Decorated Flowerpot

Using acrylic paints, decorate a clay paint pot. Butterflies, plants, or polka dots are nice, simple decorations. If you will be adding a plant to the flowerpot, a painting of that plant is a nice touch.
Let it dry completely.

To give as a present you could fill the plant pot with potting soil and plant the seed of a fast-growing flower (like marigolds) or put in a small plant (herbs like chives are a nice choice).

Wrap with cellophane, and tie with a pretty bow.

Spider

1. Separate one cup from an egg carton.
2. Using the point of a scissors, an adult should make 8 small holes (4 on each side) at the base of the cup.
3. Insert a pipe cleaner into each of the holes for legs.
4. Draw a face and decorate the body.

Paper Baskets

These Paper Baskets are easy for kids to make, and fun to fill with treats that kids love.

Paper Baskets are great for any time of the year. Use a different shape to make baskets for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day or Easter. Be sure to pick colors of paper that will fit the theme of your baskets (eg. red hearts, yellow chicken, green shamrocks).

Junior Cookery

Berry Tasty Muffins

Prep time: about 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 c. flour
• 1 c. oatmeal
• 3 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 4 tsp. baking powder
• 1 c. blueberries, washed
• 1 egg
• 1 c. milk
• 1/4 c. vegetable oil
• nonstick spray

Utensils:

• oven (You’ll need help from your adult assistant.)
• mixing spoon
• 2 large bowls
• fork
• muffin/cupcake tin
• paper muffin/cupcake liners
• wire rack for cooling muffins
• measuring cups and spoons

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, oatmeal, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
3. Mix in blueberries.
4. In another bowl, break the egg and use a fork to beat it just a little bit.
   Then add the milk and vegetable oil, and mix.
5. Add this mixture to the first mixture in the large bowl.
6. Using a mixing spoon, mix about 25 or 30 times. Don’t mix too much! Your muffin mixture should be lumpy, not smooth.
7. Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly spray with nonstick spray.
   Spoon in the muffin mix. Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 of the way up.
8. Bake for about 20 minutes.
9. When muffins are finished baking, remove from muffin tin and cool them on a wire rack.
10. Enjoy your berry tasty muffins!

Serves: 12

Toffee Krispies

• 6 cups Kelloggs Rice Krispies
• 1 bag of marshmallows
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine

Melt the margarine or butter in a non-stick pan and add the entire bag of marshmallows. Stir over medium heat until the marshmallows have completely melted. Add Rice Krispies and mix together well. Pour mixture onto cooking tray and spread out evenly. Cut into squares when cool.

Kids love making and eating these easy treats!

Fun Fruit Kebabs

Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 apple
• 1 banana
• 1/3 c. red seedless grapes
• 1/3 c. green seedless grapes
• 2/3 cup pineapple chunks
• 1 cup nonfat yogurt
• 1/4 c. dried coconut, shredded

Utensils:

• knife (You’ll need help from your adult assistant.)
• 2 wooden skewer sticks
• large plate

Directions:

1. Prepare the fruit by washing the grapes, washing the apples and cutting them into small squares, peeling the bananas and cutting them into chunks, and cutting the pineapple into chunks, if it’s fresh. Put the fruit onto a large plate.
2. Spread coconut onto another large plate.
3. Slide pieces of fruit onto the skewer and design your own kabab by putting as much or as little of whatever fruit you want! Do this until the stick is almost covered from end to end.
4. Hold your kabab at the ends and roll it in the yogurt, so the fruit gets covered. Then roll it in the coconut.
5. Repeat these steps with another skewer

Frozen Yogurt Pops

Prep time: about 1 to 2 hours

Ingredients:

• 1 8-oz. container of your favorite flavor of yogurt

Utensils:

• small paper cups
• wooden popsicle sticks (available in craft stores)
• plastic wrap

Directions:

1. Pour yogurt into paper cups. Fill them almost to the top.
2. Stretch a small piece of plastic wrap across the top of each cup.
3. Using the popsicle stick, poke a hole in the plastic wrap. Stand the stick straight up in the center of the cup.
4. Put the cups in the freezer until the yogurt is frozen solid.
5. Remove the plastic wrap, peel away the paper cup, and eat your pop!

