Breathe Journey Leader Resources - Take Action Project and
Follow Up
HOW DOES THE GIRL SCOUT PROGRAM BUILD LEADERS?
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is based on the idea that by solving community issues and speaking out about what they believe in, girls will develop leadership skills. The foundation of this is the Take Action Project. To develop a Take Action Project, Girl Scouts identify an issue in their community, and then solve the issue by examining the root cause, forming a team, connecting with and engaging community members, educating, advocating, strategic planning and problem solving.
WHAT IS A JOURNEY?
Journeys teach the process of planning a Take Action Project. Think of it as a practice Silver Award or Gold Award. The same steps are followed, but on a smaller scale with a limited selection of issues.
HOW WERE THE GIRLS’ PROJECT PLANS CREATED?
The girls examined many topics and issues within the main themes of the journey. They then chose an issue they felt strongly about, formed a team, and completed the steps (included below) to create a project plan. I reviewed and evaluated their plan to make sure it met GSUSA standards. Below are resources to help you guide the girls through the final stages of their project.
FINAL SESSION - Leader talk & Take Action Project follow up resources
Each group (or individual for solo projects) was given a project planning sheet to use to describe their project. If you would like to view it or the girls need a new one, download at this link. On this page there is also a leader guide, which is a planning sheet filled out with sample answers for a variety of projects. http://www.workshops4girls.com/breathe-take-action-project-planning-sheet.html
What the girls can expect this session
If it wasn't complete last session, the girls will work on finalizing their written plan. Once they are ready, I will review their written Take Action Project plan & give their plan a green light (ready to start) yellow light (needs more detail) . The goal is to have all plans earn a green light by the end of the day. There will be activities for the girls to work on as well. We will also have a discussion about going on to the Silver Award.
LEADER/PARENT TIPS FOR DAY 4
After our journey ends, you (the troop leader or parent) are in charge of monitoring the girl's project completion.
Please ask the girls about their project and their written plan. Discussing it with an adult helps them firm up their plan prior to the last session.
LEADER/PARENT TALK Please arrive by 4:00.
To make sure that that you clearly understand the girl’s project and each girl’s responsibilities within it before you leave the sessions, a troop leader or parent from each troop is required to attend the last half hour from 4- 4:30 to learn about project follow up. Any leader or parent who feels that you would like more help in learning how to guide girls through project planning, you are welcome to come earlier (during the first half) & observe how I evaluate the girl’s plans.
Topics covered
How to follow up on the Take Action Project
How the Journey Take Action Project prepares them for the Silver Award
Badge Tie ins
Scope of projects
Troubleshooting
Personal responsibility
GIRLS ATTENDING AS INDIVIDUALS OR WITHOUT LEADER
If your daughter is in a troop but attending alone, it is her responsibility to give a copy of her plan to her troop leader to monitor follow up. An adult who can help the girl convey the information to the leader should attend. If you have questions or concerns about this please email me.
ALL TROOP ADULTS ARE AT WORK AND CAN’T ATTEND LAST SESSION - Please inform me ahead of time. I will send paperwork home with carpool parent. The leader can email me after the session if they have questions about follow up.
MORE RESOURCES
For the girls
Breathe topic related resources
Resources for topic/ issue inspiration & facts
· Breathe Book
· Workshops for Girls Pinterest page https://www.pinterest.com/workshops4girls/breathe-journey-ideas/
· Workshops for Girls Website http://www.workshops4girls.com/extra-resources-for-breathe-take-action-projects.html
· Workshops for Girls Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPNYdSZRSdg&list=PLoGY-Ls_6p-HaiTITRsTmyC9rynbvA-Cq
For the adults
Guidance on evaluating projects can be found on the following pages under the TAKE ACTION PROJECTS page of the workshops4girls.com website. Please look over the following pages on www.workshops4girls.com before our last session. I will have hard copies on hand as well.
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is based on the idea that by solving community issues and speaking out about what they believe in, girls will develop leadership skills. The foundation of this is the Take Action Project. To develop a Take Action Project, Girl Scouts identify an issue in their community, and then solve the issue by examining the root cause, forming a team, connecting with and engaging community members, educating, advocating, strategic planning and problem solving.
WHAT IS A JOURNEY?
Journeys teach the process of planning a Take Action Project. Think of it as a practice Silver Award or Gold Award. The same steps are followed, but on a smaller scale with a limited selection of issues.
