Junior Girl Scout Troop #840

Cookie time 2011! Cookie price chart & Safety

2011-02-09T09:12:00.001-06:00

You have your Super 6 cookies! These were chosen because they are the most popular and most traditional cookies. You all know the SafetyWise guidelines, but just as a reminder, here they are again. Also your cookie price chart.

Here is your cookie price chart:

Box #	$
1	$3.50
2	$7.00
3	$10.50
4	$14.00
5	$17.50
6	$21.00
7	$24.50
8	$28.00
9	$31.50
10	$35.00
11	$38.50
12	$42.00
Case	$42.00

We are participating in Troops for Troops - this is the program where customers can support Girl Scouts and donate cookies to the troops overseas. On your order form, please fill in Troops for Troops as the organization that donated cookies will be delivered to at the end of sales. If your customers would like a letter from Girl Scouts of Western OK for tax purposes, please tell them that we will mail them one. More information on this will come to you Thursday.

COOKIE SAFETY

Wear the Girls Scout sash or vest.
Become familiar with the neighborhoods where you sell.
Sell door-to-door only during daylight hours.
Brownie Girl Scouts® must be accompanied by an adult when taking orders, selling, or delivering cookies.
All money should always be handled by an adult.
Never enter the house of a customer.
Share only 1st names - remember Safety 1st!
Girls' names and address should never be given out. Instead, give the troop number (840) and an approved contact phone number (Amy @ 216-9076).
Always use the buddy system. It's not just safe, it's more fun.
Always follow safe pedestrian practices.

Have Fun, Be Safe and follow the Girl Scout Law

Fw: Pinewood Derby 2011 - Rules and Instructions

2010-12-29T09:56:00.001-06:00

Girl Scout Families -

Pack 90's Pinewood Derby is set for January 22. This year there is a PowderPuff division for girls to participate along with the Boy Scouts. There will be awards for the PowderPuff division and they can also enter in the open division. This is not only open to sibilings of Boy Scouts, but other Girl Scouts as well. If you need a car, please let me know and we can get you one ASAP.

There will be some car workshops coming up soon. We'll keep you posted on the dates.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Many Blessings in the New Year -

Amy

Amy Akin
"Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do. Or, Do without."
Junior GS Troop # 840
Akin Adventure

theakins@sbcglobal.net

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Mark Wyckoff <mawyckoff@cox.net>
Sent: Wed, December 29, 2010 9:42:29 AM
Subject: Pinewood Derby 2011 - Rules and Instructions

All:

Attached are the official rules and instructions for this year's Pinewood Derby. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Mark

Healthy Recipe Help

2010-09-22T06:12:00.001-05:00

Thinking of your favorite comfort food or dinner or snack being tampered with to be made "healthier" can seem not fun. Don't think of it as taking away your favorite flavors, rather add new ones, try to keep it similar or change it up a bit. Here are a few sites to help you in your quest:

Mayo Clinic
Healthy Substitutions Help
National Heart & Lung Fun Recipes

This is just a start. Have fun and Happy Scouting!

check out this project!

2010-09-14T19:26:00.001-05:00

http://angstywarriors.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-make-plastic-bag-tote-or-purse.html

Amy Akin
"Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do. Or, Do without."
Junior GS Troop # 840
Akin Adventure

theakins@sbcglobal.net

Welcome Back!

2010-09-07T11:28:00.002-05:00

Question to you: What's Girl Scouts to you?

Your Answers: arts & crafts & badges, eating, animals & snacks, fun stuff & badges, spending time together as friends, snacks, arts & crafts

Over the last 4 - 6 years you have fed over 1000 people, given away over 100 gifts to children, made blankets or scarfs for about 50 people, played with and fed sheltered animals and so much more.

We have lot to look forward to this year. At our first meeting you decided that each month you will be responsible for leading the meeting(s) for a badge of you choice. We will meet again on Tuesday, September 14 at 4:30 - 5:30 at the Akin House. On this day you can pick which month you would like to lead the troop for your patch.

You also decided that you want to do the Sack Lunches again (Yea!) and we will volunteer work at Breakfast on Boulvard and the Hope Center and other service projects throughout this year as the opportunities arise.

The Crop Walk is quickly approaching. Please think about if you would like to participate in it on September 26 @ 2PM.

If you complete badges throughout the year, post your experience to the blog! You can all post any time to: theakins.juniors@blogger.com

Happy Scouting!

Happy 4th of July & Happy 100th BSA

2010-07-09T10:52:00.000-05:00

Troop 840 was represented in the Liberty Fest Parade 2010 by Raven & Abbigael.

Flag Retirement Ceremony and Last Meeting of School Year

2010-05-19T16:31:00.001-05:00

Thursday, May 20 will be the last meeting date for this School Year. We will meet at Oak Cliff Fire Station #1 for a flag retirement ceremony. Pick up time will not change. If you would like to come see the ceremony, please plan on being there about 4:30. If you go to CrossTimbers, meet Teresa and Ruth in the lobby to ride to the fire station. If you go to Centennial, meet Amy in the office to go to the fire station. This will be a fun and meaningful way to end this school year. If you will not be there tomorrow, please call or email ASAP so we are not waiting and looking for you. If you have a flag that needs to be retired, please bring it with you.

Happy Scouting!

End of Year Ice Skating, Bake Sale & Summer's Comin'

2010-04-24T14:18:00.001-05:00

The goal that the troop set for their fun goal was to go Ice Skating (a few others were mentioned but less doable than ice skating).

After looking into the date options, May 7 or May 21, both Fridays are the best bets. We need votes for one or the other or neither date ASAP. If too many can not do either Friday date, we will rethink the fun reward for cookie sales for the troop.

Speaking of goals, the troop is working on the Sign of the Star Award, where they set a goal of a bake sale to raise money for hungry kids in America. We will partner with Share Our Strength and donate proceeds raised to this organization. We are still searching for a good date and possible event to tie the bake sale to - any ideas or suggestions appreciated.

An option for a summer meeting (trying for 1 per month) is June 3 at the Guthrie Drive-in for How to Train your Dragon. If not the drive-in on June 3, then we will plan to meet the 2nd Thursday of each month. Details later in May.

Happy Scouting!

Junior GS Troop # 840

Juliet Low article from 1948

2010-04-20T19:03:00.001-05:00

While doing some research on Juliette Low, we found this article in LIFE magazine 1948.

http://books.google.com/books?id=W0oEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA71&dq=juliette%20low&pg=PA72#v=onepage&q=juliette%20low&f=false

1st Week of March

2010-03-01T13:44:00.001-06:00

Who can believe it is already March?!? But I know we are all looking forward to spring!

There is not a meeting this week on Thursday,3/4. We are going to the musical on Saturday, 3/6, with a booth sale immediately following - volunteers needed.
We have only had 2 respond and one is not even in our troop. We need to know by Wednesday who is planning on attending. Look at past post for details.

Scout- yes/no
Parent - yes/no
tag-a-long - yes/no

Graysen yes + 1 parent
Raven yes + 1 parent
Suzie yes + 1 parent

We need a count by Wednesday so we can open up our reserved tickets.

Thanks so much!

Also - don't forget to do your cookie inventory by Wednesday too.

Fw: COOKIE SALE ANNOUNCEMENT!

2010-02-24T13:43:00.001-06:00

End of cookie sale date extended to 3/21!

We have 1 booth sale scheduled for 3/6 after the musical at North. We need parent volunteers to set up. If you would like to attend the musical it is $7 for adults. Free for all our troop members. We need a head count by Wednesday. We will meet at Mitch Park at 1PM weather permitting. Otherwise we will announce an alternate meeting spot.
This fun event includes for each girl: Lunch, Musical "Singing in the Rain", a snack at intermission and booth sale immediately following show. Parents do not have to attend, but are welcome to come with us. It is $7 per adult and $5 per tag-a-long. After we receive head count by Wednesday 3/3 we may have extra seats available and can invite friends that would like to be Junior Girl Scouts with us!
Please let me know if you have any questions.

If you any ideas for booth sales over the next few weeks - please let us know. Lets get these cookies sold!

Thanks & Happy Scouting

Amy Akin
"Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do. Or, Do without."
Junior GS Troop # 840
Akin Adventure

theakins@sbcglobal.net

We have listened to ALL of you who have contacted us regarding the inclement weather we've been experiencing. Please see attachment for IMPORTANT cookie information. It will also be posted on our website in the Cookies and More tab.

The Product Sales Team

Fw: Initial Order T-Shirt Deadline Extended

2010-02-14T16:16:00.001-06:00

Yeah!!!! See notice below. Please plan to turn in to Ruth as much of the money as you can from the cookies you have sold by this Thursday and then again the following week to qualify for the 250 sold t-shirt.

Amy Akin
"Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do. Or, Do without."
Junior GS Troop # 840
Akin Adventure

theakins@sbcglobal.net

Good news!

Because of the recent rounds of bad weather, the February 19 t-shirt deadline has been extended to Feb. 26.

Bundle up and have fun!

