Association 32 Ideas for Troop Activities
The following list was started by the scout leaders in Association 32 in 2014 in preparation for the spring GSCNC Annual Meeting. We welcome any additions or updates to this page. Please use the contact us form.
Troop Meetings
For our Global Action Award, my Daisy troop looked at pictures in the book called Hungry Planet. This book shows families from all around the world -- in each chapter there is a picture of the family in their home, surrounded by the food and drink that family consumes in one week. The girls were really struck by how different the foods were and also by how much some cultures have while others (like the refugee family in Chad) get by on so very little. We talked about the reasons why, and things we could do to help. It was very moving. The girls finished by drawing a picture of themselves and their favorite foods.
Start a troop meeting tradition. Try an annual baking meeting before Thanksgiving and learn some new desserts to make for the holidays - mini pumpkin cheesecakes, mini apple pies, anything chocolaty - they were all a big hit and the girls like the tradition.
Connections - we like the connections we make with other troops. We have a buddy troop up in Pennsylvania because of someone I know through work. We visited them and went to an activity put on by their SU. They came down to the Rock the Mall event. Now some are going to Savannah with us.
Working on the Senior Sow What Journey? Here are a couple of helpful YouTube videos.
Girl Scout Sow What Journey Intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJwkAn6OoZ4
Food miles, buy local: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KuHU2X7gQ0
Working on the Senior Sow What Journey? This Live Binder was the result of our Take Action project for the Sow What Journey. Each girl put together resources for different aspects of the Journey to aid other troops in completing the activities. The link to the Sow What Live Binder is http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=1013535
Troop Meeting Idea: Have a real estate agent come and visit about running her own business and customer service. The girls enjoyed asking her questions.
Ask an EMT to visit to help earn your First Aid badge. He helped the girls learn to apply slings, practice bandaging, and basic first aid skills. The girls loved it!
Cooking – we made a Chinese New Year feast. Made homemade dumplings, fried rice, beef and broccoli, etc. Broke up into small teams to make the items then all shared in a feast!
Working on your American Sign Language (ASL) badge? Here is a Live Binder to help you complete the requirements. http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=1218259
Borrow a program kit from council. Our Cadette troop recently borrowed the Grow Strong Program Kit from council and really had fun with it. The girls learned a lot about nutrition and positive self image.
Looking for ways to motivate older girls to plan their Gold Award project? Pair up with other troops and discuss ideas. They’d rather hear from people their own age!
We were visited by two service dogs in training, Sammy and Jack. Hero Dogs Inc. http://www.hero-dogs.org raises, trains and places service dogs for veterans who have been wounded or who have a disabling medical condition. The dogs live with a "puppy handler" for more than a year as they master skills and become socialized. The visiting puppy handlers answered many questions about what it takes to welcome a service dog into your life so fully (Jack goes to high school every day with his trainer who is a teacher!) and Jack and Sammy demonstrated many of their skills. We also developed an appreciation for the many contributions of time and money that is necessary to train and place a service animal. Our Cadettes can apply their knowledge to the Animal Helpers badge.
Troop Meetings/Service: For 3rd grade brownie troops working on Philanthropy badge and Brownie Quest Journey.
• Guest speakers from Manna Food Bank, a volunteer firefighter and family services came to a troop meeting and spoke with the girls about resources and needs in the community.
• The girls picked a charity (the Betty Ann Krahnke Domestic Violence Shelter in Gaithersburg, MD in our case and got a list of what items they needed (blankets, sheets, toys, etc.) http://www.familyservicesagency.org/bak.html
• The girls planned a holiday party and invited other troops. Each person was asked to bring an item that was needed and we charged $5 for a patch and supplies. We had Santa (a friend), decorated gingerbread men and had an arts and crafts table where the girls made sure that every resident in the shelter got a card on Christmas morning. We received about $1,000 worth of item donations for the BAK center.
Meeting Activity: Make jewelry. Level of complexity can vary with age of girls. Check with fellow leaders to see if they have tools you might borrow for older girl troops or attend an event at a local crafts store like Michaels or A.C. Moore.
Where in the World is Flat Juliette? http://gsofct.org/pages/FlatJuliette.php
Have you ever heard of Flat Stanley? It’s a wonderful program for kids of all ages. In the book, Flat Stanley, by Jeff Brown, Stanley gets flattened while sleeping one night by a bulletin board. They are very surprised when they wake up and find they are flat! Their parents try and think positively about this change and tell them, they can visit anyone, anywhere because they fit in an envelope and it’s cheap to mail. Here's how to take a wonderful troop adventure. Each girl makes a paper doll- Flat Juliette. Write a letter to whoever is receiving their Juliette asking the recipient to take her on an adventure and to write back to the troop all about their adventures. Have a map for the girls to see where their Juliette's are!
Fetch some Science for your meetings with Ruff Ruffman
http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/forms/docpatchfetch.pdf
http://www.girlscoutshop.com/COUNCIL-OWN-MERCHANDISE/EASTERN-MASSACHUSETTS-PRODUCT-LIST/Eastern-Mass-Fetch-with-Ruff-Ruffman
Give your Girl Scouts, ages 6-10, the opportunity to feel like FETCH! contestants by challenging them to earn the FETCH! Patch. The hands-on FETCH! activities extend the science and engineering learning introduced during the show. Your girls will tackle challenges, solve problems, and devise creative solutions while doing hands-on activities that require easy-to-find materials.
Start a troop meeting tradition. Try an annual baking meeting before Thanksgiving and learn some new desserts to make for the holidays - mini pumpkin cheesecakes, mini apple pies, anything chocolaty - they were all a big hit and the girls like the tradition.
Connections - we like the connections we make with other troops. We have a buddy troop up in Pennsylvania because of someone I know through work. We visited them and went to an activity put on by their SU. They came down to the Rock the Mall event. Now some are going to Savannah with us.
Working on the Senior Sow What Journey? Here are a couple of helpful YouTube videos.
Girl Scout Sow What Journey Intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJwkAn6OoZ4
Food miles, buy local: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KuHU2X7gQ0
Working on the Senior Sow What Journey? This Live Binder was the result of our Take Action project for the Sow What Journey. Each girl put together resources for different aspects of the Journey to aid other troops in completing the activities. The link to the Sow What Live Binder is http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=1013535
Troop Meeting Idea: Have a real estate agent come and visit about running her own business and customer service. The girls enjoyed asking her questions.
Ask an EMT to visit to help earn your First Aid badge. He helped the girls learn to apply slings, practice bandaging, and basic first aid skills. The girls loved it!
Cooking – we made a Chinese New Year feast. Made homemade dumplings, fried rice, beef and broccoli, etc. Broke up into small teams to make the items then all shared in a feast!
Working on your American Sign Language (ASL) badge? Here is a Live Binder to help you complete the requirements. http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=1218259
Borrow a program kit from council. Our Cadette troop recently borrowed the Grow Strong Program Kit from council and really had fun with it. The girls learned a lot about nutrition and positive self image.
Looking for ways to motivate older girls to plan their Gold Award project? Pair up with other troops and discuss ideas. They’d rather hear from people their own age!
We were visited by two service dogs in training, Sammy and Jack. Hero Dogs Inc. http://www.hero-dogs.org raises, trains and places service dogs for veterans who have been wounded or who have a disabling medical condition. The dogs live with a "puppy handler" for more than a year as they master skills and become socialized. The visiting puppy handlers answered many questions about what it takes to welcome a service dog into your life so fully (Jack goes to high school every day with his trainer who is a teacher!) and Jack and Sammy demonstrated many of their skills. We also developed an appreciation for the many contributions of time and money that is necessary to train and place a service animal. Our Cadettes can apply their knowledge to the Animal Helpers badge.
Troop Meetings/Service: For 3rd grade brownie troops working on Philanthropy badge and Brownie Quest Journey.
• Guest speakers from Manna Food Bank, a volunteer firefighter and family services came to a troop meeting and spoke with the girls about resources and needs in the community.
• The girls picked a charity (the Betty Ann Krahnke Domestic Violence Shelter in Gaithersburg, MD in our case and got a list of what items they needed (blankets, sheets, toys, etc.) http://www.familyservicesagency.org/bak.html
• The girls planned a holiday party and invited other troops. Each person was asked to bring an item that was needed and we charged $5 for a patch and supplies. We had Santa (a friend), decorated gingerbread men and had an arts and crafts table where the girls made sure that every resident in the shelter got a card on Christmas morning. We received about $1,000 worth of item donations for the BAK center.