Serves: 3 to 4

Chocolate Easter Nests

To make 10 nests, you will need:

Ingredients:

• 225g (8oz) plain chocolate
• 50g (2 oz) butter
• 2 tablespoons golden syrup
• 100g (4oz) corn flakes
• 30 mini chocolate eggs
• Baking tray with shallow pans
• Paper cake cases

Recipe:

1. Put ten paper cases into pans in the baking tray.
2. Place a large pan on the stove and add the butter, golden syrup and broken chocolate pieces. Adult supervision is required.
3. Heat the pan gently, stirring all the time, until everything is completely melted.
4. Turn off the heat. Now add the corn flakes. Gently stir them into the chocolate, until they are completely covered.
5. Scoop the mixture out of the pan and into the paper cases. Using the back of a teaspoon, make a hollow in the middle of each nest.
6. Arrange a few mini eggs inside the hollow of the each nest. Put the tray into the fridge and let it set for about an hour.
7. Take the nests out of the cases and arrange onto a plate. Eat straight away.

Arts & Crafts Badge

The aim of this badge is to encourage girls to express themselves creatively and develop dexterity and interest in craft and design work.

Junior Candidates – make three of the following:

1. Gift Card or Gift Tag
2. A collage picture
3. A calendar
4. An item using paper
5. Sewing card – dot to dot
6. A piece of jewellery

Candidates – make five of the following

1. A gift card or tag
2. An article using a yogurt carton
3. A mat using binca canvas or plastic canvas
4. A collage picture
5. A calandar
6. A piece of jewellery
7. An item using paper
8. An item using clothes pegs
9. An item using pipe cleaners
10. Sewing card – dot to dot

Junior Members
7-9 years, one article from each section below.
3-11 years, six articles, at least one from each section below.

Wool Craft

1. A square using fifteen stitches
2. A doll’s scarf
3. A simple toy
4. A pom pom
5. An item using wool

Handcraft

1. An item using clothes pegs
2. A place mat
3. An article to contain pot pourri
4. An article using a recycled container

Thread Work

1. Thread a needle and sew on a button
2. Make a friendship or other bracelet using thread
3. Make a finger/glove/sock puppet
4. Make or decorate an item using a sock or socks

Paper Craft

1. Make an item using card or paper
2. Make a picture using a special skill, i.e. quilling, decoupage etc

Members and Senior Members
Members: one from each section
Senior Members: six articles, at least one from each section

Wool Craft

1. An item using wool

Sewing

1. Make a bag
2. A wall hanging
3. A soft toy

Handcraft

1. Decorate an article of clothing
2. A piece of jewellery
3. Stencil on item of practical use
4. Make a useful household item

Drawing and paperwork

1. Origami-decorative item
2. Calligraphy – GFS prayer, motto, etc.
3. Pencil drawing
4. Design a poster, computers may be use
5. Decoupage

Bible Study Badge

The aim of this badge is to give girls a deeper knowledge of the bible and its relevance for today.

All girls

Study the course set out for the Bible Study examination and obtain a pass mark for two years in your individual section – Junior Candidates, Candidates, Junior Members, Members, Senior Members

OR

Leaders may select the syllabus for any two years in the respective ages from the Bible Study hand book, all passages to be studied and examined in the individual sections.

Book Lovers Badge

Book Lovers Badge

Aim: The aim of this badge is to encourage enjoyment of literature

Junior Candidates

1        Leader to read three simple books to girls (2 from suggested list).  Be able to answer four simple questions about the story.

2        Look at a picture and tell the leader what you see in it.

Candidates

1        Read four books, two from the attached list.

2        Draw a picture of what happens in your favourite book.

3        Know where to go to borrow books to read.

4        Know where your nearest library is and visit it.

Junior Members

1        Read two books from the attached list.

2        Read two other books of your choice one possibly by a local author.

3        Know what you call the person who writes a book.

4        Know where to find and borrow books you don’t have.

5        Know what the types of books are – fiction/non-fiction/reference.

6        Complete the book review sheet for the books you have read

Members and Senior Members 11-15 choose 4 questions

15-18 do all 5 questions

1        Read two books from the list.

2        Read two other books of your choice and complete a short book review on each, one on either history, travel or nature and one possibly by a local author.

3        Visit your local library, find out about the major sections in the library and the types of book in each section.

4        Produce a small leaflet on an author of your choice.

5        Find out about any famous poet and learn about one of his/her poems or review an article from your favourite magazine and discuss.

