Every year, Girl Scouts across the country get together at various events to share special memories and to trade SWAPS to help remember the event and the other Scouts. This is a great way to build new friendships, learn about Girl Scouting, develop fine motor skills, develop and encourage creativity, practice recycling principles, and have fun.

Must complete six activities.

SWAPS and Potlatch. With your Girl Scout leaders or with your parent or guardian, practicing the standards of the Safety Pledge, research the history of SWAPS and how they relate to the Native American tradition of potlatch. Try using a search engine like Google to start your internet search. (Keyword: Girl Scout SWAPS). Report to your troop or have a small group discussion about your thoughts on why SWAPS and potlatch are similar and why it is an important custom.

Some good internet sites are:

• http://gsleaders.org/files/swaps.htm
• http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/facts/swaps/

Practice SWAPS Manners. Go to http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/swaps/ and review the SWAP safety and etiquette guidelines posted on the website.

Make three different kinds of SWAPS.Look at the list below and choose three different kinds of SWAPS to create OR make your own type of SWAP and share how you did it with a friend or your whole troop.

• Person SWAP. Use miniature paper dolls, toothpick “worry” dolls, wooden clothespins, pom-poms, or Shrinky-Dink material to make a person SWAP. This can represent you, a Girl Scout, Girl Scouts from around the world, or a person from another culture. Use your imagination!
  
• Recycled SWAP. Use materials that have been used before such as aluminum foil, soda bottle lids, bottle caps, paper clips, cardboard from cereal boxes, individual serving cereal boxes, puzzles with missing pieces, decks of cards that are missing cards, etc. and make something new. Remember – a Girl Scout uses resources wisely.
  
• Bag SWAP. Using a small jewelry sized baggie (these are easily found in the jewelry or party section of your local megastore or Wal-Mart) to create a SWAP. Use sand, glitter, confetti, or another material that needs to be contained to include in your SWAP.
  
• Traditional Girl Scout SWAP. Create a SWAP that represents something related to Girl Scouting: s’mores, camping, campfires, sit upons, cookies, cookie sales, earning badges or patches, knots, the Girl Scout Law in beads or ribbons, daisies, brownies, or Girl Scout trefoils. Think about what Girl Scouts means to you and make a SWAP that represents that. Again, let your imagination be your guide.
  
• World Thinking Day SWAP. Create a SWAP to be traded on World Thinking Day (February 22^nd).

For SWAPS ideas go to: 

• http://www.gsswaps.net/
• http://swaps-a-lot.ecrater.com/
• http://www.scoutmom.net/swaps/index.htm
• http://www.makingfriends.com/scouts/swap_scouts.htm
• http://parentingteens.about.com/od/girlscoutsandgirlguides/a/swaps_girlscout.htm
• http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Girl-Scout-SWAPS
• http://www.scoutswaps.com/
• http://www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/Program/CraftsSwaps.htm

• coordinate a party with an older sister troop or
• coordinate a date to make and exchange SWAPS with another troop.

Create SWAPS for another organization or event. Find a local charity, organization, or event that might use SWAPS as an incentive or memoir for their event (such as the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Cookies Now!, Duck Days, or other Council sponsored event). Volunteer at least two hours making SWAPS or helping prepare SWAPS materials.

Teach a younger Scout how to make a SWAP. Go to a younger Scout troop and teach them how to make their own SWAPS.

Calculate the cost. Figure out a budget and cost per SWAP for your favorite SWAP. Go to the store or research online and list all of the materials, break down the price per SWAP for each item required. Compare and see if there is a less expensive way to make your favorite SWAP. You may use the included chart. (An example has been included)

Make a SWAPS display. Create a display for your SWAPS. It can be a poster, display board, diorama, webpage, book, scrapbook, hat, etc. Share it with your friends or your troop.