Arts Explosion - Girlguiding Midlands

Arts Explosion
Hands On!
2
Girlguiding Midlands
Arts Explosion Initiative
Arts Explosion is an initiative designed by Girlguiding Midlands Region to give girls
the opportunity to experience The Arts in its widest sense. Opportunities to dabble in
art and music, perform, celebrate, create and visit sculptures are all within the large
scale project. This resource, Arts Explosion ‘‘Hands on’’, is the ‘take away’ element
allowing you to explore The Arts in your own time and within your own units. It
should be viewed as an ideas pack as it will probably spark off new ideas for you and
you may want to adapt many ideas to the needs of individuals and the
circumstances you are in; please feel free! Some activities however have very
specific instructions on making a particular item, these are there for those of you who
are looking for something ‘off the peg’ that has been tried and tested and can be put
into action relatively quickly. We hope you agree that there is something here for
everyone.
Introduction to Arts Explosion ‘‘Hands on’’
First and foremost, this is a pack of arts ideas that can be used universally within
your Guiding or when working with children. The idea behind it is to make all
branches of The Arts more accessible to dabble in, without the need of professional
expertise and little of their specialist equipment. If you are great at card making but
the thought of trying to teach dance fills you with horror, or you are whizz at IT but
know nothing about camp craft, this is your ideal starting place. There is a set of
introductory activities to choose from if you want to explore and raise awareness of
how broad the world of arts is.
How to gain the ‘Hands on’ badge
Activities are subdivided into the 3 main zones which are being explored within the
Arts Explosion project:
Recycling
Body and Soul
International
Participate in at least one idea from each section to achieve the ‘Hands on’ part of
the initiative but obviously there may be much more material in here you would like
to try, particularly as it links in with other parts of our programme.
Using the ideas in this pack you can earn a special Arts Explosion ‘‘Hands on’’ sew
on badge that fits into the set of Arts Explosion badges. Details of the scheme and
an order form can be found overleaf.
3
How to use this pack
The ideas in this pack are for everyone to use, they have been written to make them
accessible to girls and leaders alike. The ideas have not been coded as suitable for
specific age groups because they can very often be adapted. For example,
Zentangles can be designed and free drawn by the girls after watching downloaded
clips on how to do it from a computer (for those competent at drawing & ICT) or
conversely you can choose a suitable template of a manageable size for the girls,
help them choose a range of patterns, colours or even stickers (suitable to any age)
and then assemble a collage irrespective of the group size.
The loose leaf format means that this is a resource that can be shared around a unit,
with individuals working on different aspects at different times. Leaders will still need
to assess the risks for girls undertaking these activities, dare we say use common
sense! Any templates or information can be freely printed, photocopied or sent and
stored within a PC to be used at any time.
Where unusual items are used, you are taken to a directory to help you find these
resources and there is an emphasis on using recycled or adapted materials to make
these activities financially viable. A list of scrap stores around the Midlands (cooperatives selling on materials seen as waste to some industries – e.g. cardboard,
fabric, tubing, containers etc.) can also be found. You will find links to badges, Go
For Its and projects so that these activities do not stand in isolation but are good
resources within your unit programme.
Happy Dabbling!
If you are unable to download or print a copy of the resource it can
be purchased from Girlguiding Midlands office at a cost of £5
including postage and packing.
Please contact Girlguiding
Midlands office for details.
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Arts Explosion: The Challenge
The set of Arts Explosion badges can be gained as follows:
1. Central badge: This can be purchased as a starter/fun badge to encourage
participation in the Arts Explosion initiative.
2. The ‘Hands on’ element badge can be gained by a member participating in
at least three activities from our Arts Explosion ‘Hands On’ resource – one
from each section
Body and Soul,
International
Recycling.
3. The ‘On Show’ element badge can be gained by a member participating in
an entertainment activity at any level that would be good enough to be on
show to the public, e.g. a talent show, gang show, unit entertainment evening,
or Girlguiding Midlands ‘Got Talent’.
4. The ‘On the Move’ element badge can be gained by a member
participating in exploring The Arts in their own local area. This element would
encourage participation in the Girlguiding Midlands Sculpture trails at any
level, from a unit trail, District, Division, County or Region. It would also
encourage networking local arts projects and what’s on at theatres, galleries
and museums etc. The trails could also be used as a PR tool for local guiding
to promote themselves by using shops, libraries, and charities to display their
elephant sculptures.
5. The ‘Go Global’
element badge can be gained by a member
participating in a Thinking Day event in 2015 at any level, which explores The
Arts internationally whether it be at Unit, District, Division or County.
Participants would also be encouraged to attend our Girlguiding Midlands
st
‘Go Global’ event on Saturday 21 February
2015 to gain the badge.
For more information please contact the
Girlguiding Midlands Arts Initiative Lead
Volunteer:
Fiona Lucas
E-Mail: fiona.centenary@btinternet.com
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ARTS EXPLOSION
Badge Order Form
Please supply the following badges:-
Badge
Quantity
Price
Central Badge
£1 each
‘Hands On’
75p each
‘On the Move’
75p each
‘On Show’
75p each
‘Go Global’
75p each
TOTAL
Total
£
Please make cheques payable to ‘The Guide Association - Midlands’.
Also, note that all prices listed above include postage and packing. However large orders
may be subject to additional postal charges.
Name & Address for delivery:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Send orders to:
Girlguiding Midlands
21 Lower Church Street
Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Leicestershire, LE65 1AB
Tel: 01530 412703
__________________________________________________________________
For Office Use only
Date Posted: ………………………………
Receipt No. ………………………….
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You will need:
A list of questions
A rope, tape or chalk to
create a line
Intro activity
Would you rather……?
This is a game to introduce the Arts Explosion initiative and to help you stimulate
thoughts, discussion and inspiration.
The list – (see Over) is just some suggestions and we ask that you choose the ones
suitable for your section. Please read the list before you start.
Feel free to change/adapt the preferences to suit the girls’ interests & knowledge.
Challenge them to invent their own dilemmas based on the Arts theme.
How to play:
Draw a line down the centre of the room or stick a length of coloured tape to the
floor.
Ask all the girls to stand, one foot either side of the line, all facing the leader.
Explain that you will read out a question which has two different options. If the girl
prefers the first option she will jump to her left if she prefers the second one she will
jump to her right.
Tell them you will give them thinking time as you count ‘1...2...3’ and then say ‘jump’.
On the word ‘jump!’ they are to move left or right. If no preference stay where you
are.
Explain there are no right or wrong answers and not to be influenced by others.
Give them a practice question:
‘Would you rather wear blue [indicate which way to jump with your arm] or would you
rather wear red [again indicate with your arm]’…..1….2…..3 jump!’
Continuing to gesture with your arm helps throughout the game – rather like directing
traffic!
After the game it may be appropriate to discuss the choices made, perhaps in
sixes/patrols/groups.
Why were certain choices made?
In hindsight would any be changed?
Were you influenced by other girls?
Links
Me in mind
Programme planning
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Choose from:
Make something
Watch a film at home
Act in a play
Smell a rose
Paint a picture
Cook a savoury dish
Learn and sing new song
Visit a museum
Make a necklace
Cook a meal for your family/friends
Learn to sew
Make a collage alone
Visit a theme park
Read a book
Watch Downton Abbey
Paint your face
Read an e-book [Kindle etc.]
Relax on a beach
Listen to classical music
Have hair extensions
Use a sun bed
Be Cinderella
Meet a unicorn
Sit on a floor cushion
Sleep on a camp bed
Have a belly button ring
Meet Banksy
Win tickets to a Take That concert
Paint like Van Gough
Do something
Watch a film at the cinema
Watch a play
Smell the sea
Draw a picture
Cook a sweet dish
Sing a familiar song
Visit an art gallery
Buy a necklace
Go out for a meal with your family/friends
Learn to knit
Make a collage with friends
Visit a stately home
Listen to music
Watch Coronation Street
Paint your nails
Read a paper or hardback book
Relax in the countryside
Listen to pop music
Wear a wig
Have a fake tan
Be Snow White
Meet an Ogre
Sit on a sofa
Sleep on an air bed
Have a nose ring
Meet Tracey Emin
Win tickets to a One Direction concert
Paint like Constable
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You will need:
Pencils
Paper
Intro activity
Arts Quiz
Test your knowledge of a whole variety of arts. You answer the questions as a team,
writing your answers on paper to be marked by another team.
To add an extra twist, if you are unsure of some answers, you could choose an
Egg Head leader to answer for you. You are restricted to passing only 3 questions
on to an Egg Head. Each time you choose an Egg Head, think carefully which leader
is most likely to know the answer to each of those questions.
Thinking Caps on:
1
2
Which TV show, hosted in 2012 by Bruce Forsyth, showcases many types of
ballroom dancing?
Which craft needs a loom to make it work?
3
Which rap artist shares his name with a state in the USA?
4
Who painted the Mona Lisa?
5
In which story do you find the Emerald City?
6
What is the Japanese art of paper folding called?
7
Which book and film character never wanted to grow up?
8
What is the name of the note that is worth one whole beat in a written music
score?
What type of dancing can involve wearing bell shin pads and waving
handkerchiefs?
What colour is Terra Cotta?
9
10
Questions can be adapted to suit the age group.
Challenge each group to make up 10 questions and swap.
Hold an arts quiz evening and invite friends/parents; it could be used as a fund
raiser.
Links
Programme planning
Fundraising
9
Arts Quiz Answers
1
Strictly Come Dancing
2
Weaving
3
Flo Rida
4
Leonardo da Vinci
5
Wizard of Oz
6
Origami
7
Peter Pan
8
Crochet
9
Morris Dancing
10 Red/brown (earth/brick/clay)
10
You will need:
A poem
Other poems that relate to
your performance type
Intro activity
Poem to Perform
Think of an interesting way to present the first verse of a well-known poem:
Here’s an example of a poem:
The Owl and the Pussy–cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea green boat.
They took some honey and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five pound note.
(By Edward Lear)
Visit the whole poem at
www.nonsenselit.org/Lear/ns/pussy.html
Ways you could perform it could be:
Create the scene as a collage
Perform it as a puppet show.
Mime it
Do it as a drama
Perform it as a dance
Turn it into a song.
The choice is yours …
Links
Art attacks
Graffiti wall
Well dressing, carnivals
Sign language
Poem
Detail painting
Arts Explosion: ‘On Show’
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You will need:
Letters in a bag
Paper
Pencils
Answer sheet – see over
Intro activity
Arts Alphabet
To help you think about the great variety of Arts that you can experience. In teams
think of Bands, Authors, Dances, Films & Actors all beginning with the same letter of
the alphabet, pulled out of a bag.
The team scores 10 points for getting each unique answer and 5 points if they get
the same answer as another team.
Some letters are easier to use than others.
We recommend the letters B,C,D,G,H,L,M,P,R,S,T,W.
Here are examples from 2 teams.
