"SWAPS" Keepsakes for Girl Scouts
Swaps are a tradition of Girl Scouts exchanging keepsakes. This started long ago when Girl Scouts and Girl Guides first gathered for fun, song, and making new friends.
SWAPS History
"SWAPS" can trace their roots to POTLATCH the Native American custom of a ceremonial distribution of girls. The "SWAP" was introduced into Boy/Girl Scouting/Guiding as a way to introduce one Scout to another. The swaps were traded and a conversation would result from explaining the swap. Many of these "SWAPS" started long friendships that lasted although the two swappers may have lived in different countries.
Swaps were widely exchanged at national Girl Scout Senior Roundups in the 1950's and 1960's.In more recent years, some Girl Scouts describe the types of objects now preferred as swaps by calling them:
SWAPS History
"SWAPS" can trace their roots to POTLATCH the Native American custom of a ceremonial distribution of girls. The "SWAP" was introduced into Boy/Girl Scouting/Guiding as a way to introduce one Scout to another. The swaps were traded and a conversation would result from explaining the swap. Many of these "SWAPS" started long friendships that lasted although the two swappers may have lived in different countries.
Swaps were widely exchanged at national Girl Scout Senior Roundups in the 1950's and 1960's.In more recent years, some Girl Scouts describe the types of objects now preferred as swaps by calling them:
Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere
Why Swap?
Swaps are a way for Girl Scouts to meet each other and promote friendship. Each SWAP is a memory of a special event or Girl Scout Sister. A SWAP is usually a small homemade item that represents the person, their community, their background or the event.
Swaps are a way for Girl Scouts to meet each other and promote friendship. Each SWAP is a memory of a special event or Girl Scout Sister. A SWAP is usually a small homemade item that represents the person, their community, their background or the event.
What to make?
S.W.A.P.S. can be simple or complex, cheap or expensive, whatever the creator desires. It is not necessary to spend a lot of money on S.W.A.P.S. Many people make them out of scraps or natural materials. Most S.W.A.P.S. are made with pins attached so they can be pinned onto a camp shirt or hat. S.W.A.P.S. are little things girls and leaders make to trade with each other at regional or national events. S.W.A.P.S. usually tell something about the person who made it or about the area or region that they are from. They can also represent the theme of an activity or event. S.W.A.P.S. are usually only an inch or two in size. Instruct the girls to create their S.W.A.P.S. with a safety pin attached, or some way of wearing the swap.
S.W.A.P.S. can be simple or complex, cheap or expensive, whatever the creator desires. It is not necessary to spend a lot of money on S.W.A.P.S. Many people make them out of scraps or natural materials. Most S.W.A.P.S. are made with pins attached so they can be pinned onto a camp shirt or hat. S.W.A.P.S. are little things girls and leaders make to trade with each other at regional or national events. S.W.A.P.S. usually tell something about the person who made it or about the area or region that they are from. They can also represent the theme of an activity or event. S.W.A.P.S. are usually only an inch or two in size. Instruct the girls to create their S.W.A.P.S. with a safety pin attached, or some way of wearing the swap.
How Many?
Each girl should decide how many S.W.A.P.S. she wants to trade. S.W.A.P.S. can be made during part of a troop meeting, during a special meeting called for the purpose of making S.W.A.P.S., or with examples at the meeting, with the S.W.A.P.S. to be made by the girls at home.
Each girl should decide how many S.W.A.P.S. she wants to trade. S.W.A.P.S. can be made during part of a troop meeting, during a special meeting called for the purpose of making S.W.A.P.S., or with examples at the meeting, with the S.W.A.P.S. to be made by the girls at home.
What to do with them?
S.W.A.P.S. are traditionally pinned on a S.W.A.P.S. hat. This hat could be part of your troops identification. On the day of an event, each girl will come with he S.W.A.P.S. and will mingle with other girls, trading her S.W.A.P.S.
S.W.A.P.S. are traditionally pinned on a S.W.A.P.S. hat. This hat could be part of your troops identification. On the day of an event, each girl will come with he S.W.A.P.S. and will mingle with other girls, trading her S.W.A.P.S.
S.W.A.P.S. Etiquette
* S.W.A.P.S. to be traded should be carried in a shoe box, baggie or pinned to your shirt. S.W.A.P.S. that are pinned to someone's hat are generally considered off-limits unless they are offered to you as a trade.
* It is considered rude if you refuse to swap with someone who ask you. Be courteous.
* If you don't like the item you have been given, or already have an identical S.W.A.P. accept it politely, and give them one of yours with a Girl Scout smile.
* ALWAYS say thank you! A Girl Scout is courteous.
* Never give a swap away that someone gave you.
* Always have a few extra S.W.A.P.S. on hand for those people who have few or none.
* Include the information such as your troop number, city and state on the S.W.A.P. You may also want to mark it with the date or the event name to help identify the S.W.A.P. later on. Tags can be easily made on the computer, cut to size and attached to the pin.
* S.W.A.P.S. to be traded should be carried in a shoe box, baggie or pinned to your shirt. S.W.A.P.S. that are pinned to someone's hat are generally considered off-limits unless they are offered to you as a trade.
* It is considered rude if you refuse to swap with someone who ask you. Be courteous.
* If you don't like the item you have been given, or already have an identical S.W.A.P. accept it politely, and give them one of yours with a Girl Scout smile.
* ALWAYS say thank you! A Girl Scout is courteous.
* Never give a swap away that someone gave you.
* Always have a few extra S.W.A.P.S. on hand for those people who have few or none.
* Include the information such as your troop number, city and state on the S.W.A.P. You may also want to mark it with the date or the event name to help identify the S.W.A.P. later on. Tags can be easily made on the computer, cut to size and attached to the pin.
S.W.A.P.S. Don'ts
* Swaps without a meaning - Should have something to do with the event, with Girl Scouting in general, the troop or about the person who made it.
* Food items - they can't be kept as keepsakes and they attract bugs and critters when outdoors.
* Avoid using glass and sharp objects in swaps.
* Flimsy swaps - they're heartbreaking for the creator and the recipient. Make sure items are colorfast, the pin is secure and the item can hold up to handling and transport.
* Leader-made-swaps - items shouldn't be made FOR the girls by their leaders - after all, what would the point be? Swaps should be designed with the age and skill level of the girls making the swaps. Don't give them something they can't do on their own (or without minimal help).
* Swaps without a meaning - Should have something to do with the event, with Girl Scouting in general, the troop or about the person who made it.
* Food items - they can't be kept as keepsakes and they attract bugs and critters when outdoors.
* Avoid using glass and sharp objects in swaps.
* Flimsy swaps - they're heartbreaking for the creator and the recipient. Make sure items are colorfast, the pin is secure and the item can hold up to handling and transport.
* Leader-made-swaps - items shouldn't be made FOR the girls by their leaders - after all, what would the point be? Swaps should be designed with the age and skill level of the girls making the swaps. Don't give them something they can't do on their own (or without minimal help).