Book review sheets are available from Central Office

Revised March 2010

BOOK LIST 2010

Junior Candidates/Candidates

The Gruffalo Series

Elmer Series (the colourful elephant)

Tabby McTat – Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

Spot Series

Panda Series

Owl Babies – Martin Waddell

The Hungry Caterpillar – Eric Carle

Sticker Books (e.g. Doreen Kindersley Butterflies sticker book)

Junior Members (7-9yrs)

The Animal Ark Series

The Lighthouse Keeper Series

The Magic Finger –  Roald Dahl

The Owl who was afraid of the Dark – Jill Tomlinson

Stig of the Dump – Clive King

Fantastic Mr Fox – Roald Dahl

The Hodgeheg – Dick King Smith

Yob – Dick King Smith

The Jolly Witch – Dick King Smith

The Dancing Bear – Michael Marplego

The Guard Dog – Dick King Smith

Charlotte’s Web – E.B. White

George’s Marvellous Medicine – Roald Dahl

Judy Moody Series

Horrid Henry Series

Junior Members (9-11yrs)

Exploring the Book of Kells – George Otto Simms

Holes – Louis Sachar

Matilda – Doald Dahl

The BFG – Roald Dahl

Under The Hawthorn Tree – Marita Conlon-McKenna

The Tiger who was a roaring Success – Don Conroy

Anne Frank (simplified version)

Judy Moody Series

Buried Alive – Jacqueline Wilson

Suitcase Kid – Jacqueline Wilson

The Butterfly Lion – Michael Morpurgo

Adolphos Tips – Michael Morpurgo

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl

The Secret Garden – F.H. Burnett

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – C.S. Lewis

Members/Senior Members

Anything – Michael Morpurgo

The Wildflower Girl Series – Marita Conlon-McKenna

Hetty Feather – Jacqueline Smith

Maggot Pie – Michael Lawrence

Chinese Cinderella – Adeline Yen Mah

Brian Boru – Morgan Llywelyn

I am David – Anne Holm

Faraway Home – Marilyn Taylor

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas – John Boyne

Anne Frank

Private Peaceful – Michael Morpurgo

Church Knowledge Badge

Church Knowledge Badge

Aim: The aim of this badge is to improve members’ knowledge of the Church of Ireland through parish life its structures and its functions.

Objectives: To provide information on parish life, its structures and its functions.

To enable members grow in their Christian journey

Junior Candidates

Complete any 3 of the following:

1        On the picture provided draw your family and friends attending church.

2        Name three things you would do in church.

3        Name three special church occasions/festivals.

4        Attend Church, Sunday School or children’s club over a 6 month period.

(50% attendance to be achieved)

Candidates

Complete any 6 of the following:

1        On the picture provided draw your family and friends attending church.

2        Name five things you would do in church and what you like best.

3        Why do we celebrate Christmas, Easter and Harvest?

4        What is the name of your parish church?

5        Visit your parish church and learn the purpose of the following:

a)       the lectern and bible

b)      the communion table

c)       the font

d)       the pulpit

6        Fill in the attached worksheet “The Church Calendar”.

7        Attend Church, Sunday School or children’s club over a 6 month period.

(5O% attendance to be achieved)

Junior Members

7-9 years – Complete any 6       9-11 years – Complete any 7

1        Explain what is means to be a member of the Church.

2        What is the name of your parish church?

3        Visit your parish church and learn the main features of the building and the purpose of each of the following:

a)       Communion table

b)      Pulpit

c)       Lectern and Bible

d)       Prayer desk

e)       Font

4        Name 3 books that could be used during a church service?

5        Complete the attached worksheet writing your own prayer.

6        Complete the attached worksheet “The Church Calendar”.

7        Complete the attached worksheet  “About my Church”.

8        Attend Church, Sunday School or children’s club over a 6 month period.

(5O% attendance to be achieved)

Members

Complete any 6 of the following:

1        Explain what is means to be a member of the Church.

2        Learn the Apostles Creed and explain its teaching.

3        Following a visit to your local church write a short account about its history.

4        Explain the structure of the Church of Ireland.

5        Know the functions of the select Vestry and the Church wardens.

6        Complete the attached worksheet “The Church Calendar”.

7        Attend Church or Youth Fellowship Group over a 6 month period.

(5O% attendance to be achieved)

Senior Members

1        Explain what is means to be a member of the Church.

2        Know the special church festivals/occasions which comprise the church year.

3        Write a little about the history of your local church

4        Explain the structure of the Church of Ireland

5        Know the functions of the select Vestry and the Church wardens

6        Learn the Ten Commandments.

7        Attend Church or Youth Fellowship Group over a 6 month period.

(5O% attendance to be achieved)

8        Discuss the differences between the Church of Ireland and any other church of your choice and write an account of your views

