There's No Place Like Home ... Discovering Illinois

This month the troop is working on the GSCI's monthly patch program for December - There's No Place Like Home. So we'll be exploring Illinois as well as our very own GSCI Council. Let's test our knowledge and learn some new things along the way, and remember - there's no place like home.

As we discover our state and Council, we'll be collecting hats, gloves, mittens and scarves to give back to our community.

Are you ready? Then let's Discover Illinois ...

1. Each state has its own state symbols. Can you name the following symbols?

a. state animal

b. state bird

c. state tree

d. state flower

e. state insect

f. state fish

g. state prairie grass

h. state mineral

i. state reptile

j. state amphibian

2. What is the Illinois state slogan and the state nickname?

3. What are the 5 largest cities in Illinois?

4. What 6 states border Illinois?

For helpful hints, check out the State of Illinois website at: http://www2.illinois.gov/about/Pages/default.aspx

Now, let's Discover the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois ...

1. When was the Girl Scouts of Central Illionis chartered by the GSUSA?

2. How many service centers are there and where are they located?

3. How many counties does GSCI serve in Illinois? Which county does Troop 6343 live in?

4. Where is the GSCI headquarters located?

For helpful hints, check out the GSCI website at: http://www.girlscouts-gsci.org/about-us

Bowling Fun

On November 21 the troop gathered at the local bowling alley for an afternoon of fun! We also collected cans of food to donate to a food bank, completing Activity #4 of the Let's Get Cooking badge. A good time was had by all!

Abby's stuck ball in the middle of the alley

Let's Get Cooking - Keeping It Clean

Let's Get Cooking! Making your own meals can be lots of fun. Try Activity #1 Keeping it Clean of the Let's Get Cooking Badge (p. 186 of the Badge Book).

When preparing and eating food, keep your hands squeaky-clean! Want to see what happens if you don't? Look at the picture below of 2 apples slices after one week.

Which apple slice was wiped with clean hands and which with dirty hands? Can you tell the difference? How does this experiment demonstrate the importance of washing your hands?

If you try this Activity at home, to get results like above have your dirty wipe on the apple slice be with extra dirty, greasy hands.

Dealing with Drama

In early November, the troop participated in the Council's Dealing with Drama outing in which we attended the production of The Incredible Speediness of Jamie Cavanaugh at Sangamon Auditorium. We participated in pre-show activities including a Girl Scout P.A.V.E. activity where we learned that it is ok to be different and that each of us is special in our own way as well as an acting workshop. The play followed Jamie Cavanaugh, a girl with ADD whose speedy superpowers got her in trouble again and again. Take-home lessons were learned by all in attendance.

A troop tradition ... a nice picture and a fun, silly one

Carving for the Carillon

In October the Troop took pride in their community by volunteering to carve pumpkins for Carving for the Carillon, completing Activity #8 of the Local Lore badge. There were lots of smiles, laughter and deep contraction as the girls spent an beautiful Fall afternoon carving pumpkins. The girls' finished pumpkins were part of over 2,000 pumpkins on display at Washington Park the following weekend. Great job girls getting out and helping your community!

Click on the link below to enjoy our slideshow of the afternoon.

http://www.photoshop.com/users/ebpaton1/albums/64e1f7e0c2e84a89a4b9ae2193bdf098?wf=slideshow

Girl Scouting in the USA

In September, the Troop worked on their Girl Scouting in the USA Badge. The girls learned the GS promise and Law; learned about Juliette Low; worked on a badge book scavenger hunt; and rededicated themselves to Girl scouting by participating in a Rededication Ceremony. We concluded the meeting by enjoying a GS tradition, S'mores.

Mmmm good!

Pool Party

Summer means pool party fun! The troop enjoyed getting together for an August evening of fun at the Pool. As you can see the girls had a lot of fun.

Splashing around

Enjoying a game of pool basketball

Hanging out with friends

Posing for the camera

Build-A-Bear Party

We celebrated our Bridging to Junior Girls Scouts with a party at Build-A-Bear. We had a lot of fun!