Meeting Activity: Make jewelry. Level of complexity can vary with age of girls. Check with fellow leaders to see if they have tools you might borrow for older girl troops or attend an event at a local crafts store like Michaels or A.C. Moore.
Where in the World is Flat Juliette? http://gsofct.org/pages/FlatJuliette.php
Have you ever heard of Flat Stanley? It’s a wonderful program for kids of all ages. In the book, Flat Stanley, by Jeff Brown, Stanley gets flattened while sleeping one night by a bulletin board. They are very surprised when they wake up and find they are flat! Their parents try and think positively about this change and tell them, they can visit anyone, anywhere because they fit in an envelope and it’s cheap to mail. Here's how to take a wonderful troop adventure. Each girl makes a paper doll- Flat Juliette. Write a letter to whoever is receiving their Juliette asking the recipient to take her on an adventure and to write back to the troop all about their adventures. Have a map for the girls to see where their Juliette's are!
Fetch some Science for your meetings with Ruff Ruffman
http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/forms/docpatchfetch.pdf
http://www.girlscoutshop.com/COUNCIL-OWN-MERCHANDISE/EASTERN-MASSACHUSETTS-PRODUCT-LIST/Eastern-Mass-Fetch-with-Ruff-Ruffman
Give your Girl Scouts, ages 6-10, the opportunity to feel like FETCH! contestants by challenging them to earn the FETCH! Patch. The hands-on FETCH! activities extend the science and engineering learning introduced during the show. Your girls will tackle challenges, solve problems, and devise creative solutions while doing hands-on activities that require easy-to-find materials.
Service
Our Brownie Troop collected 568 books and 324 new pajamas over a 2-mo period for the Dwelling Place Inc, in Gaithersburg, MD (as designated through the 1 million good nights program). The Dwelling Place, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that helps low income families in Montgomery County achieve housing and financial stability. Jill Herd, Lead Case Manager and Transitional Housing Program (240-813-1605).
For Brownies and Older: Manna Food Center in Gaithersburg, MD has opportunities for groups to volunteer Mon.- Thurs. after 5pm and on weekends. Contact [email protected] for information about opportunities available and how to reserve a date on our volunteer calendar. Include in your email, group name, number of members, ages, and if you are interested in a weeknight or weekend (these fill quickly). www.mannafood.org 301-424-1130
Costumed Tour Guides at Riley’s Lockhouse along the C&O Canal
Scouts dress up 1870s style (costumes supplied by GSCNC) to give tours of the historic canal lock-keeper’s house. Girls get hands-on experience playing turn-of-the-century games, learning songs, and doing activities like churning butter, crafts or making lemonade. (In preparation we also did a troop trip to Great Falls to enjoy a mule-pulled canal boat ride – the scouts brought carrots and apples for the mules.) Requires leader training. Patch available. Contact Joan Paull at 301-384-8584.
Service Projects for the Montgomery County Humane Society: For their Bronze Award our troop did a series of volunteer projects for the Montgomery County Humane Society – they baked pet treats, made fleecy pet beds, decorated “adopt me” bandanas, and held a towel/blanket drive. We took a tour of the facility when we delivered our projects to them. A great list of suggestions and instructions are at http://mchumane.org/ServiceProjects.shtml.
As a service project troops can make things for the Children's Inn at NIH for the children's mailboxes called "Thoughtful Treasures" - www.childrensinn.org
Adopt a garden at your local school to clean up and maintain. Be sure to get approval from the school first!
Make Valentines for the folks at an assisted living facility. Visit on Valentine’s Day and bring snacks. We went to Sunrise Assisted Living in Montgomery Village, MD. www.sunriseseniorliving.com
Take a tour and help sort food at the new food pantry in Clarksburg, MD - Clarksburg CAN (Community Assistance Network) located on the grounds of Greenridge Baptist Church. The girls were able to do everything themselves and had a great sense of accomplishment and of helping others. All ages. Contact: Tirzah Turner [email protected].
Our troop participated in Operation Welcome Home. We dressed up in our red, white and blue and welcomed home over 300 troops at BWI Airport. www.operationwelcomehomemd.org
Check out the website of your local animal shelter. You may find volunteer opportunities and other ways you can help. Many will give tours and talks about animal care.
Troop Meetings/Service: For 3rd grade brownie troops working on Philanthropy badge and Brownie Quest Journey.
· Guest speakers from Manna Food Bank, a volunteer firefighter and family services came to a troop meeting and spoke with the girls about resources and needs in the community.
· The girls picked a charity (the Betty Ann Krahnke Domestic Violence Shelter in Gaithersburg, MD in our case and got a list of what items they needed (blankets, sheets, toys, etc.) http://www.familyservicesagency.org/bak.html
Service Projects: Donated paper products to Rainbow House Shelter http://www.shelterlistings.org/details/20921/ in Rockville, MD for their Thanksgiving Dinner including decorated paper placemats and beaded napkin rings.
Holiday Service Project Idea: Donate mini decorated Christmas trees to nursing home in your area. Girls love to decorate!
Service Project: Make fleece blankets and donate. Ours went to Damascus Help in Damascus, MD.
Service Project: Have a food drive for your local shelter. Donations are always especially needed at non-holiday times throughout the year.
Make a blanket and donate it to your local Project Linus chapter. They will take your blanket to a facility where it will be given to a deserving child. The volunteers, known as “blanketeers,” provide new, handmade, washable blankets to be given as gifts to seriously ill and traumatized children, ages 0-18. It is Project Linus' policy to accept blankets of all sizes, depending on local chapter needs. All blanket styles are welcome, including quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans, and receiving blankets in child-friendly colors. Always remember that blankets must be homemade, washable, free of pins, and come from smoke-free environments due to allergy reasons. Please package your donated blankets in a bag including your name, troop # and address for a thank you. Closest drop off: Patches Quilting & Sewing, 308 S Main St., Mt Airy, MD (301) 831-0366
Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child also offers the opportunity year-round to pack personalized shoe boxes online. Go to www.samaritanspurse.org for details
Operation Welcome Home Maryland
http://www.operationwelcomehomemd.org/
BWI receives the highest number of returning servicemen in the nation. Operation Welcome Home (Maryland) greets Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guard service members returning from overseas. We average about four welcome home events/week. Volunteers help decorate the lobby with patriotic signs and banners and package “goodie bags” for the troops, many of whom are hungry, thirsty, and tired from their travels and will be waiting on a connecting flight. When the troops arrive through the doors of the International Arrival terminal, we shower them with praise, cheering them on, hugging them, offering them a “goodie bag,” and thanking them for their service.
Wreaths Across Arlington http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/
Honor those who serve, the men and women of the armed forces who put themselves in harm’s way to protect. Volunteer to place a wreath on a veteran’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery. To volunteer join us on the designated Saturday in December for an orientation (see online for details). After the briefing the volunteers are lined up behind the trucks and handed wreaths for placement. When you place the wreath please remember you may be the first person to visit this grave in years so take time to read the stone and honor the memory of that hero. The final ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at 12 noon. - See more at: http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/act-now/volunteer/volunteer-your-time/#sthash.0weqzpks.dpuf
For Brownies and Older: Manna Food Center in Gaithersburg, MD has opportunities for groups to volunteer Mon.- Thurs. after 5pm and on weekends. Contact [email protected] for information about opportunities available and how to reserve a date on our volunteer calendar. Include in your email, group name, number of members, ages, and if you are interested in a weeknight or weekend (these fill quickly). www.mannafood.org 301-424-1130
Costumed Tour Guides at Riley’s Lockhouse along the C&O Canal
Scouts dress up 1870s style (costumes supplied by GSCNC) to give tours of the historic canal lock-keeper’s house. Girls get hands-on experience playing turn-of-the-century games, learning songs, and doing activities like churning butter, crafts or making lemonade. (In preparation we also did a troop trip to Great Falls to enjoy a mule-pulled canal boat ride – the scouts brought carrots and apples for the mules.) Requires leader training. Patch available. Contact Joan Paull at 301-384-8584.
Service Projects for the Montgomery County Humane Society: For their Bronze Award our troop did a series of volunteer projects for the Montgomery County Humane Society – they baked pet treats, made fleecy pet beds, decorated “adopt me” bandanas, and held a towel/blanket drive. We took a tour of the facility when we delivered our projects to them. A great list of suggestions and instructions are at http://mchumane.org/ServiceProjects.shtml.
As a service project troops can make things for the Children's Inn at NIH for the children's mailboxes called "Thoughtful Treasures" - www.childrensinn.org
Adopt a garden at your local school to clean up and maintain. Be sure to get approval from the school first!