Team 1
Letter Band
Author
Dance
Film
Actor
Darren
Shan
10
Salsa
Star Wars
Selena Gomez
10
5
10
Team 2
Letter Band
S
The Script
Author
Shakespeare
Dance
Street
Film
Star Wars
Score
10
10
5
Actor
Sarah Jessica
Parker
10
S
Score
Snow
Patrol
10
10
Make the rules before you start, e.g. First names or surnames
Types of dance or names of dances
Links
Quiz Evening
Getting to know you: Activity
12
Arts Alphabet Answer Sheet
Team Name…………………………………………………………
Letter Band
Score
Score
Score
Score
Score
Score
Totals
Author
Dance
Film
Actor
13
You will need:
See each recipe
Body & Soul
Food in a Bag
Create tasty treats with little or no cooking.
When cooking outdoors it often requires a lot of
equipment to prepare the food hygienically, unless
you put it in a sealable plastic food bag and process
the mixture with your hands. This not only cuts down
on utensils, it’s great fun too. The fudge doesn’t require
a cooker or campfire , so you could make it anywhere.
TIP- Ensure you squeeze most of the air from the bag
before sealing, otherwise the bag can easily burst
whilst trying to knead the ingredients.
Have you tried making Ice-cream in plastic bags? For more recipes along the same
lines research freezer bag recipes – a website address is found in appendix 3.
Cheats Fudge (Individual
portion)
50g Icing Sugar
1 tbsp Butter
2 tsp Cream Cheese
2 tsp Cocoa
Drop of Vanilla Essence
Put all ingredients into a food
bag and seal well. Knead the
mixture by passing the bag
between both hands, squeezing
the contents gently. When an
even, smooth dough is
produced, remove from bag. It
can be rolled into a sausage
shape, sliced and left to harden
in a refrigerator; or it’s just as
delicious eaten straight from the
bag.
Dampers (campfire bread treats)
Recipe feeds 6-8
250g Self Rising Flour
½ tsp Salt
25g Butter
175ml Milk
(Extra butter & jam for serving)
Whittled Greenstick Skewers/pre-soaked wooden
skewers
Put all ingredients in a large, sealable food bag. Knead
the mixture by passing the bag between both hands,
squeezing the contents gently. When an even, smooth
dough is produced, snip the corner from the food bag.
Pipe out the dough, and wind around a greenstick.
(Alternatively, turn the dough out onto a floured board;
divide into 6-8 portions. Form each portion into a long,
thin sausage shape and wrap around greenstick).
Hold Skewer over an open fire until dough doubles in
size and becomes firm and pale brown. Eat warm,
broken into small pieces with butter & jam.
Links
Outdoor Cook badge
Confectioner badge
Fundraising
Festivals
14
Body & Soul
Magic Tricks
Trick 1: Turn an orange into an apple!
You will need:
Trick 1:
Large orange
Apple,
Knife,
Scarf or cloth
You will need:
Trick 2
Small carrot,
Long pin or knitting
needle
Cloth.
Take a large orange and cut it into quarters. Start at the bottom
and cut to about 1cm. from the top of each quarter.
Carefully take all the orange flesh
from inside, then wash and dry the
peel.
Fit the orange peel over an apple
and hold in the palm of your hand
with the open end down so that
you are able to hold the pieces
together.
You are now ready to perform the trick.
Tell your audience that you can change this orange into an apple. Cover the orange
with a cloth, say a few ‘magic’ words, and then quickly remove the cloth taking the
orange peel with it, leaving the apple for all to see.
They will be amazed!
Trick 2: Push a needle through someone’s thumb!
For this trick you will need an accomplice.
Your accomplice has a small carrot in her hand so that no one can see it
You say that you are now going to push a pin into your friend’s thumb
without her feeling any pain.
You put a cloth over your friend’s hand and ask her to hold her thumb
up. She pushes up the carrot to look like her thumb.
You proceed to push a thin knitting needle or long pin into the carrot
making it look as if it is a very difficult and dangerous.
Say, “Don’t try this at home as it can easily go wrong!”
When it is in, hold up the hand to show the audience and then carefully remove the
pin and take off the cloth to show no signs of damage.
WARNING!
Take care with the sharp
needle when practising this
trick!
Links
Go 4 It: lights, Camera, Action
Entertainer badge
Performing Arts badge
Arts Explosion: ‘on show’
15
Body & Soul
Soap Making
Making soaps using a glycerine soap base is a
reasonably simple process.
You will need:
Glycerine soap
Colouring (for candles or
soap)
Perfume oil
Knife
Chopping board
Saucepan
Wooden spoon
Moulds
You can buy clear glycerine soaps in chemists and supermarkets that can be melted
down. But it may be more economical to buy a large block of it from an internet soap
supplier.
Method
Cut soap into slices (like a thick slice of cheese).
Put soap in a saucepan to melt over a low heat.
When melted, add a tiny amount of candle wax colour flakes or liquid soap colouring
and appropriate perfume oil.
You may wish to add other additives at this stage such as
flower petals, herbs, lemon rind or even chopped up
opaque soap.
Spoon melted soap mixture into silicone moulds, or fancy
ice cube moulds or a plastic food box or loaf tin.
Leave to cool and set.
Ease out of moulds & cut into slices if necessary.
Gift package your soap for extra appeal.
TIPS:
Ideal for Mothers’ Day, Christmas or selling at fetes.
The soap sets within minutes, so if you haven’t melted enough it takes little time to
make more.
Soap suppliers can be found in the directory (Appendix 3)
Links
Craft badge
Me in Mind
Fundraising
Festivals
16
Body & Soul
Honey Apple Face Mask
Why not have a girlie night and have a go at
making your own natural face mask?
This is a wonderful toner and mask in one.
The apple gently tones the skin; the honey is
nourishing and soothing and the lemon juice
acts to clean the skin.
The recipe is for one mask - just multiply the
quantities for a group.
You will need:
A medium sized apple.
A tablespoon of runny honey
2-4 tablespoons fine ground oats
A squeeze or two of lemon juice
Bowl
Cheese grater
Small sharp knife
Chopping board
Tablespoon
Lemon squeezer [if required]
Kitchen towel
Small face towel
Hair band
Relaxing music to listen to while the
mask does its magic!
Method:
Carefully grate the flesh of the apple leaving only the core.
Combine with the lemon juice and honey in the bowl.
Next, begin to mix in the oats a little
at a time, adding more and more
until the mixture is thick enough to
spread on your face without sliding
off.
If the mixture is still too sloppy add
more oats; too dry add a little water.
Leave for about 5 minutes to allow
the oats to absorb some of the
liquid – the mixture should be the
consistency of soft clay.
To use: Tuck kitchen towel around your neck to protect your clothes and secure your
hair away from your face.
Then gently smooth the honey-apple face mask over your clean face and neck,
avoiding your eyes.
Leave on for about 10 minutes and relax.
Rinse well with warm water and dry face with towel.
WARNING!
Check allergies
Tips:
This mask should be used as soon as it is made as it does not
store.
It is a great way to use up autumn windfalls or the apple overlooked in the fruit bowl!
Links
Go 4 It: Glamorama
17
Body & Soul
Initial Letter Art
You will need:
Digital camera or phone
with ability to take pictures.
Check sheet listing letters
of the alphabet/chosen
word
Pen/pencil
Equipment to print
photographs
Display method- for your
pictures
This is a great activity for a holiday or camp or just an evening meeting. This activity
can be done inside but it’s best to go out.
Activity:
As you walk around, hunt for objects and parts of objects, natural or man-made, that
look like letters of the alphabet.
For example ivy on the wall may resemble a ‘J’ or a fence post a ‘T’. Sometimes all
you need is a bit of imagination, – remember a letter might appear upside down or
sideways on.
Once you’ve found a letter, take a photo of it. Think about the best angle, take into
account the light and shade etc. Remember that you may be able to do some editing
once the picture is uploaded onto your computer.
You may like to try to collect the whole alphabet. Are you going to decide on capitals
or lower case…or can it be a mixture depending on what you spot?
Can you find your name or a particular word?
It is best to keep a list of the letters you’ve recorded especially if you spread this
challenge over time as it does become difficult to remember which letters you’ve
already snapped and which you’ve still to find!
What to do with your letters!
Titles for displays and notices
Gifts: frame a friend’s name either as individual letters or in one long frame.
Add the letter photo to a key ring fob, plastic coaster etc. Check to see what else is
commercially available for displaying photographs.
Links
Explorer badges
Five Senses: Go 4 It
You will need:
Music player (of any kind)
Music tracks with simple
basic beats
Instruction squares
Large sheet of paper
Marker pen
Blu-tac
18
Body & Soul
Line Dance Lottery
This activity helps you to create a very unique dance for the whole group to follow.
Photocopy the instruction squares and cut out. Stick the large sheet of paper on a
wall using the blu-tac.
Choose music that is lively and has a clear even beat that can be easily counted.
Everyone starts facing the sheet of paper and the leader gets someone to pull out an
instruction square from a bag; this is the first move in your dance. The leader sticks
the instruction on the paper. Choose how many beats you will do the action for and
the leader writes this number next to the action. Then another action is chosen from
the bag, then another and so on until you have invented a lottery dance to all
perform.
A typical dance may be:
Jump x2
Step kick to the right x4
Wiggle your bottom x2
Wave your hands in the air x4
Star jump x2
Open the curtains x4
Step right, then left x2
Turn Around x4
Music suggestions – Grease Lightening, Fame, Flash dance.
Tips:
Why not make up your own instruction
squares?
Links
Dancer badge
Me in mind
Healthy Lifestyles badge
‘Arts Explosion On Show’
Go 4 It: Lights , Camera, Action
Entertainer Badge
Performing Arts Badge
19
Instruction Squares
Step kick to
the right
Wave your
hands
in the air
Slap left thigh
Slap right thigh
Step left,
then right
Clap your
hands
Step kick to
the left
Put your hands
on your knees
& cross them
Open the
curtains
(hand action)
John Travolta
move
Stamp your
feet
Jump
Wiggle your
bottom
Turn around
Criss Cross
with legs
Can Can
legs
Star
Jump
Waggle your
hips
Step right,
then left
Do the
twist
Box step
20
Body & Soul
You will need:
PVA Glue
Paint Brush
Scissors
Patterned serviette.
Stickers
Felt tips
Nail varnish
Nail Art
Cut a nail shape from kitchen roll or serviette, one
for each nail just use top layer. (You could use
commercial stick on nails as a template).
Paint the nails with PVA glue and then put a paper
nail shape on and paint over gently with PVA glue
trying not to disturb the paper.
Leave for a few minutes to dry.
Attach a sticker or decorate with felt tip pens or varnishes. Then leave to dry again.
To remove nail artpeel off PVA glue or wash hands in warm water.
Take it further – try false nails and attach them with double
sided tape, then decorate with paint or stickers.
Try recycling and cut the nail shapes out of other materials- pop
bottles/milk bottles, cake box, attach these nails with double
sided tape and decorate.
Alternatively you can cut up tiny shreds of tissue paper and glue them on in a pattern
design.
WARNING!
Check allergies
Links
Go 4 It: Passion for fashion
Festivals
Fashion show
21
You will need:
Oranges
Cake mix and any additional
ingredients
Mixing Bowl
Spoon
Foil
Oven Gloves
Body & Soul
Campfire Cooking in an Orange
Want a delicious campfire dessert?
