I love getting these :)

There are a few followers of my blog that send me emails.  Last week my mom encouraged one of my regular emailers to come to the presentation today.  It was great that she could come -- and tonight --   Thank you Ms. Karen -- you make my day.

Sarah might enjoy this article I found about a spunky lady in a nursing home! I was looking up more stuff about the Gold Eaglet today at home, and found this. You may know I am a hearty scrapbooker, and today will certainly have a special place in my 11th GS album of all my years as a leader and SU member. I was so glad I took off school today and came up! So proud of you, Sarah!
http://blog.sfgate.com/mpark/2010/09/29/a-73-year-wait-and-at-long-last-a-golden-eaglet/



Karen

AWESOME!

What can I say - my family and my council managed to pull the biggest surprise EVER!

Not only did I get an early graduation present that is the best - my Grandfather got me a Golden Eaglet pin.

To make it even better - Anna Maria Chavez was visiting our council and SHE pinned me!

I don't even know how to describe the feelings.



This photo was a staged photo -- entirely because of the photo below with Juliette Gordon Low pinning a Golden Eaglet.

Golden Eaglet - Requirements

According to the 1934 Proficiency Badge book the scout has 6 requirements -

1.  Must be an active member of a Girl Scout troop and must have been registered for at least 3 years. -- I have been registered for 12 years

2.  Must be 16, 17 or 18 when she completes the requirements and the application. - I am currently 16

3.  Must have been a First Class Girl Scout for at least 6 months before the application for the Golden Eaglet award is made; must have earned 21 proficiency badges of which 17 must be those listed on the application form. - See previous blog posts

4.  Must have camped at least 2 weeks in a Girl Scout camp approved by National Headquarters.  Either 2 consecutive weeks or 2 1 week encampments. OR the 3rd way is 2 weeks in a approved troop camp experiences.

My Interpretation of #4 -- last summer I attended 2 10 day destinations events.  One in Ireland and One in Iceland.  The year before I attended a 3 week camping/lodging/jamboree in Ghana, Africa.  Not to mention my plans for summer 2014 - including leading a 10 day journey camp, 10 days sailing in the Virgin Islands and 2 weeks as a CIT II.

5.  Must have given satisfactory training to one or more Girl Scouts in the work for the First Class ranch with exception of proficiency badges and swimming.

My experience during the planning and execution of the Golden Eaglet Special Award and proficiency badges - I taught 14 girls how to put up and take care of a tent.  Took a group of 47 girls on a night hike during our service unit spring campout and identified constellations, animal sounds, tracks and plants/trees.  Finally, I worked with different Girl Scouts in my troop and council wide on their Bronze and Gold Awards.  As the youth director for Discover Green - I facilitated 4 Bugs, Flowers and More events with a total of 62 girls participated in the events.  These events included community service and learning about native plants and monarch butterflies.
 
6.  Must independently a satisfactory answer to a letter sent from National Headquarters about what she has done in Girl Scouting -- that will be the next blog.

Sarah's Bio

As an Ambassador Girl Scout and Gold Award recipient, Sarah’s Girl Scout activities and involvement definitely demonstrate her understanding of classic and contemporary Girl Scouting.  She loves camping, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, Girl Scout destinations, is a Mariner Scout, enjoys learning new things including different areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  Sarah is a member of our Girl Scout Hack for Change team, Area 4 honor guard, is 3^rd highest cookie seller and represents girls interests on the council travel committee and board strategic planning committee.  Sarah’s Take Action project for the Ambassador Advocacy Journey included an Outdoor Interests study of over 2000 girls across the country and the creation of the Outdoor STEM Journey pilot program.

 

Why did she do this?