Make Valentines for the folks at an assisted living facility. Visit on Valentine’s Day and bring snacks. We went to Sunrise Assisted Living in Montgomery Village, MD. www.sunriseseniorliving.com
Take a tour and help sort food at the new food pantry in Clarksburg, MD - Clarksburg CAN (Community Assistance Network) located on the grounds of Greenridge Baptist Church. The girls were able to do everything themselves and had a great sense of accomplishment and of helping others. All ages. Contact: Tirzah Turner [email protected].
Our troop participated in Operation Welcome Home. We dressed up in our red, white and blue and welcomed home over 300 troops at BWI Airport. www.operationwelcomehomemd.org
Check out the website of your local animal shelter. You may find volunteer opportunities and other ways you can help. Many will give tours and talks about animal care.
Troop Meetings/Service: For 3rd grade brownie troops working on Philanthropy badge and Brownie Quest Journey.
· Guest speakers from Manna Food Bank, a volunteer firefighter and family services came to a troop meeting and spoke with the girls about resources and needs in the community.
· The girls picked a charity (the Betty Ann Krahnke Domestic Violence Shelter in Gaithersburg, MD in our case and got a list of what items they needed (blankets, sheets, toys, etc.) http://www.familyservicesagency.org/bak.html
Service Projects: Donated paper products to Rainbow House Shelter http://www.shelterlistings.org/details/20921/ in Rockville, MD for their Thanksgiving Dinner including decorated paper placemats and beaded napkin rings.
Holiday Service Project Idea: Donate mini decorated Christmas trees to nursing home in your area. Girls love to decorate!
Service Project: Make fleece blankets and donate. Ours went to Damascus Help in Damascus, MD.
Service Project: Have a food drive for your local shelter. Donations are always especially needed at non-holiday times throughout the year.
Make a blanket and donate it to your local Project Linus chapter. They will take your blanket to a facility where it will be given to a deserving child. The volunteers, known as “blanketeers,” provide new, handmade, washable blankets to be given as gifts to seriously ill and traumatized children, ages 0-18. It is Project Linus' policy to accept blankets of all sizes, depending on local chapter needs. All blanket styles are welcome, including quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans, and receiving blankets in child-friendly colors. Always remember that blankets must be homemade, washable, free of pins, and come from smoke-free environments due to allergy reasons. Please package your donated blankets in a bag including your name, troop # and address for a thank you. Closest drop off: Patches Quilting & Sewing, 308 S Main St., Mt Airy, MD (301) 831-0366
Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child also offers the opportunity year-round to pack personalized shoe boxes online. Go to www.samaritanspurse.org for details
Operation Welcome Home Maryland
http://www.operationwelcomehomemd.org/
BWI receives the highest number of returning servicemen in the nation. Operation Welcome Home (Maryland) greets Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guard service members returning from overseas. We average about four welcome home events/week. Volunteers help decorate the lobby with patriotic signs and banners and package “goodie bags” for the troops, many of whom are hungry, thirsty, and tired from their travels and will be waiting on a connecting flight. When the troops arrive through the doors of the International Arrival terminal, we shower them with praise, cheering them on, hugging them, offering them a “goodie bag,” and thanking them for their service.
Wreaths Across Arlington http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/
Honor those who serve, the men and women of the armed forces who put themselves in harm’s way to protect. Volunteer to place a wreath on a veteran’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery. To volunteer join us on the designated Saturday in December for an orientation (see online for details). After the briefing the volunteers are lined up behind the trucks and handed wreaths for placement. When you place the wreath please remember you may be the first person to visit this grave in years so take time to read the stone and honor the memory of that hero. The final ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at 12 noon. - See more at: http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/act-now/volunteer/volunteer-your-time/#sthash.0weqzpks.dpuf
Outdoor Field Trips
Hiking the Hoyles Mill Trail-- part of Black Hill Regional Park in the Germantown/ Boyds. MD. The trail goes from the park all the way to the MD Soccerplex. It takes quite a while to do the whole thing and we also enjoyed a bit of letterboxing along the way. We brought our lunch and broke up the hike a bit. There are also a couple of streams that they can “wade or creek" in if the leader is so inclined.
Hike Sugarloaf Mountain - close to home and fabulous views from the top. Go to http://sugarloafmd.com/sl_trails.html to download a trails map.
Go letterboxing! Go to http://www.atlasquest.com/ to find nearby ones. There are boxes hidden at Steven's Park, down on the C&O Canal, on Sugarloaf Mountain and at the Soccerplex to name just a few locations. "The Haunted Mill" on the C&O Canal is a short hike and is fun to do around Halloween.
Canoeing at Black Hill Regional Park in Germantown/Boyds, MD. I have taken troops, day camp groups, and a youth group out on the lake. If the girls are interested they can pick up a laminated lake tour guide page of animals to look for including beaver, deer, and the resident eagle. Be sure to follow Safety Activity Checkpoints.
A challenge ropes course with Upward Enterprises. Girl Scouts were given a special discount rate on a challenge course. It was a great team building experience. Contact [email protected]. The location is 3035 Buckeystown Pike, Adamstown, MD or call 301-834 -6140.
Attend a sporting event in your area. Our area is rich in professional, semi-professional and college sports for both men and women
Sleepover at the Philadelphia Zoo for Girl Scouts. Check for times, age level and dates at www.philadelphiazoo.org. Also usually posted on Troop Edition. Other activities offered too.
Attend the Cherry Blossom Kite Festival on March 29, 2014 from 10:00-4:30 on the Washington Monument Grounds. http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/2013/07/19/blossom-kite-festival-2/
Kayak on the Potomac River with River & Trail Outfitters. www.rivertrail.com Follow Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Go snow tubing or skiing at Ski Liberty www.libertymountainresort.com or Ski Roundtop www.skiroundtop.com
Visit an apiary in Mt Airy, MD called Bee Folks. See outdoor beehives and learn about their behavior while watching them up close in an indoor observation hive. We had a honey tasting, saw all sorts of beeswax candles, and tried on beekeeper hoods. Girls went home with honey candy and beeswax lip gloss. https://www.beefolks.com
Take a field trip to Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington, DC. www.HillwoodMuseum.org Cost is $8/girl, 3 chaperones free, but additional adults are $15. (They didn’t actually charge us once we got there for the additional adults we had – we had two troops attend together.) The program meets requirements for 3 of the 5 steps for the new Girl Scout Junior Jeweler badge (#1, #4, and #5). The girls enjoyed the tour – it was interesting and just long enough to not lose their interest. They got to see Faberge eggs and lots of other artwork in the historic home. The hands on activity – decorating a box with gems, etc. was enjoyable too. Would only recommend for ages up to 5th grade.
Planning a trip to Savannah? In addition to the Juliette Gordon Low house and program and the Girl Scout first headquarters consider visiting Tybee Island with its Marine Center at Tybee Island and the Tybee Island lighthouse. You will also find ghost tours, horse carriage rides, the 8th Air force Museum with Girl Scout emphasis and the Juliette Gordon Low cemetery plot.
Take a trip to see the USS Constellation in the Baltimore Inner Harbor and sleep over on the boat. Go to www.historicships.org and click on plan your visit or overnights. There are half day programs offered too.
Around Halloween time, ghost tours are always fun. Harper’s Ferry, WV and Gettysburg, PA offer several options. For Harper’s Ferry go to www.harpersferryghost.20m.com. For Gettysburg just search Gettysburg ghost tours for several options.
Like to hike? There are many hiking opportunities around Harper’s Ferry, WV along with a lot of other outdoor activities. Check out the visitor’s guide at www.historicharpersferry.com.
Apple Dapple Day! Pick apples at Homestead Farms and then prepare yummy treats using the apples you just picked! http://www.homestead-farm.net/hours.html Same could apply to any of the fruit grown there, strawberries, cherries, blueberries, blackberries and peaches.
Fall is a great time to be outside. Girls of all ages enjoy hayrides and visits to the pumpkin patch. Check online to see what’s available in your area. Remember a hayride is considered high adventure so check the GSCNC website for high adventure vendors.
Older Juniors and Cadettes love a trip to New York City. With a little planning you can earn enough money through cookie sales and other events to make this something really special. Take in a Broadway show, visit the Empire State Building, go to Ellis Island, take a bus tour of the city and more and more and more. When looking for tickets be sure to check out offers that may be available to school groups. Sometimes Scout troops can get the same rate. Younger girls may want to have tea at the American Doll store – nice for a little down time!
