Brownie Quest - Girl Scouts of Northern California

Girl Scouts of Northern CaliforniaBrownieJourneySnap ShotBrownieQuestBrownie Quest 2011

Girl Scouts of Northern CaliforniaSession 1: Discovering...You, Values, Family pg.42.Brownies discover and give voice to their special qualitiesand appreciate the qualities of their sister Brownies. Thenthey “find” the values of the Girl Scout Law and prepare toshare them with their families. They could:Fill in the blanks on the Discovering Me activity sheet onpage 49 of the girl bookParticipate in a ball toss game where they name specialtalents or qualities they might have recording thequalities on the troop “star” chartParticipate in a word search around the room or outsidelooking for values of the Girl Scout LawBrownie Quest:What are the most important keys for a Girl Scout to own?This quest, which has second- and third-graders travelingalong two colorful trails—one they can enjoy on their own andone they explore with their Girl Scout group—answers thatquestion in a very special way. Along this Quest journey,Brownies will meet three new friends and a bright and shiningelf—in a brand-new Brownie story meant to inspire their ownTake Action Projects. The accompanying adult guide offersall the tips needed to create and maintain a sense of fun andmystery along the entire Quest. Instructions for a BrownieBrainstorm, Brownie Team Trade, and other activities ensurea quality and fun time for the girls.The Discover Key – To earn this award, each Brownie willdiscover herself and her values—as a Girl Scout and amember of her family.The Connect Key – To earn this award, each Brownie willconnect as a member of a Brownie Team, with her family on ahealthy-living activity, and, as a group with their communityto increase healthy-livingThe Take Action Key – To earn this award, Brownies willteam up to identify a community place where the team canTake Action. Then they join together to make a plan to TakeAction and carry out their Take Action Project to improvetheir world.The Brownie Quest Award – At the end of the Quest, thegirls also earn the journey's culminating award, the masterlock that needs all three of their keys in order to open.Through this award, the Brownies will see that, together, theirthree keys—Discover, Connect, and Take Action—unlock themeaning of leadershipHere are some sample sessions for the Brownie Quest toget you started. Use your imagination and input from the girlsto make this journey work for your group. Page numbers inthe headings refer to the pages in the adult guide.Read or listen to chapter 1 of the story in the girl bookstarting on page 10Go home with the “family star” handout to complete withtheir parentsSession 2: Discovering and Connecting page 57. The girlsengage in a team-building game and reflect on theexperience, which guides them to create a Brownie TeamAgreement—the first step to the second key. They could:Share their family stars in a Brownie CircleCelebrate earning the Discover Key by relating what theyhave discovered about themselves and their familyPlay a team-building gameLearn about connecting at home by reading anddiscussing the story on page 54 in the girl bookRead or listen to page 55 in the girl book and make acommitment to try at least one healthy habit and toencourage their family to do the sameTake home the Healthy-Living Family Activity handoutand encourage their family to return the CommitmentCardSession 3: Connecting and Taking Action page 65. Browniesearn the Connect Key by first exploring the “circles” of theirlives and then expanding their caring to their community bywriting a letter to a school or town official to seek a healthylivingimprovement. They could:Create a Brownie Team Agreement on page 53 in the girlbook and add it to their booksShare their family Commitment Cards and what they didto help their family to make a healthy changeBrownie Quest 2011

Girl Scouts of Northern CaliforniaUsing the ME circle on page 60 of the girl book learn howto connect with others around them (leader guide page66—67)Listen to or read the story on page 64 in the girl bookabout a real group of children who want to fix a brokensidewalkReflect on what their Take Action Project meant to themusing the questions on page 68 of the girl bookEarn their Take Action Key and their Brownie LeadershipQuest AwardSession 4: Choosing a Take Action Project page 75. BrownieTeam members identify a community need that matters tothem and begin to create a solution—a way to Fly into Actionand accomplish something on behalf of others. They could:Brainstorm who needs the Brownie ELF team and whatthey can do for them (page 77 in the adult guide)Using a simple link arms game learn what possibleproject their partner likes and do some trading to helpthem learn what a consensus is. Hopefully come to aconsensus on their Take Action ProjectMake a plan to gather supplies and information neededto carry out the Take Action ProjectLearn about writing to people in authority and practiceusing the sample letter on page 70 of the adult guideSession 5 and 6: Taking Action and Making the World aBetter Place page 85. The Brownie Team moves forwardwith its Take Action Project to make an impact in thecommunity and earn its third key. They could:Carry out their Take Action Project and make theconnection to their communityWhat is a Brownie Take Action Project?Brownies are encouraged to look in their community toidentify needs. They then try to draw attention to the needthrough letters and presentations to their family and friends,and then find out what steps they can take to help make theproject happen. It is not expected that Brownies are going togo out and repair a sidewalk but they can draw attention tothe problem by alerting the city official who can make thathappen.A good Take Action Project :Allows girls to use their special skills—words and deeds—to make the world a better placeRelies on girl input in choosing and planningGives girls the opportunity to work as a teamEnables girls to advocate for making the world a betterplace by contacting community officials and takingactionEvaluate how the Take Action Project went and make amemento of their experience to add to their bookLearn how to write thank you notes to everyone whohelped them on their projectStart planning their closing ceremonySession 7: Celebration and Reflection Unlocking the Codeto Leadership page 88. Depending on the girls’ Take ActionProject and the time and resources available, the BrownieTeam may earn the Take Action Key and “put all the keystogether” to earn the Brownie Leadership Quest Award at theclosing of session 6. Or you could decide to hold a specialSession 7 closing celebration with family and friends. Theycould:To further customize this journey and to enhance theBrownie experience please visit the GSUSA web site atwww.girlscouts.org where you will find journey maps withgreat side trips. Check out the brand new Girls Guide to GirlScouting book with badges and badge sets linked to thejourneys.If celebrating with guests, make a display of what theyhave learned with their maps and their mementosBrownie Quest 2011