At Valley Lake, we're all about IDEAS:

Idea Incubator (and this is a GREAT one!)

Do you have a great idea that you'd like to bounce off other leaders, or a question whose answer might be helpful to many? Just click on the link above, or use this email address, vlgsleaders@madgenius.com, to send your thoughts to all the leaders in our Service Unit. Chances are good that one of them will have an answer for you, or will be able to brainstorm your idea into a great happening! Or, to contact anyone specifically on the Service Unit Team (SUT) with your idea, check out the Contact Us page on this website.

New! "Idea of the Month"

Need some new ideas for your troop? Stay tuned - each month, Valley Lake will introduce a new idea at the Leader Meeting.

February: Reusable Snack Kit - if a snack is served at each troop meeting, put together a resusable snack bag, basket or kit. Include reusable cups, plates, utensils, cloth napkins, and/or containers for serving the snack(s). Each troop member takes turns taking it home after troop meetings and having it washed and ready for the next meeting's snacktime. Not only is this a great way to help the environment by avoiding use of disposable cups/utensils or paper plates, but the troop could even decorate the kit, include a theme, or dress it up with a colorful ribbon, etc. They could also calculate what they save in troop funds by not purchasing paper plates or disposable items, and it also provides an automatic reminder whose turn it is for snack kaper at the next meeting!

November: Sticker rewards - reward good behavior for Troop members by giving out stickers! Stickers are especially popular with younger girls. Suggestion: once a girl collects 5 stickers, she is eligible to pick a prize out of a special prize box; a limit of 5 stickers per girl is recommended. This is a positive way to place emphasis on good character: especially when a girl scout goes out of her way to help, do a good deed, make someone happy, etc. (Thanks, Troop 52597)!

October: Flag Ceremonies - go to this link to find out more about how your troop can learn to perform a flag ceremony. Troops who would like to do a flag ceremony at the monthly leader meetings are also very welcome--contact one of the service unit managers. Additionally, many community events or even city council meetings welcome Girl Scouts who'd like to begin the meeting with a flag ceremony.

WAGGGS Friendship knot

September: WAGGGS Friendship Knot - an easy craft with a lot of meaning; use with badgework about WAGGGS - helpful for girls learning about the four world centers. Click here for complete instructions. "This knot symbolizes the ties which bind girls & adults who belong to WAGGGS. It is a sign of the continuous friendship they share. The four ends of the knot represent the Promise, the Law, the Motto and Service to others. The four squares represent the four World Centers: Cuernavaca, Mexico; Pax Lodge, London, England; Sangam, India; and Adelboden, Swiss Alps, Switzerland.

SWAP-of-the-Month

Inquiring Minds Want to Know - Just what are SWAPS? You may have heard the term before. Click here for detailed
info sheet: All About SWAPS

SWAPS stands for "Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere" OR "Shared With A Pal."

This month's featured SWAP:     Rice Bowl

(as featured at Valley Lake's World Thinking Day celebration)!

Recently featured VLGS SWAPs-of-the-Month:

Cotton Candy   Pizza slice   Olympic Flame

If you have questions about any of these SWAPs or ideas, just contact Arlys Thompson, she'd love to help you out!