The Product Sales Team
Barbara Mitchell
Jaci Standridge
Ann Matheny

Up-Coming Dates

2010-02-06T17:03:00.001-06:00

Please keep these upcoming dates in mind:

February 20 - World Thinking Day 10AM - 12PM
February 20 - BOOTH SALES START - if you have somewhere in mind for a booth sale, let us know!!
February 23 - Moving Meeting at Akin House 4-5PM (we will pick from school like normal, parents pickup from house at 5PM)
February 25 - No Meeting
March 4 - No Meeting on Calendar
March 6 - Edmond North Musical "Singing in the Rain" 2PM Cookie Booth Sale immediately following (Parent volunteers needed for set up)

Please check the calendar on the blog for your snack date. NO reminder emails are being sent.

To be on the safe side . . . .

2010-01-27T14:48:00.001-06:00

Looks like the weather will take a turn for the worse mid-day tomorrow, so rather and just wait and see; We will NOT have Girl Scouts tomorrow, Thursday, Jan 28. Please plan to have your GS go home normally tomorrow.

Please let us know that you got this message.

Troop #840

Thinking Day Event

2010-01-25T13:53:00.001-06:00

Save the Date for World Thinking Day 2010: February 20th, 2010

When: Saturday February 20, 2010, 10:00AM-1:00PM

Where: Frederick Douglass High School- 900 N. Martin Luther King Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK

2010 Theme: Together we can end extreme poverty and hunger!

Come and celebrate the 100^th birthday of Girl Guides! You will learn the history of WAGGS and experience different cultures from all around the world. More details to follow. We will meet and go to the event together. We are registered for all girls and 2 adult mentors.

Saturday, January 23 and Cookie Sales

2010-01-18T08:26:00.005-06:00

We are all excited about cookie sales for 2010! We will discover how we are inspired by others and in turn inspire others. We have begun our troop goal setting for this selling season and will continue this Thursday. Our troop goal is to sell 1,800 boxes! We will set our service project goal and fun/learning goal this week.
Take a minute and look at the Family Support for Selling page.

Pack 90's Annual Pinewood Derby begins at 9AM at CrossTimbers in the cafeteria. This is NOT a booth sale. No booth sales can happen before February 12. We will sell cookies as individuals at this event. If you would like to come, please let me know and I can get you the details.
Thanks and Happy Cookie Time!

Snacks for rest of School year

2010-01-04T20:58:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year Juniors!
Be sure to check the troop calendar/agenda on the blog for your snack date.
For this week - be sure to bring your handbook and journey book.
Remember current patrol leaders, if you can not be at a meeting, it is your responsibility to find someone to do your duty.
See you Thursday!

Here We Go A'Caroling

2009-12-07T07:19:00.003-06:00

Please plan to join other Crosstimbers Girl Scout troops to carol to the Crosstimbers teachers and staff on Tuesday, December 8 after school. Please plan to bring about 1 - 2 dozen cookies to share with the teachers and enjoy after the caroling is over. We will be done around 4:45.
Merry Christmas!

Service Project 2009

2009-12-07T06:55:00.004-06:00

Service Project: Sack Lunches
Status: Complete
Rate: Great Success
Number made: 342
Comment: WOW!! Great Job!

We would like to thank our partners, donors and many helpers!

Our Partners

First United Methodist Church of Edmond's Children

Donors & Helpers

Homeland - Bryant & Danforth
Sam's Club - Penn & KTP
Crest - 15th & Santa Fe
Mrs Hale's Pre-K - Centennial
Marie Gately & Hugh Piatt
Rose Mary Black
Andrea Altendorf
Ooten Family
Woods Family
Burton Family
Boyer Family
McAdoo Family
and all of the Families that came to help make and distribute the lunches

Sack Lunch Mission 2009

2009-11-09T13:12:00.004-06:00

November is "Service Month" and Junior Girl Scout Troop #840 along with the children of First United Methodist Church of Edmond will be making 300 Sack Lunches to feed some of the homeless of Oklahoma City on November 14. We will meet in the Christian Activity Center of FUMC on November 14 at 9:30 AM and plan to leave with all 300 lunches by about 11AM to deliver them.

Our troop is on a Journey to become Agents of Change and make a Difference in our World. We discovered that there is an on-going need in the community to help feed others. Our troop made 120 sack lunches last year and this year have invited the children of First United Methodist Church to join in this mission and make 300 Sack Lunches this year. The troop voted to make the lunches much like last year and include a sandwich, drink, piece of fruit, bag of pretzals and piece of candy. They younger children joining our mission will help by decorating the brown bags that the lunches will go into. We will be delivering them to either the Jesus House or Grace Rescue Mission in Oklahoma City. We have set a goal of making at least 300 Sack Lunches this year.
We are a Girl Scout Troop of 8 4th grade girls, from 2 different elementary schools in Edmond, OK and will be joined by the children of FUMC of Edmond.

We will be collecting donation for the lunches through this week and make the lunches on Saturday to be delivered for lunch the same day. We need bread, meat, drinks, sandwich bags, brown bags, boxes for delivery, pretzals, fruit and sweet treats (any Halloween Candy that you would like to donate) to include in the bag lunches.

If you have any questions or would like to donate, please contact Amy Akin, Junior Girl Scout Troop Leader at:
theakins@sbcglobal.net.

Power Log & HerStory Trading Cards

2009-11-03T19:54:00.005-06:00

I hope you are all finding your "moxie" while you are discovering your Power of One while completing your Power Log (pg 15) Think about all of the skills that you use everyday! You are quite powerful and keeping track of the things you do will help you see just how powerful you can be!

Also, don't forget about your HerStory Trading Cards. Try to complete at least the 6 that we discussed last week:

Yourself
Juliette Low
Someone you know
role model alive
role model no longer alive
free choice

If you are having some trouble thinking of who to make cards of, take a look in your Agent book on pages 18 & 19. Or National Women's Hall of Fame has a really good list of women in US history.

November @ a glance

2009-11-02T07:33:00.003-06:00

Thu Nov 5, 2009	4pm – 5pm	Jr GS Meeting - Erica Snack - CrossTimbers
Fri Nov 6, 2009		NO SCHOOL - PT Conf.

Thu Nov 12, 2009	4pm – 5pm	Jr GS Meeting @ Oak Cliff Fire Station - Kesha Snack- Flag Ceremony and Delivery of GS Cookies to Firemen/women. - Jr GS Meeting @ Oak Cliff Fire Station - Flag Ceremony and Delivery of GS Cookies to Firemen/women. Thu, November 12, 4pm – 5pm Where: CrossTimbers, Edmond, OK (map) [Delete] edit event details»
Thu Nov 12, 2009	6pm – 8pm	3rd Grade Musical Program - CT
Fri Nov 13, 2009	4:30pm – 6:30pm	First Lego League - GS
Sat Nov 14, 2009	9am – 12pm	Sack Lunch Service Project - CAC @ FUMC and Downtown OKC
Thu Nov 19, 2009	4pm – 5pm	Jr GS Meeting - Anna Snack - vote for new PL - CrossTimbers

Pet Care Badge

2009-10-20T07:12:00.002-05:00

We are going to take steps to complete the Pet Care Badge on Thursday. Before then, take some time to consider the following:

Add It Up

What’s the cost of owning a pet? Figure this out for a pet you have now, or for an animal you’d like to have as a pet. What does the pet eat? How much does it eat? Does it need a special place to live? What will that space cost? What are its medical needs? Does it require special equipment, like a leash (dogs), a litter box (cats), a saddle (horse), or an air pump (tropical fish)? Does your community have any laws regarding that animal? Are there fees? Figure out the daily, monthly, and yearly costs for that animal.

Healthy Diet

What is a good diet for your pet? Collect ads for pet food. What information do they give you about the nutritional needs of your animal? Read labels on pet food containers and compare them for food values.

We will discuss these 2 requirements as well as To Have or to Have Not? and Animal Talk. If you have a picture of your pet or pets that you would like to bring to share with the troop, that would be great!

Free to Live Visit

2009-10-18T17:47:00.000-05:00

The Troop enjoyed playing with the cats! They were able to give the cats treats while they played with them.

We found out that Free to Live is at capacity for both cats and dogs (about 180 of each). The adoption fee is $60 and that includes the animal's shots up to date and spayed or neutered.

Check out the slide show of all of the cats that Raven took pictures of while playing with them.

Free to Live

2009-10-06T06:57:00.005-05:00

We are not meeting at our normal time this week.
We are going to visit Free to Live on Saturday at 1PM. We can meet at Oak Cliff at 12:45 for those that would like to ride together and back there at 2:15 for pick-up.

Last year when we voted with our pennies, doing something to help animals won our dollars. We will take something from their wish list (probably dog or cat food) to give to them while there. This visit is a part of our Pet Care badge.
Please reply or comment your acknowledgment of no meeting this week and your plan for Saturday (meet at Oak Cliff or at Free to Live).

Hurry! Limited time to vote!

2009-09-29T08:30:00.003-05:00

The Junior Badge poll closes 8AM on Thursday Morning, October 1.
Once it's closed, it's closed.
NO verbal voting on the current poll.
In the case of multiple ties, we'll have a run-off.
You may vote for up to 3 badges on this poll.
Only vote once.

Pick Badges for the Troop

2009-09-26T16:35:00.003-05:00

Polling is now open for Badge Selection for 2009-10.

You have chosen 20 different badges individually that you would like to complete as a troop. We will try to get in as many as we can, but we need your input. You have until the morning of October 1 to vote for your top 3 badge choices.

