I'm only listing a few badges here... but seriously, the Alaskan councils win for best and most options for badge earning potential. Maybe it's the harsh winters that require a lot of indoor down time that allows them a chance to come up with cool badges. Whatever the case, here is a sampling of super fun badges you can earn. Most of these can be done without actually going to Alaska... but if you get the chance, go! It is by far one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Junior and CSA requirements can be found in the link at the bottom of the post. Alaska, My Home Level: Brownie Requirements: Complete 4 of the following activities. 1. Learn the Alaska state bird, flower and motto. 2. Learn how to make an Eskimo yo-yo. 3. Learn about the history of the Alaska flag, and learn and sing or listen to the Alaska Flag Song. 4. Talk to a person in your community about the early days of your town, OR read something about Alaska history. 5. Prepare and eat an Alaskan food such as sourdough, salmon or other seafood, or something made with berries. 6. Learn the names of some of the plants or flowers that are native to your area of Alaska. 7. Read (or have someone read to you) a book about Alaska. Eyak/Tlingit/Haida/Tsimshian Culture Try-It Level: Brownie Requirements: Complete 4 of the following activities. 1. Map it! Find the Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian Indian regions on a map of Alaska. Much of this area is similar to a rain forest, with tall, massive trees found in the region. What other plants and flowers are native to this area of Alaska? 2. Imagine That! Discuss the matrilineal clan structure of this group of Alaska Natives. How does this compare with other cultures you know of? Talk to a tradition bearer from one of these cultures, if possible. What clan does she/he belong to? If your family does not follow the matrilineal clan structure, imagine what your own family would be like if you had grown up within this clan system. Share your ideas with your troop, another girl, or your family. 3. Ceremonial Regalia Examine pieces (or pictures) of traditional clothing worn in villages in this area. What themes are represented in the designs? 4. Celebration! For thousands of years, Southeast Alaska Natives have gathered to share their traditions through dance and song. “Celebration!” (started in 1982) is a biennial festival of Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian dance, song, oratory and arts held in Juneau. Watch a Tlingit, Haida, or Tsimshian Indian dance performance. Notice the special clothing and regalia worn. 5. Unique Art Study examples of art from these Northwest Coast cultures, using museums, the library, or the Internet as needed. Sketch your own piece of artwork using similar styles. 6. Who’s Who? Use the Internet or the library to discover why Alaska celebrates Elizabeth Peratrovich Day on February 16. She was part of the Alaska Native Sisterhood. What did she fight for? Who was William Paul Sr., and why is he remembered as an important Alaskan? “Awa’ahdahaanda’laxsa’a’ch’i" (Thank you for coming here) – Eyak “Yak’eihattyigoode’e” (It’s good that you have come) – Tlingit “Tatsgwiik” (Welcome, here is the place of honor for you) – Haida “ts’im’wii’amhaw” (Greeting) – Tsimshian S Inupiaq/Siberian Yupik Culture Try-It Level: Brownie Requirements: Complete 4 of the following activities. 1. Native Legends / Story Time! Ask an elder or a tradition bearer to tell you some legends, or have someone read you children’s books about life in this area of Alaska (some examples are the legend Caribou Girl by Claire Rudolf Murphy; Go Home, River by James Magdanz; Kumak’s House by Michael Bania; and Unipchaat 1, 2, or 3: Animal Stories of the Kobuk River Eskimos edited by Akugluk Wilfried Zibell). 2. Scrimshaw Look at examples of scrimshaw from this area of Alaska. Practice a few designs on a sheet of paper, looking at the lines and patterns of Eskimo art for ideas. With a sharp tool, scratch your design into a smooth, flat side of a bar of soap. Gently rub ink into the surface of the soap with a small brush or rag. Carefully pat off the excess ink. Do not rub. The ink should remain in the depression scratched into the soap. 3. Map it! Find the Inupiaq region and St. Lawrence Island on a map of Alaska, and label at least ten villages. How is the climate in this area different from other parts of Alaska? 4. Arctic Animals Traditionally, the Inupiaq and Siberian Yupik Eskimos depend on hunting for food. What kinds of animals are typically used to provide food for the people? Learn about the traditional whale hunt done by people in villages along the coast. How are the various parts of the whale used? With the help of other girls, make a large drawing or poster to show how the entire community gets involved. 5. Native Games Learn about Native youth games in the state of Alaska and World Eskimo-Indian Olympics (www.weio.org). How are these competitions an important part of skill development? Which competitions and games are most helpful in developing skills essential to survival in this part of Alaska? Watch a competition (live or on video), and practice one event until you improve your performance. 6. Language Lessons Learn how to say four new Inupiaq or Siberian Yupik phrases. Teach one to your family. 