Make a visit to Red Wiggler Farm in Germantown, MD. Red Wiggler is an organic farm that provides work for adults with disabilities and has a CSA program. We had a tour of the farm and got to actually help on the farm – a lot of fun for our group that loves to be moving and outside. There is also a solar house on the farm. www.redwiggler.org or [email protected]
Take a boat ride and tour Mount Vernon. Potomac Riverboat Co. has cruises on the Potomac River to Mt. Vernon. The boat takes you to Mt. Vernon where you can spend the afternoon on a self-guided tour then return on the boat. Several departure locations. www.potomacriverboatco.com
Try camping or hiking at Little Bennett Regional Park, Clarksburg, MD. “Little Bennett Campground is part of Little Bennett Regional Park, and offers visitors quality wooded campsites and miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails throughout 3,700 acres of forests and meadows. With more than 20 miles of trails to explore, 91 wooded campsites from which to choose, and a variety of weekend activities available for all age groups and interests.” www.montgomeryparks.org or www.LittleBennettCampground.com
Attend the annual Hershey Park Camp-O-Ree. The dates for 2014 are May 30-June 1 and June 6-8. Go to www.hersheypark.com/groups/camp-o-ree.php
Challenge Course: Sandy Spring Adventure Park Ropes Course in Sandy Spring, MD. http://www.sandyspringadventurepark.org/
This aerial forest adventure provides a harness and equipment and gives you a safety briefing that demonstrates how to climb and zip line in the park. There are 13 separate courses of varying levels of difficulty. Each course has zip lines but primarily consist of “bridges” between tree platforms made of rope, cable and wood configurations creating over 150 unique challenges. You will develop skills, endurance, and confidence during your time in the Park. Trained Adventure Park staff members monitor the Park and are there to assist if needed.
Summer's Farm Pumpkin Patch, 5620 Butterfly Lane, Frederick, MD 301.620.9316
See more at: http://summersfarm.com/
One price admission includes: Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Jumping Pillows, Rubber Ducky Races, Hayrides, Corn Crib Corn Box, Farmer Golf, Giant Slides, Straw Mountains, Rope/Burlap Mazes, Farm Tunnels, Farm Barnyard, Right Turn Only Maze, Goat Mountain, Pumpkin Train, Little Farmersville Playland, Tunnel of No Return, Animal Tire Swings, Giant Pumpkin Cannon Show, Crazy Color Mazes, Swing the Ring -
Tudor House 1644 31st Street NW, Washington DC 202.965.0400
https://www.tudorplace.org/events-programs/scout-programs/
Since 1816, Tudor Place has overlooked Georgetown and the Potomac River, a grand residence whose design salutes the early American Republic. This house of architectural distinction lived in by six generations of the same family from 1805 to 1984 is set in over five acres of garden in Georgetown. Visit the house and gardens or check out one of the many Girl Scout programs offered by their staff!
Boulder Ridge Snow Tubing is a blast! 78 Country Club Trail, Fairfield, PA (717) 642-8282 http://www.libertymountainresort.com/mountain/snow-tubing/ If you are looking for good old fashioned wintertime fun, you have got to head straight to Boulder Ridge Snow Tubing! Snow Tubing is such a blast for all members of the family - and best of all, no experience is necessary! Be sure to check the GSCNC High Adventure Vendor List first.
Husky Power Dog Sledding 2008 Bumble Bee Road, Accident, MD 888-815-7486
www.huskypowerdogsledding.com/
Go for a KENNEL VISIT See how real sleddogs live, work and train! Spend a fascinating, fun-filled visit-- about two hours-- with the Herderings and the Huskies. Our demonstrative family of Siberian and Alaskan Huskies will intrigue and entertain you with their antics. See where and how the powerful pulling team lives. Learn about the sleds, harnesses and other equipment. Hear fascinating dogsled history and lore. Play with the pups and tease them with your good looks. Have your photo taken with your favorite.
Maryland Sled Dog Adventures, Baltimore, MD 443-562-5736
www.marylanddogsledding.com
Go for a dog sled ride, learn about the dogs and get to know them, learn about harnesses and equipment. They can even run with no snow on wheels. Great fun close to home.
Hike Sugarloaf Mountain - close to home and fabulous views from the top. Go to http://sugarloafmd.com/sl_trails.html to download a trails map.
Go letterboxing! Go to http://www.atlasquest.com/ to find nearby ones. There are boxes hidden at Steven's Park, down on the C&O Canal, on Sugarloaf Mountain and at the Soccerplex to name just a few locations. "The Haunted Mill" on the C&O Canal is a short hike and is fun to do around Halloween.
Canoeing at Black Hill Regional Park in Germantown/Boyds, MD. I have taken troops, day camp groups, and a youth group out on the lake. If the girls are interested they can pick up a laminated lake tour guide page of animals to look for including beaver, deer, and the resident eagle. Be sure to follow Safety Activity Checkpoints.
A challenge ropes course with Upward Enterprises. Girl Scouts were given a special discount rate on a challenge course. It was a great team building experience. Contact [email protected]. The location is 3035 Buckeystown Pike, Adamstown, MD or call 301-834 -6140.
Attend a sporting event in your area. Our area is rich in professional, semi-professional and college sports for both men and women
Sleepover at the Philadelphia Zoo for Girl Scouts. Check for times, age level and dates at www.philadelphiazoo.org. Also usually posted on Troop Edition. Other activities offered too.
Attend the Cherry Blossom Kite Festival on March 29, 2014 from 10:00-4:30 on the Washington Monument Grounds. http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/2013/07/19/blossom-kite-festival-2/
Kayak on the Potomac River with River & Trail Outfitters. www.rivertrail.com Follow Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Go snow tubing or skiing at Ski Liberty www.libertymountainresort.com or Ski Roundtop www.skiroundtop.com
Visit an apiary in Mt Airy, MD called Bee Folks. See outdoor beehives and learn about their behavior while watching them up close in an indoor observation hive. We had a honey tasting, saw all sorts of beeswax candles, and tried on beekeeper hoods. Girls went home with honey candy and beeswax lip gloss. https://www.beefolks.com
Take a field trip to Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington, DC. www.HillwoodMuseum.org Cost is $8/girl, 3 chaperones free, but additional adults are $15. (They didn’t actually charge us once we got there for the additional adults we had – we had two troops attend together.) The program meets requirements for 3 of the 5 steps for the new Girl Scout Junior Jeweler badge (#1, #4, and #5). The girls enjoyed the tour – it was interesting and just long enough to not lose their interest. They got to see Faberge eggs and lots of other artwork in the historic home. The hands on activity – decorating a box with gems, etc. was enjoyable too. Would only recommend for ages up to 5th grade.
Planning a trip to Savannah? In addition to the Juliette Gordon Low house and program and the Girl Scout first headquarters consider visiting Tybee Island with its Marine Center at Tybee Island and the Tybee Island lighthouse. You will also find ghost tours, horse carriage rides, the 8th Air force Museum with Girl Scout emphasis and the Juliette Gordon Low cemetery plot.
Take a trip to see the USS Constellation in the Baltimore Inner Harbor and sleep over on the boat. Go to www.historicships.org and click on plan your visit or overnights. There are half day programs offered too.
Around Halloween time, ghost tours are always fun. Harper’s Ferry, WV and Gettysburg, PA offer several options. For Harper’s Ferry go to www.harpersferryghost.20m.com. For Gettysburg just search Gettysburg ghost tours for several options.
Like to hike? There are many hiking opportunities around Harper’s Ferry, WV along with a lot of other outdoor activities. Check out the visitor’s guide at www.historicharpersferry.com.
Apple Dapple Day! Pick apples at Homestead Farms and then prepare yummy treats using the apples you just picked! http://www.homestead-farm.net/hours.html Same could apply to any of the fruit grown there, strawberries, cherries, blueberries, blackberries and peaches.
Fall is a great time to be outside. Girls of all ages enjoy hayrides and visits to the pumpkin patch. Check online to see what’s available in your area. Remember a hayride is considered high adventure so check the GSCNC website for high adventure vendors.
Older Juniors and Cadettes love a trip to New York City. With a little planning you can earn enough money through cookie sales and other events to make this something really special. Take in a Broadway show, visit the Empire State Building, go to Ellis Island, take a bus tour of the city and more and more and more. When looking for tickets be sure to check out offers that may be available to school groups. Sometimes Scout troops can get the same rate. Younger girls may want to have tea at the American Doll store – nice for a little down time!