There are 5 different art badges on the list of 20. If there is a tie, we can have a run off.
Right now we are working to complete our 1st badge of this school year which is Girl Scouting in the USA. There are a few that are not in our books that we may want to look at adding to our program this year such as CyberGirl Scout Badge and The World in my Community Badge. If you want to take a look at other GS program opportunities that are online, this is the link.
Look to the right of this post on the blog and you will find the list of badges to vote from. Please just pick 3 then click vote. Also, please only vote once.
Thanks!

Troop Patrol Leadership

2009-09-25T07:33:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to our new Troop Patrol Leaders! They are the 1st for this year and everyone will have the chance to provide leadership to the troop. The terms run for 5 meetings, and on the 5th we will have nominations and election for the next set of Patrol Leaders.

Record Keeper: Ali
Pirate (treasurer): Graysen
Kaper Keeper: Raven

The Record Keeper takes attendance and checks uniforms.
Pirate takes up weekly dues and accounts for them and current troop dues balance.
Kaper Keeper sets up and cleans up meeting space, they can delegate and ask for help.

This is just the beginning of leadership and responsibility opportunities for our Girl Scouts!

Please remember that you are responsible and you will either earn or not your Patrol Cord at the end of your 5 weeks. Please find a replacement if you will not be at a meeting and report your replacement.

Healthy Snack

2009-09-22T14:04:00.002-05:00

Please check the calendar (see link above or the agenda on the right side) for your date to send or bring a Healthy Snack. Dates have been assigned up through the end of the year. If you can not bring or send a snack on that date, feel free to switch with someone. No Drinks, unless Capri Suns. There are 7 Girl Scout members at this time (and 3 brother-helpers). Thank you!!

Happy Fall!

2009-09-22T07:21:00.003-05:00

Fall is officially here! Today is the Autumn Equinox, or first day of Autumn. Enjoy it!

Don't forget to look over your badge book and bring a few badge ideas that you would like to complete as a troop this year. If you do not have your book yet, no worries, just check out badges online.

Either write down your ideas or email them. See you Thursday! And Happy Fall!

Welcome Back Note

2009-09-19T20:33:00.003-05:00

Welcome back Troop 840! This is going to be an exciting year. Here's a recap of some of what we covered at Thursday's meeting plus more that wasn't.

1. This year we will have Patrol's that will be responsible for taking attendance, records of uniform, treasurer, kaper keeper (set up and taken down table), flag bearers. They will earn a "Leadership Cord" that they can wear on their vest. They will be voted on by the troop and everyone will have the opportunity to provide this leadership to the troop throughout the year.

2. It is important that they are responsible for wearing their vest each week and bringing their quarter and book(s).

3. The leaders will keep a "catch ya being good" chart. This is to note the times that we see especially good behavior or participation.

4. We will have quarterly family celebrations to show the importance of what the girls are achieving with their badges, journey and service projects. (dates/times TBA)

5. We will take up a one time for the year dues of $25 to cover badges, crafts and extras. If you have extra cookie dough and would like to use that to pay the dues with, please let me know and that is acceptable.

6. There will NOT be paper notes sent home (unless they come from a source other than our troop specifically). Check your email for notes, dates, reminders and information of the like.

7. Snack: Healthy Snack please. No drinks, unless Capri Suns. Look at the troop calendar and email the dates you would like to send snack. As they are received, they will be added to the calendar. No dates are taken yet.

8. There are a few weeks that we can not meet on Thursdays. Check the calendar for those dates. A reminder will be posted prior to the date. We are going to try to do other activities or field trips those weeks. Details TBA.

9. ***Badges*** this is important :)
Girls, for this Thursday, look over your Badge book and bring 3 or 4 that you would like to accomplish this year. We will compile a list and you will get to vote on the blog. We will try to get as many of your choices done this year as we can.

Remember: Live by the Girl Scout Law. Have Fun. Do your best. and Be Prepared!

Let's Get Ready . . . . .

2009-09-14T13:43:00.003-05:00

This is going to be another great year of Girl Scouting!
Check the calendar for up coming meeting dates as well as dates that we will not be meeting. You should plan to check your email and/or the blog at least weekly for notes, updates and much more.
There is a lot to look forward to this year, we are going to go from Traditions to Leadership and Self Esteem to Exciting Adventures.

So get ready with your vest, get set with your Junior Handbook and Badge book, and let's GO on this Journey together!
If you have any friends that would like to join us this year, please let us know or have their parents contact us. We would love to meet new friends and look forward to seeing the old.

Fall Program Guide 2009

2009-08-15T12:32:00.003-05:00

The Girl Scout Fall Program Guide is now available. If there are any activities you are interested in participating in, please comment to this post.

Hold the Presses! Day Change!!

2009-08-14T16:06:00.002-05:00

Day Correction: We will meet on Thursdays this year, NOT Tuesdays as previously reported.

Everything else is correct . . . as far as we know. (see last post)

So our first meeting will be September 17 CT Cafeteria - Pick up 5PM.

Juniors 2009-10

2009-08-11T06:53:00.005-05:00

We hope everyone had a great summer! School starts next week, but Girl Scouts does not start until September 15. This year we will meet on Tuesdays after school, not Mondays, so mark your calendars. The troop calendar is updated to reflect this change.
If you have not already visited either the GS Western OK shop or website to purchase your uniform and handbook, here is a breakdown of the costs and items.

Item $

Vest $15.75

Troop #'s $3.75

US flag $1.75

Insignia tab $2.50

GSWOK $4.00

GS Pin $2.00

* handbook $10.95

* badge book $11.95

**hand/badge books $21.50

*Badge book alone has description of Junior Badges
*Handbook alone is not recommended
** package of both Handbook & Badge Book is the best deal to keep track of badges completed, information on Girl Scouting and Junior requirements.

Basically if you would like both books, a vest and the basic emblems it will be $51.25 plus tax.

Are you ready to discover your power? Are you ready to see how this power can make a change in the world?
We hope you are ready and excited to discover this power that you resides within you!
This year we will become "Agents of Change"!
The troop will purchase these books for you.

In addition to this journey, we will accomplish a number of badges. If you have any particular badges that you would like to do as a troop, please let us know.

We are excited to take this journey of Girl Scouting with you. We will see you Tuesday, September 15 after school at CrossTimbers for our 1st meeting of this school year.

Mystery in our National Park series

2009-08-10T16:53:00.002-05:00

National Geographic Series Mysteries in Our National Parks

	Buried Alive, A Mystery in Denali National Park • Gloria Skurzynski • LITERATURE • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) • The Landons are in Alaska's Denali National Park and are joined by 13-year-old Nicky Milano. Jack, Ashley and Nicky accept a dogsled ride from a man in a Park Service uniform -- which leads to trouble. (ALA251, $4.99)
	Cliff-Hanger, A Mystery in Mesa Verde National Park • Gloria Skurzynski • LITERATURE • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) • Jack's mother is investigating a cougar attack at Mesa Verde in this installment of the popular series, co-authored by science and mystery authors. (USW522, $4.99)
	Deadly Waters: A Mystery in Everglades National Park • Gloria Skurzynski • Alane Ferguson • MYSTERY • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) • While visiting the Everglades National Park with their parents, the Landon children uncover the mystery of dying manatees and learn important lessons about the natural environment. (FLA69, $4.99)
	Escape from Fear, A Mystery in Virgin Islands National Park • Gloria Skurzynski • MYSTERY • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) • The Landon family races to figure out what is destroying the coral reefs at the Virgin Islands National Park in the ninth installment of the popular mystery series. (CRB208, $4.99)
	Ghost Horses, A Mystery in Zion National Park • Gloria Skurzynski • LITERATURE • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) • Life-threatening accidents keep plaguing the Landon family as they investigate the mysterious deaths of white mustangs at Zion National Park (USW521, $4.99)
	The Hunted, A Mystery in Glacier National Park • Gloria Skurzynski • MYSTERY • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) • The fifth installment from the popular series follows the Landon family's attempts to uncover the mysterious disappearance of grizzly cubs in Glacier National Park. (ALA252, $4.99)
	Night of the Black Bear, A Mystery in Great Smoky Mountains National Park • Gloria Skurzynski • LITERATURE • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) • While their mother investigates a series of bear attacks in and near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Jack and Ashley learn about country music and Cherokee people from two new friends, one of whom is keeping a secret. (USS400, $4.99)
	Out of the Deep, A Mystery in Acadia National Park • Gloria Skurzynski • MYSTERY • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) • The Landons travel to Arcadia National Park in Maine for the tenth installment of the popular mystery series. (USE414, $4.99)
	Over the Edge, A Mystery in Grand Canyon National Park • Gloria Skurzynski • LITERATURE • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) • The life of a biologist studying condors in the Grand Canyon is threatened in this entry in Mysteries in Our National Parks -- and the hostile teenage computer whiz in her family's foster care may be involved. (USW520, $4.99)
	Rage of Fire • Gloria Skurzynski • Alane Ferguson • MYSTERY • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) • In this suspenseful entry in the Mysteries in our National series, Jack, Ashley and their parents visit Hawaii and meet a Vietnamese boy who leads them on a mysterious adventure into Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. (HWI212, $5.95)
	Running Scared, A Mystery in Carlsbad Caverns National Park • Gloria Skurzynski • MYSTERY • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) • The Landons travel to Carlsbad Cavern to study the local bat population, but find themselves lost in the dark tunnels of the caves in this installent of the Mysteries in Our National Parks series. (SWU236, $4.99)
	Valley of Death, A Mystery in Death Valley National Park • Gloria Skurzynski • LITERATURE • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) • The Landon family makes a trip to Death Valley National Park accompanied by a mysterious new foster child, fourteen-year-old Leesa Sherman. (CAL216, $4.99)
	Wolf Stalker, A Mystery in Yellowstone National Park • Gloria Skurzynski • Alane Ferguson • MYSTERY • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) • Published by National Geographic, this mystery concerns the shooting of a wolf in Yellowstone National Park. For readers ages 9-12. (RKY45, $4.99)

Amy Akin "Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do. Or, Do without."
Junior GS Troop # 840
Akin Adventure

theakins@sbcglobal.net

No Kid Hungry - Dine Out 2009

2009-08-05T13:42:00.003-05:00

Each year, more than 12 million children in America (one in six) worry about when their next meal will come.

