All About All About SWAPSSWAPS

Created by Lindsay Foster & Rachelle Whiteman, Created by Lindsay Foster & Rachelle Whiteman, LeadersLeaders

Girl Scout Troop 2702 (Saginaw, TX) Girl Scout Troop 2702 (Saginaw, TX)

ObjectivesObjectives

Learn what a SWAP is.Learn what a SWAP is. Learn about SWAP etiquette.Learn about SWAP etiquette. Learn about types of SWAPs.Learn about types of SWAPs. Make your own SWAP.Make your own SWAP. Calculate the cost of SWAPs.Calculate the cost of SWAPs.

What is a SWAP?What is a SWAP?

Swaps should:•Tell something about the givers or their group. (Girls may include their address or email information so others can write to them.)•Represent the givers' country, community, or local Girl Scout council.

History of History of SWAPSSWAPSBased on Native Based on Native

American Potlatch American Potlatch ceremoniesceremonies

First SWAP was First SWAP was believed to have believed to have

been exchanged by been exchanged by Lord Baden Powell at Lord Baden Powell at a Jamboree in 1924.a Jamboree in 1924.

First Girl Scout First Girl Scout SWAPs were SWAPs were

exchanged at exchanged at National Roundups.National Roundups.

SWAP Etiquette SWAP Etiquette & Tips& Tips

Information about how to trade SWAPs Information about how to trade SWAPs and how to make themand how to make them

SWAP EtiquetteSWAP Etiquette Never refuse to swap Never refuse to swap

with another person.with another person. Swap face-to-face, Swap face-to-face,

especially if exchanging especially if exchanging addresses or email addresses or email information.information.

Avoid using glass and Avoid using glass and sharp objects in swaps.sharp objects in swaps.

Follow all Follow all Safety Activity Safety Activity Check Points Check Points guidelines.guidelines.

Avoid using food products, Avoid using food products, unless they are individually unless they are individually wrapped.wrapped.

Do not include your entire Do not include your entire name on your SWAP. Instead name on your SWAP. Instead use first name/last initial, a use first name/last initial, a Troop number, or first Troop number, or first initial/last name.initial/last name.

SWAP TipsSWAP Tips Think about the kind of Think about the kind of

swap you would like to swap you would like to receive from someone receive from someone else.else.

Try not to spend a lot of Try not to spend a lot of money. Consider making money. Consider making something from donated something from donated or recycled material.or recycled material.

Be creative, and take Be creative, and take time to make hand-time to make hand-crafted swaps. (Include crafted swaps. (Include directions for making directions for making the swap if it is a craft the swap if it is a craft project that can be project that can be replicated.)replicated.)

Try to have one swap for Try to have one swap for each event each event participantparticipant and staff member.and staff member.

Plan ahead so there's time Plan ahead so there's time to make the swaps.to make the swaps.

Make swaps that can be Make swaps that can be worn, used, or displayed.worn, used, or displayed.

Ask your Troop, group or Ask your Troop, group or service unit for help, if service unit for help, if needed, in putting swaps needed, in putting swaps together.together.

Make swaps portable. Make swaps portable. Remember: Swaps must be Remember: Swaps must be carried or shipped ahead carried or shipped ahead to the event, where other to the event, where other girls will be carrying them girls will be carrying them away.away.

Types of PinsTypes of PinsFind out about the different kinds of pins Find out about the different kinds of pins

that may be used to attach a SWAPthat may be used to attach a SWAP

Coil-less Coil-less vsvs Safety Pins Safety Pins

Coil-less pinCoil-less pin- Found in the jewelry section of - Found in the jewelry section of

your hobby store or megastoreyour hobby store or megastore

- Has no loop or “coil” at the end- Has no loop or “coil” at the end

Safety pin-Found in the any megastore- Has a loop or “coil” at the end preventing beads or other items from sliding freely

Types of SWAPsTypes of SWAPsFind out about the different kinds that Find out about the different kinds that

can be made and sharedcan be made and shared

Bag SWAPsBag SWAPs

•Holds items that are “loose” such as glitter, sand, confetti, or beads

•Allows you to combine multiple elements

•Holds “instant” or “mix” type SWAPs (examples: instant snow, instant snowman, instant cold, hot chocolate mix, etc.)

•Holds items that otherwise are not easily held on a pin

Let’s make a Let’s make a bag SWAPbag SWAP

First Aid in a BagFirst Aid in a Bag

First Aid in a BagFirst Aid in a Bag

SuppliesSupplies Jewelry bagJewelry bag Large Band AidLarge Band Aid Small Band AidSmall Band Aid Alcohol wipeAlcohol wipe Q-Tip © cut in halfQ-Tip © cut in half Cotton ballCotton ball Safety pinSafety pin

DirectionsDirections

1.1. Place band aids, Place band aids, alcohol wipe, Q-alcohol wipe, Q-Tip and cotton Tip and cotton ball in the jewelry ball in the jewelry bag.bag.

