SWAPS

Special
Whatchamacallits
Affectionally
Pinned
Somewhere

SWAPS are a Girl Scout tradition in which girls trade with each other to promote friendship. When girls swap their pins, they make new friends, and that is what girl scouting is all about!

A great time to doing some girl scout swaps is right before an event or camping trip where there will be others to trade some swaps with.

Swaps should be hand made, not contain anything edible, and include identifying information such as Troop number, your city, and/or state.

Swaps you want to trade are worn on your shirt, or carried in a plastic bag. The ones you want to keep, you put on your hat, or have a seperate bag to keep them in.

Swapping Etiquette:

1. Never deny swapping to someone who asks you.
- It is considered REALLY rude, and feelings are hurt, if you ever refuse to swap with somebody.
The ONLY exceptions:
- if you do not have any swaps left to trade, or
- if the swap under discussion is on your hat, or in your keep bag. In these cases, you can politely refuse. ("I'm sorry this is one of my keep swaps.")

2. Don't give away a swap someone else has given to you.
-This also results in hurt feelings! If you receive more than one of a type of swap - you may trade with girls in your own troop after the event is over, or give to a member of the troop who was unable to attend.

3. Always say THANK YOU!

4. Always have a few extra swaps for those people who don't have any.

BAD SWAP MANNERS

"I don't like that!"
"I've already got ten of those!"
"Mine look better than yours!"
"What's THAT supposed to be?"
"Don't you have anything better?"

Sometimes girls talk before they think. Keep in mind that whatever the person has made has taken time, skills and energy.
A simple thank you is common courtesy - no matter if you like it or not, or feel it's worthwhile.

You can do an internet search for "Girl Scout SWAPS" that will find you many sites.

Here are a few SWAP sites:
http://web.archive.org/web/20040624130103/www.swapaholic.info/swaps.html
This is an archive of my absolute favorite Swap site that got taken off-line and hasn't resurfaced. Many of the pictures are missing, but there are still tons of great ideas and instructions.
http://www.gsswaps.net/
http://www.troop1379.org/swapideas.htm
http://www.epilogsys.com/ScoutingWeb/Program/CraftsSwaps.htm
http://parentingteens.about.com/od/girlscoutsandgirlguides/a/swaps_girlscout.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Woods/4864/swaps_contents.html

 

Beaded Snowflake SWAP

Supplies Needed:
Pipecleaners (Metallic or clear work best)
Small beads (with holes large enough to fit on pipecleaner)
Safety Pins
Needle-nose Pliers (optional, but helpful)

Step 1-Cut one pipecleaner into 3 equal sections

 

Step 2- Twist the three pipecleaner sections together at the middle

 

Step 3Spread pipecleaner sections

 

Step 4- Slide beads onto pipecleaner sections (use smaller beads near center.)

 

Step 5- Curl ends of piplecleaners to secure beads on 5 sections. (Can use needlenose pliers for this.)

Step 6- On sixth section, after beading, stick end of pipecleaner through bottom loop of safety pin, then bend and twist the pipecleaner aorund loop on safety pin, to secure.

You're like a Snowflake

Snowflakes are incredibly beautiful and upon close inspection, although they all seem the same, are all wonderfully unique. Snowflakes are nature's reminders to us, that, although in many ways we are the same, we too are incredibly beautiful and unique!

Please wear this pin and be reminded of your beauty and uniqueness..

Other winter theme SWAP ideas

Bead Tree

Supplies Needed:
Starflake shape beads in three different sizes
Star shape pony beads
Pipecleaners
Safety Pins

Wreath

Supplies Needed:
Plastic beads
Pipecleaners
Ribbon
Safety Pins