Eat out the week of September 20-28, 2009 at a local participating restaurant.
Click to find one of the many near you!

CAMP EDGE VBS @ FUMC Edmond

2009-07-10T19:59:00.003-05:00

SUMMERTIME FUN

CAMP E.D.G.E

The Lord is my strength and my might.

Psalm 118:14a

Camp E.D.G.E Vacation Bible School is not your typical stroll through the woods. It is an

action-packed, adrenaline-filled expedition to an Extreme Adventure Camp that teaches

kids their strength and might come from God!

First United Methodist Church of Edmond - 305 E Hurd in the CAC

Camp Dates July 20-24 from 9:30 to 12:00 (Noon)

Twlight Campers

2009-06-15T08:49:00.002-05:00

Quite a few from our troop will be at Twilight Camp this week. Keep an eye out for each other & have fun!

Happy Summer!

2009-06-08T11:01:00.002-05:00

Summer plans will be found here on the blog & on the Troop Calendar. Check in for details.
See below for June's meeting info @ the Edmond Library.

Books Badge

2009-06-08T09:56:00.004-05:00

We will meet at Edmond Public Library to complete the Books badge. We will try to make the meeting times for the summer some time during the 2nd week of the month.
For June, we will meet at Shannon Miller Park, just in front of the library on Wednesday, June 10 at 10AM for about 40 minutes. We will complete 6 of the requirements during the meeting. Please bring a gently used book(s) to donate to a local organization. (Troop will decide who will receive the books)

Books
Complete any six of the following requirements to earn this badge:

It's a Wide World
Read two fold tales, stories, or poems from a culture other than your own. Share what you have learned in any of the following ways:
- Act out one or more of the stories or folk tales.
- Learn more about one or more of the writers.
- Read one of the stories, poems, or folk tales to your Girl Scout group or another audience.
- Create puppets and put on a puppet show, based on one of the stories, for a group of younger children or Girl Scouts.

Picture This!
Select one or tow picture books and do one of the following:
- Read the books to younger friends or Girl Scouts. Ask what they like about the illustrations and the stories.
- Create two book covers to go with your selected books.
- Create your own picture book in the same style.

Be a Tape Worm!
Make an audiotape of a book, short story, magazine article, joke or riddle collection, play or poetry collection that you can give to someone who cannot read. You could, with your troop or group, make tapes at a local agency that service people who are blind or visually impaired. Practice reading aloud so that your tape will sound polished and smooth.

Be a Reading Helper
Some children and adults have trouble reading. Find out from a reading specialist, teacher, librarian, or another adult about different types of reading difficulties or disabilities. Then, with the help of adults as needed, do one of the following:
- put together and distribute a list of places to go in your community for reading help. This information is available at most libraries.
- be a reading buddy. find out where you can help a younger child who is learning to read or having trouble reading. check with your teacher or leader, or ask your librarian if there are literacy or reading organizations in your community. volunteer to spend at least one-half hour a week for alt least a month with a reading partner.

The Living Past!
When you read about something that happened a long time ago, you make the event come alive again in your mind. Read a story poem, or folk tale that reflects past life in the united States.

Read and Review
In a newspaper or other source, read review of new books for your age level. Check one of the books out of the library, read it, and decide if the review was right.

How To? Read On!
Become an expert in a subject by reading about it. You might read about the subject mater of another badge in this book. For example, read a book about dance, music, the life of a famous woman artist or sports hero, horses, cooking, the environment, or an historic event. Review the book in writing or discuss it with your troop or family.

Build a Library
Share your love of reading with others in your community in one of two ways:
- Set up a schedule with other Girl Scout members to bring library books in large print, in Braille, or on tape to someone who will enjoy them.
- With the help of an adult, collect books and magazines for specific age levels and donate them to a library, camp, nursing home, youth shelter, pediatric office, clinic, day-care center, or other facility.

Books for Life
Find out about careers for people who like books. If you can, visit with an author, poet, illustrator, editor, librarian, bookstore owner or book publisher or invite any of those professional to visit your troop or group.

Your Library's Treasures
Explore your local library's resources. Prepare poster to encourage greater use of the library, or an advertising flyer to let the community know about all the library's treasures. Some libraries sponsor readings by local poets and authors, or concert series. What kinds of classes or lectures are available at yours?

Junior Record

2009-05-28T10:45:00.004-05:00

Do you want to get started on Junior Badges?
Check out: The Junior Badge Page
Keep track of the options you complete and we will order your badges as you earn them.

Emmy

2009-05-21T15:44:00.002-05:00

Emmy is planning on attending the

June 6 outdoor cooking breakfast

June 16 beginning fancy braiding

June 16 outdoor cooking dinner

July 16 Zinc the Zebra (might be on vacation?)

July 31 Strike it up for bowling

Abbigael's Scoops Schedule 09

2009-05-21T14:25:00.002-05:00

Hello All,

We can only make it to a few Scoops this summer but the ones we can go to will be GREAT!! So here you go.

June 6, Cook Out Breakfast with Nancy Benedict

June 19, Exploring Bluff Creek. Martin Nature Park

July 11, Fit for a Princess at Oak Cliff Fire Station.

Hope to see you there!!

Sincrely

Ruth~

flying up and bridging 2009

2009-05-18T08:28:00.001-05:00

Junior Girl Scouts, that's what Troop 840 flew up to this weekend. Here flowers symbolized the Girl Scout Law. With colors and flowers we made a bouquet of meaning that we rededicated ourselves to uphold for another year of Girl Scouting.

And just in case you missed it, here's the list of some of the things we did as Brownies 2008-09:

We had fun with our friends

We went on a Haunted Hayride

We did arts and crafts

We tried “try-its”

We made 120 “Brownie” bag lunches for homeless in Oklahoma City.

We went on a Brownie Quest to become leaders

We found 3 keys: Discover Connect Take Action

We made SWAPS.

We made new friends

We sold Girl Scout Cookies (over 2,700 boxes)

We sent 233 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies to military troops

We sang Christmas carols to elderly

We went to the “She and Me Chocolate Dreams” event

We learned about “going green” from Eco Ellie.

We Live, Love and Lead

We recycled

We celebrated “World Thinking Day”

We participated in Scout Sunday

We went to see Wizard of Oz

We had a Flag Retiring Ceremony

We had cookie booth sales

We sang songs

We experienced new things

We went “green”

We live by the Girl Scout Law

We are flying up to Junior Girl Scouts

About to Bridge and Fly up!

As they crossed the bridge, they were given a beautiful hand made lei, Rainbow Bridge, Brownie to Junior Wings and their first 2 Jr Badges. They gave Ms Ruth a Girl Scout Hand Shake and started their journey as Juniors.

With a Great Big Junior Smile!

Thank you for your support and for sharing your Girl Scouts with us. We are looking forward to a sharing their journey as Junior Girl Scouts.

Summer Sunsation Guide

2009-05-16T09:30:00.005-05:00

The 2009 Summer Program Guide is available online now for you to check out.

Summer Sunsations Program & Event Guide 2009

The Junior activities begin on Page 5. There are a lot of FUN options. You can register on your own either through the council or venue depending on the event you choose. Registration information is on the last page. If you have "cookie dough" you can use it to pay for most registrations.
If you are planning on doing any of the events - post it to the comments of this post so that we will all know and maybe others will join you!
Have Fun Juniors!

See you all Sunday!

2009-05-15T12:24:00.000-05:00

From junior

And the Winner is . .. . .

2009-04-21T09:25:00.004-05:00

Junior Badge & Animals!

You voted to earn another Jr Badge. A part of the requirements for the "United we Stand" badge was the flag ceremony. Another was the Pledge of Allegiance and learning a patriotic song. At the flag retiring ceremony we sang God Bless America & TAPS. We will sing them both again at our Bridging Ceremony.

God Bless America

God Bless

America

,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless

America

, My home sweet home

Complete the requirement below and bring with you next Monday, May 4:

The American flag isn't the only American symbol. Find out about two other American symbols and what they stand for. Share with your troop.

Now to the Animal part - You voted with your pennies for the social or environmental action project that you all researched and the winner was ANIMALS with feeding children a close second then babies and education. We will find a local animal no-kill shelters to help, such as Free to Live. If you have thoughts or suggestions, please post in the comments for all to see.

