We repeated our Promise and Law meeting from last year and, again, it went really well. We tried to add in some activity (it really is a talky set of meetings) and it was fine, but still pretty talky.
This year:
6:30 – Opening Craft: Brownie Promise Door Hanger (other years, this was the first meeting craft, but it makes a lot more sense to have it in the Promise and Law meeting – especially since not everyone has a book yet).
UPDATE – I’m going to make a second version with a more kid-friendly font. The curly font is cute, but some of the girls who haven’t learned to read cursive were having trouble.
Update on Shy D – she still didn’t want to join in at the first of the meeting – she preferred to sit on the side and watch. Not sure how long we can keep this up. But she’s worth it.
6:45 – Call Girls to start meeting. Circles next week so no individual group openings. We had a new girl too, so one time through with an abbreviated name game.
6:55 – Together Program: Lend a Hand.
- Ask each girl to name examples of how they can Lend a Hand. You might need to prompt them with things such as washing the dishes, putting away toys, raking leaves…
- How did you lend a hand this week?
Then teach Brownie Sign and Handshake (we added “Make new friends” to the Brown Owl’s Coming rules game.)
7:05 – Split into two groups – New Brownies and 2nd Year Brownies.
New Brownie Program – The new brownie activities just joined Shy D on the side of the room. Not perfect, but she had no problem with it:
- Tie tying. I have a bag of second hand ties in Brownie Mountain and this is useful for girls who don’t have their ties yet. “Right over left and it keeps travelling through the V. Right becomes Left and he goes over Right and through the hole.”
- Get out the Door Hangers and go through the Promise – What does a promise mean to you? What happens if you don’t keep your promise (or don’t do something)? Answers: Consequences from parents or teachers. You also feel bad. Should be proud of yourself when you keep a promise.
- Motto – what does Lend a Hand mean? What’s a motto? Answers: a favourite saying of a group. A phrase that explains that we stand for. Lend a hand means we’re helpful without being asked.
2nd Year Program – With Starry and Screech Owl:
- Go over tie tying, promise and motto.
- Then talk about leadership – as 2nd years, they will have an opportunity to lead some games. They have a say in what we do. Ask girls to talk to Starry Owl if they have an arrival game they want to teach. Brainstorm on what activities they’d like to do this year.
- Then it is a good idea to have a craft or something here – not sure what they did.
7:30 – Game – What’s a Motto? What’s a Motto with you? (This title is for the Guiders… the girls wouldn’t get it.. our old Tawny Owl made it up and we think it is funny)
Supplies:
- Cards with Promise, Law and Motto in large print on white paper. Cut up into separate words or phrases. Make sure you have enough for each girl.
- Music Source – this year we used Great Big Sea Lukey’s Boat. (Small plug for one of my favourite Canadian bands).
To play:
- Everyone mix up and dance to the music. When the music stops, assemble yourselves in order so that we can read the Promise, Law and Motto.
- Repeat a few times.
Then we played Brown Owl’s coming to reinforce the rules. Added “Hug a Tree” and “Make new Friends”.
7:40 Campfire:
- Read Toadstool Story and sang a few songs. Fun.
7:55 Close.
Next week – introducing circles, and Cookie Selling Meeting.