Celebrating Juliette Gordon Low's birthday was the theme of our October Brownie meeting. Our girls invited the first-grade Daisy troop to celebrate with us as we worked on our Brownie Girl Scout Way badge and started working on bridging requirements. As with all birthdays, we celebrated with songs, games, candles, cupcakes and cards.
Today, I thought I'd share with leaders ideas on how to celebrate Juliette Low's birthday with younger girls and impart a sense of history for them.
Game on: Celebrate Juliette Low’s Birthday
The girls loved this little story, and it was a great way to introduce a story about a real person who lived long ago. I don't remember the original source, but I do remember this from when I was a child.
Steps:
1. Divide the girls into eight groups. Each group will represent one of the people, places or groups listed below. When they hear the name of their assigned person, place or group, they should stand up and make their sound and action.
Little girls Giggle with hand over mouth
Juliette Low Curtsy and say, “Be my friend.”
Georgia Wave and say, “Hi, y’all!”
Horses Stamp your feet and say, “Neighhhhhh!”
Lord Baden-Powell Bow formally and say, “How d’ya do?”
London Sing “London Bridge is Falling Down.”
Boy Scouts Make Boy Scout sign (same as the Girl Scout sign) and say “Be Prepared.”
Girl Scouts Make the Girl Scout sign and say, “On My Honor.”
2. Read the story below to the girls.
Once upon a time there was a little girl named Juliette Low who lived in Georgia and loved
to ride horses. After she grew up, she went to London where she met Lord Baden-Powell, who
founded the Boy Scouts. She was fascinated by the work he was doing. She studied with him for a while and decided to found a troop of Girl Scouts for the little girls who liked to ride horses in
Georgia. So, Juliette Low said goodbye to the Boy Scouts in London and came home with the ideas that Lord Baden-Powell gave her. She formed a group of little girls who liked to ride horses and be together into a troop of Girl Scouts. The girls loved it so much that the idea spread and now there are Girl Scout troops all over the world. Aren't we glad that a little girl named Juliette Low, from Georgia, who liked horses went to London and met Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts, and came to start the wonderful world of Girl Scouts?
Cards
Juliette Low believed not only that girls could do anything boys could do but also in learning and serving others. Our girls took a moment to celebrate her day by creating birthday cards for children at the Holy Name Shelter in Indianapolis.
Candles and Cupcakes
I know what you may be thinking: first-graders, fire and sugar? Potentially a bad combination. But the girls loved the idea of doing something like the older girls do and loved the candle lighting ceremony. (Needless to say cupcakes were the last thing to do!)
Juliette Gordon Low Candle Ceremony
Materials Needed:
• Candle (1 per girl)
• Matches/lighter
• Bucket with water in it
Steps:
1. Have girls stand in a circle and give each girl one unlit candle. Explain you are doing a special Girl Scout ceremony. Ask girls to be respectful and quiet.
2. Have the narrator read the introduction below.
Long ago a special ceremony was formed. Juliette Low wanted the girls of her original troop
to carry a special spark with them as their Girl Scout group broke up. Some from the girls were
moving away, some working to help their families and some wanted to help a group of girls a
little younger than themselves. Whatever their reasons, Juliette knew no other group would
ever quite be the same. As the girls stood in a circle holding candles they had made, Juliette
knew what spark it was that she wanted to pass on. She lit her candle and spoke.
3. Have the adult reading Juliette Low’s part read the passage below.
With this candle I, Juliette Low, give you each something very special to pass on. As I light the
candle on my right I ask each of you to light the candle to your right and pass it on. I want you
to carry this thought with you wherever you go. This is the ETERNAL FLAME of Girl Scouts.
4. Light the candles, starting with the adult reading the Juliette Low part and going around the circle to the right.
5. Have the adult reading Juliette Low’s part read the passage below.
Now that we all have the ETERNAL FLAME, let’s say the Girl Scout Promise. Then we will think
about and share our favorite memories from our time together in Girl Scouts.
6. Recite the Girl Scout Promise and give girls time to share their favorite memories.
7. Have the adult reading Juliette Low’s part read the passage below.
I will hold my candle up and as I do, you will all raise yours and we will blow them out together.
Thanks! I'm going to use these ideas with my troop
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