HOW WERE THE GIRLS’ PROJECT PLANS CREATED?
The girls examined many topics and issues within the main themes of the journey. They then chose an issue they felt strongly about, formed a team, and completed the steps (included below) to create a project plan. I reviewed and evaluated their plan to make sure it met GSUSA standards. Below are resources to help you guide the girls through the final stages of their project.
FINAL SESSION - Leader talk & Take Action Project follow up resources
Each group (or individual for solo projects) was given a project planning sheet to use to describe their project. If you would like to view it or the girls need a new one, download at this link. On this page there is also a leader guide, which is a planning sheet filled out with sample answers for a variety of projects. http://www.workshops4girls.com/breathe-take-action-project-planning-sheet.html
What the girls can expect this session
If it wasn't complete last session, the girls will work on finalizing their written plan. Once they are ready, I will review their written Take Action Project plan & give their plan a green light (ready to start) yellow light (needs more detail) . The goal is to have all plans earn a green light by the end of the day. There will be activities for the girls to work on as well. We will also have a discussion about going on to the Silver Award.
LEADER/PARENT TIPS FOR DAY 4
After our journey ends, you (the troop leader or parent) are in charge of monitoring the girl's project completion.
Please ask the girls about their project and their written plan. Discussing it with an adult helps them firm up their plan prior to the last session.
LEADER/PARENT TALK Please arrive by 4:00.
To make sure that that you clearly understand the girl’s project and each girl’s responsibilities within it before you leave the sessions, a troop leader or parent from each troop is required to attend the last half hour from 4- 4:30 to learn about project follow up. Any leader or parent who feels that you would like more help in learning how to guide girls through project planning, you are welcome to come earlier (during the first half) & observe how I evaluate the girl’s plans.
Topics covered
How to follow up on the Take Action Project
How the Journey Take Action Project prepares them for the Silver Award
Badge Tie ins
Scope of projects
Troubleshooting
Personal responsibility
GIRLS ATTENDING AS INDIVIDUALS OR WITHOUT LEADER
If your daughter is in a troop but attending alone, it is her responsibility to give a copy of her plan to her troop leader to monitor follow up. An adult who can help the girl convey the information to the leader should attend. If you have questions or concerns about this please email me.
ALL TROOP ADULTS ARE AT WORK AND CAN’T ATTEND LAST SESSION - Please inform me ahead of time. I will send paperwork home with carpool parent. The leader can email me after the session if they have questions about follow up.
MORE RESOURCES
For the girls
Breathe topic related resources
Resources for topic/ issue inspiration & facts
· Breathe Book
· Workshops for Girls Pinterest page https://www.pinterest.com/workshops4girls/breathe-journey-ideas/
· Workshops for Girls Website http://www.workshops4girls.com/extra-resources-for-breathe-take-action-projects.html
· Workshops for Girls Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPNYdSZRSdg&list=PLoGY-Ls_6p-HaiTITRsTmyC9rynbvA-Cq
For the adults
Guidance on evaluating projects can be found on the following pages under the TAKE ACTION PROJECTS page of the workshops4girls.com website. Please look over the following pages on www.workshops4girls.com before our last session. I will have hard copies on hand as well.
Progression of Take Action Projects - This page shows how the scope and requirements build as the girls move up through the project process including information on topic, suggested hours, deadlines and more. http://www.workshops4girls.com/progression-of-take-action-projects.html
TAP Planning Process – One of the handouts I gave out to leaders and parents at our final session. It gives tips on what their goals should look like & how to guide the girls using the SMART model (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time bound) and EPA criteria (expertise, pay it forward, advocacy). http://www.workshops4girls.com/tap-planning-process.html
Troop Leader Take Action Project Checklist - This is also one of the handouts I gave out to leaders and parents at our final session. It helps you to evaluate their project in terms of your own girls and your troop dynamics. http://www.workshops4girls.com/leader-evaluation-guide-for-tap.html
Silver Award information - http://www.workshops4girls.com/silver-award.html
Inspirational Projects – Looking forward to Silver or Gold or other journeys? Here are real projects from scouts and other kids in the community. http://www.workshops4girls.com/inspirational-projects.html
How girls from different troops can share files to work together ? How to get finished videos uploaded to the Workshops4girls YouTube channel. Requirements for video PSA (public service announcement) projects).