Retiring Flag Ceremony

2009-04-13T21:21:00.004-05:00

Monday, April 13, Troop 840 retired 2 US flags. The Brownies performed a traditional Girl Scout Flag Retiring Ceremony. We learned the significance of the symbolism of our flag as well as the importance of retiring flags with dignity and respect.

We cut each of the stripes to lay them on the fire one by one

“When the flag of our country has become worn or damaged, the proper way to dispose of it is through burning or burial. We are here to pay our last respects to these particular flags with love and reverence.

7 red stripes and 6 white stripes; Each strip stands for one of the 13 colonies that gained us liberty. The red stripes remind us of the lifeblood of the brave men & women who were ready to die for this, their country.

The white stripes remind us of the purity and cleanliness of purpose, thought, word and deed.

Each of the 50 states is represented by a star on a field of blue. The blue is for truth and justice, like the eternal blue of the star filled heavens.
We cut these flags with respect and will place them stripe by stripe on the fire.

The 1^st stripe stands for Delaware, then Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island” (adapted from the GSA handbook)

The field of Blue with white starts, which stands for all states was burned last and laid on the fire with 2 scouts holding the corners.

We ended the ceremony with God Bless America.
All 12 members of Brownie Troop 840 were present for this event. We thank Oak Cliff Fire Department for assisting us in the burn and Meme & Papa Akin (Raven's Grandparents) and Mr & Mrs Harris (Kesha's Parents) for the flags that we retired.

US Flag Patch Choice

2009-04-13T11:30:00.003-05:00

Pick the patch! I didn't realize that some of us had earned the "wave the Flag" patch a few years ago in our old troop. We have an opportunity to earn a Junior Patch with one of the requirements being to have a public flag ceremony, which we did yesterday and will present the flags at the bridging ceremony. The 3rd option is to get a "fun" patch that is worn on the back of the vest or sash. It is really nice. The choice is yours. Here are the 3 patches. Vote for the one you would rather earn.
A. Brownie Try-it "wave the flag"
B. Junior Badge "united we stand"
C. Flag Ceremony Patch for Girl Scouts

See the poll to the right and vote. Voting is open for 1 week.

Please print this Flag Print Out to color!

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

2009-03-13T13:57:00.001-05:00

ENHS put on a wonderful show!
Flying Monkeys, Wicked Witch, Cowardly Lion, Dorthy and the whole cast were great and our Brownies enjoyed every minute! Thanks for coming with us, Chole!

World Thinking Day & FUMC Edmond Booth Sale

2009-02-23T08:51:00.001-06:00

Booth Sales kicked off on World Thinking Day for Brownie Troop #840.
Both parts of the day were a big success!

Water we to do?

2009-02-02T09:42:00.006-06:00

Now that we know that the world is in a water crisis, "Water" we to do about it??

We will be exploring this issue over the next few weeks and discover ways to take action to help be a solution to the problem.
Here's some links to explore:

For about the same price (or less if you go to the REI link above and order the bottle that is less than $7) of a case of "disposable" water bottles, you can have fresh, cool water all of the time in a reusable bottle. (Ask Mom or Dad before trying to order it!)
Think of ways that you can do good for the environment. How can you be a part of the solution? The plastic that we "throw away" ends up in the oceans and land fills does not go away. It affects us all.
Think of ways that you can make simple changes in your daily life. Write down your ideas and things you do or are going to start doing and bring to share on Monday.
If you have not already received the reuseable shopping bag from me, you will. It is one of your rewards for being "green" Girl Scouts and successfully selling cookies this year. When store clerks ask you now "paper or plastic?" You can confidently answer "neither."

If you want to look into other types of these bags - check out:
ReusableBags.com.
The one that you will receive is a Brown to Earth Bag Co reusable shopping bag.

Changing the world One Girl, One Day, One Action at a time!

Keep a Carton

2009-01-30T16:43:00.004-06:00

If you purchase juice in a 1/2 gallon carton, similar to this one

with a screw-top spout, please rinse it out and keep it for our February 23 meeting. We are going to to a fun repurposing craft.

Please be sure to keep the screw-top lid with the carton, it's an important part of the craft.

Email me, or note it in the comment section of this post when if you have one in hand. My family buy this type of juice container, so I will have a few extra for those families who do not normally buy this type. I just need to know how many we'll need. Thanks!

Water, Water Everywhere

2009-01-28T09:14:00.005-06:00

Water is such a huge part of our lives, even in areas that we may not think of water being important. Do you know that we are in a world water crisis? Do you know what that means?

Can you think of ways water is a part of your life? How do you and your family use water daily?
Who owns water?
Should people be able to say who can have water and who can not?

Write those ideas down or share them to the comments of this post.

We are starting the Water, Water Everywhere Try-it. And revisiting our Her Story try-it by learning about Rachel Carson. Also we have World Thinking Day quickly approaching on February 22. Combine all of this with our troop goal of an Environmental project for our "Cookies for a Change" project we can really make a difference!

Keep up the Good Work Brownies! Keep it Green and Keep it Fun!

Thank You for YOUR support!

2009-01-22T11:22:00.005-06:00

Troop #840 Thanks ALL of our customer for supporting Girl Scouts!

Keep up with our troop with this Blog. Send us your ideas for projects any time.

We can change the world.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Troop #840 is a green Brownie Troop where we

One Day, One Action, One Brownie at a time.
Thank you for your support!

Weekend Success!

2009-01-20T08:43:00.001-06:00

I hope everyone's 1st weekend to sell was as successful and Raven's!

The weather was beautiful, and I don't think that the idea to take advantage of warmer weather for cookie sales necessarily intended for that to mean mid-January!
When you need cookies, just email your quantities to me. Remember safety 1st!
Have fun.

Cookie Cents and Safety

2009-01-14T06:53:00.005-06:00

Before you start selling cookies - Brownies, please fill in your personal goal, name (1st name only), troop goals and cookie box prices on your form. We ran out of time on Monday to do this together as a team - sorry.

Here is your cookie price chart:

Box #	$
1	$3.50
2	$7.00
3	$10.50
4	$14.00
5	$17.50
6	$21.00
7	$24.50
8	$28.00
9	$31.50
10	$35.00
11	$38.50
12	$42.00
Case	$42.00

We are participating in Troops for Troops - this is the program where customers can support Girl Scouts and donate cookies to the troops overseas. On your order form, please fill in Troops for Troops as the organization that donated cookies will be delivered to at the end of sales. If your customers would like a letter from Girl Scouts of Western OK for tax purposes, please tell them that we will mail them one. Blue Star Moms will package each box of cookies donated into care packages to be sent to our troops serving overseas.

COOKIE SAFETY

Wear the Girls Scout sash or vest.
Become familiar with the neighborhoods where you sell.
Sell door-to-door only during daylight hours.
Brownie Girl Scouts® must be accompanied by an adult when taking orders, selling, or delivering cookies.
All money should always be handled by an adult.
Never enter the house of a customer.
Share only 1st names - remember Safety 1st!
Girls' names and address should never be given out. Instead, give the troop number (840) and an approved contact phone number (Amy @ 216-9076).
Always use the buddy system. It's not just safe, it's more fun.
Always follow safe pedestrian practices.

Have Fun, Be Safe and follow the Girl Scout Law

Ready, Set, go Sell!

2009-01-13T09:18:00.001-06:00

The count down is on to January 17! By now you should have received the following:

1 cookie order form
1 money envelope
1 family matters page
1 page (2) Mystery House Awards
1 page (2) Mystery House Helper info notes
1 cookie received receipt

If you are missing anything, please let me know ASAP. If you have any questions, please contact me via email: theakins@sbcglobal.net

Live - Love - Lead - Go Green

2009-01-12T20:35:00.010-06:00

Today we read about "Eco Ellie".
You can click on her or her name above to get to her story.
She gave tips to make our Carbon Footprint smaller by comparing an Elephant size CFP to a mouse size CFP.
The troop goal for their service project with their cookie money is to do something good for the environment. Eco Ellie encourages Brownies to Live - Love - Lead.

We are Discovering facts about our environment and ways to help save it and make our lives more "Green". We are Connecting to what we are learning to our service project and Connecting our cookie money to fund the recycling project. We are Taking Action and Leading the way with our families and our community to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!

When asked to "Imagine if . . . You could change the world" all of the troop individually answered in one way or another that they would work to save the world by "Going Green".

So that is just what we are doing.
One day, one girl, one action at a time! We will sell cookies and take the lead with our service project of a recycling project to do our part to save the world!

Brownies - you may enjoy Bill Nye, The Science Guy's new show on Planet Green called Stuff Happens. (Cox Channel 102, DTV Channel 286, Dish Channel 194). Have Mom or Dad set your Tivo or DVR to record it so you can watch as a family!

She & Me Chocolate Dreams

2009-01-11T08:58:00.003-06:00

All 12 of our Brownie Troop attended the She & Me Chocolate Dreams Event on Saturday.
Everyone enjoyed a lot of yummy chocolate treats and time with Mom's and our friends.
If you would like to share your recipe for your special chocolate treat, please add it to the comments of this post so we can all enjoy.
Here's a slide show of all of the pictures from the event.
We are so happy that everyone was able to come!

