Blue House School - Homeschooling one sweet girl!: July 2014

Sometimes an opportunity arises that is so perfect that a badge just kind of falls into place. This past weekend, Tessa and I attended a She and Me camp at Camp Cedarledge. The schedule of activities were such that earning the Brownie Making Friends Skill-Building Badge could/should have been part of the program.

The full requirements for earning the Making Friends Skill-Building Badge can be found in the Brownie It’s Your Story - Tell It, Skill Building Badge Activity Set. The following lists just a few of the things Tessa did at Camp Cedarledge to earn the badge.

Making Friends

Friends are another kind of family. They're the people you have fun with and who help you when you need it. Try this badge to learn how to make new friends, keep old friends, and be the best Brownie friend you can be.

Steps

1. Make friendly introductions. Making new friends can be as simple as introducing yourself. It's nice to share something about you when you introduce yourself, or one something about a friend when you're introducing them. Try it!

Completed Choice #1 - Introduce yourself.
Since we homeschool, camp stood in as a replacement for school in this requirement. I was really proud of Tessa. She was in a great mood the moment we arrived at camp and immediately ran up to the girls that arrived the same time we did and introduced herself. Just like that, they were off and playing. Perfect!

The girls chose camp names based on their likes, personalities or things they brought to camp. Tessa brought a stuffed frog with her, so she called herself "Froggy." They used their camp names when introducing themselves and making friends.

2. Show friends you care. Good friends remind one another of what makes them special, and help each other feel better when something goes wrong. Practice making a friend feel great in one of these ways.

Completed Choice #3 - Be a friend to someone you don't know.
Tessa was one of the first girls up our second day at camp and learned that she could find "lucky stones" (creek rocks with small natural holes eroded through them) around the campfire pit. Our unit had taken a creek walk the day before to look for these coveted "lucky stones," but many girls had a hard time finding small ones that could be used for making necklaces. Tessa helped other girls find "lucky stones" as they woke up and then they made necklaces with them out of yarn and pony beads.

Tessa wore her "lucky stone" necklace the entire last day of camp. I think it may end up being a memento she keeps forever.

3. Share favorite activities. A great way to show a friend you care is to pay special attention to what is important to them. Just because you are friends doesn't mean you both like the same things. Try one of these activities to learn more about a friend, and help them learn more about you.

Completed Choice #3 - Try a game or activity that's new to both of you.
Tessa learned so many new games and repeat-after-me songs with her camp friends that she completed this step many times over. Her favorite game was playing with the parachute. She liked the "Princess Pat" (what's linked is not the exact version Tessa learned, but I think this is the way it's supposed to be) and "There Was a Great Big Moose" (this one has motions too, but I couldn't find a good link that included them) songs best.

4. Learn how to disagree. Disagreement is when you don't feel the same way as a friend. For example, you want to play a game and they want to make snacks. It's okay to feel differently. You can still be friends! The important thing is to be a good friend while you disagree. Try one of these activities to practice.

Completed Choice #1 - Practice being a good listener.
Tessa instantly clicked with the first girl she met at camp. She and "Fumpy" practiced being good listeners and came up with workable solutions when they disagreed. Never did I hear an unkind word between them.

Tessa and her new instant best friend "Fumpy" were inseparable at camp. Tessa was super sad when it was time to go home. She wants to go to the same camp again next summer, but for longer.

5. Practice friendship! Now it's time to practice your friend skills. First, make a list of the top three things you've discovered that make someone a good friend. Then try one of these activities and concentrate doing those things. Talk about the activity with your Brownie group.

Completed Choice #3 - Go to a dance or art class, sports game, camp, or other activity.
Tessa built on the skills she learned as a Girl Scout Daisy and earned her Brownie Making Friends badge during a She and Me camp at Camp Cedarledge. The top three things she thinks makes good friends are being kind, knowing how to share, and being willing to talk and play.