http://www.workshops4girls.com/how-to-upload-your-video.html
TAP Planning Process – One of the handouts I gave out to leaders and parents at our final session. It gives tips on what their goals should look like & how to guide the girls using the SMART model (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time bound) and EPA criteria (expertise, pay it forward, advocacy). http://www.workshops4girls.com/tap-planning-process.html
Troop Leader Take Action Project Checklist - This is also one of the handouts I gave out to leaders and parents at our final session. It helps you to evaluate their project in terms of your own girls and your troop dynamics. http://www.workshops4girls.com/leader-evaluation-guide-for-tap.html
Silver Award information - http://www.workshops4girls.com/silver-award.html
Inspirational Projects – Looking forward to Silver or Gold or other journeys? Here are real projects from scouts and other kids in the community. http://www.workshops4girls.com/inspirational-projects.html
How girls from different troops can share files to work together ? How to get finished videos uploaded to the Workshops4girls YouTube channel. Requirements for video PSA (public service announcement) projects).
http://www.workshops4girls.com/how-to-upload-your-video.html
Award Patches - Aware, Alert Affirm
AKA When are they "done" with their journey ? When do I hand out the award patches?
The journey is complete when they meet the requirements to earn the 3 award patches. Most of the patch requirements involve the completion of the Take Action Project. Part of the planning process was setting measurable goals. The goals can be found at the bottom of their project plan. The patches can be awarded when the girls meet those goals & the Take Action Project is completed and & they have had a discussion reflecting upon the outcome of their project & what they could have done to improve it.
If you want something to give to their troop leader to "prove" they completed the journey you can have them fill out a Journey Take Action Project Final Report .
If you want something to give to their troop leader to "prove" they completed the journey you can have them fill out a Journey Take Action Project Final Report .
JOURNEY TAKE ACTION FINAL PROJECT & AWARD PATCHES
AWARE AWARD
· Keep an Air Log throughout the journey
· Identify two experts who can guide you to greater air awareness.
· Increase your AWAREness about the issues that impact Earth's air.
· Decide the most important, personal reason you care about Earth's air.
ALERT AWARD
· Decide whom to educate and inspire—this is your Air Care Team (ACT)!
· Decide what you will ask your Air Care Team to do.
· Decide how to reach your Air Care Team to inspire them to act on your air issue.
· Educate and inspire! Give your ACT its call to action.
AFFIRM AWARD
· Gather proof of progress or improvement through your efforts to educate and inspire.
· Share the impact with your ACT and maybe even go further.
· Get with your Cadette team and reflect on your efforts and their impact.
· Affirm your commitment to strive to be an heir apparent of air and all of Planet Earth's elements.
If girls have attend all sessions (or done makeup activities for missed session), this is the progress they will have made towards completing the Awards by the end of session 4.
AWARE AWARD – All requirements met
ALERT AWARD–They will have earned the portions of this award that involve planning, but will still need to complete the parts that involve getting their Take action project out into the community. It is complete once the goals they set for their Take Action Project are met.
AFFIRM AWARD – This award is earned by looking back & reflecting upon the project after they complete it, making note of what you may have done to improve it & making a commitment to keep spreading the word about the issue addressed in the project.
AWARE AWARD
· Keep an Air Log throughout the journey
· Identify two experts who can guide you to greater air awareness.
· Increase your AWAREness about the issues that impact Earth's air.
· Decide the most important, personal reason you care about Earth's air.
ALERT AWARD
· Decide whom to educate and inspire—this is your Air Care Team (ACT)!
· Decide what you will ask your Air Care Team to do.
· Decide how to reach your Air Care Team to inspire them to act on your air issue.
· Educate and inspire! Give your ACT its call to action.
AFFIRM AWARD
· Gather proof of progress or improvement through your efforts to educate and inspire.
· Share the impact with your ACT and maybe even go further.
· Get with your Cadette team and reflect on your efforts and their impact.
· Affirm your commitment to strive to be an heir apparent of air and all of Planet Earth's elements.
If girls have attend all sessions (or done makeup activities for missed session), this is the progress they will have made towards completing the Awards by the end of session 4.
AWARE AWARD – All requirements met
ALERT AWARD–They will have earned the portions of this award that involve planning, but will still need to complete the parts that involve getting their Take action project out into the community. It is complete once the goals they set for their Take Action Project are met.
AFFIRM AWARD – This award is earned by looking back & reflecting upon the project after they complete it, making note of what you may have done to improve it & making a commitment to keep spreading the word about the issue addressed in the project.