Just slice an orange off at the top, and hollow out the pulp on the inside (don't waste
it!) then fill the bottom about three-quarters of the way
with the cake mix. Wrap it up and make sure it's
resting on a spot of your campfire that's away from
any direct, intense flames so it can cook slowly. After
about half an hour, you'll have a tasty treat.
No camp fire? Just cook in an oven, place the orange
on a baking tray and cook at 180 C or Gas mark 4.
You don't need pots or pans to make a camp fire
breakfast: just crack an egg into the peel of half an
orange and cook over hot coals for about 3-5
minutes.
The moisture of the orange peel prevents the egg
from burning and can impart a nice orange-y
flavour to the egg.
If you like your egg a little softer, wrap it with foil
instead of placing directly on the coals.
For a different egg flavour, you could also cook an egg inside an onion on an open
campfire.
WARNING!
Take care with
fire and check
allergies
Links
Outdoor cook
Camping
Campfire activity
22
Body & Soul
Relaxing Hand Soak
A simple recipe that uses easily obtained, store
cupboard ingredients that will leave your hands
feeling pampered and loved.
You will need:
Tablespoon of sugar
½ tablespoon salt
¼ tablespoon cornflower
Tablespoon of runny honey
125 ml [1/2 cup] milk
Hand hot water
Small handful of chopped herbs &/or
petals.
Mixing bowl
Tablespoon
Hand bowl
Hand towel
Method:
First mix together the dry ingredients [sugar, salt
& corn flour] in the mixing bowl.
Gradually add the milk and honey and enough warm water to make mixing easy.
Tip the mixture into your hand bowl and add the herbs/flowers and more warm water
to cover your hands.
Carefully dip your hands into the soak and gently rub each one with the other for a
minute or so. Then just allow your hands to relax in the soak for three or four minutes
longer.
Rinse your hands in clean warm water and dry on the towel.
WARNING!
Check allergies
Replace milk
with soya milk or
water if needed
Tips:
Share the bowl with a friend and massage each other’s hands.
For younger members and those who would like to be more active
participants a leader can call out simple activities:
‘Rub your left thumb with your right hand’ ‘Make fists and see how slowly you can
unfold your fingers’ ‘Pretend to play the piano’ ‘Make your hands into fish’.
Links
Go 4 It: Glamorama
Me in mind
Healthy lifestyle badge
Go 4 It: Passion for fashion
‘Me in Mind’
You will need:
Fairy Cakes
Butter Icing or frosting
2 marshmallows (per cake)
Liquorice strips
Strawberry chews
Cherries (or orange tic
tacs)
Millions (sweets)
Cocktail sticks
Piping bag
Knife
23
Body & Soul
Cake Modelling
You can have great fun trying to
build models using cakes and
sweets as opposed to old
cartons, and the bonus is, you can eat them afterwards.
You can make it completely spontaneous if you ask
everyone to contribute a pack of cakes or chocolate
bars or sweets.
Alternatively, you might want to create a
specific item, such as Ghost lollipops or
the Eiffel Tower. This means planning and trial making the items
beforehand to ensure you have the right ingredients. The choice is
yours, just have fun!
Here is a festive Cake
Sculpture to try!
Snowman Cakes
Pipe or spread butter icing or frosting onto a fairy
cake.
Spear two marshmallows onto a cocktail stick (one
through the vertical, the other through the
horizontal). Insert the other end of the cocktail stick
into the centre of the cake and push down slightly to allow a little of the
cocktail stick to come through the top of the head.
Cover the exposed cocktail stick with a strawberry chew (for the hat).
Tie a piece of liquorice strap around the neck (for a scarf).
Pierce the face with a cocktail stick for the eyes & nose position. Insert the
million sweet eyes and cherry/tic-tac nose.
WARNING!
Check allergies
Links:
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24
Body & Soul
You will need:
Open space
Playground Games
Children used to play many games in the school playground before there was so
much equipment available. Many of the games had quite complex rules, and ways of
not being included in the game such as crossing your fingers and saying ‘cross
keys’, ‘barleys’ ‘ Den’ or ‘fanites’. Others had safe zones to which players could
retreat when they wanted a rest.
Have a go at playing these types of playground games:
Chasing games – usually based on the simple game of tag where one person is on,
they ‘tag’ another by touching them and that person is then on:
Statue tag – person tagged has to stand still with their arms outstretched until
they are released by another player by touching them or crawling through
their legs.
Chain tag – each person tagged joins on the end of the line, so a long chain of
people are running around. Only the last person in the chain can tag others.
Back to back tag - Two people hold hands start off as being "it." They can try
to tag any other player but they can only use their free hands. When they tag
someone, that person joins onto them by holding hands. Remember, other
players can only be tagged with one of the two free hands. Players are safe
from being tagged if they find another player and stand back to back with
them. They can stand back to back and be safe for only 10 seconds before
they can be tagged. The game continues until everyone is tagged.
Amoeba tag - Two people are it. They hold hands and chase people. Any
person they catch joins the chain by linking hands. When another person is
caught they can stay together or split 2 and 2, but they must split even
numbers and can link together at will. This game is played until nobody is left.
Bump tag - Choose someone to be "it" and someone being chased. The rest
of the players form pairs and spread out. While being chased, the runner can
go up to another pair of buddies, and "bump" one person. The other buddy
then is released from that pair, and becomes the new person being chased.
For example, IT is chasing RUNNER and RUNNER goes up to one of the
sides of the buddies, and bumps BUDDY 1. BUDDY 2, now becomes the
person chased by IT. The original RUNNER is now budded up with BUDDY 1.
If the IT tags the RUNNER, they immediately switch roles, and the original
runner now tries to catch the original "it."
Links
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25
Body & Soul
You will need:
Skipping rope
Skipping Games
Skipping games are usually played with a long rope turned by 2 people. Players
follow the instructions given in the rhyme, ‘jumping in’ either under or over the rope
as it turns.
Teddy Bear
(Player jumps into the rope)
Teddy bear, teddy bear touch the ground,
Teddy bear, teddy bear turn around,
Teddy bear, teddy bear climb the stairs,
Teddy bear, teddy bear say your prayers,
Teddy bear, teddy bear turn out the light,
Teddy bear, teddy bear say goodnight (player
runs out of the rope)
I had a Little Puppy
I had a little puppy
His name was Tiny Tim
I put him in the bathtub, to see if he could swim
He drank all the water, he ate a bar of soap
The next thing you know he had a bubble in his throat.
In came the doctor, (person jumps in)
In came the nurse, (person jumps in)
In came the lady with the alligator purse (person jumps in)
Out went the doctor (person jumps out)
Out went the nurse (person jumps out)
Out went the lady with the alligator purse (person jumps out)
Birthday Rhyme
Apples peaches, pears and plums,
Tell me when your birthday comes
(The rope is then turned very fast whilst
saying the months of the year (Jan, Feb,
Mar etc). the skipper should end on her
birthday.)
26
Body & Soul
You will need:
Makaton Signing posters
or Video Song
Song sheets if necessary
Makaton Singing
Makaton is a type of sign language devised to help children with communication
problems or learning difficulties. It is a set of very specific signs made with the hands
to portray the words in the song. You can learn Makaton by watching the actions on
a video or finding the descriptions of the actions in a manual or on a poster.
Try performing a song with the Makaton actions. If this is new to you, choose a song
you already know. Try to learn the actions before you put the two together as
producing the actions at the speed of the lyrics can be a challenge. Trying to master
it can be great fun, you soon appreciate how the actions enhance the song.
Here is a simple song you can start with, there is an online video where you can see
it being performed at www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/Singing-Hands-Three-LittleMonkeys-with-Makaton-6193884
THREE LITTLE MONKEYS
Three Little Monkeys bouncing on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head,
Mummy called the doctor and the doctor said
No more monkeys bouncing on the bed!
There
are
plenty
of
resources
available
from
the
Makaton
Charity
www.Makaton.org
LINKS
Communicator badge
Disability Awareness
at
Body & Soul
27
Calendula Hand Salve Recipe
For this activity you will need a couple of
meetings.
This quantity makes about 250ml of salve and
can be scaled up or down.
You will need:
10-15 fresh heads of young calendula
(Marigold) flowers
250ml of basic olive oil
10g of beeswax beads/chips
Large jam jar
Large bowl
Fine sieve, to fit over bowl.
Saucepan of water holding smaller pan
Method:
or bowl (bain-marie)
Pick the flower heads from young plants
Small lidded containers for the finished
preferably early morning on a dry day just after
salve
any dew has evaporated. This ensures the
petals oils are at their best.
Separate the petals from the flower heads (or use dried petals) and place them and
the oil in a large container. Carefully give it a good stir to make sure all the petals
are well coated in the oil. Seal and leave for one or two weeks.
Next, strain the oil from the petals into a bowl through the sieve. Once most of the oil
has passed through, gently press down on the
petals to release any remaining oil. Wrap the used
petals in newspaper and discard. You may need to
pass the oil through the sieve again to remove any
stray petals. The oil should be a glorious golden
colour.
Fill the larger pan with water and the smaller one
with the oil and wax. Carefully place the smaller
pan into the water and bring the water to a low
simmer. Stir gently until the beeswax has melted
and is combined with the calendula oil.
Remove from heat and stir as the salve cools a little.
Pour into clean containers, seal and leave to set.
Finally label it: ‘Calendula Hand Salve’; list ingredients (and the suggestion to first
test the salve on a small area of the hand and then check 24 hours later for any
adverse reaction).
Remember to personalise the tag by saying who grew the flowers and made the
salve etc.
TIPS: The finished salve goes a long way so you only need
WARNING!
small containers.
Check allergies
Rather than buying small containers why not recycle cosmetic or
baby food jars? Be inventive: try sturdy yoghurt pots and seal in
the same way as you would jam.
If you want very clear oil, use muslin to line the sieve and pour mixture slowly.
Remember to squeeze the muslin to release the last drops of oil.
Washing up: To prevent your sink/drains blocking,use the kitchen towel to remove as
much as possible of the unused salve from the pan and utensils. Allow salve to
harden and scrape away any further wax using a blunt knife or similar. Wrap this
waste in newspaper and dispose. The washing-up water needs to be extremely hot
to clean the items, so this last part of the task may not be suitable for younger
members. Rubber gloves are advised.
Links
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28
Body & Soul
Colour Identity
You will need
Shiny fabric
samples or
scarves
Strong lights
Camera
Items of clothing
Spend an evening discovering which colour shades suit the
colouring of your skin and hair best. You might then have a party,
photo shoot or fashion show, showing you off to your best!
To discover the shades that suit you, collect a few fabrics of each shade group
(often scarves, scraps of fabric or dress linings are helpful). Try to use fabrics such
as nylon, silk or satin which have a bit of sheen. Each girl takes it in turn, to sit in a
chair beneath a bright light with the different fabric samples placed around her neck
and shoulders. The audience assess the effect of the colour that shines on the girls
face. It is both the shade of the face and the hair colour that can be affected by the
slight light reflection from the fabric.
