Girl Scout SWAP GuideRecycled SWAPS

Girl Scout Troop 2702Volume 1, Issue 1

GSTROOP2702.WEBS.COMLindsay Foster & Rachelle Whiteman, Co-Leaders

Table of Contents

• The Purpose of SWAPs

• What is a SWAP?

• SWAP Etiquette

• SWAP Tips

• Recycled SWAPs

The Purpose of SWAPS

SWAPs should tell something about the givers or their group (girls may include their address or email information so others can write to them) and represent the givers' country, community, or local Girl Scout council.

What is a SWAP?• There are several meanings for the term,

but these are some of the most common ones:

– Special Whatchamacallit Affectionately Pinned

– Shared With A Pal– Sharing With a Purpose

• It is likely that the idea for Swaps came from the potlatch ceremonies of the Native American Tribes of the Northwest coast. Potlatch ceremonies involved the trading of colored feathers as a sign of friendship. The ceremony is said to have developed in remembrance of two Native American girls who gave colored feathers plucked from a magic bird to colorless birds, thus ensuring all birds would have colored

• feathers.

Potlatch ceremonies commemorated their gift and were held in conjunction with other family and tribal celebrations, such as births and marriages. The traditional invitation to a potlatch ceremony was the arrival of a messenger bearing the news and a bundle of sticks, one stick for each participant expected to attend.

• It is believed that the very first SWAP was exchanged by Lord Baden Powell at a Jamboree in 1924.

“Girl Scouts began trading SWAPS at the National

Roundups.”

SWAP Etiquette

• Never refuse to swap with another person.• Swap face-to-face, especially if exchanging

addresses or email information.• Avoid using glass and sharp objects in swaps.• Follow all Safety-Wise guidelines.• Avoid using food products, unless they are

individually wrapped.• Do not include your entire name on your SWAP.

Instead use first name/last initial, a Troop number, or first initial/last name.

SWAP Tips• Think about the kind of swap

you would like to receive from someone else.

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

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

• Try to have one swap for each event participant and staff member. Plan ahead so there's time to make the swaps.

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

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

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

• Note: Do not use food materials that will disintegrate or attract insects or animals. Also do not use liquids in SWAPs.

Author’s Note:This presentation is not meant to

be comprehensive as a guide to SWAPs making.

Please use your imagination and adapt the ideas to your personal

tastes.

Welcome Mat SWAPMaterials:

• 1x2” rectangle of burlap, sandpaper, or tan shelving materials

• black fine tip permanent marker

Instructions:

• Cut material to 1”x2” rectangle. Write “WELCOME” using black fine tip permanent marker.

Foil Pack SWAP

Materials: • Foil• Safety pin

 

Directions:  • Fold a small square of

foil onto itself, and roll the ends up.  Add a safety pin.

Canteen SWAPMaterials:  • Film canister lid• Yarn• Bead• Glue• Safety pin Directions:  Glue the yarn around the film canister

lid edge.  Glue the bead to the top.  Attach a safety pin.

Note: As film canisters are becoming obsolete, use a bottle cap or shallow water bottle cap.

Buddy Burner SWAPMaterials:

• Corrugated cardboard recycled from light bulb boxes

• Candle wick or cotton string

• Soda bottle lid

• Candle

• Matches or lighter

• Safety pin

Directions:

Cut strips of the corrugated cardboard from light bulbs, and roll to fit in a pop bottle lid. You may add a piece of wick. Light a candle and drip wax on top of cardboard.  Glue pin on.

Lantern SWAPMaterials:  • Squeeze-bottle or sport bottle

cap• Black spray paint • Black fun foam• Black chenille• Gold chenille stem • Glue • Safety pinDirections:  Spray paint the bottle cap.  Glue

the black chenille to the top for the "handle."  Wrap the gold chenille around the cap for the "light." Attach a safety pin.

Mad Scientist SWAP

Materials:  • Soda can tab• Wiggle eyes• White yarn• Crafting or tacky glue• Safety pin Directions:  Use a "Lark's Head" knot to

tie the yarn to the tab loop.  Frizz and fluff the "hair."  Glue the wiggle eyes on, and add the safety pin.

Smoke Detector SWAPMaterials:  • Bottle cap• Gray spray paint• Permanent marker• Red seed bead, • Tiny hole puncher• Safety pinDirections:  Spray paint the tops and sides of

the bottle caps.  Draw the smoke detector

markings.  Glue a red seed bead for the "test button."  Punch a hole in the side, and attach the safety pin.

Rock Collection/Geology SWAP

Materials:  • Craft foam• Aquarium gravel• Fine-point permanent marker• Tacky glue• Safety pin Directions:  Glue the rocks on the foam. 

Draw squiggle lines underneath to represent names and classifications.  Add the safety pin.