America_Cares_Patch

Girl Scouts: Lenni-Lenape
Council, Inc.
95 Newark Pompton Turnpike,
Riverdale, New Jersey 07457-1426
Phone (973) 248-8200 Fax (973) 248-8050
http://www.gsllc.org

A PATRIOTIC PATCH PROGRAM

FOR ALL AGE LEVELS

INTRODUCTION

The Girl Scout mission statement includes the
words that, as an organization, we will,
"Inspire girls to the highest ideals of patriotism."
Our Girl Scout Promise directs us to serve
our country.

This patch program was created in support of
our nation coming together as one against
terrorism. It is designed to build a feeling of
patriotism and pride in our country.

Girls in all program levels can complete this
patch program.

Leaders are encouraged to adapt the activities
to be age appropriate for their girls. Older girls
could work with younger troops.

Do some activities in each highlighted section.
When completed, girls will be eligible to receive
America Cares patches. Patches are available
for sale in our council shop.

If a member of your troop is not a citizen of this
country,she could share information about her
country as she learns about ours. Include
activities to teach respect for diversity.

1. FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES

a. Learn about the history of our flag. Look at pictures of how it
has changed since it was first made. Why were the changes made?

b. Hold a flag ceremony in your troop or volunteer to do one in
your community. Samples of flag ceremonies are available at
our council service center. Know how to correctly raise and
lower the US flag on a flagpole.

c. Learn the proper way to display the flag when standing on a
pole, hung on a wall, or carried in a parade. Find out what you
should not do with a flag.
Visit http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html for information.

d. Do something to help educate the public in the correct
display of the flag. Learn the proper way to dispose of a
worn US flag.

e. Fold the American flag the correct way.

2. DOCUMENTS OF AMERICA

a. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Learn the history behind
the Pledge of Allegiance. Talk about the words and
what they mean to each of us. What does "allegiance"
mean? What is "the republic?" What does it mean to
be "indivisible?" How does our county help ensure
"liberty and justice for all?" Use the pledge as part
of your troop’s ceremonies.
Visit http://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm
for information.

b. AMERICAN CREED: Read the American creed and
talk about the meaning of the words. What does the
creed tell us about what our life should be like in
this country? Does everyone live this way?

Visit http://www.ushistory.org/documents/creed.htm for information.

3. SYMBOLS OF OUR NATION

a. BALD EAGLE: Find out why the bald eagle was chosen
as the emblem of the United States. Look at our money.
Which ones have a picture of an eagle on them?
Which state flags have an eagle as part of their design?
Visit http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle9.html.
If possible, visit a zoo or aviary that houses a live bald
eagle. Find out how bald eagles live.

b. GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES: Look at the
back of a one-dollar bill. Learn about the different parts
of the great seal and what they stand for. Visit
http://www.greatseal.com for information. Find out what
"E Pluribus Unum" means. Create a great seal for your
troop. What symbols will it have and why?

c. LIBERTY BELL: Why is it called the "Liberty Bell?"
Where is it? If possible, take a trip to see it either for
real or in virtual reality. Create a Girl Scouts’ Own
ceremony on freedom and liberty that includes
ringing your own "liberty bells." Ask another troop
to join in.

Visit http://www.ushistory.org/libertybell/index.html.
Talk to someone who serves in the military. How does
she/he help protect our liberty?

d. UNCLE SAM: Find a picture of Uncle Sam. Learn how
he became a symbol for the United States. Create a
poster using Uncle Sam asking us to help our country.
Display it where others can see it.
Visit http://home.nycap.rr.com/content/us bio.html
for lots of facts. Continue through the site for pictures.

e. STATUE OF LIBERTY: Find out how the statue got to
Liberty Island and why. Talk to people to find out what the
statue means to them.
visit http://www.endex.com/gf/buildings/liberty/libertyfacts.htm

4. PATRIOTIC SONGS

a. NATIONAL ANTHEM: What is its name? Find out the
history behind it being chosen as our anthem. Talk about the words
and what they mean. Listen to recordings of different people singing
the song. Which one do you like best? Least? Why? Sing it as part
of a flag ceremony. Know what to do if you are somewhere and you
hear the national anthem being played. Do something to educate
others. Visit http://www.american history.si.edu/ssb/opening.html.

b. MORE SONGS: Sing some patriotic songs. Learn one or more
new ones. Sing the songs for others in your community.
Visit http://www.flagday.org/Pages/PatrioticSongs.html for the
words to several patriotic songs. If you don’t know the tunes,
find someone who does (i.e. music teacher) or listen to a recording.

c. WRITE YOUR OWN: Think about what you would like to say about
our country in a song. What would the words be about? You could
ask someone who is familiar with poetry and/or music to help you
write the verse for a song. It could be sung to a popular tune.
Sing your song for others.

5. SERVICE TO OTHERS

a. COLLECTIONS: Find a community organization that could
use your help collecting items that, in turn, will benefit those in
need. Help collect what is needed. Involve the community in
your collection. If you know of individuals or families who need
help, you could collect things to help them directly. Our Girl
Scout council sponsors several service projects: Operation Chill
Chaser, Baby Bundles, and Service 1,2,3. Information
about these collections is in our council Program Calendar.

b. SERVICE TO VETERENS: Contact a Veterans' Hospital,
service organizations like the Veterans' of Foreign Wars,
American Legion, Vietnam Vets, etc. and government agencies
to identify people in group facilities or home bound who could
benefit from a group visit. Girls could play board games, songs;
put on a skit, make and take/mail cheerful cards, provide
seasonal decorations, etc. All visits msut be done under
adult supervision.

c. COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Girls can help community service
organizations by stuffing fund drive envelopes, putting up
posters, passing out snacks at a blood drive, helping at
stations during an event, etc.

Note: Girl Scouts can not raise money for another
organization. They can, however, vote to make a
donation from their troop funds.

6. CELBRATING PATRIOTISM

Help plan and hold a patriotic party with your group.
You could invite a sister troop, and/or family
members. Hold it for others in a nursing home or
other type of long-term care facility, homeless
shelter, or for local rescue workers. Think about
what kind of decorations you could make, what food
you will serve, what the activities will be. Ask others
to help you. As part of your activity, you could hold
a candle lighting* ceremony or plant a tree in
remembrance of those who were affected by the
September 11^th disaster. Following news release
guidelines, write a story about your patriotic party
to put in the local newspaper.

*Note: young girls should not hold lit candles.
Instead they can hold flashlights or paste paper
"flames" on paper candles drawn on a poster.
For those holding lit candles, be sure to put a
heavy paper or foil collar around the base to
catch drips. Discuss safety before you light
the candles.

Visit http://jfg.girlscouts.org/Talk/whoami/Issues/Action.htm
for more ideas.

Send a greeting via e-mail through Operation Dear Abby at http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/ or www.OperationDearAbby.net

Sign a virtual thank you card at the Defend America Web site at
http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html

Patches can be ordered through the council shop.	Patch cost: $.95 each
Send order to - Girl Scouts: Lenni-Lenape Council, 95 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Riverdale, NJ 07457	Shipping: 10% of total over $10. $1. if under $10.