More About Badges

[smallhobbit]

A couple of weeks ago Doodles ordered the holiday badges some of the Brownies had been working for.  In the end, 11 did the Easter badge and 8 did the Eid badge, which I was pleased about.  And for one-third of the pack to have done at least one badge is good, given all the other stresses families are under at the moment.  Hopefully having something a bit different to do, with a badge as well, is helping in some way.

It's clear we won't be going back this term, so I suggested to Doodles I might produce another badge challenge.  This time we're looking at 'I've been creative'.  I'm suggesting eight different ways of being creative, of which the Brownies choose four.  Once again it's been a case of finding things which are easily available in the home, or are an extension of things which they may already be doing. 

The categories are:

• make a bookmark for your Brownie badge book, decorated with badges
• try some origami (suggestion attached if required)
• make a Thank You card
• do some mindfulness colouring (suggestion attached)
• write a story or poem, and decorate if you like
• make cakes or decorate biscuits
• do some sewing, knitting or crochet
• learn a new song, or play a new tune on an instrument

Also, last week, greatly to my surprise I had a card through the door from the District group to say thank you.  And inside was a badge!

Comments

[aome]

Awww, that's great that the troop leaders get badges, too!

You're doing a good job keeping the Brownies active, despite the circumstances. Might it be possible to get together outdoors for some event, or is British weather too flighty for that?

[smallhobbit]

At the moment we wouldn't even be allowed to do that - and there are limited open spaces we could use. We have to wait for authority from Girlguiding HQ before we can do anything at all. For the moment, although shops are open, no groups are allowed to meet (this is all about the economy).

We're just aiming to keep some contact with the girls, which does seem to be appreciated.

[corvidology]

Awww, I love that you got a badge too!

[smallhobbit]

I know - I'm delighted :)

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Glad you're keeping them busy even if you can't meet in person.

[smallhobbit]

We're doing what we can - some units are running online meetings, but that's more than we can manage, which is why we're setting them badge challenges.

[romanajo123]

Awww that’s so cool!

Cute badge

[smallhobbit]

Thank you! It's a great badge - I was delighted with it.

[shadowhive]

Aww that’s so cute! Those are all good ideas for them to do and they did so well to get the holiday badges during lockdown🖤

[smallhobbit]

The Brownies did do well. I designed the challenges so they could be easily done in lockdown and would require minimal parental input, the idea being the Brownies could earn the badges by themselves.

[mafief]

It’ll give them something to work towards, which will be nice.

Your badge is awesome.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, something easy but with a goal in mind.

I know - I'm delighted.

[st_aurafina]

That's a beautiful badge! I love all the options you put together for working on a badge at home. (You do really great activities! I wish there had been an Eid badge when I was a brownie.)

Also, thank you for your beautiful card! It's really lovely.

[smallhobbit]

Isn't it!

The Eid badge is new this year. Girlguiding have just started producing a series of badges celebrating religious holidays and they seemed perfect to me for some simple do at home challenges.

I'm glad the car arrived safely.

[adafrog]

That's great! (all of it. :)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you and yes I'm pleased.

[rusty_armour]

I think it's wonderful that the Brownies have been earning so many badges from home! Under the circumstances, it's great that one third of the pack have completed at least one badge. :-) Oh, and congratulations on earning your own badge! \o/ It's definitely well-deserved!

I really like the "I've been creative" challenge. There's a really good selection of tasks that covers different types of creative endeavour. These tasks also don't require a lot of materials and are things that can be easily accomplished outside of a Brownie meeting.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - those who have done the badges do seem to have enjoyed themselves. I wanted the creative challenge to cover all sorts of ways of being creative, but also be easy for them to simply sit down and do if that's what they wanted.

I'm delighted to have earned my own badge too :)

[margaret_r]

A great challenge for the girls in lockdown, something quite achievable. Love the badges and so good that your hard work is recognised in such a lovely way.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. With parents already having quite enough to do, I wanted challenges which would require minimum effort on their part but still be enjoyable for the girls.

[luthienberen]

Awww what a beautiful badge to receive! Well earned & deserved. Also, lovely activities for the girls whilst making it easy for the adults to source materials etc.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much!

Yes - the Brownies do seem to be enjoying the activities, without the adults having to do anything more than normal.

[moth2fic]

I love your badge! I hope your Brownies are enjoying their challenges - it certainly sounds as though a lot of them are.

[smallhobbit]

It's great, isn't it. I think they are - they're not particularly challenging challenges, but that's not the point. Simply encouraging them to continue with Brownie activities is what matters.