SMART Cookie and SMART Goals

2009-01-07T11:56:00.003-06:00

We have set our troop goal of 1980 boxes of cookies. The girls each set their personal selling goal on Monday, discovered what SMART goals are and we discussed our 2 troop goals; 1 fun reward goal and 1 Cookies for Change goal.

SMART GOALS:
Slide 2

•S = Specific Goals

•M = Measurable

•A = Attainable

•R = Realistic

•T = Timely

The proceeds that our troop receives from the cookie sales ($.50 per box) will go towards these events. On Monday, Jan 12 - we will focus in on the specifics of these goals. We DISCOVERED that we are interested in helping our environment by recycling. We will CONNECT our cookie sales with our goal project. We will TAKE ACTION by completing this project in the spring.

A part of the SMART Cookie try-it is to create a profile for cookie sales and work on a sales pitch.

We are using the "Cookie Club" to keep this process paperless. Please visit: LittleBrownie.com
We went over the Goal Tracker, Setting Goals and Managing Contacts during Monday's meeting.

You can email your friends and family to let them know that it is almost time for cookie sales. If you would like to share the blog so they can see all of the fun service projects we have done so far this year, that would be great!

Please Remember: NO COOKIE SALES UNTIL JANUARY 17! and NO INTERNET SELLS!
Thanks!

We CAN change the world!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T10:49:00.004-06:00

Troop # 840 is stepping into 2009 with great plans for the New Year!

We will start off with setting goals for our cookie sales, then sell cookies and move on to a new and rewarding service project before planning our bridging in May. We will do more SWAPS and Try-its and maybe a field trip sometime.

Please check in often for important dates for cookie sales and other updates. We are looking forward to a great year with the troop.

Changing the world one girl, one step, one day at a time!

Heifer Project gift in Troop # 840's name

2008-12-16T19:37:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas, Brownie Troop #840!

Rather than more sweets or trinkets, I have decided to give in your name a share of a Water Buffalo to the Heifer Project.

This is a great organization that works very hard to stop hunger in the world. They do this not by giving prepared food items, rather they supply sustainability to families or villages live animals to enhance their livelihood and their ability to feed and support themselves. Please take some time to look at the website.

Heifer International

Merry Christmas!

Spreading Christmas Cheer!

2008-12-16T19:22:00.001-06:00

On December 15, we entertained with Christmas Carols at Touchmark at Coffee Creek in Edmond. The troop voted on their favorite carols and here are the list of the winning songs that they sang:

Holly Jolly Christmas
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Deck the Halls
Jingle Bells
Away in the Manger
We Wish you a Merry Christmas
12 Days of Christmas
Little Drummer Boy
along with a few solos and group songs

All 12 Brownies gathered and sang to the residents at Touchmark Assisted Living Center.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Troop #840 Leaders

Almost Cookie Time

2008-12-06T16:55:00.004-06:00

This year we have the option to have cookies in hand at selling time. Please start thinking about how many of each type of cookies you think you would like to have in hand to sell. Of course, we can still take orders for cookies, as well as sell cookies for troops. This is a "troops for troops". More information on this to follow soon.

Please review the Cookie Club flier and print and sign the Cookie Club permission form. I have all of the Brownies set up in there and as soon as I get all of the permission forms, I will send out your log-in and password information.

Cookie Club Flier
Cookie Club Permission Form

The deadline for our initial order is December 10. Please think about the quantity of cookies you sold in years past and how many you would like to have in hand during selling. The council suggests that we order 100 cases - that is 1200 boxes or 100 boxes of cookies per girl.

There are 8 different cookies - here they are: Little Brownie Bakers

Actual selling begins January 17, 2009. We do not have to pre-pay for the cookies that we pre-order to have in hand for selling. Just collect the money as you deliver/sell cookies! So simple.
Please email with any questions: theakins@sbcglobal.net
Thanks!

Penny Power - Girl Power

2008-12-01T09:27:00.005-06:00

For our Penny Power Try-it we will learn about the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Reserve, Real and Counterfeit money, and keeping track of your personal finances.

This week, please visit these websites:

Federal Trade Commission - This site helps you think like a consumer and find out things like how advertising influences your decisions. Explore the mall see how competition effects our choices.
Bank On It - Check out money saving tips and reasons to have your own bank account.
U.S. Treasury - For Kids - Check out the US Mint, Bureau of Engraving and Printing and Savings Bonds
The Money Factory - Check out the redesigned bills, the history of currency and much, much more. Bring any fun or interesting facts you Discover to share with your Brownie team next week.
Design Your Own Bill - For fun, you can design your own bill. If you do this, ask your parents to print it and bring it to the next meeting to share.

We will Discover how US Currency (money) effects us daily, Connect how to save it and where it comes from, and Take Action on our own when we Track our spending and as a Brownie Team when we make our plan for our selling Girl Scout Cookies, set goals, and make a plan for using the money.

Try-it! Discover, Connect, Take Action!

2008-11-21T10:59:00.006-06:00

Happy ThanksGiving Brownie Families!

If you have some time of the Thanksgiving break, Brownies you can Discover a Try-it to complete, Connect with your family and friends to share and Take Action by completing a try-it (or few) over the Break!
Remember that we will NOT meet the Monday of Thanksgiving week, Monday, November 24 - NO MEETING. Enjoy your break, time with your family and be thankful.

Here are some good Try-its you may want to think about over the break:

Make it, Eat it

You do not need to make the recipes that are listed with the Try-it, be creative, yet healthy and have fun while experimenting or be traditional with your mom,'s dad's or grandma's Thanksgiving recipe. We all need help in the kitchen - don't be shy! Try-it!
Here's some links with good, healthy, kid-friendly food stuffs:

Take pictures and send them, if you would like and I will add them to the blog! Also, you can share the recipes that you made!

Puppets, Dolls and Plays

Did you know that making puppets and dolls is an art form? Did you know that many years ago children played with handmade dolls and paper dolls for fun? This is a fun try-it for this time of year to share with family memebers (grandparents, cousins, aunts, and friends) after a big dinner or anytime. You can do any combination of the 6 options in the link above, such as Finger Puppets, a Yarn Doll, Paper-Bag puppets and a Puppet Stage. Otherwise, check out these fun links and make a paper doll or other creative doll to play with or do a puppet show with your family.

Take pictures or a short film of your creations to share with the troop! email them to: theakins@sbcglobal.net

Remember you need to do 4 options of any Try-It to earn the patch. Just email me which ones you complete and I will get you your Try-it's after the holiday.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving. Above all enjoy time with your family! Discover, Connect, Take Action and remember be thankful!

Here's a link to the Fall Break post with other Try-it options for you :)

120 Brown(ie) Bag Lunches Completed and Delivered

2008-11-18T10:25:00.008-06:00

Girl Scout Brownie Troop #840 met our goal of making 120 Brown(ie) Bag Lunches for homeless in Oklahoma City on Monday, November 17, 2008.

In the cafeteria of Cross Timbers Elementary, the girls made sandwiches and bags of pretzals and included those with a piece of fruit, juice box and a sweet treat in each lunch sack.
We would like to thank our donors:

Wal-Mart @ Santa Fe & Danforth
Crest Foods @ Santa Fe & 15th
Eli's Custom Catering
Seller's Catering
Many Brownie Parents for donating time & money

The 120 Brown(ie) Bag Lunches were delivered to downtown Oklahoma City on Tuesday, November 18.

The girls took action on their brownie leadership quest by Discovering a problem in the community that they can contribute to a solution, Connected by brainstorming and deciding on a way to help, and Took Action by making the lunches!

We CAN make a difference, Thanks to you!

Brown(ie) Bag Lunches

2008-11-11T09:01:00.007-06:00

November is "Service Month" and Girl Scout Brownie Troop #840 is making 120 Brown(ie) Bag Lunches to feed some of the homeless of Oklahoma City on November 17.

Our troop is on a Brownie Quest to Discover, Connect and Take Action and become Leaders of tomorrow. We discovered that there is a need in the community to help others. The Brownies identified many areas that we could serve, such as picking up trash, recycling, helping a charity, church or school and many more. We connected by brainstorming different ways that we could help and serve our community. We narrowed our focus to 3 options for this month of service. The brownies voted on either making sack lunches for homeless people, starting a recycling program or making care packages for the troops. These are all such great projects that we will complete them all during this school year! The girls voted to take action with the project of making brown bag lunches for homeless people and delivering them to either the Jesus House or Grace Rescue Mission in Oklahoma City. The brownies set the goal of making 120 lunches. This is a Girl Scout Troop of 12 3^rd grade girls, from three different elementary schools in Edmond, OK with a goal of making 10 lunches each on Monday, November 17.

We will be collecting donation for the lunches through the week this week and make the lunches on Monday to be delivered for lunch on Tuesday, November 18. We will need bread, meat, drinks, sandwich bags, brown bags, boxes for delivery, chips, fruit and sweet treats to include in the bag lunches.

If you have any questions or would like to donate, please contact Amy Akin, Girl Scout Brownie Troop Co-Leader at:
theakins@sbcglobal.net.

Another chance to connect

2008-11-05T10:29:00.005-06:00

No matter how you "hoped" the election would turn out - the choice has been made and the opportunity we have to connect to our children is to frame for them gracious winners, gracious losers and what it means to look to the future from where this country has come from in the past.

