Swaps are fun and simple to make. Once you're inspired by all the photos, grab your hot
glue gun, and head to your craft bin. This is a terrific way to use all those scrap
odds-and-ends you've been saving. Swaps are best when they're attachable: some will
require flat-back pins, others need safety pins. That's all there is to it! But how can
your swap stand out from the crowd, and create awe in those around you?
I grade swaps on these 4 criteria:
Cost
The less expensive your swap materials, the more you can make. Recycling is a
fantastic way to obtain inexpensive materials, plus it's very Scoutly. Some places will
give you in-kind donations, or a break on prices, for being part of a 501(c)3, but if
you're doing a large project, check with your council so that you don't hit up the same
business too often. Send a thank you! Your council probably has over-orders of
date-specific patches for events long over that would be great to use if you're out of
time.
Difficulty
The easier your swap is to make, the more you can make. Don't sacrifice quality for
quantity. (There are some sad swaps out there that look like
no one spent any time on them.) But don't make a swap that takes over your life,
especially when you need time for other tasks before a big event.
Originality
This requires thinking! You know it's easy and inexpensive to make Fun Foam s'mores. You
also have seen about 10 different versions of it. Save those for the younger troops to
make. Think of something that's new. Give yourself time and inspiration.
Relevance
Make your swap more meaningful by including information specific to you, your troop, your
council, or the event at which you are swapping. When sorting through your swaps at home,
it's nice to be reminded of who gave it to you, and years later, why.
A few more tips for making your swaps the best around:
Leave the food at home. Swaps should be designed to withstand travel, rain,
heat, and other conditions Girl Scouts encounter.
Use a durable material, not paper. See above.
Avoid bags of sand, or other similar materials. See above.
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