Make a visit to Red Wiggler Farm in Germantown, MD. Red Wiggler is an organic farm that provides work for adults with disabilities and has a CSA program. We had a tour of the farm and got to actually help on the farm – a lot of fun for our group that loves to be moving and outside. There is also a solar house on the farm. www.redwiggler.org or [email protected]
Take a boat ride and tour Mount Vernon. Potomac Riverboat Co. has cruises on the Potomac River to Mt. Vernon. The boat takes you to Mt. Vernon where you can spend the afternoon on a self-guided tour then return on the boat. Several departure locations. www.potomacriverboatco.com
Try camping or hiking at Little Bennett Regional Park, Clarksburg, MD. “Little Bennett Campground is part of Little Bennett Regional Park, and offers visitors quality wooded campsites and miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails throughout 3,700 acres of forests and meadows. With more than 20 miles of trails to explore, 91 wooded campsites from which to choose, and a variety of weekend activities available for all age groups and interests.” www.montgomeryparks.org or www.LittleBennettCampground.com
Attend the annual Hershey Park Camp-O-Ree. The dates for 2014 are May 30-June 1 and June 6-8. Go to www.hersheypark.com/groups/camp-o-ree.php
Challenge Course: Sandy Spring Adventure Park Ropes Course in Sandy Spring, MD. http://www.sandyspringadventurepark.org/
This aerial forest adventure provides a harness and equipment and gives you a safety briefing that demonstrates how to climb and zip line in the park. There are 13 separate courses of varying levels of difficulty. Each course has zip lines but primarily consist of “bridges” between tree platforms made of rope, cable and wood configurations creating over 150 unique challenges. You will develop skills, endurance, and confidence during your time in the Park. Trained Adventure Park staff members monitor the Park and are there to assist if needed.
Summer's Farm Pumpkin Patch, 5620 Butterfly Lane, Frederick, MD 301.620.9316
See more at: http://summersfarm.com/
One price admission includes: Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Jumping Pillows, Rubber Ducky Races, Hayrides, Corn Crib Corn Box, Farmer Golf, Giant Slides, Straw Mountains, Rope/Burlap Mazes, Farm Tunnels, Farm Barnyard, Right Turn Only Maze, Goat Mountain, Pumpkin Train, Little Farmersville Playland, Tunnel of No Return, Animal Tire Swings, Giant Pumpkin Cannon Show, Crazy Color Mazes, Swing the Ring -
Tudor House 1644 31st Street NW, Washington DC 202.965.0400
https://www.tudorplace.org/events-programs/scout-programs/
Since 1816, Tudor Place has overlooked Georgetown and the Potomac River, a grand residence whose design salutes the early American Republic. This house of architectural distinction lived in by six generations of the same family from 1805 to 1984 is set in over five acres of garden in Georgetown. Visit the house and gardens or check out one of the many Girl Scout programs offered by their staff!
Boulder Ridge Snow Tubing is a blast! 78 Country Club Trail, Fairfield, PA (717) 642-8282 http://www.libertymountainresort.com/mountain/snow-tubing/ If you are looking for good old fashioned wintertime fun, you have got to head straight to Boulder Ridge Snow Tubing! Snow Tubing is such a blast for all members of the family - and best of all, no experience is necessary! Be sure to check the GSCNC High Adventure Vendor List first.
Husky Power Dog Sledding 2008 Bumble Bee Road, Accident, MD 888-815-7486
www.huskypowerdogsledding.com/
Go for a KENNEL VISIT See how real sleddogs live, work and train! Spend a fascinating, fun-filled visit-- about two hours-- with the Herderings and the Huskies. Our demonstrative family of Siberian and Alaskan Huskies will intrigue and entertain you with their antics. See where and how the powerful pulling team lives. Learn about the sleds, harnesses and other equipment. Hear fascinating dogsled history and lore. Play with the pups and tease them with your good looks. Have your photo taken with your favorite.
Maryland Sled Dog Adventures, Baltimore, MD 443-562-5736
www.marylanddogsledding.com
Go for a dog sled ride, learn about the dogs and get to know them, learn about harnesses and equipment. They can even run with no snow on wheels. Great fun close to home.
Indoor Field Trips
Learn about African-American history in Montgomery County, MD by visiting the Boyds Negro School in Boyds, MD. It is a historical building that was a one room school house for black children in the first half of the last century. It is open periodically during historical tours and by appointment. Contact Steve Gibson with the Boyds Historical Society at 301-428-0671.
Arrange a tour of your local fire house and bake cookies or donate Girl Scout cookies as a thank you.
Attend a sporting event in your area. Our area is rich in professional, semi-professional and college sports for both men and women.
Visit the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum at 105-107 South Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA
703-746-3852 or https://www.alexandriava.gov/Apothecary
Go to the circus. Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus comes to the DC metro area at least yearly usually in DC and at the Patriot Center at George Mason University.
Take an after-school field trip to The Kitchen Studio in Frederick, MD. We chose a menu option ahead of time of quesadillas and strawberry smoothies. First the girls sat at a large table area that can accommodate about 12 people to discuss kitchen safety and nutrition then took turns preparing their own food in the commercial kitchen. Afterwards they sat down again to enjoy the food together. The cost was $10/girl which was a tremendous value for the quality of the activity. www.kitchenstudiofrederick.com
"Ready Set Design!" program by Johns Hopkins University engineering women.
www.jhu.edu/readysetdesign
Rock wall climbing on Scout night at Earthtreks. Be sure to follow Safety Activity Checkpoints. www.earthtreksclimbing.com
Working on the Senior Sow What Journey? Try this idea for a field trip. Visit Mixed Greens & Community Kitchen, Inc. grocer located at 19900 Fisher Ave., Poolesville, MD http://www.mixedgreenskitchen.org a locally sourced green grocer carrying a variety of organic, all natural foods. Wonderful staff with personal knowledge of the source of all food at the store gave the troop a “tour” of the items for sale. Told the troop about the various farms and artisans who contributed to the stock. Has wonderful locally-made desserts.
Take a field trip to the Seneca Schoolhouse, 16800 River Road, Poolesville, MD. http://www.historicmedley.org/visit/seneca-schoolhouse/ “A carefully researched 19th century school day program is taught by a trained and costumed teacher. The session is given from 10:00-2:00 with time out for lunch and outdoor games. This field trip is designed for fourth grade students as local history, but can be tailored to any age, including mixed-age groups.” Cost is $200 for 25 students. It is a great companion to the Playing with the Past Junior badge.
Our girls loved participating in a local kids' Zumba class. We danced, got a little silly, and got a fun workout! Positive 'put-ups' were incorporated in the class so that we had a great time supporting each other as well! All ages. Contact: Daniela Helton. [email protected] or Danielahelton.zumba.com. Daniela's Fitness, LLC in Clarksburg, MD.
Tour Whole Foods. The Kentlands location contact is Claire Furman [email protected] Tour the store and talk about healthy foods, refueling your body, etc. End with a hands-on make-it/eat-it. Total time spent was about 1.5 hr. Great for Juniors.
Plan to attend a performance of the Nutcracker during December. The girls may enjoy making ginger cookies while discussing the Nutcracker beforehand.
Check the schedule at the Olney Theatre in Olney, MD for plays geared to children. Almost every year, they put on a children’s play. www.olneytheatre.org
Plan an outing to Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD; year-round children’s plays in intimate small stage setting. Troops can arrange backstage tours! Our girls thought this was super cool! Check out group sales at www.imaginationstage.org for special Scout offerings.
Tours can be arranged for the US Naval Observatory and the US Naval Academy. Check online for more information. Observatory: http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/tours-events/tour-information Naval Academy: http://www.usnabsd.com/for-visitors/
Are your girls interested in how government works? Try some of these tours: Pentagon, Annapolis State House, National Archives, Supreme Court, and the White House. Availability varies quite a bit.
Try out one of the Home Depot workshops offered at Home Depot stores on Saturdays. Check your local store for possibilities. www.homedepot.com
Take a tour of SPAGnVOLA a chocolate, tea, coffee, gelato shop and chocolate factory in the Kentlands area of Gaithersburg, MD. www.spagnvola.com Learn about how chocolate is processed, how to eat a bonbon, what it takes to start a business and more.
Check out the website of your local animal shelter. You may find volunteer opportunities and other ways you can help. Many will give tours and talks about animal care.
Contact your local fitness center if you are working on health and fitness. They may arrange a tour and talk for you and maybe even a class.
Toby’s Dinner Theater in Columbia, MD often has plays suitable for children. The evening includes dinner and a play. www.tobysdinnertheater.com
Our troop of Daisies went to see the Nutcracker by the Metropolitan Ballet Company. It was one of the best loved field trips we did. The girls, as well as the parents (and some grandmas) just loved it so much. And getting to meet the dancers after the show was icing on the cake. http://mbtdance.org/index.php Performances at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD.
Take a trip to the bank!
TD Bank Tour
19501 Frederick Rd.
Germantown, MD 20876
(240) 686-0206
They offer free fun patches for kids.