Take this opportunity, showcase leadership in good sportsmanship and the values of the Girl Scout law that we see in our world around us today and for their future.

One girl, one day, one action at a time, we can make a difference.
Creating leaders of tomorrow, one Brownie at a time.
Thank you for sharing your Brownie with us

Election Day . . . Is there a better day to connect??

2008-11-04T10:02:00.005-06:00

On Monday, Brownies earned their Connect Key, the second key in the 3 key Brownie Quest. The connect key chant is :

The Connect Key!

That’s more than me.

It’s my arms and

your arms.

Linking together,

we’re free.

We discovered how we connect with our circles of caring, with "me" in the middle, families, friends, neighbors and the community surrounding them. We connect with others by showing that we care and are leaders by working to make a change for the better in our world.

This week, Brownies need to finish their chapters in the Brownie Quest Book and also look at pages 40 - 43 of how different people connected in their world and Took Action to make a difference.

Please talk with your Brownie about things in our community that we can do to serve and help others. We talked about some of the activities that we have done in the past. This year, we want our troop to help decide on what service project we will do in November/December.

We are going to work on "Taking Action" over the next few weeks as well as begin setting cookie selling goals. We want to connect and make a difference with our cookie sells this year as well.

Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions or share any ideas that you may have for service projects.

Check out some of these sites for ideas:

One girl, one day, one action at a time, we can make a difference.

Creating leaders of tomorrow, one Brownie at a time.

Thank you for sharing your Brownie with us.

Happy Birthday Juliette Low!

2008-10-31T10:52:00.003-05:00

Not only is today Halloween, it is Juliette Low's Birthday!
Your day may be too busy to have a chance for your Brownie to take look at some of these fun and informative sites, but maybe over the weekend or in the near future, they and you can take a check them out!

Daisy Low of the Girl Scouts - comic book on line
Juliette Low Quotes
Juliette Low Stamp (who knew?)
Savannah, GA - JL's Birthplace

Happy Birthday, Juliette "Daisy" Low!
Yours In Scouting -

Halloween Week Update

2008-10-29T20:42:00.004-05:00

We are well on our way to our second key of our Brownie Quest. On Monday we talked about connecting to our families. The girls can show their families they care by leading the family to be healthier, having fun and learning together. Pages 58-59 in their Brownie Quest books will help with ideas and suggestions for your family.
Also, if you want some fun family cooking ideas, check out here .

Please remind your Brownie to complete reading the chapters in the first of her book. There are some fun activities sprinkled between some of the chapters that they can do as they desire. Basically if they can have read up through page 36 - that is chapters 1 - 6 - by Monday, that will help us move on to completing Key 2 and start taking action.
We will start planning our service project for the year. The troop will be a part of deciding how we want to help our community through service.
We will also start talking about our cookie goals. Sells do not start until the end of December.
Thank you for your continued support. We hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween! See you Monday.

2008-10-27T08:38:00.009-05:00

The Haunted Hayride was a hauntingly good time!

Thanks to all the parents who came and joined us for the fun!The weather was good and the ride was scary. The s'mores were toasty and on the moonlight walk, some wanted to RUN!Happy Halloween everyone!

Haunted Halloween Hayride

2008-10-15T08:19:00.006-05:00

October 25 is the date to remember. Please see the email or the calendar for the details of where to meet, times and contact info.

Here is a fun hayride printable for your Brownie!

Please confirm with me if you are planning to attend the Hayride so that I can order enough patches.

Remember NO MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 20.

You can do any of the try-its you would like to try at any time. Many of you have asked about them and please feel free to try them on your own.

Fall Break Fun

2008-10-13T08:27:00.003-05:00

We will not meet Monday, October 20, because there is no school. If your Brownie would like to work on some try-it's at home. Here are a few that are fun and if you are new to our troop your brownie may not have earned them yet. For most there are 6 options. Brownies must complete 4 to earn the try-it. Any that you decide to try, please print, mark the options you tried, then sign and bring to a meeting and I will get you your try-its. (or email me with the options & try-it name)

Make it - Eat it is a good family try-it. We are moving in to a part of our Brownie Quest Journey that focus on connecting at home and promoting a Healthy Living family. This one looks at food as fun to grow, prepare and eat.

My Body is a great active try-it. It helps girls discover more about their body and connect to healthy activity. Healthy Habits: Exercise, rest sleep, regular check-ups and cleanliness are all important to good health. This try-it gives come fun activity to learn more about healthy living.

If you are traveling over this Fall Break, you may want to try the Travel Right try-it. Brownies can discover, connect and take action in preparing for a sleep over or trip with the family.

What ever you decide to do, Have Fun! Enjoy some family time, connect, discover and take action!

Monday, October 6

2008-10-07T08:58:00.004-05:00

Monday was a busy day. We discovered our 1st key to Leadership. The Discover Key!

The Discover Key
It's all about me;
What I believe
And my family.

Your brownie can write this chant on page 52 of their Brownie Quest book. Next week we will start working towards the second key. We will work on team skills, and finish the Her Story try-it.

This week, please talk with your Brownie about issues that face women today and in the past. A part of the homework is to talk to up to 5 women about 3 issues that each woman faces or faced in their lifetime. Make notes of them and we will discuss it in opening circle on Monday, October 13. Speaking of a lifetime, I sent home a time line for the girls to complete. This does not need to be completed until after fall break (October 27). It's a fun way for them to write their story. They can create a time line for themselves and discover what they have done to might like to have happen in their future.

For next week, on the Brownie Quest we are reading chapter 2 and following the Brownie Elf's on the Journey.

Thank you for your continued support!

Her Story

2008-10-02T13:00:00.001-05:00

Monday, October 6 we will do the "Her Story" try-it.
Over this weekend, if you have a chance to talk to your Brownie about important issues that you have faced in your lifetime and have her ask 4 other women about what they believe are the 3 most important issues facing women today. Try to have them ask women of different ages, from teens to women over 70 years old. Try to talk to women that are the same race or ethnic group than your own (to help get a unique perspective). Ask them to think about how the answers are similar or different. Please help them write down some notes or review the answers with them so that they can talk about it during opening circle on Monday.
We will read the Juliette Gordon Low story on Monday, make a "Your Story" time-line, and work in groups to Create Tales from favorite fables and fairy tales to see how/if they would be different if written by girls/women now. They will tell their stories or act them out.
We have a fun and exciting Monday meeting planned. Looking forward to seeing you all!

Creating tomorrows leaders 1 girl at a time!

2008-09-30T09:49:00.003-05:00

Your Brownie is on a Quest - a special journey to find out what it means to be a leader.
We will be working together to find 3 keys that help solve the mystery of that they open.
On Monday, September 29, your GS Brownie experienced her 1st adventure on the Brownie Quest, she discovered some the the talents and qualities that make her special. She can fill out page 49 and describe herself.
We took an "ELF adventure" to search for and discover the Values of the Girl Scout Law. We have a secret meaning for "ELF" Explore Link Arms Fly into Action. We paired off to discover clues hidden all around our "secret Brownie Tree house". A part of the homework for the week is to fill out page 50 on Discovering Values (of the Girl Scout Law).
This means that they have completed the 1st 2 steps in discovering the 1st key! To help them review:

Discovering our special talents & qualities
Discovering the values of the Girl Scout Law
Discovering family values (do at home, pages 51)

Next Monday we will put it all together and realize together the 1st key of Discovery.
We are meeting new Brownie friends in the book, Brownie Elfs. They will help guide us along this adventure. For this week, the homework is to read chapter 1.

This a very exciting time to be a Brownie! This year we are focusing not only on the try-its from the Brownie Handbook, going on an exciting adventure through the Brownie Quest book, upcoming service projects, but we are also making a good collection of SWAPS!

Last week was the Friendship knot (see instructions below) and this week we made a Friendship Stick! If you would like to send your Brownie's SWAP hat on Monday's they can wear it and put any new SWAPS directly on there at the meeting.

Here's a picture of 2 of the hats (Emmy & Raven). The hat can be any type you choose. It will be covered before you know it!
Just to review - the home work this week is to read Chapter 1 in the Brownie quest book and do pages 50 & 51 with family.

Thank you for sharing your Daughters with us. They are special little ladies and will all be great leaders one day!

Frienship Knot - not as hard as it seems

2008-09-23T09:49:00.000-05:00

Sharing Hobbies

2008-09-23T09:17:00.000-05:00

Here's our opening circle, promise & pledge time. We shared our hobbies with each other and made our 1st SWAP. It's a friendship knot. Should you want to make some at home, I will upload the directions. It seems confusing at first, but after a few it gets easier.
Homework for this week is for the Brownies to share their hobby or teach it to someone and either make up a "code name" or tell us their nickname next week.

Hobbies Try-it for Monday 9/22

2008-09-18T13:03:00.007-05:00

On Monday, we work on the try-it "Hobbies". Our 1st few meetings have focused on getting to know each other as friends and better understanding Girl Scouts and Brownies in general.
Please take a look at the Hobbies try-it.
Ask your daughter to think about what hobbies they do. Do they collect anything? Play sports? Make anything? If it is possible they can bring an example either this Monday or the following. If you have time before Monday, you can discuss #1 and if the hobby is making things, maybe do #5. If not, no worries, we will get 4 options covered at the meeting.
Please have your girls read the Girl Scout Promise & Law at home from time to time. It is important that they know and can recite it with the group each week.
Thank you for your support. Please let us know if you need us to order the sash & insignias & pins for your Brownie.