Sarah is fascinated with Girl Scout history.  Owning several vintage uniforms, she is a fourth generation Girl Scout/Girl Guide and has compiled her families Girl Scout history stories during the 100^th anniversary.  As a 16 year old high school senior she still had 2 years left as a Girl Scout and her aunt challenged her, in fun to earn the other Girl Scout Higher Awards – Golden Eaglet, Curved Bar and First Class.  This challenge excited her to learn more about all three higher awards.  Thanks to eBay she was able to get all the manuals, badge books and even the badges for all three awards.  Her mom has her keep everything in a journal and a blog.  She also cannot do the same “badge” for all three awards and she cannot count what she did for one badge (regardless of the era) for another one.  “I want to learn and be proficient in new subjects – this is one way to make sure that I stay outside my comfort zone.”  For example the “tree finder badge” – she cannot earn it for the Curved Bar or the First Class since she earned it for the Golden Eaglet.

 

Outside of Girl Scouting

In addition to Girl Scout activities, Sarah is the Youth Director for Discover Green – a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, member of the Keep America Beautiful Youth Advisory Committee and the City of Pflugerville, Parks and Recreation Commission.

 

Golden Eaglet - Resources I used

In case you are wondering about what resources I used - these are some of the sources I used:

      

Golden Eaglet - Hostess

Thanks to my Grandmother, I have been drilled with etiquette and know how to set a table with speed and accuracy. I have taken numerous classes on manners and how to present ones self with, also, my Grandmother.   As a result several of the requirements for this badge regarding being a guest were review and I was able to prove my proficiency quickly.

The only thing that I had trouble with was... being a hostess. I do not have friends over much, so I was not used to having to play that role. Until around a month ago, I was an expert at playing a Hermit, this badge changed all of that. I now am playing hostess once or twice a week.  Which means that I can receive and introduce guests and bid them good bye.

I have had to write a note of invitation for various events.  I did this using traditional and modern methods.  I think I prefer facebook events :)

The last part was to actually plan a part/event and assume I didn't have a serving maid (that was easy).  This was successful - not traditional - but we did have food, beverages and entertainment.  Understanding the roles of a hostess for a guest who is staying a few days or more - was something I was familiar with and was able to name those responsibilities without any issue.

 

Golden Eaglet - Pioneer Woman

I have always enjoyed camping, thinking of it as one big adventure. Doing this badge was kind of like review... just harder.

One requirement that I particularly thought was useful, was being able to spot what or what is not a good place to set up camp. For example, do not set up camp at the base of a hill, due to rain and other things that could roll down the slope. Also if you are camping near a source of water, camping upstream is ideal. Never camp under a single tree, even if you are sure that there will be no storm.

I also learned about different ways to set up a fire, such as the Scouts fire. For this you have to have two fairly large logs, large in width and length. Position them in an upside down V shape, not closing the narrow section. Place the widest part of the V away from the wind and the fire near the narrow section. To cook eight place a pot directly on the logs, or place a flat rock to use as a sort of stove. Use the part of the logs at the far wide end as benches.  All things fire was 3 of the requirements and 2 were cooking on a fire.  I loved it all.  I cooked in a dutch oven -- all by myself (usually I do it with groups). 

I also has to share what I know about edible plans, getting water and shelter.  These are just a few things learned through this badge, other things I learned I have written in a manual for my Journey Camp. This is also another reason why this badge was very helpful.

After completing this badge - I finished writing up the Outdoor STEM Journey resource guide.  It makes me smile to think that Juliette would approve of my Outdoor STEM Journey.

I hope if you are following me and my blog -- that you know I have a facebook group for the Journey - https://www.facebook.com/groups/CSAGirlScoutsOutdoors/ and another blog that is not about Journeys or the Golden Eaglet.  But much more cookies :)  http://300badgesandmore.blogspot.com/
 

Golden Eaglet - Home Nurse

Haven taken CPR and First Aid, this badge was not too difficult. Also having a mother who is always willing to help and demonstrate certain aspects is also very helpful.

            With this badge, I had to be able to know and show that I could help a “sick” person maneuver and do simple daily tasks. One that I had a particularly fun time doing was changing the sheets on a bed while it was occupied. I learned to roll a patient by placing hands on their shoulder and hip and then rolling them towards you, never away or they could fall off the bed. It goes the same for CPR and First Aid.

