Fieldtrips to Tacoma Art Museum and Boehms Candies

NOVEMBER

Sunday, Nov. 10^th noon

Tacoma Museum of Glass

Fused Glass Making Class

Make a fused glass tile

$43

DECEMBER

Sunday, Dec. 8^th 2pm

Boehm’s Candies

Chocolate making workshop

Make & bring home 3 kinds of chocolate – clusters, Rocky Road, and soft center

$38

Journey Marathon & Pacific Science Center Sleepover

Journey Marathon

What:  Finish (well, almost) the GS Journey - Agent of Change - in one day, instead of working on it for a whole year!  We are going to buckle down and put our noses to the grindstone.  We are already part way through (those that did not work on it last year can easily catch up), so let's finish all the way up to the community service project.

When:  Saturday, March 9, 1:30pm-5:30pm (note:  you are not picking your daughter up at this time, scroll down)

Where:  My house - I will email you the address when you rsvp

Why:  In order to "bridge up" to Cadettes and/or to receive your Bronze Award, you Girl Scouts requires you to complete 1 Journey.

Food:  yes, I will have snacks (fruits, veggies, cheese sticks and GS cookies) as well as dinner (I'm thinking pizza)

Fun:  there will be a fashion show to present our duct tape creations and maybe a little dancing

Do I have to?  No, you can skip the Journey Marathon and just attend the sleepover if you do not intend to "bridge up" with us in June.

THEN...

We are heading down to the Pacific Science Center for the Girl Scout Camp-In! 

Things that we get to do: Energy Boost Hands-On Science Workshop, Planetarium Show, Live Science Show, Private, after-hours access to permanent exhibits, including the Tropical Butterfly House, Laser Light Show and IMAX Film, Visit the brand new exhibit: Professor Wellbody's Academy of Health & Wellness, And of course - SLEEP OVER!
 

• Packing list is here, along with other information.  Waiver forms are here - bring them with you.
• Pack REALLY light - it is only 1 night and my house is small (we need space to dance on Sat.).
• Pick-up is at 9:30am at the Pacific Science Center.  Please don't be late.

Questions, concerns, comments, jokes?  email me :)

Science Saturdays: Microbiology and Nutrition

Discover the secrets of how flour becomes bread, milk beomes cheese, and much more!
This fieldtrip is from the Science and Math Institute (SAMI) at Bellevue College.
When:  Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013
Time:  1-4pm
Where:  Main Bellevue College Campus, room S201 (click here for campus map, note building S is by the main entrance)

Here are the forms that need to be filled out and mailed in along with payment. 

Kids In Medicine

As I mentioned earlier (see the post), I was working with other leaders to arrange a date for the Kids in Medicine Fieldtrip.  The date we agreed on is Friday, Feb. 8 at 4pm.  The fieldtrip is 2 1/2 hours and it will be downtown Seattle.  I will need help carpooling.

Please RSVP ASAP (no later than Fri. 1/11) since we have to meet a minimum number of girls.
There will be a $40 charge for the fieldtrip.

Now, a little life lesson from me.  Please be respectful of  yourself and others.  This is a real science lab with real equipment.  There will be dissection and viewing human organs.  Not everyone is interested in science - in fact many people find the graphic discussion of physiology disgusting - just mention blood or mucous at the dinner table and you will see what I mean.  If you love science, this is a lesson in life - be aware of your audience when talking about it and be respectful if you notice someone is uncomfortable around the topic (as cool as the human body is, vomit is never cool).  If you are at all squeamish, this is not the fieldtrip for you.  It is ok to opt out and be true to who you are!  Take it from me - I grew up dissecting anything that came my way, and I can tell you at least story about my mom fainting in the emergency room when I was getting stitches...

2 New Opportunities - Postcard Exchange & Kids in Medicine

Hi Everyone! I have been made aware of two new exciting opportunities.

 The first is an international Postcard Exchange. Girl Scout troops from all over (but mostly the USA), register to participate. Then troops contact each other to see if they want to trade postcards. Your last name and address will not be given out.   We will get names from Girl Scouts all over to mail postcards to and receive postcards from.  Postcards will be mailed to me and I will distribute them. I will supply postcards and stamps.