Colour shades can be classed into groups: pastel, muted, bright and deep. Often all
the colours within one or two of the shade groups will suit a person.
Muted shades
Pastel shades
Bright shades
Deep shades
Tips:
Once you know the shades that suit you, try using different style clothes and
accessories to find out the styles that suit your body shape.
You could try colour co-ordinating make up to use the shades that suit you
Further ideas and a professional service about this subject can be found using the
links in appendix 3.
Links
Go 4 It: Passion for fashion
Me in Mind
Arts Explosion: ‘On Show’
29
Body & Soul
Indian Bead Jewellery
You will need:
Wool/Yarn
Beads
Bells
Needle
These pretty bracelets are very typical of the jewellery made in rural villages in India.
Girls often learn these crafts from their mothers and grandmothers.
Finger knitting jewellery
Make yourself some lovely jewellery using wool and beads in colours to match your
clothes.
Thread small beads onto the wool using a needle. You will need about 36 for a
necklace or 12 for a bracelet.
Start to finger knit a single chain – wind the wool around your thumb twice, pick up
the first loop and take it over the second, keep pulling until the first stitch is secure.
Leave the first stitch on your thumb and wind the wool around again, take the first
loop over the second to form another stitch.
Continue to finger knit until your work measures about 5cm. and then slide 3 beads
along the wool up to the stitches. Continue to work 3 more stitches and then 3 beads
until the necklace or bracelet is the length that you want it to be.
Finish off by working another 5cm without beads and then put the end of the wool
through the loop and pull tight.
Trim the ends, leaving enough to tie together.
Experiment with different textures and colours of wool.
Links
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Body & Soul
Flower Foot Spa
You will need
A few heaped tablespoons of Epsom
salts
Slices of citrus fruit of your choice
(lemon, lime, orange)
A handful of flower petals
Warm water
Bowl large enough to take your feet
Chair
Towel
Relaxing music or reading matter
Treat your feet to a relaxing and stress busting
foot bath. Foot baths and soaks have been
popular for centuries, especially in Asian
countries where they are valued for both their beauty and therapeutic benefits. Foot
baths are reputed to relieve tired feet, help heal any cracked skin and make it feel
softer. They are also said to help reduce muscle tension and improve circulation.
Method:
Fill the bowl with the lukewarm water and add the Epsom salts, flower petals and
fruit slices.
Soak your feet in the mixture for ten to fifteen minutes and relax as you listen to the
music, read or simply day dream.
Rinse your feet in fresh warm water and dry them with your towel.
Links
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31
International
Zentangles
Zentangles are simply a way of doodling to create a very
detailed piece of art. They started in the USA, as an
internet phenomenon.
You will need:
Photocopies of a simple
repeat pattern
Black felt tip pens
Possibly coloured pens &
stickers
Typically, the page is split into small sections by a pattern
such as scales, leaves, triangles, squares, 3D bricks. This
can be very useful as you may want to cut up the sections
to divide between you.
These
sections
when
completed can then be put
together again to make one
large detailed piece of art.
Here are some samples of patterns for your sections:
The butterfly template (see over) is particularly simple and
could be used as a base for designing patterns by putting
mini stickers on the wings.
The idea is to fill each section with a detailed filler pattern but following a theme such
as stripes, dots or zigzags. No two sections should look identical; fillers can differ in
direction, size and shading.
You may choose particular colours for each section to help create a pattern, but it
can look just as striking in black & white.
Once everyone has completed their section put them all together to display as one
big piece of work.
TIP: Don’t worry if your fill in pattern feels scruffy and not symmetrical, it will still
have great effect in the larger picture.
For further designs and demonstrations use the website address in Appendix 3.
Links
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32
33
International
You will need:
Paper and pens
Copies of decoding patterns
Torches
Boxes
International Morse Song Titles
Morse code was invented to send messages in code over short distances by light or worldwide
by a transmitter. It is a simple and effective way of sending a message, once you have
mastered the gaps/pauses to make the letters and numbers become apparent.
Try decoding this song title before you make up your own coded song titles - use the code box
below to help.
.. _ …
._
._ _ _ _ _ ._. ._.. _..
… _ _ ._ ._.. ._..
._ .._. _ . ._.
._ ._.. ._..
Try writing messages in Morse code to each other on paper; or send them by dots and dashes
from a torch across a dark room or even tap them out on a box with taps and scratches. You
could even try using Morse instead of texting on your mobile phone! Whichever way you
choose, you need to do it with precise rhythm so that the pauses are recognisable as gaps
between letters and longer ones for gaps between words.
Links
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Thinking day on the air
34
International
Temporary Mehindi
Traditional designs
You will need;
(To make piping bags)
100ml PVA Glue
Dark brown oil paint/or craft
paint
Disposable piping bag
Mehindi is a decorative art popular in the Indian subcontinent. It is used as a temporary tattoo by women
celebrating at parties and weddings. It is usually applied
as a paste made with Henna dye and piped in an intricate
pattern using a piping bag. When the paste is dried, it is
brushed off leaving the pattern in Henna staining the skin.
The following method of Mehindi allows you to create
your own pattern and to pipe a paste. This paste also
dries in about 15 minutes but does not leave a stain once
you decide to peel it off.
Squeeze the paint into a 100ml bottle of glue. Stir thoroughly using a skewer.
Squeeze a small amount into a piping bag and snip off end. Pipe the design onto the
palm of a hand.
Tips:
It is easier to decorate someone else’s hand rather than your own. So it is good to
work in a pair sitting opposite each other across a table where the hand can rest
perfectly still for both painting and the drying process. Try finding out 10 interesting
facts about each other and challenge yourself to remember all ten.
You may want to pipe with chocolate spread instead; you are then able to lick it off
once completed!
Younger girls could draw around their hand on paper and decorate that hand using a
brown felt tip pen.
WARNING!
Check allergies
Links
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Festivals
35
This motif is called Boteh. It is used frequently in Mehindi design. It is based on
a droplet of water and is very important in some eastern religions.
36
International
Floor Maypole
This version of maypole dancing allows you to make your own
maypole easily, as the ribbons/ropes come from a disc near
the ground and the pattern they make when woven goes up
the pole. Give it a go you’ll soon be inventing your own
dances!
You will need:
2 circles of corrugated
cardboard (about 50cm
wide)
12 x 3m Ropes or Ribbons
(6 each of two different
colours)
Broom pole
Parasol base
Making the Pole: Write the numbers 1 to 12 on a circle of
cardboard like a clock face. Put the second circle of card beneath
the clock face card.
Create a hole at each number (not too close to the edge so that
the cardboard does not tear when the ribbons are pulled); an
apple corer does the job well.
Thread a ribbon through each hole using alternate colours so that
one colour is at the odd numbers and one at the even numbers.
(Ribbons will now keep both circles of card together)
Pierce a hole through centre of clock face and knock the pole
through the hole into soft ground in an appropriate place to
perform the dance. The pole now keeps the maypole base in
position and dancing can begin.
Ground Rules Girls should be aware that one colour represents
the odd numbers and the other, even numbers. For many dances,
the even numbers will need to move in a clockwise direction and
the odd ribbons, anticlockwise; drawing the clock face on the card
helps with this.
An indoor maypole can be made using a heavy base such as this
rope reel, or a parasol base filled with sand/water.
Start slowly, one step at a time, when you have the hang of it you
can speed up and maybe even do it to music.
Links
You Tube
Arts Explosion: ‘On Show’
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37
The Dances
Spiders Web Dance
1. All even numbers move clockwise to next odd
ribbon.
2. Go around their back lifting ribbon over their
head. Carry on walking around them going
under their ribbon at the front and then carry on
circling them by going behind them again lifting
ribbon over their head again before moving on to
next odd ribbon. Do this around the circle (6
ribbons) back to original position, then allow odd
ribbons to do the same actions going
anticlockwise
Weave Dance
1. All even ribbons move
clockwise to next odd ribbon and
lift over the top of odd ribbon
(odd ribbons go anticlockwise to
meet even ribbons and duck
under).
2. Carry on so that evens meet
next odd ribbon but this time
duck whilst odds lift their ribbons.
3. Carry on in same direction
with evens lifting, then odds
lifting etc. etc.
See the dances in action – You will find a link to a You Tube clip of maypole dancing
in Appendix 3.
38
International
You will need:
Rubber gloves
Crepe paper in several
colours
Small dish of water
White card
White candle
Marbling
Marble is a decorative rock that has been used in buildings for many centuries. The
ancient Greeks carved some of their most beautiful statues from marble. Many
famous buildings are made of marble like the Taj Mahal in India.
Italy is a natural source of marble and the Italians have used it a great deal in many
famous buildings and sculptures. They admire it so much, that they copy its patterns
onto paper to make book covers and wallets. Here is a simple way to try out this
craft.
Crepe paper marble effect – works best on card
Wear rubber gloves as the dye in the crepe paper will stain your hands.
Cut pieces of crepe paper in several different colours.
Dip one piece of crepe paper in water, squeeze out the water and then dab it over a
piece of card.
Repeat with other colours until you are satisfied with the marbling effect then leave to
dry.
When it is dry rub over the whole card with a white wax candle to give a glossy
marble finish.
Links
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Card Making
You will need:
39
International
Well dressing
Foil plates
Damp sand
Small stones or twigs,
Other natural items
e.g. petals, moss,
seeds and leaves.
The Blessing of the water supply in the form of a well is an
ancient custom unique to the Peak District and
surrounding areas. It may link back to the time of the
Black Death, but the fact that many well dressings have a
well queen suggests echoes of ancient spring fertility rites.
The well dressing takes place between May and
September, depending on the village. Once the dressing
is put up, it is blessed in a short service. Some towns
have several wells, so there may be a procession around
the town to bless each of the wells. This is a British
cultural tradition that could be used when travelling
abroad, with Girlguiding.
The well dressing is made in a wooden frame lined with
clay. The design is pricked out, and then filled in with
petals and other natural items. The clay needs to be kept
damp or the petals will fall off. Designs may be biblical,
but some relate to the local area or nature.
Activity in your meeting place
Fill the plate with damp sand and smooth it down.
Mark out a picture using a stick – this could be the outline of a bird or flower.
Use the small stones or tiny twigs to outline the picture.
Fill in the picture with the petals, leaves and other natural materials.
You could lay the well dressing in the grounds of your meeting place. You could set
up a well dressing trail or do one at a flower festival. Invite people to come and follow
the trail.
This well dressing plate celebrates Italy using Bay
Leaves, Sunflower petals and black stones as olives.
Links
Arts Explosion: ‘On the Move’
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40
International
You will need:
Readily available craft
materials especially when
busy at Christmas time
Christmas Tree Festivals
A Christmas tree festival is a gathering of Christmas trees in
a public place, set up in the advent season. Each tree is
sponsored by a local group, charity or business, and
decorated to their choice. The public who come to view the
collection of trees are invited to donate to any of the groups
they wish to support.
Find out if there is a Christmas tree festival in your locality
that you could join in with, or maybe you could set one up in
your district or division. Perhaps your local community would
like to do one together in a hall, church, vacant shop or
shopping centre, museum or library.
