to learn what it’s about and join in the fun. The $2.50 fee also applies to the Travelers.
WHAT’s A SWAP???
What is a SWAP? It's a small token of friendship between two Girl Scouts. These Girl Scout traditions 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. Last year troops made about 150 swaps each to share with others. Better too many than not enough. I do think that 120 should be plenty this year.
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:
http://www.makingfriends.com/ They sell craft supplies but a cruise through their site will give you many ideas. They can be as simple or as elaborate as you like.
Under construction at this site:
Juli at the Grays Harbor Regional Office has samples of swaps from past Thinking Day events you may want to see for inspiration.
This information, updates, links for information about the various WAGGGS nations etc will be regularly updated online at:
http://dianneward.homestead.com/worldthinkingday2008.html