            Never leave a patient, even for a second, on a bed without sheets, it can be uncomfortable to them as well as it can contaminate the mattress. You want to have the bottom sheet ready as you undo the corners nearest you, and then put on the new under sheet. With the side that has not yet been put on the bed, scoot it as close to the patient without making them uncomfortable, then roll them towards you and with them still on their side, take the new under sheet and the old one and tug on them gently until you can roll the patient and they are laying on the new under sheet. Take the old under sheet and put it in the hamper. Put the new one’s last corners on. Changing the over sheet is the easiest part; always start from the top, so the patient isn’t smothered with the old and the new over sheet. After that, depending on the sick person, you will either tuck a loose hospital corner or a taught one, and then reapply the quilt.

            I enjoyed this badge, like all the others. My sister makes for a great patient, although she giggles at every touch.

Golden Eaglet - Cook

With all the badges - I have to demonstrate the proficiency of my skills.  I am glad to have been cooking my own meals since I was 6, because it made this badge easier. Knowing that I had cooked, I was able to do many of the requirements quickly.

            However I learned how to do a few things I had never done before. Like how to poach an egg.

            I used the whirlpool method that I found online -- What you want is a “pot” with water (excluding 1 inch from the top) with two teaspoons of Kocher salt and ¼ of white vinegar, let the water simmer on medium heat. While the water is heating, crack your egg in a ceramic small bowl. Once the water is finished, take the handle of a spoon or spatula and create a whirlpool. Then, in the middle of the whirlpool drop in the egg. Put a lid on the pot and let it sit for 3 minutes - depending on how firm. Then after about three, get a holed spoon, take it out and eat it. If you don’t want to at the time, put it on ice and you can keep it in the fridge for up to eight hours, then you can heat it up in some hot water.

            I enjoyed learning new things, after taking cooking classes since I was seven or eight, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t ever done this before.   Since I don't like eggs -- my mom ate it -- and my sister wanted me to make her one next.  So it looks like I'll be cooking these more than just a couple of times.

Golden Eaglet - Wildflower Badge

This year was a great year for Central Texas wildflowers.  They were beautiful and I was fortunate enough to do this during the wildflower season.

This badge was difficult in the beginning because I had to be able to identify 50 different wildflowers. After a couple months I was able to, and although I am still working on being able to identify some of them with just looking at them, I know the vast majority of them all.

Also another part of this badge was to know three poisonous plants, I ended up finding four. One is Poison Ivy, it can irritate the skin, Buttercup can injure the digestive system if you eat any part of it. So never eat a small yellow flower. Then there is also the Iris, it can upset your digestive system if you eat the underground stem portion. Bull-nettle or Mala Mujer, is also poisonous, all but the seed pod you cannot eat. And I do not know the symptoms, but I just wouldn’t eat it.

Golden Eaglet - Housekeeper

Housekeeper had a bit of everything, some things I had learned in previous badges. But practiced them more during this one. Either way, I learned valuable skills in this badge.

            A very helpful thing I learned was in what order you would clean a room. One tip is “always start from the top”. The fan, then the window blinds, the window, then any surfaces in the room, the bed, then the baseboard. The last thing you do is sweep the floor, and if you have a carpet in a tile or wood floored room, you vacuum before you sweep as well.

            An efficient way to wash and dry dishes is to put the things with crusty or hard food on them in the sink first so that they can soak. Then you put the medium sized in then the smaller things. Anything really big will go last because you might need new water by then anyway. Always rinse and dry as you go, as well as put things up. Some people may leave things out to air dry but I never do because I like to see that I have finished something from start to finish and I won’t have to come back and finish it later.

 

*** Mom note:  My mother wanted me to add that my room is almost never clean.  Except when I was working on this badge. 

Goldent Eaglet - Where to put them???

So - during my last 5 years as a Cadette+ - I have been busy and have a lot of badges on my uniform.  I only have one fun patch. (which is actually from my trip to Ghana).

 

I still have to finish edging four of them.  But here they are.  I am basically finished - I am just writing them up and have one last one to show my proficiency.