They are a great way of getting each club to display its talents or issues.
You will need to think of a theme for your tree.
Maybe it will be about Girlguiding with decorations
around badges, from recycled materials, or an
International theme, celebrating Guiding around
the world. Perhaps you could make your own
sweets to adorn your tree.
If a whole festival is rather ambitious, could you
set up a tree in your meeting place?
Or each decorate a tree shape in felt or paper and have your own unit festival.
Links
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Origami
Corn Dollies
Soap Making
Hanging Star
41
International
You will need:
Squares of pretty paper
(e.g. wrapping paper,
origami paper or paint
splatter your own squares)
Beads &pipe cleaners
Origami Animals
Origami is the art of paper folding and it is very popular in Japan. There are many
books and websites on the subject that would give you lots of ideas on creating all
sorts of animals. Some designs can be quite simple, others very complex. There are
some designed to have moving parts and some open out.
Below are the instructions for making a simple butterfly that rotates in the air when
you throw it.
1. Have the paper white side up- Start by turning the paper so
that one corner is towards you. Then fold the bottom corner
to the top.
1.
2.
2.
3.
Fold up the bottom edge, leaving a small triangle
peeping out at the top.
Fold the paper in half from side to side.
Make sure all the edges meet.
3.
4.
Fold back the uppermost wing and then turn
The butterfly over and fold back that uppermost wing.
4.
Alternatively:
Try making a butterfly from pretty paper, cut into a tall
butterfly outline shape.
Then concertina it from head to tail and fix it with a pipe
cleaner for the body. Thread on beads for the head and
antennae.
See appendix 3 for websites with lots of alternative origami
designs and instructions.
Links
Go 4 It: Flights of fancy
Christmas tree festivals
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42
International
Animal Origami Paper
You will need:
Assorted A4 coloured
printer paper
White A4 paper
Fine tipped black felt tip
pens
Photocopier
It is possible to create all sorts of objects and animals using just one square of paper
using origami, the art of paper folding. However, animals often look more realistic if
the outside of the paper is printed with the animal’s skin pattern. African safari
animals are well known for both their skin patterns and their unique shapes (there
are not many animals that can be mistaken for an elephant, giraffe or rhino!) Now it
is your opportunity to create your own African print origami paper.
All you have to do, is study a picture
of the patterns on an animals’ coat
and draw it onto a piece of A6 paper
(1/4 of A4). Use a fine tipped black
pen and keep the pattern small and
frequent.
Photocopy your pattern 4 times and
then sandwich the copies together to
create a whole A4 sheet. Once you
have this master copy, you can
photocopy as many sheets as
desired.
It is very effective if you print your pattern onto coloured paper in the copier. Grey
works well for rhino and elephant. Orange is great for giraffe and tiger and yellow for
leopard spots. Origami instructions can be found online, see appendix 3.
You will need to cut your A4 sheets into a square to use them for origami, but
working in A6 size and getting to A4 makes it easier for photocopying onto standard
paper.
You may be able to find complex animal prints within clipart on the computer to
create other beautiful animals, see the website address in the directory appendix 3.
See angelfish instructions and design – overleaf.
Links
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43
You will need:
Patterned paper square
approx: 21cm x 21cm
International
Origami Angelfish
These fish are quite simple to make once you’ve got the hang of them. Lots of them
together make a great display or carnival float decoration. Mini ones look great in a
hanging mobile.
1. Fold your paper in half, placing fold nearest to you, with the pattern on the
outside. Crease well.
2. Fold the paper in half again, this time bringing the right side to the left. This
forms a small square.
3. Next create a squash fold; bring the top flap back over to the right. Fold the
top right corner down to meet the crease you have created down the centre.
Crease well.
4. Now undo your triangular flap and open out your paper back into a square
with the plain side up.
5. Now recrease the right, middle fold (east fold, in compass terms) so that it
folds inwards. Bring it down to the bottom centre fold (South) and crease well.
You will now have created a rectangle shape with the right hand corner
triangle missing, and the pattern will be uppermost.
6. You have now created a squash fold and need to repeat it with the left corner
until you have a folded patterned triangle, with its base nearest to you. (steps
3-5)
7. Turn triangle 90 degrees (to point west).
8. Bring down top flap of upper point of triangle, and line it up midway between
the centre fold and bottom point. Crease well
9. Bring up top flap of bottom point of triangle and cross over last fold, lining it up
between centre crease and top point of triangle. Crease well.
10. Turn paper over and you have created a pretty angelfish.
Links
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44
International
WARNING!
Please ensure a
qualified adult is
present to
supervise if any
gymnastic
moves/stunts are
being performed.
Cheerleading
You will need:
Dance moves – see overleaf
Suitable gym wear and trainers
Pom-poms
Cheerleading isn’t just waving pompoms; it combines dance,
gymnastics and a very loud voice, and needs strength and
coordination. It comes from the U.S.A.
Lots of famous people were cheerleaders, including Paula Abdul:
(American Idol judge), Halle Berry (actress), Madonna, Mandy
Moore (singer and actress), Samuel L. Jackson, and even George
W. Bush!
On films such as Bring It On, when the girls or boys are lifted up or thrown in the air,
it is known as stunting. This is probably the most fun but most dangerous part of
cheerleading. It requires a great deal of care, attention and practice.
Cheerleading Chants and Cheers:
As a cheerleader, you are expected to yell as loud as you can to get the crowd at a
sports game really excited! A chant is some words that you repeat that people can
join in with. If you put motions with the chant, it becomes a cheer.
The ChantG–U–I–D–E–S
_______ Guides are the best!
In the blank space, each girl should shout out the name of her guide unit, e.g.
“Shrewsbury Guides are the best!” To encourage them to really go for it, they all do it
at the same time, so the competition is to see who can be the loudest. Test it by
seeing which guide names you can hear over all the others.
The Cheer
G–U
I
D–E
S
_________ Guides
are the
best!
Left K
Broken T
Right K
Broken T
Roll arms in front of body
Clasp with each word
High V
Follow this with a high kick and some yelling (“woo!”) like you see in all the American
teen high school films.
If you still have time after all this, you can put everything into a routine! Start with
everyone doing a spread eagle jump together, and then do the cheer. Get into stunt
groups and do a thigh stand, then get down and do the cheer one more time.
45
All motions can be performed with fists (thumbs on the outside, big holes and little
holes), blades (palms flat with fingers together) or sparkles (palms flat with fingers
spread out)
There are 2 types of clap in cheerleading: the clap and the clasp. The clap is when
the hands are in blades with fingertips pointing to the sky. The clasp is when the
hands clasp each other like a handshake, with thumbs pointing towards the body.
Bases
The base is the foundation of
the stunt, the person who is
stood on or is one of the main
lifters; they are in constant
contact with the ground. They
are usually the taller and / or
stronger members of the stunt
group. The base is constantly
watching the flyer.
Spotters
The spotter aids the base in
lifting and supporting the
flyer. They are also quite
strong, and also stay in
contact with the ground. The
spotter is constantly watching
the flyer.
Flyers
The flyer is the person who
is lifted off the ground. For
this reason, they are usually
the smallest member of the
stunt group, but also have to
trust the bases and spotters
lifting them.
In cheerleading, when people perform cartwheels, back flips, or even forward or
backward rolls, this is known as tumbling.
Stunt groups should be groups of 4: 2 bases, 1 back spot and 1 flyer. The easiest
way to do this is usually to line everyone up in height order. The tallest will be bases,
the shortest flyers, and those in between back spots. Emphasise that all positions
are equally important for the stunt to work, and one isn’t better than another.
Thigh Stand
1. Two bases lunge in toward one another. Flyer
stands behind them. Back spot stands behind the
flyer.
2. Flyer places her right foot on the right base's left
thigh (in her pocket). Her hands should be on base's
shoulders. The base hold her leg around the knee.
3. Flyer puts her weight on right foot and jumps off of
left leg. She puts her left leg on the left base's right
thigh. Flyer locks legs and puts her arms in high V.
Bases hold on to flyer round the knee and on the toe
to keep her secure. To get down, the back spot helps the flyer step down to behind
the bases where she started, and everyone stands up straight and tall, hands by
their sides. This position is known as ‘clean’.
Tips:
The flyer should lock her knees out, i.e. straighten her legs as much as possible.
This will make her feel lighter to the bases and make the stunt more secure.
The flyer should keep looking straight ahead. This will help prevent her from
wobbling.
The bases should have their knees almost touching, their bent leg as flat, i.e. parallel
to the floor, as possible, and their straight leg locked out with the toe pointing
forwards.
Links
Dancer badge
Health lifestyle badge
46
International
Cheerleading Motions
Ready Position
Hands behind back,
feet shoulder width
apart
High V
Arms are at a 45
degree angle to the
body. Pinky fingers
are to the back.
T
Arms are at a 90
degree angle to the
body. Pinky fingers
are at the back.
Low V
Same as a High V, but
arms are down
Touch Down
Arms are straight up,
in-line with the body.
Bring arms to ears,
not ears to arms.
Pinky fingers are to
the front.
Broken T
Same as a T but arms
are bent. Do not bring
it forward. Pinky
fingers are to the
front.
Low Touch Down
Arms are straight
down, in-line with the
body. Arms should be
tight to the body and
slightly forward. Pinky
fingers are to the back.
Daggers
Arms are bent,
hugging the body.
Pinky fingers are to
the front.
Left Diagonal
Left arm is in a High V
and right arm is in a
Low V. Right
Diagonal would be
the opposite of this.
Left K
Left arm is in a High V
and right arm is in a
Low V across the body.
Right K would be the
opposite of this.
Right Punch
Right arm is in a Touch
Down and left arm is
on the hips. Left
punch would be the
opposite of this.
Right L
Right arm is in a T and
left arm is in a Touch
Down. Left L would be
the opposite of this.
47
International
You will need:
Glass jars or glasses
PVA Glue
Tissue paper
Decorations (if required)
Tea lights
Glue brushes
Votive Lanterns
A votive is a decorated glass holder for a candle.
When the candle is lit, the colours surrounding
the glass give off beautiful coloured lights. They
are used in many countries for different festivals
celebrating light such as Diwali, Hanukah and
Christmas.
Why not try to make your own votive for a
beautiful candlelit celebration? Maybe even
Thinking Day. Do take care though, the base
usually stays cool allowing you to place them on
tables and window sills, but the sides can get hot,
so once lit, they cannot be picked up and moved.
If you want a central shape or design, cut that from 2 layers of tissue paper.
Mix an amount of PVA glue with the equivalent amount of water
Paint the glue onto the glass, stick on both layers of tissue and then paint glue over
the top.
Fill in the rest of the glass with contrasting tissue pieces (torn into small shreds) layer
upon layer, taking care to carefully butt up to the cut out design. Remember to
always paste over the top of the paper as well to give a glossy finish.
Glue on extra gems, shapes or sequins if required
Leave to dry for an hour before lighting a candle inside.
These lights look good outside too in a garden or at camp. Use them to mark the
side of a pathway. If you want to take this further and have a little cash, use glass
paints to decorate the glasses/jars and sell for funds.