The other opportunity is for the science geeks to Kids in Medicine. This will be a fieldtrip to a real science lab. This is not a fieldtrip for those who are not into "gross stuff" or consider themselves squeamish. You will get to see a real human heart & lungs and learn how they work together. You will also get to dissect a pig heart. See what I mean? We will team up with other Mercer Island Girl Scouts to meet the minimum headcount.  I will chaperone our troop.   The cost for this fieldtrip is about $40 per person.

Both of these are totally optional.  They will not replace the regular meetings or fieldtrips that we already have planned - they are in addition to.   I need to know if you want to participate in either or both by the meeting on Friday (12/7/12).

Ceramics Painting!

Creatively Yours in Crossroads is going to help us earn a painting patch.  On Sunday 11/18, we have the opportunity to paint 6"x6" tiles (perhaps for a Christmas present?).  Then at a later date we will tour the ceramics painting studio and learn about the kiln and why you fire ceramics.  In order to earn the patch, you need to attend both - but if you just want to paint the tile, that is fine too.

Please RSVP to Laura by Mon. 11/12 so that we have ample time to pick up supplies.

If you draw your design ahead of time on a piece of paper (draw a 6"x6" square so you get the proportions right, you can just transfer it to the tile and start painting - but don't make it too intricate, the brushes are probably pretty big.  Some ideas if you are giving a gift are:

• the first letter of your last name
• a colorful fish
• a mushroom
• a butterfly
• a flower garden
• a self portrait (every mother loves that)
• whatever you love to draw

Time:  Sunday, 11/18  4:00-5:00pm
Where:  the art room at Mercerview Community Center
Bring:  Clothes that can get messy (and maybe painted on) and your design on a piece of paper
RSVP:  to Laura by Mon. 11/12

** Please note that we are not able to have food or drinks at this event.  Please make sure to eat a snack before you come.

P.S.  Thank you Laura for coming up with this great idea!

Fun at the Camp River Ranch Garden Harvest Party

Anne-Claire, Sarah, Maya and Piper had a great time this weekend at the Garden Harvest Party - and playing in the rain!  Check out what they found in the garden - pink with purple spotted beans!

Thank you to Maya's mom, Nisha, for chaperoning!

Our first fieldtrip - Camp River Ranch Garden Harvest Party

I told the girls at the meeting that I would schedule 1 fieldtrip each month.  The October fieldtrip is to Camp River Ranch (Carnation) for their Garden Harvest Party. 

This is the description from the GSWW website:

 

After a full season of production, the Girl Scout Camp River Ranch organic garden could use your help to get ready for winter! Learn about gardening and composting, do some work in the garden or greenhouse, play games, eat a hearty fall snack. You may have something to take home! Seniors, Ambassadors, and adult Girl Scout volunteers and Program Aides are needed! Contact Kim Brunskill at kimtb@GirlScoutsWW.org to volunteer. Adults must register and remain at the event.

 

Date:  Sunday, October 14, 2012

Time:  1:00 - 4:00 PM

 

We missed the registration deadline, but I got an extrension since our first meeting was on Friday.  So, unfortunately, I need RSVP's by Monday 10/8.  Also, there is a cost to attend the event, which our troop will cover (yay cookie money!).  However, if your daughter signs up to attend and drops after registration, I will require that you pay the troop back for the $8 fee.

I will arrange carpools after registration is completed.

