The Celery Flats Patch is designed to teach Girl Scouts and their leaders about the history of the Portage community.  Through age-appropriate activities, the girls will have the opportunity to tour the Celery Flats Historical Area and Interpretive Center in Portage, Michigan and have fun learning about the past.

Purpose:              To make Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts more aware of their community.

Requirements:      Complete three of the following seven activities:

1. Public Safety:  Invite public safety officers (police, firefighters, etc.) to your troop meeting or visit a police station or fire station.  Find out how public safety officers help your community.
2. Government Involvement:  Find out about your community government.  (You might visit your city council meeting and see about doing a flag ceremony.)
3. Business Community:  Ask a local business to be your sponsor.  They could give your troop money for your activities or free copies, etc.  You could clean their yard and/or their parking lot or make centerpieces for them.
4. Community Service:  Share your talents with others.  Collect food, warm clothes, books, toys, or magazines, and deliver them to your community center.
5. Public Relations:  Do a community-oriented service project or help with a community ceremony or celebration.  You might donate park equipment, clean up trash in a park, or participate in a parade as a Girl Scout.
6. Service Group:  Find out about one of your community’s service groups such as Rotary Club or Kiwanis.  Invite a member from that group to your troop meeting to find out how their group helps the community.
7. Write an article about one of the activities you did for this patch and submit it to the SPARK, c/o SPARK Editor, GSGEC, 601 West Maple Street, Kalamazoo, MI  49008.

Through this Girl Scout Week Patch program, we are trying to help girls learn to live by the Girl Scout Promise, Law and traditions. Help celebrate the Birthday of Girl Scouting in the United States by earning this special patch.  To purchase this Council’s Own Patch, stop by either of the GSGEC Girl Shops to see what is currently in stock or visit www.joycrest.com to order your own design.

The Honor Troop concept was established by the Council to recognize troops willing to take the additional time and energy necessary to make the Girl Scout program a more meaningful and varied experience.  This is an optional program.

Objective:                     To recognize troops with exceptional program experiences shared by the girl members in partnership with the troop leadership.

To qualify:                    Click here for Requirements.  Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior Girl Scout troops must complete 15 requirements including the one starred.  The same activity may not be used for more than one requirement.

Program Budgeting:      To make budgeting for your troop easier, an optional estimated cost column is available.

Time Frame:                 Requirements must be completed, or have plans in place to be completed, from September through May in order to qualify for recognition.

Awards:                       Patches are optional and may be ordered and purchased through either Council Gift Shop.  The patch is purchased for troop members one time only.  Then, each successive year the award is earned, segments are purchased to place around the patch.  As girls bridge, patches may be moved to the back of the new uniform (sash or vest).  The cost of patches is $1.00 and the segments are $.50 each.

This Interest Project Patch offers girls the opportunity to explore the many aspects and facets of the nursing profession.  For the specific requirements for this patch, contact a staffperson in the Program Department if you have any further questions.

A family program for you and your daughter to stimulate adult involvement in Glowing Embers Council, which will result in:

• Increased support for troop/group leadership.
• Expanded troop/group program opportunities.
• Greater retention of girls.

See the form for the STAR Family Patch Program in the Forms section of this book.

Purpose: To involve girls in group activities for the months of June, July, and August in order to provide continuity to the programs and retain the interest of girls in Girl Scouting.

Requirements: Girls must attend two out of three troop activities planned for the months of June, July, and August. (If a girl is attending Camp Merrie Woode or Wonder Woode Day Camp during a troop activity, this may count as one activity).

This patch program helps to make Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts aware of the similarities and differences between cultures in the United States.  It helps girls gain an appreciation for and understanding of the diverse population of our nation and our communities.