Links
WARNING!
Don’t leave any
naked lights
unattended
Hanukah
Christmas
Diwali
Thinking Day
Mothers Day
St Martins Day (Holland)
St Lucia Day (Sweden)
Craft Badge
48
International
Weaving Straws
You will need:
5 drinking straws per person
Yarn in different colours
Scissors
Tape (masking tape is best)
Large eyed needle
Button
Weaving is fun and easy.
The ancient craft of weaving is found all over the world. People have woven yarn to
make useful items such as clothing and rugs as well as beautiful tapestries that hang
in castles, museums and churches.
Most weaving is done on a loom, but actually it is possible to weave on anything that
can be strung with the warp threads. This includes recyclable items like cardboard,
an old picture frame, sticks or drinking straws.
To make a bracelet:
Cut five pieces of yarn twice the length you want the finished project to be.
Thread one piece of yarn through each straw and tape the end of the yarn firmly to
the end of the straw. If you struggle to thread the needle, then put in the straw and
shake it until it comes out the other end and then
stick with tape.
Hold the straws together and knot the pieces of
yarn together at the loose ends (the ends that are
not taped to the straws).
Tie the end of your ball of yarn (not the yarn
threaded through the straws; these simply form the
base) around the bottom of one straw loosely
enough so that it can be pushed up and down the straw.
Hold the straws in one hand side by side like a little raft. This is your straw loom.
Weave the yarn over one straw and under the next across the row of straws.
Wrap the yarn around the last straw and weave it back across the row going under
the straws you went over the first time and over the straws you went under the last
time.
Push the rows of yarn down the straws as you need more space to weave.
Eventually some of the rows will be pushed off the straws and onto the yarn
threaded through the straws, but never push all the rows of yarn off the straws.
When your woven band is the length you desire, push all the woven rows off the
straws and knot the ends together or sew to secure. Cut the yarn, leaving enough to
tie the ends together.
Sew a button on one end and use short loop of wool at the other end to complete the
bracelet.
Tips:
Use two different coloured yarns for a contrasting look in warp and weft threads.
Attach beads to the yarn ends to allow the yarn to hang gracefully.
For a belt, leave the end approximately 10 to 12 inches long to tie in an overhand
knot when wearing the belt.
For a headband, attach a length of narrow elastic to the ends of the weaving to keep
the headband in place.
Links
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Go 4 It: Passion For Fashion
World culture badge
49
You will need:
Geocaching membership
GPS system or smart phone
Small gift items
International
Geocaching
Geocaching is an International phenomenon that started in USA. It is a grand
treasure hunt game.
You need to register with the Geocaching
club online and give them a few details of
the area where you live or where you are
visiting. In return, they will send you the coordinates to find boxes of hidden treasure
through a GPS system. All you have to do, is
go hunting in set areas to find the Caches
(treasure boxes).
Within each cache (often a transparent
plastic box but not always) you should find a
log book to record you have been there and
you may find small token gift/s (novelty toy, key ring, gem stone) or a ‘trackable’ (part
of a large scale hunting game). You are allowed to take a small gift if you wish but it
has to be replaced.
How about putting Arts Explosion on the map and
leaving an Arts Explosion badge in its place, or a
piece of art from the Midlands (an egg cup from
Royal Worcester, Coalport or Royal Derby)?
Leave a message to spread the word about
Girlguiding and Arts Explosion.
Rules of Geocaching
If you take something from the geocache (or
"cache"), leave something of equal or greater
value.
Write about your find in the cache logbook.
Log your experience at www.geocaching.com.
TIPS FOR STARTING OFF
Get as much information as possible from the Geocaching website
Start with a relatively easy cache to find
1) One that is recorded frequently on line as being found
2) Search for a cache of a reasonable size (see online size guide)
3) Choose a more open location (a field or park could be easier than woodland)
Links
Finding your way badges
Go 4 It : I Will Survive
50
You will need:
Scrap materials
Creative ideas
Recycling
Scrap Sculpture
Create a sculpture using recycled material.
Decide what you want to make or what materials are
readily available - what they could make? Take your
time in this planning stage, considering whether it will
balance, glue together well, can be waterproofed easily,
where it will be displayed.
After planning, designing and trialling different aspects collect
all
the
necessary
materials. Using goods from a
scrap store should help keep the costs down. Some scrap
stores even have sculptures on display to inspire you, or
visit a sculpture trail – see appendix 1.
Try and choose a design that needs lots of repetitive detail
to complete it, this allows a large group to all get involved in
the making.
Why not make a few sculptures around a theme? Create your own sculpture trail in
your area.
Here’s an idea to help get you started: ‘Create a Wave’
Links
Arts Explosion: ‘On The Move’
Together we can.
Craft Badge
51
Recycling
You will need:
Cardboard wool
reels/Cylinders
Spray paint or household
gloss paint
Glue gun
Create a wave
This is made from cardboard reels used to supply wool to industrial knitters. These
are readily available from most scrap stores. This model has been spray painted but
if you intend it to be weather proof then you will need to cover it with gloss paint.
Alternatively you can make some cardboard tubes out of recycled card
First colour your reels: suspend your reel on string with a
table tennis ball on the end (thread the string through the
top of the reel leaving the ball lodged inside the reel)
Dip the reel entirely in the paint, lift it out but allow to drip
excess back into the pot for about 2 mins then continue to
dry it by hanging the reel up, still on its string, on a washing
line with newspaper collecting drips beneath - Allow 24
hours to dry.
Stick one reel to another (a glue
gun would work best if you have
one) and hold together for 2 minutes before putting the next
into place. Allow yourself to be creative and not too precise
in your assembling. It will give it a natural wave look.
Links
Sculpture trails
Arts Explosion : ‘On The Move’
52
Recycling
Felt Making
You will need:
Wool tops of different kinds and
colours
Pieces of felt and coloured fleece
Scraps of material, yarn and cotton
Bubble-wrap
Spray bottle
Soap or washing-up liquid
Sponges
Towels
A clean roller
Felt-making can involve small or large groups and
take place indoors or out.
Learn basic felt-making first by making felt balls,
before progressing to making smaller individual pieces of felt.
Felt balls:
Felt is very simple to make. Take a piece of wool top,
wet it, add soap, then roll the wool between the palms
of your hands. Very soon the wool will turn into a hard
ball of felt. Rinse under a tap to remove the soap. The
finished ball should bounce!
You can make them into beads by putting them on a
thin knitting needle or kebab stick; once they are dry
you can decorate them with sequins and smaller beads,
thread onto elastic and tie off.
To make a flat piece of felt:
Place a piece of bubble wrap, bubble-side up, on a draining board, in a plastic
tray or on a plastic table outside where water can drain away safely or on a
towel.
Lay a square of wool top on the bubble wrap, with the fibres running left to
right. Then add a second square, with the fibres running top to bottom.
Repeat the process for layers three and four.
Add coloured fleece, if you wish, to provide detail or to make a picture on the
background square. (The alignment of the fibres doesn’t matter, but avoid
using large lumps of wool which will not lie flat).
Spray warm soapy water (the warmer the better) all over the wool using a
water bottle. Press down the layers until all of the wool is soaked thoroughly.
Cover with another piece of bubble wrap bubble side down.
Spray the bubble wrap with soapy water.
Rub the surface of the bubble wrap with the palm of your hand, at first gently,
then more vigorously once the wool starts to stick together.
Remove the bubble wrap and turn over the felt and repeat on the other side
Screw up the felt, rinse and squeeze quite roughly in warm water.
Open up and stretch the felt occasionally to prevent it turning into a felt ball
and rinse all the soap from the felt, then stretch it and lay it out flat to dry.
Glue beads or other embellishments to the felt if you wish after it has dried.
Links
Camp craft
Environment badge
Go 4 It: Grrreen
You will need:
Pencil
Paper
Photocopier
53
Recycling
Inventing Songs
There is a long tradition of inventing new verses to traditional songs for girls to sing around the
campfire. It can be great fun adapting verses about people or situations you are familiar with.
Choose songs with familiar tunes so that everyone can be part of it even if you do not sing
much in your Unit. You may well be surprised at how well you all sing and it may encourage
you to learn other campfire songs.
Here are a few songs that have long been used to produce silly verses:
TONGUE TWISTERS (Tune – John Browns Body)
1. A busy buzzing bumble bee came busily buzzing by (4 times)
(Chorus) They were only playing leapfrog (3 times)
And the smoke goes up the chimney just the same
2. A spider spied a spider on another spiders back
3. One hedgehog edged up the hedge while the other hedgehog edged down
BOTTLE OF COKE (Tune - If you’re happy and you know it)
I wish I were a little bottle of coke, bottle of coke
I wish I were a little bottle of coke,
I’d go down with a slurp, and come up with a burp
I wish I were a little bottle of coke
I wish I were a fishy in the sea …
I could swim around so cutey
Without a bathing suity
I wish I were a little mosquito…..
I’d go bitey, bitey, bitey
Under everybody’s nightie
I’M A RAINDROP (Tune – Clementine)
I’m a raindrop, I’m a raindrop, I’m a raindrop, yes I am
But I’d rather be a raindrop than a drip!
I’m a bloodstain……….. But I’d rather be a bloodstain than a clot!
I’m a teacup……….. But I’d rather be a teacup than a mug!
TIPS:
Great idea for entertaining,
shows or a long journey
You can find many similar songs on campfire song sites- See appendix 3
Links
Entertainer Badge
Go 4 It: Lights, Camera, Action
Go 4 It: Showtime
Arts Explosion: ‘On Show’
54
Recycling
You will need:
Frankfurter or precooked meat balls or
veggie sausage
Bread roll
Water
Two paper towels
Heavy duty aluminium foil
1 Litre size cardboard milk or juice
carton
Hot Dog without a Campfire
A challenge to try on a meeting night
Prep Time: 5 minutes,
Cook Time: 10 minutes
WARNING!
Use meat
products that only
rely on re-heating
rather than
cooking from raw.
Total Time: 15 minutes
Preparation:
Wet paper towels and wring them out, put hot dog in
paper towels, covering it completely, even the ends.
Wrap it in aluminium foil (at least 3 layers) be careful
not to wrap too tightly, you want air in there. Place this
in the Milk carton... put it on a hard standing, safe
surface and light milk carton with a match.
It's done when the milk carton is gone. Let the tin foil
cool, unwrap and place hotdog in a roll, add any sauce
that you like and Enjoy!
Tips:
Get an adult to do a risk assessment of the activity.
Make sure there is nothing flammable close by.
Have water or sand available to put the fire out if needed.
WARNING!
Take care with
naked flames.
Links
Camp craft
Outdoor cook badge
Campfire activity
55
Recycling
Earth Loom
You will need:
Strong straight sticks (hazel or bamboo
canes)
String/Garden twine
Weave Your Unit's Adventures into an Earth Loom Story; this could be a day activity
or one for camps and holidays.
Earth Looms are very easy to construct. All you
need are a few sticks and some string.
The two or three vertical supports are about 1.8
metres and the horizontal pieces are about 1 metre,
but of course you can make them any size you wish.