Skillettes Reminders

1. Please email Pamela the phone number where you can be reached during the day on Sat. until 4:15pm.
2. Do not forget the permission form w/ the medical form filled out - in a sealed envelope with your daughter's name on the outside. She will not be allowed to come with us if she does not have these forms.
3. Please remember to put your daughter's name on the pocket knife. The chaperones will have all of the knives in our backpacks until the knife session.
4. Here is a reminder of what to bring:

• sash or vest to wear during the flag ceremony - it will go on over her jacket, then one of the chaperones will keep it in a backpack. Do NOT send the pins if your daughter has a sash.
• sack lunch (no nuts)
• snack (no nuts)
• water in a re-usable water bottle
• warm RAIN coat, gloves & hat (no rain ponchos becuase they are not safe around the campfire)
• waterproof boots that can get muddy - because we will get muddy :)
• mug (for hot chocolate or hot cider)
• extra socks & pants - they can be left in the car to be put on for the ride home
• pocket knife - marked with your daughter's name
• your daughter needs to know the Pledge of Allegiance and the Girl Scout Promise by heart for the Flag Ceremony - see the blog post about the Flag Ceremony

If you are looking for the original post about Skillettes, look here.

Daddy Daughter Day

I was thinking it would be nice to get the Dad's (or other special guys*) involved too.  Camp River Ranch in Carnation is the closest Girl Scout campsite to most of us.  You can register for wonderful daycamps (including bus service so you don't have to drive all the way out there) and overnight camps during the summer.   They have hiking, horseback riding, campfire cooking, canoeing, and so much more to offer.


On Saturday, April 28 from 1-4 they are doing Adopt-A-Trail maintenance.  Girl Scout Camp River Ranch has miles of beautiful trails where your troop can leave its mark! Come work with Girl Scout Camp River Ranch staff to do basic trail maintenance and create a plaque to let all who pass by know who did the work.


This is an opportunity for dads and daughters to go outdoors and give back to Girl Scout community.


I will register the group as a troop.  Sign-up with Heidi by April 2nd.

* This is an event that is open to all Girl Scouts, but for OUR TROOP I thought it would be fun for the girls to spend some quality time with the men in their lives.  Every girl needs a responsible male chaperone.

Camp River Ranch Skillettes

Camp River Ranch Skillettes

RSVP to Heidi by Friday, March 2nd.

Enjoy the day learning and challenging your knowledge of outdoor skills as your troop is taught about Leave No Trace ethics, knots and lashing, basic first aid, knife safety and how to prepare for a camping trip, all while developing and improving your team building skills.


Camp River Ranch in Carnation
Saturday March 31 9:30-3:30


We will need 1 chaperone per 4 girls and we will need to arrange carpooling.  Register with me by March 2nd.

Upcoming Events!

Gymnastics Class
Francis Claypool's Senior Girls Troop 50079 is hosting a Gymnastics Class to earn money for their Bridging Ceremony in Savannah, GA.  Francis is mom to FASPS alum Sarah and Laura (I think it is Laura's troop that is going).  All skill levels welcome.

Time:  Sunday, Feb. 5th  11:30am-12:30pm

Where:  Gymnastics East  13425 SE 20th St., Ste. 2A  Bellevue, WA  98005

Cost:  $12

Donation:  canned dog or cat food to benefit Seattle Humane Society

RSVP to Heidi by the meeting on Fri. Jan. 27

Coming soon - information on other fieldtrips & opportunities:

• Songfest - March 12
• Skillettes - outdoor skills at Camp River Ranch, Sat. March 31
• 43125 Daddy Daughter Day - trail maintenance, Sat. April 28
• CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) - Tues. May 8
• Catapult!  - Thurs. May 24
• Girl Scout Night at the Seattle Storm Basketball Game - TBD

Cake Decorating Class 1/21/12 4:30-6pm

Francis Claypool's Senior Girls Troop 50079 is hosting a Cake Decorating Class to earn money for their Bridging Ceremony in Savannah, GA.  Francis is mom to FASPS alum Sarah and Laura (I think it is Laura's troop that is going). 

Saturday, Jan. 21, 4:30-6pm
This class is open to all ages and skill levels.
We need 1 chaperone per 5 girls (me + 1 other adult)
The cost is $20 (includes patch, decorating kit, and cake) 
Location:  Mercer Island United Methodist Church -7070 SE 24 St.,Mercer Island, WA 98040

RSVP to Heidi by Mon. Jan. 16 - there are only a few spots left, so it may be sold out by the time I register our troop.