Go to the pet store!
PetSmart
20924 Frederick Rd, Germantown, MD 20876
(301) 916-2029
Animals/pets Try It Badge
Have a party!
Cutie Patootie Birthdays & Such
Spa Parties, Tea, & Diva/Runway Parties
17912 Georgia Avenue
Olney, MD 20832
(240) 342-2570 [email protected]
Enjoy a Mother/ Daughter Tea & dining etiquette. They come to you for your event.
Tea To Go
S.T.A.R.S., LLC
703.220.2004 www.starsllc.org
Working on your Courageous and Strong Daisy Petal? Kids Self-Defense class.
Urbana Academy, 11971 Fingerboard Rd. #5, Monrovia, MD 21770, (301) 748-8313
http://urbanaacademy.com/
Indoor Field Trip: Painted Cone Pottery & Ice Cream Shop, 3531 John Simmons St, Ste D09, Frederick, MD (301) 874-8651
Earth Space and Science Lab (ESSL), Lincoln Elementary, 210 Madison Street, Frederick, MD 240-236-2694 https://education.fcps.org/essl/general-information
In the planetarium, a computer-controlled projector displays the constellations and planets that move across the night sky. The full dome of the planetarium is also used to show movies in 360o with special effects, After the show and an orientation, the girls worked with partners to explore stations of starfish, sea urchins, horseshoe crabs, turtles, and crayfish. The ESSL also features live animals like Droid, the bearded dragon; Big Red, the piranha; and Drupal, the iguana. (You can follow Drupal on Twitter@DRUPALtheiguana.) Other habitats held fiddler crabs, firebelly toads, hedge hogs, snakes, scorpions, lion fish and even tarantulas.
Carlyle House 121 N Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA (703) 549-2997
https://www.nvrpa.org/park/carlyle_house_historic_park/content/girl_scout_tours
Carlyle House is a historic mansion in Alexandria built by Scottish merchant John Carlyle in 1751-53. Bring your troop to Carlyle House where they will discover the past through our programs all while earning a badge! JUNIOR GIRL SCOUTS: Playing the Past or Scribe Badge
https://www.tudorplace.org/events-programs/scout-programs/
Since 1816, Tudor Place has overlooked Georgetown and the Potomac River, a grand residence whose design salutes the early American Republic. This house of architectural distinction lived in by six generations of the same family from 1805 to 1984 is set in over five acres of garden in Georgetown. Visit the house and gardens or check out one of the many Girl Scout programs offered by their staff!
Sunday Family Dances at Glen Echo 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD
The Family Dance, welcoming all ages, usually takes place the second Sunday of each month. It offers a rare opportunity to experience the joy of dance with your children and with your community. Bring the entire family, neighbors, church or synagogue group, birthday party, girl or boy scout troop. No experience is necessary, just come on out and dance. An experienced family dance leader shows you everything you need to know right then and there, with a focus on HAVING FUN! The Family Dance is a unique opportunity for the very young and their parents, to experience the joyful community event of a contra and square dance. The target age children are 4-12.
Jewel & Bead Gallery 9847 Century Blvd, Germantown, MD
(240) 686-0131 www.jewelandbeadgallery.com/
The Gallery offers classes for young girls. The fee is $15 per girl, and each one creates their own memory wire necklace and bracelet. This is an easy, fun, and affordable way to celebrate the end of the year or to work on the Junior Jeweler Badge.
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum: Lighthouse Overnight Adventures
213 N Talbot St, St Michaels, MD
(410) 745-2916 http://www.cbmm.org/l_families.htm
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is located in St. Michaels, MD and is home to a collection of Chesapeake Bay artifacts, exhibitions, and vessels. Kids ages 8-12 travel back through time to explore the adventurous, exciting, and sometimes dangerous life of a late 19th-century lighthouse keeper by spending the night in the actual lighthouse. Through educator-led activities, participants try their hand at the keeper's traditional duties, listen to stories, and discover facts and clues about living in a lighthouse, navigation, and Bay history through games and puzzles.
Cadettes and above, try SCUBA diving! Take the Discover SCUBA activity with the Brass Anchor SCUBA shop in Frederick. The shop is listed on the high adventure list with GSCNC. The staff was terrific, very warm and encouraging. My girls had a great time trying out SCUBA gear at the Hood College pool. $25 per participant http://www.brassanchor.com/coupon.gif Found a cool patch for the activity I'll be ordering as well: https://www.advantageemblem.com/Product_Details/ProductID/1894/s0656-scuba-diving-fun-patch.aspx
Take the metro from Shady Grove and head down to DC and work on the "Discover the Nation's Capital" patch. by visiting various Smithsonian museums, etc. http://www.gscnc.org/files/pdf/program/nacap.pdf
Arrange a tour of your local fire house and bake cookies or donate Girl Scout cookies as a thank you.
Attend a sporting event in your area. Our area is rich in professional, semi-professional and college sports for both men and women.
Visit the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum at 105-107 South Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA
703-746-3852 or https://www.alexandriava.gov/Apothecary
Go to the circus. Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus comes to the DC metro area at least yearly usually in DC and at the Patriot Center at George Mason University.
Take an after-school field trip to The Kitchen Studio in Frederick, MD. We chose a menu option ahead of time of quesadillas and strawberry smoothies. First the girls sat at a large table area that can accommodate about 12 people to discuss kitchen safety and nutrition then took turns preparing their own food in the commercial kitchen. Afterwards they sat down again to enjoy the food together. The cost was $10/girl which was a tremendous value for the quality of the activity. www.kitchenstudiofrederick.com
"Ready Set Design!" program by Johns Hopkins University engineering women.
www.jhu.edu/readysetdesign
Rock wall climbing on Scout night at Earthtreks. Be sure to follow Safety Activity Checkpoints. www.earthtreksclimbing.com
Working on the Senior Sow What Journey? Try this idea for a field trip. Visit Mixed Greens & Community Kitchen, Inc. grocer located at 19900 Fisher Ave., Poolesville, MD http://www.mixedgreenskitchen.org a locally sourced green grocer carrying a variety of organic, all natural foods. Wonderful staff with personal knowledge of the source of all food at the store gave the troop a “tour” of the items for sale. Told the troop about the various farms and artisans who contributed to the stock. Has wonderful locally-made desserts.
Take a field trip to the Seneca Schoolhouse, 16800 River Road, Poolesville, MD. http://www.historicmedley.org/visit/seneca-schoolhouse/ “A carefully researched 19th century school day program is taught by a trained and costumed teacher. The session is given from 10:00-2:00 with time out for lunch and outdoor games. This field trip is designed for fourth grade students as local history, but can be tailored to any age, including mixed-age groups.” Cost is $200 for 25 students. It is a great companion to the Playing with the Past Junior badge.
Our girls loved participating in a local kids' Zumba class. We danced, got a little silly, and got a fun workout! Positive 'put-ups' were incorporated in the class so that we had a great time supporting each other as well! All ages. Contact: Daniela Helton. [email protected] or Danielahelton.zumba.com. Daniela's Fitness, LLC in Clarksburg, MD.
Tour Whole Foods. The Kentlands location contact is Claire Furman [email protected] Tour the store and talk about healthy foods, refueling your body, etc. End with a hands-on make-it/eat-it. Total time spent was about 1.5 hr. Great for Juniors.
Plan to attend a performance of the Nutcracker during December. The girls may enjoy making ginger cookies while discussing the Nutcracker beforehand.
Check the schedule at the Olney Theatre in Olney, MD for plays geared to children. Almost every year, they put on a children’s play. www.olneytheatre.org
Plan an outing to Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD; year-round children’s plays in intimate small stage setting. Troops can arrange backstage tours! Our girls thought this was super cool! Check out group sales at www.imaginationstage.org for special Scout offerings.
Tours can be arranged for the US Naval Observatory and the US Naval Academy. Check online for more information. Observatory: http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/tours-events/tour-information Naval Academy: http://www.usnabsd.com/for-visitors/
Are your girls interested in how government works? Try some of these tours: Pentagon, Annapolis State House, National Archives, Supreme Court, and the White House. Availability varies quite a bit.
Try out one of the Home Depot workshops offered at Home Depot stores on Saturdays. Check your local store for possibilities. www.homedepot.com
Take a tour of SPAGnVOLA a chocolate, tea, coffee, gelato shop and chocolate factory in the Kentlands area of Gaithersburg, MD. www.spagnvola.com Learn about how chocolate is processed, how to eat a bonbon, what it takes to start a business and more.
Check out the website of your local animal shelter. You may find volunteer opportunities and other ways you can help. Many will give tours and talks about animal care.
