What is the Enrichment Project?
Originally began as supplemental training for Girl Scout volunteers in July 2010, the Enrichment Project is evolved to work like badge programs for any teenager or adult. You choose which step(s) you wish to do and learn about the subject of the badge program. You do not have to do all the steps exactly as stated. This allows you some room to learn the basics if you have no experience with the subject or move onto more detailed ideas if you do.
What is included?
Each digital badge program includes the following:
- Infographic showing the badge program basics (new for 2017)
- Steps to learn about the subject
- Links to sites with more information
Each digital badge program MAY also include supplemental files:
- Checklist of any supplemental files (new for 2017)
- Color It Fun! sheets (new for 2017)
- Grab ‘n’ Go sheets — activity and craft sheets that can be easily added to meetings and events
- Print It Fun! sheets (new for 2017)
I saw mention of Badge Sets. What are those?
When a series of badges work together, they are listed as a set. For example, the Science Center Badge Set features five badges about creating your own Science Center. The remaining 14 deal with specific areas of scientific study that you might choose to include in your Science Center. The collection can be used to create events, day camps, etc. By making these sets, it makes it easy for you to identify which badges work together.
Why are things changing for 2017?
Many of the supplements are longer documents with a lot of ideas and suggestions. If you’re planning for a meeting or event, it might be difficult to find the exact thing you’re looking for. The supplements are moving to a “one idea, one file” system. So the icebreaker supplement which has a slew of ideas will become a series of PDFs that you can digitally archive as it makes sense to you. For example, you’re planning an adult workshop and want two icebreakers that fit with your theme. You can choose those two PDFs only and put them into the appropriate folder so all your materials are together.
In addition, this year I introduced the Challenges badge set. I would like to incorporate a challenge into each badge program.
Also, it’s been brought to my attention that there’s not a lot of supplements for younger kids. I’ve taken classes for coloring and puzzle sheets so I can expand that to give you more to use.
All these changes means there will be more supplements, hence the necessity of creating a checklist so you can make sure you have everything that goes with a badge program.
Due to this increase in materials, my mastermind group suggested that the Enrichment Project get its own site. As I have created almost 15 GB (yes, gigabytes) of material since starting this project, it is not an overnight adjustment.
How can I get notified of new and updated badges?
The blog at larajla.com will continue to be my announcement site for everything I’m doing. You can also sign up for the mailing list there.
What happens when I finish a badge program?
When you’re done, simply email me your name, email address, badge name and the number of hours you put into the badge program.
You will receive a a web badge and a printable PDF certificate. There are various levels of knowledge as shown by the edge / background color of the badge.
- Tan — 3-10 hours
- Bronze — 11-25 hours
- Silver — 26-39 hours
- Gold — 40+ hours
You can take the knowledge you acquire back to a group you work with, such as the Girl Scouts, or just have fun exploring the world.
Why do you have different colored badges?
Sometimes when you start to learn something new, you find out it’s not what you think it is. You may put three hours into the badge before stopping. With three hours, you have enough information to provide programming to young learners. They aren’t apt to ask questions and are happy with just doing something simple.
If you’re truly interested in it, the time may fly by. The more you work on the badge program, the more knowledge you’ll have to share with others. By spending 40 hours, it allows you the ability to use the information to supplement or create an event. You can even teach it to other adults who are the most likely to ask questions on the subject.
I see some things mentioned that need to be paid for. I thought this was free!
The badge programs and supplements are free when you register for a Free Membership.
Some items are based on the badge programs and will be available on my Etsy site, larajlacreates, or Amazon. These go beyond the badge requirements and are meant for people who are looking to get more out of the badge programs. Sometimes, they are provided so you have proof that I have, in fact, done the work myself.
For example, the Zendoodle badge program has three series of pattern cards for purchase. You do not need these to earn the badge. However, if you’re teaching others, they are extremely helpful.
On Amazon, I will be releasing a series of coloring books. These are the result of the Coloring badge set which will be released in late 2016, early 2017. It is a way to show what can be done. As we are looking to show our kids what they can do, actual examples work a lot better than just saying “because I said so.”
Also, if I can get to the point where I make enough money to support myself with my online sales, I will be able to provide even more value to the Enrichment Project.