SWAP events can include making SWAPs, exchanging SWAPs, learning about them and more. They can be in person or virtual. Explore different ways you might host an event. Remember if you intend to work with others on a SWAP event, be sure everyone decides together what will happen. Never assume everyone does things the way you do.
Steps
1. Add-on.
The easiest way to incorporate SWAPs into your event is as an “add-on.” For example, when we attended the sing-along in Michigan, there was time before the event scheduled for swapping. It can also be done at the end of an event. By doing it at either end, you cut down the chances that someone will miss your event because they arrive late or have to leave early. Attend an event with swapping being an “add-on.”
2. Small.
You might plan a small event to allow everyone the chance to try out actually swapping the things they’ve made. Getting two to five troops together allows them the experience without the overwhelm of numerous people vying for the same SWAP. You can also work on etiquette and basics so everyone is comfortable when they go out into the world. Try a small SWAP event.
3. Large.
A large event might be a counsel-wide event or even something as large as the Girl Scouts’ Rock the Mall with hundreds of thousands of attendees. While this is really an “add-on”, the dynamics of the event are so drastically different from what the girls normally experience that it had to have its own step. Look for possible large events you can attend that either have SWAPs as the main focus or an add-on.
4. Troop.
A troop or group can do a variety of meetings based on SWAPs. Some include:
- Etiquette
- How to make (general or specific)
- Practice swapping
- Start a collection
Look at how you can introduce a troop to SWAPs in small chunks.
5. Party.
Plan a party. Provide the materials and tools to make a specific number of SWAPs, a SWAP holder or a combination of these. After the SWAPs are made, each girl will have a collection started. Celebrate with an ice cream bar or cupcake decorating session. What other elements might you add to making SWAPs so that it is a party?
6. Holiday.
A holiday provides a theme without effort on your part. You might do a ready-made SWAP or have your attendees make them on site, all supporting the holiday theme. Make sure your treats match your theme such as hot chocolate and cookies for Christmas or trick-or-treat candy for Halloween.
7. Theme.
While a holiday is one theme, there are many more to choose from . . . pirates, princesses, superheroes, cuddly animals, camping and more. Choose a theme before planning an event. Focus on incorporating your theme into the SWAPS, snacks and activities at the event. You may even want to extend this from a simple two-hour event to a weekend at camp.
8. Build.
Your event might be intended to allow everyone to build their SWAP collections . . . kids, adults or both. All SWAPs will be made when they walk in the door, so you don’t need to worry about craft materials and tools. For this, you may or may not want to define a theme.
You will want to provide a number of attendees (plus enough to cover the volunteers) so everyone has a quantity to bring with them. Unlike other events, this would be an individual event because you want each attendee to bring a different SWAP. This is more of a “meet and greet” type of event. Not only can everyone meet, they can start building friendships over their simple crafted items. Plan an event where everyone builds their SWAP collections.
NOTE: If you’re just working on creating a collection, you might choose to make this a non-interactive event where the SWAPs are sent to a coordinator who sorts them out and ships them back to the individuals who sign up to participate.
9. Recurring.
You may wish to make a recurring SWAP event. In other words, doing multiple events centered on SWAPs on a schedule. This is great if you work with kids who love to craft. Also, if you’re in an isolated area, it gives girls a reason to get together and interact. Your recurring SWAP event might be yearly, bi-monthly or even monthly. You might have a number of troops that participate and each takes a turn hosting the SWAP event. Determine what works for you.
10. Online.
I’ve seen online SWAPs where specific types of crafted items are identified, like the 50 United States where each participant gets a state to make a SWAP for and they make 51 (one for each person plus the host). This allows everyone the freedom to make their SWAPs and then send them in to ONE person who then sorts them and sends back a full set. Check other ways you might use the Internet to do an online SWAP. Try it.
11. Workshop.
Workshops are geared toward adults who usually do not have experience or knowledge of SWAPs. They can learn all the basics to take that information back to their troop or group. Adding on a SWAP event a month after the workshop encourages the adults to teach the girls what they’ve learned as well as give the girls their first experience swapping with others. Can you run a workshop for adults in your area? If you can’t do it alone, find others who can help you and do it!
12. Video.
Making a video and then sharing it might not seem like an event, but you can include it in your event. You can also put it up online for people who couldn’t attend your live training. Look at creating a video and / or providing transcripts for those who couldn’t attend.
13. Open-end.
I’ve mentioned creating a vagabond box for all the left over crafting scraps. Pull those out with some basic SWAP materials and tools. Provide everyone with a small notebook or sheets to record what they use to make their SWAPs. Then, let them be creative with no specific pattern or directions to follow. This allows ultimate creativity. When a SWAP is complete and instructions written, take photos of each SWAP and instructions. Assemble them into a PDF for attendees so they can celebrate their creativity beyond the event itself.
14. Mix.
You can mix and match elements from a variety of events to create a unique one that works for you. If you choose to do so, be sure to document what you plan, what actually happened and how to make it better next time.
Badge and Supplement Files
Member Level
- EP_Badge List_SWAPEvents_larajla — list of badge items
- EP_Badge Set_SWAPEvents_larajla — list of badge set and related badges
- EP_Supp_List_SWAPEvents_larajla — list of supplements for the badge
- SUPP_BPG_SWAPEvents_2in_12up_larajla — generic badge printable
- SUPP_SWAPEvents Journal_larajla — badge journal
- SUPP_SWAPEvents_Planner_larajla — badge planner
Supplement Fun
- N/A
Sites to Explore
- makingfriends.com/girl-scout-leader/girl-scout/girl-scout-swap-night
- www.gscb.org/content/dam/girlscouts-gscb/documents/shortsnappy/SWAPS.pdf
- trailhead.gsnorcal.org/golden-gate-bridging-swaps
- www.topsinswaps.com/index.htm
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj-fQbhm5xI
- www.girlscoutsem.org/content/dam/girlscouts-girlscoutsem/documents/PEP_DO_RE_MI_And_SWAPS.pdf
Get the infographic here > larajla blog post
Get the PDFs of the badge program / supplements here