Cookery Badge

Cookery Badge

The aim of this badge is to encourage and develop culinary skills

Junior Candidates

1          Hygiene: Know why you should always wash your hands, cover food, clean up afterwards.

2          Make a cold drink e.g. Orange & Lemon Fizz, Lemonade, Banana milk.

3          Make a simple no-bake item e.g. Golden Crunchies, Chocolate Brazil Nuts, Banana spilt.

4          Make a table decoration, e.g. arrange flowers in egg cup or drinking glass or make a  table display.

Candidates

1          Hygiene: Know why you should always wash your hands, cover food, clean up afterwards.

2          Make a cold drink – garnish  e.g. Orange & Lemon Fizz, Lemonade, Banana milk

3          Make a simple no-bake item e.g. Golden Crunchies, Chocolate Brazil Nuts, Banana spilt.

4          Make a sandwich/tortilla/pitta.

5          Make a table decoration, e.g. arrange flowers in egg cup or drinking glass or make a  table display.

Junior Members

1          Know why it is important to wash hands, cover food, wipe table before starting, wear apron, tie back hair and clean up afterwards.

2          Make a Banana Split and learn some facts on where bananas come from?

3          Make toast using a toaster.

4          Know how to lay a table for two for Special occasion.

5          Learn to make and cook at least two of the following:

a)   scones/buns

b)   Make sandwich/tortilla/pitta with two types of filling

c)   tray bakes or party food e.g. hedgehog

d)   no-bake desert e.g. Swedish Pineapple Chorlotte

e)   pasta or noodle dish

6          Plan a healthy packed lunch.

Members/Senior Members

Must complete 5, 6, 7, and three others

1          Know why it is important to wash hands, cover food, wipe table before starting,, wear apron, tie back hair and clean up afterwards.

2          Discuss what is meant by a balanced diet.

3          Plan a party menu on any theme.

4          Discuss what foods are suitable for coeliacs/diabetics, people with nut allergy/vegetarians.

5          Know how to lay a table for two for Special occasion.

6          Choose at least three of the following, prepare and cook, one to be cooked in the presence of an examiner

a)         baked potatoe with two types of filling

b)        toasted sandwich or tortilla/pitta

c)        tray-bakes or desert

d)       starter

e)        pizza or quiche

7          Prepare a main meal using a recipe from another country and find some facts regarding the food of that country.

8        Learn how to defrost a fridge.

9                    Learn about using a microwave oven.

10.       Make Whole World Cake

Drama Badge

Drama badge

The aim of this badge is to encourage participation in and enjoyment of the performing arts

Junior Candidates

1          Recite a simple poem/nursery rhyme

2          Do two simple action rhymes

3          Mime five actions (see pack)

Candidates

1          Recite a short poem/nursery rhyme

2          Act out your favourite nursery rhyme

3          Use facial expressions to show different emotions for example illustrate the names of the seven dwarfs

4          Take part in a short play either at school, Sunday School or GFS event

Junior Members

I          Recite a short poem

2          Give a short talk on a subject of your own choice (no longer than two minutes)

e.g. “show and tell”, hobby

3          Take part in a short play either at school, Sunday School or GFS event

4          Mime a popular nursery rhyme or bible story

5          Having had 10 minutes preparation time, act out a popular story – no written script

needed. (This can be done as a group entry and props may be used)

Members

1          Recite a suitable poem/rap

2          Give a short talk on a subject of your choice (no longer than three minutes)

3          Take part in a play or pantomime for a festival, school concert, Sunday School, youth

group or GFS event. Must have a speaking part

4          Using facial expression and body action mime the following emotions: fear, frustration,

happiness, anger etc.

5          Be able to demonstrate basic face painting e.g. clown, cat etc.

6          Write a short play/sketch suitable for members in your branch. Produce it using simple props and costumes

Senior Members

1          Recite or dramatise a suitable poem/rap

2          Give a short talk on a subject of your own choice (no longer than three minutes)

3          Write a short play/sketch suitable for members in your branch. Produce it using simple props and costumes

4          Have basic knowledge of stage make-up. Present at least three different facial designs in a folder for pantomime characters

5          Demonstrate using mime to suitable music five different emotions

6          Know the mechanics of producing a play/sketch and describe the role of:

a)        director

b)        producer

c)        prompter

d)        sound and lighting technicians

e)        costume designers

f)         stage manager

g)        set team

Environmental and Nature Study Badge

The aim of this badge is to develop the girl’s knowledge and care of their natural environment

Junior Candidates – choose three of the following:

1          Identify a bird or animal that comes into your garden and colour a picture of it

(pictures in pack)

2          Three leaf rubbings of your choice to be made

3          Grow seeds in a novelty way

4          Go for a walk with an adult – be a detective and complete the sheet in pack.

Candidates –choose four of the following

1          Make a bird feeding house from a plastic container.

2          Be able to name two birds which you have seen feeding at your feeding house.

3          Tell a little about two trees which you have looked at.

4          Go for a walk with an adult – be a detective and complete the sheet in pack.

5          Grow seeds in a novelty way.

6          Name two wild animals and know a little about them. (Information pack)

7          Visit your local re-cycling centre and know why we should re-cycle

9          List five ways to conserve energy on the form enclosed in the pack and over a period of three months put into practice and have it verified by a parent/guardian.