Friends are Fun - Try-it #2

2008-09-17T11:41:00.005-05:00

I have added those who signed up to send a Healthy Snack to the Calendar. If you would like to sign up for a specific date, please email Amy @ theakins@sbcglobal.net - there are many still available.
The meeting this week focused on "Friends". The try-it is "Friends are Fun". We made friendship bracelets and worked on writing a secrete code to a friend. The home work for the girls is requirement #1:

Look for new friends at school or at after school activities. Is there someone who is sitting by herself? Does she look lonely? Go up, smile, and introduce yourself. Then invite her to join you!

One thing I forgot to put on the Newsletter, is that the girls bring a quarter each week, at the end of the year we use the collection for either part of a service project or the end of the year party. This year, it may go towards the bridging ceremony to Girl Scouts Juniors.

We want the girls to bring ideas for activities, field trips and service projects that they would like for the troop to participate in throughout the year.

Troop # 840 - 1st meeting success

2008-09-12T08:59:00.002-05:00

We had our 1st meeting for the 2008-09 school year this past Monday. We completed our 1st try-it, Brownies Around the World. The homework for this try-it was for the girls to come back next Monday with an interesting bit of information about any other country that they choose. It could have to do with Girl Scouts around the world or another culture in general. Very open option.
This blog will keep up with us for the year. There will be pictures from our meetings, field trips, and much more. I will collect everyone's email and send notices after updates. Please see the calendar link to the right. It has our plans for the year. We are looking forward to a great year of Brownies.

Going Green for Earth Day

2008-04-21T13:26:00.004-05:00

Tuesday, April 22 is Earth Day.
Our Troop is working on a try-it called "Earth is our Home".
To save paper, we decided not to send home any paper or notes today.

Today we made a glass cleaner, picked up trash around the school playground and brought home a pack of seeds to plant at home. To complete this try-it, talk to your girls about ways to recycle at home, ways to save energy and natural cleaning methods. Here are a few facts to consider with your family:

Americans will generate 246 million tons of trash this year alone

We will throw away 11 million tons of glass bottles and jars
36 billion aluminum cans
packaging alone accounts for 33 percent of the trash we make
If each of us just lowers the thermostat 2 degrees in wintertime and raises it 2 degrees in summertime, we could each save 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year
Every ton of paper that is recycled saves 17 trees

Here are a few websites that you, your Girl Scout and your family may find interesting:

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/human-footprint/
http://ww2.earthday.net/
http://www.recycling-revolution.com/

At home to complete this try-it if you do not already recycle paper, aluminum, plastic, and/or glass, begin this project with your Girl Scout.

Save energy! Unplug electrical items when not in use. Turn off lights.

Make Clean & Green cleaning products. Today we will have made a Glass Cleaner (which also good on tile or laminate floors). You can also use Baking Soda & water to clean bathroom or kitchen sinks. For a wood polish, combine 2 parts of Olive Oil with 1 part of lemon juice, dip a soft clean rag into mixture and polish away.

And talk to your Girl Scout about what it means to Reduce, Reuse & Recycle.

Wraping Party

2007-12-19T07:36:00.000-06:00

Caroling @ CT

2007-12-10T22:09:00.000-06:00

We Wish you a Merry Christmas - was the best known by all. Followed by Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer! Teachers enjoyed the Holiday Cheer and Cookies. Girl Scouts enjoyed song and friends :) (cookies too of course)
First picture is our girls that caroled, Second is of all girls and third is the best girl of them all!!

Merry Christmas!

Mrs Clause Visit

2007-12-07T15:08:00.000-06:00

While visiting a Girl Scout Alumni's house, the Brownies learned about many Christmas Traditions, the 1st Santa Clause, and enjoyed a yummy Christmas cookie and a cup wassil. Mrs Clause also read the girls "Twas the Night Before Christmas".

100 Lunches to-go!

2007-11-26T22:15:00.000-06:00

We accomplished 100 lunches today. Thanks to all who helped!

100 Lunches Made!

2007-11-26T21:48:00.000-06:00

Controled Chaos! That's what it was. Thank you the mom's that stayed to help us accomplish our goal today! WE DID IT!
Tomorrow we will deliver the lunches - which I know will be appreciated. Thanks to all who dontated goods and time. This was a great project and learning experince for the girls.

Listening to the Past

2007-11-17T09:15:00.000-06:00

We visited the 1st Public Schoolhouse in OK Territory as a part of our current Try-it - Listening to the Past. It was a nice day for a walk on Veterns Day.

Grave Yard Visit

2007-11-06T10:24:00.000-06:00

We visited the grave yard as a part of our "listening to the past" try-it.
The girls looked for the oldest headstone in the cemetery, unusual names and did rubbing's of the headstones. During snack time I read them a Pecos Bill ghost story. It was a beautiful day.

Pumpkins & Spiders - Oh My!

2007-10-24T22:06:00.000-05:00

We decorated pumpkins and made spiders for our Fall Craft.

The girls enjoyed this Halloween Celebration!
Rather than paint, we used stickers, ribbon and leaves to decorate the pumpkins.
The spiders with their webs turned out quite creepy!

Daisy Days

2007-10-02T14:12:00.000-05:00

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

Many of us have been a part of troop #480 from the start. Boy how they have grown!

Offical "Mascot" Luke the Duke

2007-10-02T13:16:00.000-05:00

Luke has been a part of our troop for 4 years now (and he's only 6)! He's participated in all of the activities that he could and has always been a good little helper. Next year he'll get to be a Boy Scout, but he surely knows the scouting ropes by now.
Thanks Luke!

Soccer Try-it

2007-10-02T12:17:00.000-05:00

All hot & sweaty the girls got their kicks on the field, then made a visior with soccer balls and stars.

Chocolate Dreams

2007-10-02T12:12:00.000-05:00

The girls (and moms) had a "sweet" time!

Making Masks

2007-09-23T20:49:00.001-05:00

For a part of the "Make it & Wear it" try-it, the girls made masks.
They were quite cute and the girls had fun!

Girl Power

2007-09-19T14:16:00.001-05:00

As a part of the "Make it and Wear it" try-it, the girls made t-shirts to wear on outings throughout the year.

Item	$
Vest	$15.75
Troop #'s	$3.75
US flag	$1.75
Insignia tab	$2.50
GSWOK	$4.00
GS Pin	$2.00
* handbook	$10.95
* badge book	$11.95
**hand/badge books	$21.50

Junior Girl Scout Troop #840

Cookie time 2011! Cookie price chart & Safety

Fw: Pinewood Derby 2011 - Rules and Instructions

Healthy Recipe Help

check out this project!

Welcome Back!

Happy 4th of July & Happy 100th BSA

Flag Retirement Ceremony and Last Meeting of School Year

End of Year Ice Skating, Bake Sale & Summer's Comin'

Juliet Low article from 1948

1st Week of March

Fw: COOKIE SALE ANNOUNCEMENT!

Fw: Initial Order T-Shirt Deadline Extended

Up-Coming Dates

To be on the safe side . . . .

Thinking Day Event

Saturday, January 23 and Cookie Sales

Snacks for rest of School year

Here We Go A'Caroling

Service Project 2009

Sack Lunch Mission 2009

Power Log & HerStory Trading Cards

November @ a glance

Pet Care Badge

Free to Live Visit

Free to Live

Hurry! Limited time to vote!

Pick Badges for the Troop

Troop Patrol Leadership

Healthy Snack

Happy Fall!

Welcome Back Note

Let's Get Ready . . . . .

Fall Program Guide 2009

Hold the Presses! Day Change!!

Juniors 2009-10

*Mystery in our National Park series*

No Kid Hungry - Dine Out 2009

CAMP EDGE VBS @ FUMC Edmond

Twlight Campers

Happy Summer!

Books Badge

Junior Record

Emmy

Abbigael's Scoops Schedule 09

flying up and bridging 2009

Summer Sunsation Guide

See you all Sunday!

And the Winner is . .. . .

Retiring Flag Ceremony

US Flag Patch Choice

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

World Thinking Day & FUMC Edmond Booth Sale

Water we to do?

Keep a Carton

Water, Water Everywhere

Thank You for YOUR support!

Weekend Success!

Cookie Cents and Safety

Ready, Set, go Sell!

Live - Love - Lead - Go Green

She & Me Chocolate Dreams

SMART Cookie and SMART Goals

Happy New Year!

Heifer Project gift in Troop # 840's name

Spreading Christmas Cheer!

Almost Cookie Time

Penny Power - Girl Power

Try-it! Discover, Connect, Take Action!

120 Brown(ie) Bag Lunches Completed and Delivered

Brown(ie) Bag Lunches

Another chance to connect

Election Day . . . Is there a better day to connect??

Happy Birthday Juliette Low!

Halloween Week Update

Haunted Halloween Hayride

Fall Break Fun

Monday, October 6

Her Story

Creating tomorrows leaders 1 girl at a time!

Mystery in our National Park series