Contact your local fitness center if you are working on health and fitness. They may arrange a tour and talk for you and maybe even a class.
Toby’s Dinner Theater in Columbia, MD often has plays suitable for children. The evening includes dinner and a play. www.tobysdinnertheater.com
Our troop of Daisies went to see the Nutcracker by the Metropolitan Ballet Company. It was one of the best loved field trips we did. The girls, as well as the parents (and some grandmas) just loved it so much. And getting to meet the dancers after the show was icing on the cake. http://mbtdance.org/index.php Performances at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD.
Take a trip to the bank!
TD Bank Tour
19501 Frederick Rd.
Germantown, MD 20876
(240) 686-0206
They offer free fun patches for kids.
Go to the pet store!
PetSmart
20924 Frederick Rd, Germantown, MD 20876
(301) 916-2029
Animals/pets Try It Badge
Have a party!
Cutie Patootie Birthdays & Such
Spa Parties, Tea, & Diva/Runway Parties
17912 Georgia Avenue
Olney, MD 20832
(240) 342-2570 [email protected]
Enjoy a Mother/ Daughter Tea & dining etiquette. They come to you for your event.
Tea To Go
S.T.A.R.S., LLC
703.220.2004 www.starsllc.org
Working on your Courageous and Strong Daisy Petal? Kids Self-Defense class.
Urbana Academy, 11971 Fingerboard Rd. #5, Monrovia, MD 21770, (301) 748-8313
http://urbanaacademy.com/
Indoor Field Trip: Painted Cone Pottery & Ice Cream Shop, 3531 John Simmons St, Ste D09, Frederick, MD (301) 874-8651
Earth Space and Science Lab (ESSL), Lincoln Elementary, 210 Madison Street, Frederick, MD 240-236-2694 https://education.fcps.org/essl/general-information
In the planetarium, a computer-controlled projector displays the constellations and planets that move across the night sky. The full dome of the planetarium is also used to show movies in 360o with special effects, After the show and an orientation, the girls worked with partners to explore stations of starfish, sea urchins, horseshoe crabs, turtles, and crayfish. The ESSL also features live animals like Droid, the bearded dragon; Big Red, the piranha; and Drupal, the iguana. (You can follow Drupal on Twitter@DRUPALtheiguana.) Other habitats held fiddler crabs, firebelly toads, hedge hogs, snakes, scorpions, lion fish and even tarantulas.
Carlyle House 121 N Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA (703) 549-2997
https://www.nvrpa.org/park/carlyle_house_historic_park/content/girl_scout_tours
Carlyle House is a historic mansion in Alexandria built by Scottish merchant John Carlyle in 1751-53. Bring your troop to Carlyle House where they will discover the past through our programs all while earning a badge! JUNIOR GIRL SCOUTS: Playing the Past or Scribe Badge
- Visit the Carlyle House with the eyes of an author. Have a chance to be a member of the press, writing a news article about the Carlyles. Write poetry about living as a lady in the 18th century, and develop a teen ‘zine from Sarah Carlyle’s perspective. At the completion of this two hour program, girls will have earned the Scribe badge.
- Who lived at Carlyle House in the past? What would it have been like to be John Carlyle’s daughter Sarah? Explore the house and discover what kinds of things girls wore, what kind of games they played and what they learned in school. By completing this two hour program, girls will have earned the Playing the Past badge.
https://www.tudorplace.org/events-programs/scout-programs/
Since 1816, Tudor Place has overlooked Georgetown and the Potomac River, a grand residence whose design salutes the early American Republic. This house of architectural distinction lived in by six generations of the same family from 1805 to 1984 is set in over five acres of garden in Georgetown. Visit the house and gardens or check out one of the many Girl Scout programs offered by their staff!
Sunday Family Dances at Glen Echo 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD
The Family Dance, welcoming all ages, usually takes place the second Sunday of each month. It offers a rare opportunity to experience the joy of dance with your children and with your community. Bring the entire family, neighbors, church or synagogue group, birthday party, girl or boy scout troop. No experience is necessary, just come on out and dance. An experienced family dance leader shows you everything you need to know right then and there, with a focus on HAVING FUN! The Family Dance is a unique opportunity for the very young and their parents, to experience the joyful community event of a contra and square dance. The target age children are 4-12.
Jewel & Bead Gallery 9847 Century Blvd, Germantown, MD
(240) 686-0131 www.jewelandbeadgallery.com/
The Gallery offers classes for young girls. The fee is $15 per girl, and each one creates their own memory wire necklace and bracelet. This is an easy, fun, and affordable way to celebrate the end of the year or to work on the Junior Jeweler Badge.
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum: Lighthouse Overnight Adventures
213 N Talbot St, St Michaels, MD
(410) 745-2916 http://www.cbmm.org/l_families.htm
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is located in St. Michaels, MD and is home to a collection of Chesapeake Bay artifacts, exhibitions, and vessels. Kids ages 8-12 travel back through time to explore the adventurous, exciting, and sometimes dangerous life of a late 19th-century lighthouse keeper by spending the night in the actual lighthouse. Through educator-led activities, participants try their hand at the keeper's traditional duties, listen to stories, and discover facts and clues about living in a lighthouse, navigation, and Bay history through games and puzzles.
Cadettes and above, try SCUBA diving! Take the Discover SCUBA activity with the Brass Anchor SCUBA shop in Frederick. The shop is listed on the high adventure list with GSCNC. The staff was terrific, very warm and encouraging. My girls had a great time trying out SCUBA gear at the Hood College pool. $25 per participant http://www.brassanchor.com/coupon.gif Found a cool patch for the activity I'll be ordering as well: https://www.advantageemblem.com/Product_Details/ProductID/1894/s0656-scuba-diving-fun-patch.aspx
Take the metro from Shady Grove and head down to DC and work on the "Discover the Nation's Capital" patch. by visiting various Smithsonian museums, etc. http://www.gscnc.org/files/pdf/program/nacap.pdf
Camping
Idea for preparing girls who think they don’t like to camp for an encampment
– Part 1! We started slow several months in advance by having a “Camp-In/Cookout” where I showed them how to build a campfire and make S'mores. After we put the campfire out we went inside and talked about what they discovered while outside. Most of them had never been camping and were not dressed properly, so we went over how to dress in layers. The girls learned to make taffy fire starters, which we put aside for our next campfire. For dinner we had pizza, and made popcorn for the movie. We slept inside and most girls did not have sleeping bags, which they decided they needed to get before out next camp-in!
Idea for preparing girls who think they don’t like to camp for an encampment – Part 2! On the second
“Camp-in/Cookout, cook outside with a menu of hot dogs on sticks and grilled cheese in metal sandwich makers or something else simple. Plan an indoor activity and once that is done settle in to watch a movie and enjoy popcorn. This time, all the girls brought sleeping bags and they were warm and comfortable. Turn down the heat so they can experience sleeping in the cold without being outside!
Idea for preparing girls who think they don’t like to camp for an encampment – Part 3! Our final “Camp-in/Cookout” had the girls planning their menu for the night and morning. They are all really enjoying their time together at these “Camp-in/Cookout” events.
Maryland Science Center “Camp-In”
The overnight at the Maryland Science Center (geared for 3rd – 5th graders) was exceptionally well-run and had a great range of activities to keep the scouts occupied. The event included an IMAX movie AND Planetarium show, three hands-on science workshops geared toward a badge, and almost-enough time to explore many of the museum’s interactive exhibits (though our scouts could have stayed on!) They also provide an evening snack, a light breakfast, and a participation patch. (Leaders: this floor was carpeted and much more comfortable than overnights at historic buildings!) http://www.mdsci.org/programs/camp-in/
Try camping or hiking at Little Bennett Regional Park, Clarksburg, MD. “Little Bennett Campground is part of Little Bennett Regional Park, and offers visitors quality wooded campsites and miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails throughout 3,700 acres of forests and meadows. With more than 20 miles of trails to explore, 91 wooded campsites from which to choose, and a variety of weekend activities available for all age groups and interests.” www.montgomeryparks.org or www.LittleBennettCampground.com
Attend the annual Hershey Park Camp-O-Ree. The dates for 2014 are May 30-June 1 and June 6-8. Go to www.hersheypark.com/groups/camp-o-ree.php
Lockhouses on the C&O Canal are available for "camping". For more information, go to http://www.canaltrust.org/quarters/. We stayed at Lockhouse 25 (http://www.canaltrust.org/quarters/lockhouse-25.php) in mid November 2012 and it was cold and dark! But there is lots of history to discuss with the girls -- the underground railroad, how the lockhouses were managed by families, how this area was the border between the North and the South during the Civil War. And of course there is the wonderful walking along the canal trail. Lockhouse 25 has a fire pit and logs for burning and I think many of the other lockhouses do as well.