Golden Eaglet - Rambler (Gardener, Water Life Finder - Fresh, Land Animal)



The Rambler Badge

The Golden Eaglet requirements Include 21 proficiency badges as part of it's 6 step process.  The list includes the Rambler Badge -- this badge is considered a "Group Badge".  It requires any 3 of the following badges (Bird Finder, Garden Flower Finder, Gardener, Insect Finder, Land Animal Finder, Rock Finder, Star Finder, Tree Finder, Water Life Fresh, Water Life - Salt and Wild Flower Finder)

My Rambler includes (Water Life Finder- Fresh, Gardener and Land Animal Finder)

Water life Finder-Fresh Water:

Nature Pfest - 2014

I have been a water quality monitor for the Lower Colorado River Authority during the last three years.  In this role, I have attended over 20 hours of training.  My favorite training is always about Macroinvertebrates.  I have led macroinvetebrate identification for several community outreach events.  In April, I taught 400 3rd graders all about how these bugs determine the quality of the water. 

The waterlife finder badge includes drawing a map of the stream - Gilleland Creek is the water feature I chose to study.  The typical plants and animals include ligustrium - which is an invasive species.  Native trees include cedar elm, pecan, mulberry.  The creek area is also full of green briar and poison ivy. 

The macroinvertebrates in the creek are very important for the life of the creek.  I loved watching the animals and teaching the kids about them. 

   



 



Land Animal Finder:
I had to study 15 animals and record observations.  A careful study of 6 that included 2 of each - lower animals, domestic animals and wild animals.  I laughed because the example of wild animals they gave me included squirrel, chipmunk, bat and deer.  I did spend too much time studying the squirrels at my grandparents.  The bats and field mice were not as interesting.  Walking sticks and the household cat - were others that I enjoyed.  Creative writing course this semester gave me an opportunity to write a story about a circus.

 














Gardener
This badge was the first one I started since it required me to make a garden and take care of it for an entire season.  I did not succeed with all the plants.  I found that weeds and insects were not much of an issue during the season.  I also taught a workshop to brownies, daisys and juniors on how to design and install different types of gardens.  Specifically the making of monarch way stations.

Golden Eaglet - Athlete

            One of the requirements for this badge is to hold the Health Winner badge… check! And in having the Health Winner badge I know that exercise is a very important part of everyones life. It helps to keep them fit and healthy, as well as mentally fit.

            The hardest part of this badge was being able to throw a baseball accurately up to 40 feet. I don’t play baseball, so I wasn’t good at the beginning. But after a few pitches with my brother, I was able to throw the baseball almost the entire length of my side-yard, with both my right and left, pretty accurately. My brother told me that he should be able to catch the ball without extending his arm out all the way and without having to take a step or lean over. After a couple dozen pitches I was able to, but not with my left.

            Also one of the requirements was to help lead a game for a group of people. At the home school field day I was co-captain for capture the flag and helped to lead two “missions” with two other people into the red “territory”.

            Another requirement for this badge is to hold the Swimmer badge… check!

Golden Eaglet - Dressmaker Dress - Marie on Stage

So -- I added photos of me making the dress to the previous blog.  I thought I would add this video of my sister on stage.

 

Golden Eaglet - Dressmaker

 

            I never really enjoyed sewing, but I enjoyed this badge! And I plan on using the skills I learned to create more dresses for my sister in the future.

            For this badge I had to sew two articles of clothing using a sewing machine. And since my sister is in the SCA - Society for Creative Anachronism I made two more over dresses for her costume. While making the two, I learned about measuring and how to layout the pattern to get the most out of your fabric.

            I also used a piece of equipment that I had never even heard of called a serger. A Serger is used to bind the edges of the fabric to prevent fraying, which linen tends to do quite often and quite easily. Once the fabric was measured, cut and merged, I sewed the two pieces of fabric together using a regular sewing machine. What really confused me though, was that I also sewed the top where my sister’s head was going to go.

            After it was all sewn (even the top part!?), I measured and cut a pattern for what is called the neck facing. I pinned that to the dress’s top (the part that confused me) and then I sewed it to the dress. After it was sewn I cut a hole in the center, and VIOLA! I had my sister’s dress!