Junior Members –

7-9 choose six of the following

9-11 choose seven of the following

1          Be able to identify and talk about five native birds or animals

2          Be able to recognise three native trees and give reasons why trees are so important to nature.

3          Plant a bulb and watch it grow.

4          Name three animals that hibernate, and know why

5          Write or illustrate the life story of a butterfly or frog

6          Go on a nature walk, list all the plants, flora, wildlife, insects etc. that you have observed and write a short account of their beauty and how they enhance the landscape.

7          List all items of litter/waste that could damage the environment or wildlife and write an account of the damage these items could do.

8          Name five important rules you must remember when walking or picnicking in the country.

9          List five ways to conserve energy and over a period of three months put into practice.

10        Visit a re-cycling centre and know why we separate waste.

GFS Badges November 2004

Members and Senior Members

Members choose six of the following

Senior members choose seven of the following

1          Make a poster showing three trees/animals/birds which may be used as an aid during a talk with younger girls.

2          What positive and negative effects have present day farming methods or modern living practices on wildlife and the environment.

3          List some practical steps that we can take to protect and enhance the environment.

4          What is recycling? Why should we recycle? Name some items of your household waste suitable for recycling. Where is your nearest recycling point?

5          Make a lesson plan on growing seeds/bulbs suitable for use with younger girls.

6          Most Irish bogs are under threat from drainage and peat extraction programmes.

a)   from a botanist’s view, why is it important to protect them?

b)   from an archaeologist’s view why is it important to protect them?

7          Be able to demonstrate the making of a bird feeding house to Candidates and Junior Members

8          Explain in your own words what is meant by conservation.

9          Contact your local Heritage Centre and name a local listed building or monument and find out something about its history.

10.       Research the effect landfill sites have on our environment.

Exploration Badge

The aim of this badge is to introduce the girls to exploring the outdoor world and participating in outdoor activities
(Please check that all safety/insurance procedures have been adhered to.)
Junior Candidates

1. Go for a walk in one of the following:
   • The country
   • A forest park
   • Along the beach
   • The local park
2. Collect items of interest during your walk but do not pick wild flowers
3. Visit one of the following:
   • Farm
   • Zoo

Candidates

1. Go for a walk in one of the following:
   • The country
   • A forest park
   • Along the beach
   • The local park
2. Collect items of interest during your walk but do not pick wild flowers
3. Visit one of the following:
   • Farm
   • Zoo
   • Historic site
4. Take part in an organised event, e.g. Ecotrail, basic orienteering, scavenger hunt.

Junior Members
7-9 years complete 1 and three others
9-11 years complete all

1. Go for a 2-3km walk in one of the following:
   • The country
   • A forest park
   • Along the beach
   • The local park

   Study your surroundings and prepare a report. You may collect items during your walk to help with your report. (Be aware of local restrictions regarding removal of materials)

2. Visit one of the following:
   • Farm
   • Zoo
   • Historic Site
   • Outdoor education centre
   • Water sports centre
3. Produce a group report on your activities for whichever centre you visited in No. 2. It may be a collage or a frieze.
4. Learn how to use a compass and show how to find north.
5. Take part in an organised event, e.g. Ecotrail, basic orienteering, scavenger hunt.

Members & Senior Members
Members complete 7
Senior Members complete all

1. Know the country code
2. Know the safety code and expedition first aid
3. Know how to read and use a map in order to participate in an orienteering event.
4. Learn how to use a compass and find north.
5. Complete a walk of not less than 8km. This should have a definite purpose, e.g. visit a place of interest
6. Produce a record of your journey. You may use a diary, photos, wall display, scrapbook etc. the record must have a written content of not less than 200 words.
7. Cook a meal outdoors and be aware of the dangers of fires, stoves, bonfires and BBQs.
8. Have spent at least three days at camp or at least one night under canvas in an organised camp.
9. Know what equipment, clothing, footwear and supplies necessary for any activity you might undertake.