In my area we have Sparks, Brownies, Guides, and Rangers. The SBG group met last night to talk about Thinking Day and the Guide Unit proposed a neat idea for our event. We’re going to hold an International Fair. (This event will be based on one that a Guide Guider participated in years ago in another district. Thanks Agnes.) We’ll invite Rangers too. I hope they’ll come.
The Idea: We’ll hold an International Fair where girls from all units (in pairs and groups) will be challenged to set up a table. In addition, units will be asked to present/lead an international song at the closing campfire.
Basic Schedule:
6:00 – Guiders arrive to set up tables
6:15 – Doors open for girls to start setting up tables
6:30 – Gathering game – something in the centre of the room – like Stella Ella Ola / Setup continues
6:40 – Opening
- Unit Openings
- Talk about Thinking Day
- Introduction of Theme and Instructions.
6:50 – Fair Opens
- We tend to do this sort of event in a round robin but this time we’re doing it as a true fair. Girls will be able to walk around and visit each other’s tables. We’ll have a passport that each table can stamp.
- World Friendship Fund Collection - We’ll set up a Wishing Well (I got the idea from a Girl Scout Planning template I listed in the last post)
- Ideas for International tables: The goal is to not make this too much work for the girls. They’ll be encouraged to bring in something they’ve already done for school, or to bring souvenirs from a trip they’ve made. Food or drink is possible – although we do have a peanut allergy. Since Brownies are working on the Europe Region, I expect we’ll do that as a unit and give girls the option of making up their own tables.
- Ideas from the original event. Pathfinders completed a cooking badge by making Pierogi for the fair (she said the entire kitchen was covered in flour, but it was very enjoyable. We all said we’d buy frozen ones before we’d go to so much work). One table was about Switzerland and had Toblerone chocolates for everyone. The girls each had to make a sign for their table. She suggested that a table could teach a game, a song, or dance from a country. You can display souvenirs from your travels. Or have a craft that girls can make. Good idea – a game or activity that people can come and go from. Bad idea – a piñata. Once it is broken, you’re done.
7:45 – Fair Closes. Gather for Campfire
- Sing a gathering song, then each unit will lead their International Song, then Spark and Brownie closings – and Taps.
Finish at 8PM.