            I made one purple and one maroon overdress for my sister as a birthday present and I think she enjoys wearing them. I loved earning this badge, and I hope that you get as much fun out of it, as I did!
 

Golden Eaglet - Bird Finder

My love of birds first began when my grandfather came to Texas with a bird feeder and binoculars. He organized a week long “birding camp” and that was where I learned how to identify birds and count them as they come to the feeder.

Now because of this badge and all the classes I’ve had over the years, I can identify 25 plus different types of birds. Some I can even tell just by the silhouette as they are flying and also their flight pattern.

For example, the Turkey Vulture’s wings have a slight up turn to them and the always extend their wings at an 85 degree angle instead of all the way. The purple martin has a zig zag pattern of flying and the red tailed hawk flicks its tail as it flies.

I’ve had fun with this badge and I will use it to teach other girls on hikes as I progress in the Scouting Career! 

Golden Eaglet - Lifesaver

Life saver

 

I am quite confused about the life saver badge. Because most of the requirements are the same as the swimmer badge.  And both badges are required badges...

 

The following have been checked off by a certified Life Guard:

-          Tread water for 30 seconds

-          Float motionless

-          Perform 2 dives: Plain and racing

-          Swim 100 yards

-          CPR (supposed to have witnessed… but I’ve done it. This counts right?)

-          Swim 50ft (legs only)

 

Golden Eaglet - Swimmer

Pflugerville Certified Life Guard signed off on my swim test.  I needed the swim test to continue my mariner training.  These are the same as the 1934 Swimmer badge:

-          100 yards freestyle

-          Treading water for 1 minute

-          Demonstrate back and breast stroke

 

These of course were not from the swim test - -but, I knew how to do them.

-          Recover from man overboard

-          Play three water games

-          I am CPR and First Aid certified

-          Demonstrate “look before you dive”

-          And NEVER swim without a buddy

Golden Eaglet - Child Nurse - Part 2

 

 

I survived the 24 hour span of watching a little person. Learning that it is difficult to watch and entertain children for a long period of time. And that Candy Land can supply 3 hours of fun for my baby cousin.

Creating lists of ideas was helpful, because I always had a plan, in case she got bored or tired of one thing. To earn this badge I had to be able to bathe a child, feed and entertain a child and create a list and/or schedule for a day to keep a child occupied. As well as know when a good time is to go outside.

For example, after the three hours of playing Candy Land, Emily (whom I was babysitting) complained that she was bored and that she had a head ache. I knew by her head ache that she needed water and outside time, so we played some “baseball” outside for an hour. Until she complained it was too bright and it was “burning her eyes”.

I enjoyed doing this badge, partially because I got to play for an entire day!

Golden Eaglet - Tree Finder

I thought that since I had been planting trees for almost eight years now, I’d know everything about trees. I could never have been more wrong!  The photo is actually during my Gold Award in the fall of 2012 when I distributed 500 free street trees to my community.  Alvin and his wife asked me if I would plant theirs.  It felt great planting it.

One of the things I learned most about trees is what the different types of woods can do. For instance, Apple wood is good for cooking, Walnut for gunstocks and cabinetry, Mahogany is warp resistant so it’s good for boat construction. Oak doesn’t swell or take in moisture so it is often used in boat framing, Cherry wood for boat trim and Spruce wood for boat spars and masts. Cedar is good for dock planks and from my own experience with Cedar, its good for making bows because if you get the right branch it bends well but it’s sturdy. And Cherry wood is a hard wood and is difficult to work with making it great for instruments so it can resonate sound… it also tends to have a pretty grain and vibrant color once stained.

            And from my experience with trees, I had fun studying ones I knew so I could identify ten just by either bark, seed or flower.

 

If you like environmental badges or environmental anything -- the 1934 and even the 1947 versions of Bird Finder, Tree Finder, Conservationist, Land Animal Finder, Fresh Water Life Finder, Wildflower Finder, etc.  Are awesome for hands on field work and observation skills.  This is more work than most of my science classes combined -- for just one of the badges.

            I enjoyed this badge… much better than the current Cadette tree badge.