7. Celebrate! Learn about an important occasion for celebration in this part of Alaska. Why is this event important to celebrate, and what is done to make the celebration special? What roles do various people play? Hold a similar celebration (or act one out) with your troop or group. “Paglagivsigin” (We welcome you) – Inupiaq “Quyakamsitagilghilsi” (We welcome you) – Siberian Yupik Yup’ik/Cup’ik Culture Try-It Level: Brownie Requirements: Complete 4 of the following activities 1. Map it! Find the Yup’ik region and the two Cup’ik villages of Chevak and Mekoryuk on a map of Alaska. Label the main rivers and as many villages in this area as you can find. 2. Got the Beat? An important part of Yup’ik and Cup’ik dances is the drumming. Watch a Yup’ik or Cup’ik dance performance (live or on video), paying special attention to the rhythm of the drumming. Traditionally, what occasions are cause for dancing and drumming? 3. Making Connections Invite a Yup’ik or Cup’ik elder to visit your troop. Find out what life was like when she/he was young. How has today’s lifestyle changed from traditional times? Learn a few phrases in Yup’ik/Cup’ik. 4. Plants and Animals Traditionally, Yup’ik and Cup’ik use seasonal camps for fishing, hunting, and gathering. What plants or animals are used in this area? 5. What’s up? Review a current copy of The Bristol Bay Times, The Delta Discovery or The Tundra Drums to see what people/events are making the news today. Make a list of Alaska Native words you find in the newspaper. 6. Native Legends / Story Time! Ask a Yup’ik or Cup’ik elder or tradition bearer to tell you legends (or listen to a legend from Akiugnert Ciuliamta – Echoes From the Past edited by Susan Henry, or a story from Yup’ik Lore: Oral Traditions of an Eskimo People – Yuut Qanemciit: Yupiit Cayaraita Qanrutkumallrit edited by Edward A. Tennant and Joseph N. Bitar). Or listen to books about life in this area of Alaska. Examples are Dance on a Sealskin by Barbara Winslow; The Eye of the Needle and The Hungry Giant of the Tundra, retold by Teri Sloat; How the Crane Got Its Blue Eyes: a Yup’ik Legend, as told by Jean Cook, written by Elsie Jimmy (CD-ROM presents it in both Yup’ik Eskimo and English); Kitaq Goes Ice Fishing, by Margaret Nicolai; and What Girls Should Do When Eskimo Dancing, by Rosalie Lincoln. 7. Native Games Learn about Native youth games in the state of Alaska and World Eskimo-Indian Olympics (www.weio.org). How are these competitions an important part of skill development? Watch a competition (live or on video), and practice one event until you improve your performance. “Waqaa” (Greetings) – Yup’ik & Cup’ik BIRD TRY-IT Level: Brownie Requirements: Complete 4 of the following activities. 1. Learn about the following 10 birds: Black Capped Chickadee Red Breasted Nuthatch Common Redpoll Bohemian Waxwing Downy Woodpecker Steller’s Jay Black Billed Magpie Raven Willow Ptarmigan Bald Eagle 2. Play the Bird Identification Line Game. 3. Learn about the two main types of feathers - contour feathers and down feathers. 4. Watch the Eyewitness Bird Video . . . 35 min. (or equivalent) 5. Read Who Eats What by Patricia Lauber and/or play the food chain games. 6. Make a simple bird feeder and put it where the birds will find it! Watch to see what birds come to eat! 7. Read aloud one of the following books: a. Puffin A Journey Home by Jim Tilly b. The Raven and River by Nancy Carlstrom c. Carmine the Crow by Heidi Holder d. Ask your local librarian for other age appropriate books. 8. Learn the “Found a Mammal” song or a song about birds. DOG MUSHING TRY-IT Level: Brownie Requirements: Complete 4 of the following activities. 1. Talk with a musher or visit a kennel. Learn about what is involved in caring for, raising and training sled dogs (or read the entire book: Born to Pull). 2. Read a mushing book or have one read to you. Suggested reading: Born to Pull (an excellent resource on mushing at a kid’s level.), Kiana’s Iditarod, Balto, Storm Run (Libby Riddles), Danger, The Dog Yard Cat, North Country Christmas. 3. See a movie about mushing. Suggestions: Balto or Iron Will. 4. Attend a dog sled race (such as the start of the Iditarod, or the Fur Rendezvous races) or follow the Iditarod race progress daily on a map or the Internet. 5. Learn about the parts of a dog sled and basic mushing equipment. 6. View, ride on or mush a dog sled. Learn simple mushing commands ( i.e. Gee, Haw, On-By) 7. Learn about dog safety. (Anchorage Animal Control has an excellent hand out.) 8. Write a story or a poem about mushing, draw a picture or make a model of a sled dog team. ALASKA’S NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES PATCH Brownies: complete 4 activities (including #1 and2) Juniors: complete 5 activities (including #1 and2) Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors: complete 6 activities (including #1 and2) It is recommended (but not required) that you complete at least one animal-related activity and one plant-related activity. REQUIRED ACTIVITIES 1. About Your Refuge: After finding out about the history of the National Wildlife Refuge System by watching the National Wildlife Refuges of Alaska movie , get to know your local refuge. What are the major bodies of water in the refuge and what are the major land features-tundra, wetlands, glaciers, volcanoes, maritime or mountains? Find out why and when the refuge was created and how large it is. Make a poster or a map showing what you learned. 