– Part 1! We started slow several months in advance by having a “Camp-In/Cookout” where I showed them how to build a campfire and make S'mores. After we put the campfire out we went inside and talked about what they discovered while outside. Most of them had never been camping and were not dressed properly, so we went over how to dress in layers. The girls learned to make taffy fire starters, which we put aside for our next campfire. For dinner we had pizza, and made popcorn for the movie. We slept inside and most girls did not have sleeping bags, which they decided they needed to get before out next camp-in!
Idea for preparing girls who think they don’t like to camp for an encampment – Part 2! On the second
“Camp-in/Cookout, cook outside with a menu of hot dogs on sticks and grilled cheese in metal sandwich makers or something else simple. Plan an indoor activity and once that is done settle in to watch a movie and enjoy popcorn. This time, all the girls brought sleeping bags and they were warm and comfortable. Turn down the heat so they can experience sleeping in the cold without being outside!
Idea for preparing girls who think they don’t like to camp for an encampment – Part 3! Our final “Camp-in/Cookout” had the girls planning their menu for the night and morning. They are all really enjoying their time together at these “Camp-in/Cookout” events.
Maryland Science Center “Camp-In”
The overnight at the Maryland Science Center (geared for 3rd – 5th graders) was exceptionally well-run and had a great range of activities to keep the scouts occupied. The event included an IMAX movie AND Planetarium show, three hands-on science workshops geared toward a badge, and almost-enough time to explore many of the museum’s interactive exhibits (though our scouts could have stayed on!) They also provide an evening snack, a light breakfast, and a participation patch. (Leaders: this floor was carpeted and much more comfortable than overnights at historic buildings!) http://www.mdsci.org/programs/camp-in/
Try camping or hiking at Little Bennett Regional Park, Clarksburg, MD. “Little Bennett Campground is part of Little Bennett Regional Park, and offers visitors quality wooded campsites and miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails throughout 3,700 acres of forests and meadows. With more than 20 miles of trails to explore, 91 wooded campsites from which to choose, and a variety of weekend activities available for all age groups and interests.” www.montgomeryparks.org or www.LittleBennettCampground.com
Attend the annual Hershey Park Camp-O-Ree. The dates for 2014 are May 30-June 1 and June 6-8. Go to www.hersheypark.com/groups/camp-o-ree.php
Lockhouses on the C&O Canal are available for "camping". For more information, go to http://www.canaltrust.org/quarters/. We stayed at Lockhouse 25 (http://www.canaltrust.org/quarters/lockhouse-25.php) in mid November 2012 and it was cold and dark! But there is lots of history to discuss with the girls -- the underground railroad, how the lockhouses were managed by families, how this area was the border between the North and the South during the Civil War. And of course there is the wonderful walking along the canal trail. Lockhouse 25 has a fire pit and logs for burning and I think many of the other lockhouses do as well.
Travel
Attend the annual Hershey Park Camp-O-Ree. The dates for 2014 are May 30-June 1 and June 6-8. Go to www.hersheypark.com/groups/camp-o-ree.php
Sleepover at the Philadelphia Zoo for Girl Scouts. Check for times, age level and dates at www.philadelphiazoo.org. Also usually posted on Troop Edition. Other activities offered too.
Go snow tubing or skiing at Ski Liberty www.libertymountainresort.com or Ski Roundtop www.skiroundtop.com
Planning a trip to Savannah? In addition to the Juliette Gordon Low house and program and the Girl Scout first headquarters consider visiting Tybee Island with its Marine Center at Tybee Island and the Tybee Island lighthouse. You will also find ghost tours, horse carriage rides, the 8th Air force Museum with Girl Scout emphasis and the Juliette Gordon Low cemetery plot.
Take a trip to see the USS Constellation in the Baltimore Inner Harbor and sleep over on the boat. Go to www.historicships.org and click on plan your visit or overnights. There are half day programs offered too.
Around Halloween time, ghost tours are always fun. Harper’s Ferry, WV and Gettysburg, PA offer several options. For Harper’s Ferry go to www.harpersferryghost.20m.com. For Gettysburg just search Gettysburg ghost tours for several options.
Older Juniors and Cadettes love a trip to New York City. With a little planning you can earn enough money through cookie sales and other events to make this something really special. Take in a Broadway show, visit the Empire State Building, go to Ellis Island, take a bus tour of the city and more and more and more. When looking for tickets be sure to check out offers that may be available to school groups. Sometimes Scout troops can get the same rate. Younger girls may want to have tea at the American Doll store – nice for a little down time!
Husky Power Dog Sledding 2008 Bumble Bee Road, Accident, MD
888-815-7486 www.huskypowerdogsledding.com/
Go for a KENNEL VISIT See how real sleddogs live, work and train! Spend a fascinating, fun-filled visit-- about two hours-- with the Herderings and the Huskies. Our demonstrative family of Siberian and Alaskan Huskies will intrigue and entertain you with their antics. See where and how the powerful pulling team lives. Learn about the sleds, harnesses and other equipment. Hear fascinating dogsled history and lore. Play with the pups and tease them with your good looks. Have your photo taken with your favorite.
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum: Lighthouse Overnight Adventures
213 N Talbot St, St Michaels, MD
(410) 745-2916 http://www.cbmm.org/l_families.htm
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is located in St. Michaels, MD and is home to a collection of Chesapeake Bay artifacts, exhibitions, and vessels. Kids ages 8-12 travel back through time to explore the adventurous, exciting, and sometimes dangerous life of a late 19th-century lighthouse keeper by spending the night in the actual lighthouse. Through educator-led activities, participants try their hand at the keeper's traditional duties, listen to stories, and discover facts and clues about living in a lighthouse, navigation, and Bay history through games and puzzles.
Sleepover at the Philadelphia Zoo for Girl Scouts. Check for times, age level and dates at www.philadelphiazoo.org. Also usually posted on Troop Edition. Other activities offered too.
Go snow tubing or skiing at Ski Liberty www.libertymountainresort.com or Ski Roundtop www.skiroundtop.com
Planning a trip to Savannah? In addition to the Juliette Gordon Low house and program and the Girl Scout first headquarters consider visiting Tybee Island with its Marine Center at Tybee Island and the Tybee Island lighthouse. You will also find ghost tours, horse carriage rides, the 8th Air force Museum with Girl Scout emphasis and the Juliette Gordon Low cemetery plot.
Take a trip to see the USS Constellation in the Baltimore Inner Harbor and sleep over on the boat. Go to www.historicships.org and click on plan your visit or overnights. There are half day programs offered too.
Around Halloween time, ghost tours are always fun. Harper’s Ferry, WV and Gettysburg, PA offer several options. For Harper’s Ferry go to www.harpersferryghost.20m.com. For Gettysburg just search Gettysburg ghost tours for several options.
Older Juniors and Cadettes love a trip to New York City. With a little planning you can earn enough money through cookie sales and other events to make this something really special. Take in a Broadway show, visit the Empire State Building, go to Ellis Island, take a bus tour of the city and more and more and more. When looking for tickets be sure to check out offers that may be available to school groups. Sometimes Scout troops can get the same rate. Younger girls may want to have tea at the American Doll store – nice for a little down time!
Husky Power Dog Sledding 2008 Bumble Bee Road, Accident, MD
888-815-7486 www.huskypowerdogsledding.com/
Go for a KENNEL VISIT See how real sleddogs live, work and train! Spend a fascinating, fun-filled visit-- about two hours-- with the Herderings and the Huskies. Our demonstrative family of Siberian and Alaskan Huskies will intrigue and entertain you with their antics. See where and how the powerful pulling team lives. Learn about the sleds, harnesses and other equipment. Hear fascinating dogsled history and lore. Play with the pups and tease them with your good looks. Have your photo taken with your favorite.
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum: Lighthouse Overnight Adventures
213 N Talbot St, St Michaels, MD
(410) 745-2916 http://www.cbmm.org/l_families.htm
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is located in St. Michaels, MD and is home to a collection of Chesapeake Bay artifacts, exhibitions, and vessels. Kids ages 8-12 travel back through time to explore the adventurous, exciting, and sometimes dangerous life of a late 19th-century lighthouse keeper by spending the night in the actual lighthouse. Through educator-led activities, participants try their hand at the keeper's traditional duties, listen to stories, and discover facts and clues about living in a lighthouse, navigation, and Bay history through games and puzzles.