The two little supports at the top are critical for
stability. They keep it from wobbling! You can also
use another long support at the back to make it
more stable.
String or garden
twine
works
perfectly for both lashing the poles together and for
warping the loom.
Square lashing is good to use here.
Once you have got your loom frame made you will
need to put on the warp, they are the threads that
run from the top to bottom. Evenly space them not
too far apart but close enough so it is easy to
weave in between them. Then the fun begins, you
might want it to be a diary of your time away or a
specific activity, part of a wide game, a competition etc.
Even a water theme with ripple effects can be achieved through the weaving.
So what can you weave onto this? – Any vegetation,
flowers, paper, fabric, twigs, cones, stones.
More information can be found by googling earth
looms
See appendix 3 for website ideas on earth looms
Links
Camping
Activity day
Environment badge
Go 4 It: Grrreen
56
Recycling
Elephant model
You will need:
A plastic milk bottle
Beads
Scraps of fabric
Insulating tape
Trimmings, sequins etc
Glue Gun
Carving Knife
Elastic band
You may have chance to visit a sculpture trail with beautifully decorated Elephants
as part of Arts Explosion On The Move. Perhaps you could all make one and set up
a trail at your meeting place. This is your own opportunity to make your own
Elephant.
First you will need to create the basic elephant shape by carving the top off a milk
bottle ensuring you cut in a straight line through the base of the handle and then the
main bottle (a finely serrated knife does this well).
You then create the leg shapes by cutting an arch shape out of the middle of each
side of the base of your elephant. Masking tape can be used to cover the sharp
edges on the feet (you can scallop the edges to mimic toenails if you wish).
You can cover the bottle top with a square of fabric held on with an elastic band (this
mimics the head cover used on Asian Elephants)
Pierce a hole at the back of the bottle to thread through a tail, (use a tassel, woollen
plait or pipe cleaner)
Finally, glue on the eyes and rug on its back. You can now use any other
decorations you wish to create a truly individual design for your elephant.
WARNING!
Take care with
sharp knives.
Links
Arts Explosion: ‘On the Move’
Craft badge
Festivals
Sculpture Trails
57
Recycling
Animal Homes
You will need:
About 50 plastic straws or thin bamboo
poles
String
Tape
Small rocks or small pieces of paper
Scissors
Saw (if using bamboo poles)
Optional: coffee can
Optional: thin wire
Tube Bug House
1. If needed, cut the plastic straws (or bamboo poles) to
be about 20 cm long.
2. Tape them or tie them into a bunch with some tape or
wire.
3. Fill one end of the straw or bamboo ends with the
small stones or small balls of paper. Or, you can stand up
the straws/poles into a tin can. Pack the can tightly so the
straws or poles don’t fall out.
4. Tie a long piece of string around the middle of the straws/poles. This string
will be used to hang your Tube Bug House.
5. Hang the bug house somewhere nice!
Pop Bottle Bug House
You will need:
Two-litre pop bottle (with the cap
still on)
Corrugated cardboard
Paper clips
String
Scissors
Bamboo
1. Cut the bottom 5 cm
off a two-litre plastic bottle
using scissors.
2. Cut the piece of
cardboard to be 15 cm wide by 50 cm long.
3. If the cardboard is too thick, try peeling off one side to
make it thinner.
4. Roll up the cardboard and insert it into the bottle. Fill
any gaps with bamboo sticks.
5. Use the paper clips to attach the cardboard to the bottom edges of the bottle.
6. Tie a string to the top of the bottle and hang it near your garden. Make sure to
keep the lid on to keep the rain out!
See appendix 3 for website information on homes for bugs
Links
Go 4 It: Animal Action
Environment badge
58
Recycling
You will need:
Rice paper
Icing in a tube or piping bag
Assorted small sweets and
cake decorations
Sweet pictures
How about producing a piece of art that can
be eaten afterwards?
Use the icing as a glue to place sweets on
the rice paper as a collage.
Tips:
Choose a design that uses lots of small
clusters of shapes (e.g. Flowers, fireworks,
mosaic patterns, insects)
You can use hundreds & thousands as you
would use glitter in other art works.
Allow the icing to dry before lifting the picture.
You can also make a piece of jewellery by threading sweets with holes onto an
edible lace.
When you have admired everyone’s
sweet pictures, eat and enjoy!
Don’t forget to take a photo first.
Links
Confectioner badge
Festivals
Party organiser badge
59
Recycling
You will need:
Open Space
Natural materials (dead not
freshly picked)
Land Art
Try creating a large piece of temporary art on the
ground as a group.
Decide on your venue – hall, church, forest, beach,
park.
Aim to use some of the materials around you (e.g.
leaves, sea weed, chairs and logs) – it saves
transporting them all to the site.
Have some sort of plan of the finished piece. A
drawn plan helps everyone to see what they are
aiming for and it allows individuals to work on
different areas all at the same time. A plan also helps
you to collect the right materials & colours before you
start.
Have some overseers who can check that each area is
coming together in the right place to get the overall
effect.
Don’t forget your camera: It often works well to take a
picture looking down on it from above.
Tips:
Materials found in scrap stores can make really unusual
artwork and a very creative way of recycling.
See appendix 3 for You Tube clip on creating a piece of land art.
You can get more ideas on Land Art by researching the ideas of Andy Goldsworthy.
Links
Festivals
Arts Explosion: ‘On The Move’
Brownie Adventure
60
Recycling
You will need:
An old tent or shelter
A wide variety of decorative materials
An aim or use for your finished creation
Decorate a Tent
Somewhere in your District, Division or County there may be an old unwanted tent now is the time to show it some love.
This project is purely a seed of a suggestion as
once you’ve tracked down the tent you are free to
decorate it as you feel appropriate.
It may be that you wish to give the tent a new
lease of life and once decorated it will be taken to
future camps and used for extra storage or a chill
zone.
You may wish to display it as a publicity tent at
school fairs, County Shows etc.
It may be a one off project for a camp or holiday.
Decoration will depend upon the fabric: appliqué, fabric
paint (painted or printed onto the surface),
The poles can be painted, have cloth, wool, etc. wound
around them.
TIPS:
If you wish to use the tent as a feasible shelter do consider
reproofing and how this may impact upon the decorations
and vice versa.
Why not decorate the
inside instead?
It could become a haven at
a busy camp, a grotto or palace or a special tea party
den.
Links
Together we can
Me in mind
Arts Explosion: ‘On The Move’
61
Recycling
Seed Paper
You will need:
Old, faded coloured paper
Single ply tissue
(serviettes)
Wild flower seeds
Paper shredder
Bowl of water
Sieve
Washing up cloths
This fun activity allows you to make your own pretty, recycled paper that can also be
recycled again as it can be planted and it will grow flowers!
It is an ideal activity to use up old backing paper from
display boards or faded sugar paper.
Shred the coloured paper and then break up the strips
into tiny fragments before putting into a bowl of warm
water.
Add tiny pieces of torn serviette to the bowl and leave to
soak until there is a pulpy mass.
Lift out a handful of pulp and drain in a sieve.
Tip contents of the sieve onto the cloth, and spread
thinly, avoid leaving any holes in the paper mass.
Sprinkle a few seeds onto the surface of the damp mass and then put another cloth
on top and press within a heavy flat object for 10 minutes.
Place paper within the cloth onto a cooling tray and put somewhere warm to dry
overnight.
The paper will be dry and ready to use the next day.
It makes a colourful centrepiece for a gift card.
How to plant the seeds (March- July)
Tear the paper into small pieces
Rake into recently turned over soil
Water frequently to keep soil moist
Continue watering - until seedlings appear
Links
World Issues badge
Go 4 It: Grrreen
Gardener badge
Together we can
Environment badge
62
Recycling
Instrument making
Make Music using scrap materials
You will need:
A tin can,
Strong plastic, or balloons
Thin string
Cardboard tubing
Foil
Beads/seeds
Decorations
Didgeridoo
Use a long cardboard tube (e.g. wrapping paper roll). Cover with brown
paper and decorate with Aboriginal dot painting.
Rain stick
Use a medium length cardboard tube (e.g. kitchen roll
length), twist a length of kitchen foil and insert into the
tube. Add a selection of seeds, lentils, rice, dried peas
etc. Seal both ends of the tube using paper cake cases.
Decorate the tube. As you tilt the tube, the contents will
drop slowly to the bottom, sounding like rain falling.
Drum
Remove the base from the tin. Stretch 1 circle of plastic or
a balloon over the top of the tin and 1 circle over the
bottom. If necessary use string threaded through the edges
of both circles to pull them tight.
Links
Music badge
Arts Explosion: ‘On Show’
63
Recycling
Arts Fancy Dress Party
You will need:
Old Clothes
Fabric Remnants
Coloured paper or
card
Face Paints
Toys and Accessories
Fancy throwing a Fancy Dress party with a difference?
How about basing one on an ‘Arts Explosion’ theme?
or
Characters from adverts?
Pop Stars?
International dance costumes?
Recycled materials?
It is often more fun if you are challenged to make your own
costumes from bits and pieces you have at home or in your meeting
place. It encourages us to recycle old items into something new.
Now you have a theme for your party can you think of appropriate:
Games
Music
Decorations
Food
Links
Festivals
Residential Themes
Fund raising
Carnivals
Go 4 It: Grrreen
Environment badge
Together we can
64
Recycling
Patchwork Hanging
You will need:
Several scraps of fabric
Needles, cotton
Buttons, sequins, ribbons
etc. & possibly fabric paint
A hanging patchwork banner can be a very effective way
of making a picture. This one was created to celebrate
harvest and donated to a church.
A piece of patchwork can be done quickly if you work as
a group, with each member making one panel and then
putting them all together. It can be as easy or complex
as you wish and does not necessarily require a great
deal of sewing skills.
To start with, decide upon your theme and allow each
person to design their own panel on paper. You will need
to remember, when designing, the following things:
Your sewing abilities, the time you have, the materials
available to use - if limited time available why not use alternatives to sewing such as
glue, fabric paints, buttons or sequins.
Collect the materials you need to make your panel and create. The fabric panel
needs to be larger than necessary and tacked to a paper pattern of the size required
leaving a border behind. This prevents the product from fraying when sewn together.
Consider how to fix the panels together (tying, hand sewing or machine sewing).
Panels fixed easily together by ribbons (as seen below) are available from mail order
suppliers.
You could donate your finished
hanging to a hospice,
children’s charity, residential
home or church, etc.
Links
Together We Can
Craft badge
Designer badge
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Recycling
You will need:
Natural fabrics different weights of
cotton are a good starting point
A rubber mallet
A solid surface e.g. a chopping board
or a smooth area outdoors
Leaves and flowers, those full of
moisture produce the best results
Cotton badges/T-Shirts
Hapa-Zome
Hapa-Zome is the art of beating leaves with hammers, pounding natural pigment into
cloth,
It is a method of dyeing that people have probably been using on cloth for centuries.
It was named by India Flint and is Japanese for leaf dyeing.
Hapa-zome can be used to make for example bookmarks, decorate bags or items of
clothing, tee shirts are good for this and it can also be used in card making.