2.2. Attach pin.Attach pin.

Recycled SWAPsRecycled SWAPs

•Made of recycled or repurposed materials including (but not limited to) foil, bottle caps, sport bottle caps, scraps, etc.

•If you are repurposing it, it is a recycled SWAP.

Let’s make a Let’s make a recycled SWAPrecycled SWAP

Poncho / Rain slickerPoncho / Rain slicker

Poncho SWAPPoncho SWAP

SuppliesSupplies Plastic table cloth or other Plastic table cloth or other

thin plastic cut into 2 inch thin plastic cut into 2 inch square or 2 inch diameter square or 2 inch diameter circlecircle

Mini popsicle/craft stickMini popsicle/craft stick Permanent markersPermanent markers ScissorsScissors Glue dot or other adhesive Glue dot or other adhesive

(double stick tape)(double stick tape) Safety pinSafety pin

DirectionsDirections1.1. Fold plastic in half.Fold plastic in half.2.2. Cut “head” hole in plastic.Cut “head” hole in plastic.3.3. Slide popsicle stick Slide popsicle stick

through.through.4.4. Attach adhesive under Attach adhesive under

poncho to keep popsicle poncho to keep popsicle stick from moving.stick from moving.

5.5. Draw face on popsicle Draw face on popsicle stick with permanent stick with permanent markers.markers.

6.6. Attach pin to plastic Attach pin to plastic poncho.poncho.

Traditional Girl Scout SWAPsTraditional Girl Scout SWAPs

•Represents something related to Girl Scouting

•Can be miniature sashes or vests or awards

•Can celebrate Girl Scouting events or activities such as JGL Birthday, World Thinking Day, camp, etc.

•Can represent the Promise or the Law

Let’s make Let’s make a traditional a traditional

Girl Scout SWAPGirl Scout SWAP

Level Vest or SashLevel Vest or Sash

Vest or Sash SWAPVest or Sash SWAP

SuppliesSupplies Brown, Tan, or Green Brown, Tan, or Green

craft foam (could also craft foam (could also use felt)use felt)

Craft foam scraps Craft foam scraps (circles cut with hole (circles cut with hole punch or triangles)punch or triangles)

Hot glue or craft foam Hot glue or craft foam glueglue

PinPin

DirectionsDirections1.1. For Sash: Cut For Sash: Cut

diagonal piece of craft diagonal piece of craft foam.foam.

2.2. Glue on scraps Glue on scraps appropriate to level.appropriate to level.

3.3. Attach pin.Attach pin.4.4. For Vest: Cut out vest For Vest: Cut out vest

pattern (sample pattern (sample herehere ) )

5.5. Glue on scraps Glue on scraps appropriate to level.appropriate to level.

6.6. Attach pin.Attach pin.

Calculate the CostCalculate the CostHow expensive should a SWAP be? How expensive should a SWAP be?

SWAP BudgetSWAP Budget

Figure out what can be Figure out what can be donated or collected firstdonated or collected first

Go to several stores and Go to several stores and see where you can get see where you can get items on sale, on items on sale, on clearance, or for less clearance, or for less money.money.

Be willing to look in Be willing to look in “unusual” places“unusual” places

Keep your eye out for a Keep your eye out for a possible SWAPspossible SWAPs

Call ahead to the store Call ahead to the store to ask if they have to ask if they have particular itemsparticular items

Congratulations!Congratulations!You have completed the You have completed the

requirements for the:requirements for the:

GS-TOP Council’s Own Try It GS-TOP Council’s Own Try It or the Troop 2702 Troop’s or the Troop 2702 Troop’s

Own Junior Badge. Both are Own Junior Badge. Both are available for purchase from available for purchase from

Troop 2702 Leadership. Troop 2702 Leadership.

(All badges are $2 each)(All badges are $2 each)

http://http://gstroop2702.webs.comgstroop2702.webs.com

Thank you for joining us Thank you for joining us today!today!

Want to know more?Want to know more?For more information on SWAPs, check out these sites:For more information on SWAPs, check out these sites:

http://girlscoutswaps.webs.com/http://girlscoutswaps.webs.com/

http://www.swaps-a-lot.comhttp://www.swaps-a-lot.com

http://www.sunsetoaks-vista8.org/s_w_a_p_s_.htmhttp://www.sunsetoaks-vista8.org/s_w_a_p_s_.htm

http://www.scoutmom.net/swaps/index.htmhttp://www.scoutmom.net/swaps/index.htm

Want to know more?Want to know more?For more ideas on SWAPS, Troop 2702 has a SWAPS idea book on CD-For more ideas on SWAPS, Troop 2702 has a SWAPS idea book on CD-

ROM available for $5 for purchase. It includes 68 pages of ideas ROM available for $5 for purchase. It includes 68 pages of ideas including assembly directions, links, and resources for SWAPS. Make including assembly directions, links, and resources for SWAPS. Make

checks payable to Troop 2702.checks payable to Troop 2702.

Links are also available from the Troop 2702 websiteLinks are also available from the Troop 2702 website

http://gstroop2702.webs.comhttp://gstroop2702.webs.com