2. Recreation Activity* Many refuges are open to wildlife dependent recreation. Visit a refuge or a nearby forest or tundra to try a recreational activity such as hiking, tide pooling,or walking along a beach. Snowshoeing and skiing are winter possibilities, and some refuges may have snowshoes available for use. Investigate off-trail for animal and bird tracks, or head to afield or snow-covered frozen lake to try out races and games. Note: If snowshoeing for the first time, it’s good to use a packed trail until you gain more experience. ANIMAL-RELATEDACTIVITIES 3.Animal Tracks* Identify five Alaskan animals’ tracks and learn about their gaits (the distance between the footprints). Using your own hands and feet, try to accurately walk the gait of two different animals.Do an art project of some kind making a replica or print of animal tracks. 4.Endangered and Threatened Species of Alaska: Find out what species are endangered or threatened in Alaska (http://adfg.state.ak.us/special/esa/esa_home.php). Sea otters were over-harvested for their furs but have since make a comeback because of recognition of the problem.Are there animals, birds or plants on the list that you have seen? Find out which species live in the refuge nearest you. Write a poem or draw a picture about one of the species listed on the website. 5. Birds: Identify 5 birds native to your refuge. Then make a feeder or bird house for your back yard and learn what food mixture to use (don’t leave bird food out during bear season); OR learn about Duck Stamps and what the fees are used for. Create your own Duck Stamp design, and consider submitting your entry to the Junior Duck Stamp Contest (contest rules available at http://duckstamps.fws.gov). 6. Salmon: View pictures of the five species of salmon (http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/special/as/docs/id_%20chart.pdf) and learn about fish habitat. Make a drawing of a healthy fish habitat. Remember to have fresh flowing water, hiding places and food for the newly hatched eggs(and salmon). List three things that are possible threats to the well-being of fish habitat or that can cause erosion to the banks offish habitat. 7. Animal Identification* Find out what animals live in your refuge and learn about them. http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/notehome.phpis a great website of fish, wildlife,birds, etc. with pictures and information. Using resources from your local refuge or a local taxidermist, match animal fur samples to photos of animals. Some possible Alaskan animals are black bear, brown bear, mountain goat, Dall sheep, deer, moose, wolf,snowshoe hare, ermine, wolverine, red fox, marmot, beaver, otter, seal,sea lion and walrus. 8. Seasonal Adaptation and Camouflage*Learn about seasonal adaptation and camouflage in the ermine,snowshoe hare, arctic fox or ptarmigan.Can you think of other animals that use adaptation and camouflage?Play a camouflage game (i.e., hide and seek). PLANT-RELATEDA CTIVITIES 9.Invasive Plants, Fish or Animals: Identify three invasive plants in your refuge.See if you can identify the plants both prior to and after blossoming. Talk with refuge staff to find out if your refuge has any invasive animals, fish or other species. Find out why these plants or animals are a threat to native species and how they got on the refuge.Is anything being done to remove them?See if there is an opportunity to volunteer to help pull invasive plants at your refuge(or other public lands in your community), and do this as a troop service project. 10.Native Plants: Learn uses of native plants located in your refuge by humans–for food,medicine or decorative purposes. Use plants to add color to a bandana or tee shirt by using the leaves and blossoms for natural dye. 11.Trees: Identify and become familiar with the bark off our different trees native to your refuge.Notice the bark’s texture, odor and the leaf shape.Treesgrow from the core out and create rings. If samples are available from your local Refuge, study tree ring samples and see if you can tell the ages of the trees. OTHER ACTIVITIES 12.Home to Humans? What kind of people work at Alaska’s refuges?What types of jobs are available? Interview up to three refuge staff to learn what they do at the refuge. 13.Water Everywhere: Make a groundwater parfait (Edible Earth Parfait) and learn about how pollutants get into our groundwater(http://www.groundwater.org/kc/activity5.html).Wetlands are often located in Refuges. Learn why wetlands are important in your Refuge(for migratory birds, fish, animals, floods, purifier, etc.). Multi level requirements and original source: https://www.girlscoutsalaska.org/content/dam/girlscouts-girlscoutsalaska/documents/patches/Council%20Patch%20Book%20-%20REV%20May%202018.pdf |
Why?
Looking for a fun way to teach geography to your Girl Scout? Why not use council badges to do so. When a good option is available, I'll post Council's Own patches that allow you to learn about the region. Otherwise, I'll list a link to purchase a basic council patch and optional requirements that will help you teach your scout in a fun way. This will be an ongoing project. ArchivesCategories
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