To get started:
Lay a piece of fabric or garment on the area
where you can use a mallet without breaking
anything, it needs to be flat.
Arrange your leaves and flowers on it. When you
are happy with your design, put another piece of
fabric over it or if you have enough left fold the
bottom piece over the top.
Then the fun starts; you need to hit the cloth all
over with your mallet, don't be shy give it a good
whack.
When you are happy that you have done this, carefully pull back the top layer and
remove the plants and leave the cloth to dry.
Top tip: The colours can fade so you should iron it
once it is dry to help to fix the colours.
Links
Camp craft
Environment badge
Go 4 It: Grrreen
Activity day
66
Recycling
Hanging Star
You will need:
3 chenile pipe cleaners (per
star)
Straws
Beads
Ribbon (for hanging)
How to make it:
Cut the straws into 1cm & 2cm segments.
Thread beads and straws onto a pipe cleanerleaving 2cm gaps at either end of the pipe cleaner.
Twist on a second pipe cleaner to the 2cm gap
and cover with a 2cm straw.
Continue until line containing 3 pipe cleaners is
made.
Use the star template to bend your line into the
star shape.
Twist last ends together and tie on ribbon for
hanging.
Links
Craft badge
Arts Explosion: ‘On The Move’
67
Appendix 1
MIDLANDS ART VENUES
Art Galleries:
Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square.
Borough Museum and Art Gallery, Brampton Road, Brampton Park,
Newcastle under Lyme.
City Museum and Art Gallery, Brunswick Road, Gloucester.
Compton Verney Art Gallery, Compton Verney, Warwickshire.
Derby Museum and Art Gallery, The Strand, Derby.
Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry.
Hereford Museum and Art Gallery, Broad Street, Hereford.
Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum. Royal Pump Rooms, The Parade,
Leamington Spa.
Nature in Art, Wallsworth Hall, Twigworth, Gloucestershire.
New Walk Museum and Art Gallery, 53 New Walk, Leicester.
Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, Guildhall Road, Northampton.
Nottingham Art Gallery, Nottingham Castle, Nottingham.
Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, Little Elborow Street, Rugby.
Shirehall Gallery, Market Square, Stafford,
The New Art Gallery, Gallery Square, Walsall.
The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Bethesda Street, City Centre, Stoke
on Trent.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton.
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Theatres:
Abbey Theatre & Arts Centre, Pool Bank Street, Nuneaton.
Belgrade Theatre, Belgrade Square, Coventry.
Birmingham Rep Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham.
Curve Theatre, Rutland Street, Leicester.
Duchess Theatre, The Chatsworth Centre, West Gate, Long Eaton,
Nottingham.
Festival Hall and Theatre Complex, George Street, Corby, Northampton.
Hippodrome Theatre, Hurst Street, Southside, Birmingham.
Malvern Theatre, Grange Road, Malvern.
Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Mill Theatre, Dormston Centre Mill, Sedgley, Dudley.
New Alexandra Theatre, Station Road, Birmingham.
Newcastle Players, 16 Watlands Ave, Porthill, Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Oddsocks Productions, The Groundwork Toolbox, Market Place, Alfreton.
Playbox Theatre Company, The Dream Factory, Shelley Avenue, Warwick.
Ridware Theatre, Wheelright House, Pipe Ridware, Rugeley.
Robert Ludlam Theatre, Duffield Road, Darley Abbey, Derby.
Royal Centre Nottingham, Theatre Square, Nottingham.
Royal Theatre, 15 Guildhall Road, Northampton.
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Waterside, Stratford on Avon.
Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury.
The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.
The Stafford Gatehouse, Eastgate Street, Stafford.
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Sculpture Parks:
Forest of Dean Sculpture Park, Coleford, Gloucestershire
Ironbridge Open Air Museum of Steel Structure, Coalbrookdale, Ironbridge,
Shropshire.
Jerwood Sculpture at Ragley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire.
Newnham Paddox Art Park, Monks Kirby, Warwickshire.
Route to Health Sculpture Trail, Birches Valley Forestry Centre, Cannock
Forest, Staffordshire.
Sculpture Park, Chatsworth House, Bakewell, Derbyshire.
Shieldbrook Sculpture Garden, Kings Capel, Herefordshire.
Appendix 2
70
Calendar of festivals
Some festivals have fixed dates e.g. Christmas, others are movable. They have
been placed in the approximate month, but you need to check the exact dates each
year.
January.
1st- New Year’s Day.
25th - Burns’ night – birthday of Robert (Rabbie) Burns the Scottish poet.
Yuan tan – Chinese New Year – dragons, red and gold purses.
Basant – Hindu festival of spring – kites, yellow.
Makar sankranti / lohri – Hindu solstice festival – partly about making peace
with neighbours.
Tu b’shevat – Jewish – agricultural new year for trees.
Ganjitsu – Japanese – debts cleared, forgiveness asked, achievements
celebrated.
February
14th – Valentine’s Day – love and romance.
22nd –Thinking Day – World Guiding celebration with an international flavour.
Ramadan – Islam – period of fasting – thinking of others less fortunate.
Shrove Tuesday – Christian – beginning of lent – pancakes.
Japanese Doll festival
March
1st – St David’s day – Patron Saint of Wales.
11th – Commonwealth Day
17th – St Patrick’s Day – Patron Saint of Ireland.
Eid-ul-fitr – Islam – end of Ramadan – marked by giving to the poor the cost
of a meal for each member of the family.
Mothering Sunday
Purim – Jewish – 4 weeks before Passover – celebrates when Queen Esther
saved the Jews of Persia from Haman – lots of noise made whenever
Haman’s name is mentioned.
Holi – Hindu – celebrates god’s protection of those who believe in him –
celebrate by throwing coloured water as a memory of Krishna’s playful nature.
Holla Mahalla – Sikh alternative to holi – includes military training, music,
poetry and sport.
April
23rd – St George’s day – Patron Saint of England.
Hanamatsuri – Buddhist – celebrates the birthday of Buddha.
Pesach – Jewish – Passover – remembers the passing over of the angel of
death before Moses led the Jews out of slavery in Egypt.
Rama Navami – Hindu – celebrates the birth of Rama.
Easter – Christian – celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Baisakhi – Sikh – celebrates an act of devotion and the giving of the 5 k’s.
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May
1st – May Day – traditional British festival (bank holiday is now 1st Monday in
May).
Shavuot – Jewish – celebrates end of the barley harvest and start of the
wheat harvest – also dairy foods as a reminder the Jews travelled to ‘the land
of milk and honey’.
Wesak – Buddhist – celebrates Buddha’s birth; enlightenment and death – all
took place on the same day but in different years – remember Buddha’s care
for animals.
Al Hijra – Islam – remembers Muhammad’s (PBUH) flight to Medina from
Mecca.
June
Environmental Day – new celebration started by United Nations
Chinese Dragon Boat Festival – remembers a poet called Ch’u Yuen who
drowned himself.
Father’s Day – commercial answer to Mothering Sunday.
21st - Midsummer’s Day – ancient pagan festival.
Christian Pentecost / Whitsun – the gift of the Holy Spirit is given to the
disciples – wind and fire.
July
4th – American Independence Day – victory of the early Americans over the
British.
15th. St Swithin’s Day – tradition says it will rain for 40 days and nights if it
rains on this day.
23rd. – birthday of Haile Selassie – Rastafarian.
Tanabata – Japanese – star festival and romance.
Obon – Japanese – spirit festival
Chung Yuan – Chinese festival of ‘hungry ghosts’
August
Birthday of Muhammed (PBUH) – Islam
Raksha Bandhan – Hindu – caring for each other in a brotherly / sisterly way.
September
11th – Ethiopian New Year’s Day – Rastafarian.
Navaratri / Durga Puja / Dusserah – Hindu – festival of nine nights – time not
to be afraid to challenge injustice – marigolds.
Sukkot – Jewish – harvest festival – remembers the 40 year journey of the
Jewish people through the wilderness.
Rosh Hashanah – Jewish – New Year.
October
Harvest festival – Christian.
Apple Day – launched in 1990 to publicise the wide range of apples.
Kathina Day – Buddhist – monks were given gifts to help them on their
travels, often cloth for a new robe.
Simkhat Torah – Jewish – rejoicing the Torah after Sukkot.
31st - Halloween – ancient pagan festival - be careful some churches have a
celebration of light instead.
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November
1st All Saints’ Day – Christian – follows All Souls Day.
2nd Crowning of Haile Selassie – Rastafarian.
5th Bonfire Night – attempt by Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of
Parliament.
Remembrance Sunday – remember those who have died in wars.
Birthday of Guru Nanak – Sikh.
Thanksgiving – American – remembers safe harvest by first settlers.
Divali – Hindu and Sikh – the triumph of good over evil.
Shichi–go–san – Japanese – children’s festival, girls aged 7, boys aged 5 and
all children aged 3 are taken to the temple to pray for their future.
30th November – St Andrews Day.
December
Hanukkah – Jewish – festival of light.
Advent Sunday – 4 Sundays before Christmas (may be in November) –
advent starts
25th - Christmas – Christian – birth of Jesus.
31st – Hogmanay- Scottish
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Appendix 3
Directory of Arts Resources
Activity
Address
Zentangles
Source
Demo
Soap
Making
Soap
Supplier
www.justasoap.co.uk/Soapmaking_Supplies
www.soapbasics.co.uk/
Colour
Identity
Commercial
Demo
www.colourmebeautiful.co.uk
Patchwork
Hanging
Ribbon tied
Squares
www.bakerross.co.uk
Animal
Origami
Fold designs www.origami-fun.com
Print
www.thebritishorigamisociety.com
designs
www.origami-instructions.com
www.freepik.com
Land Art
Demo
Artist
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQeFzP1HMSU
www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/andygoldsworthy-art.../8230.html
Poem to
Perform
Nonsense
Poetry
www.nonesenselit.org
Inventing
Songs
Campfire
Songs
www.guidinguk.freeservers.com/songbookpdf090
4.pdf
Floor
Maypole
Dances
www.thriftyfun.com
Makaton
Songs
Video
www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/SingingHands-Three -Little-Monkeys-With-Makaton6193884
Information
Scrap stores
www.makaton.org
www.scrapstores.com
Scrap
Sculpture
www.youtube.com/watch?v=56n7_1FGgiw
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Geocaching
Membership
&
information
Recipe
Ideas
www.geocaching.com
Earth
Looms
Ideas
www.earthloom.org
Bug House
Ideas
www.ecokids.ca/bug-individualpdf
Felt
Making
Suppliers
Demo &
Ideas
www.winghamwoolworks.co.uk
www.devonwoolies.co.uk/feltmaking.htm
www.rosiepink.typepad.co.uk
Food in
a bag
www.trailcooking.com
We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the following people from a
Girlguiding Midlands Trainers Support Group who have designed and written this pack:
Sue Deighton
Bernadette Hughes
Ruth Jones
Sandy Kinnersley
Fiona Lucas
Karen Morgan
Nyda Ough
Lisa Porter
Janice Price
Brenda Smith
Clare Wassall
Also the associated units who tested the activities.