America Cares Patch Program Requirements

America Cares

A Council Patch Program for All Age Levels

Introduction

- A Core Element of the Girl Scout experience is Patriotism, Citizenship, and Community Service. In addition, our Girl Scout promise directs us to serve our country.

- This patch program was created in support of our nation coming together as one. It is designed to build a feeling of patriotism and pride in our country

- Girls in all program levels can complete this patch program.

- Leaders are encouraged to adapt the activities to be age appropriate for their girls. Older girls can work with younger troops.

- Do some activities in each highlighted section. When completed, girls will be eligible to receive America Cares patches. Patches are available for sale in our Council Shop.

- If a member of your troop is not a citizen of this country, she should share information about her country as she learns about ours. Include activities to teach respect for diversity.

1. THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES

a. Learn about the history of our flag. Look at pictures of how it has changed since it was first made. Why were the changes made?

b. Hold a flag ceremony in your troop or volunteer to do one in your community. Samples of flag ceremonies are available at our Council Service Center. Know how to correctly raise and lower the US flag on a flagpole.

c. Learn the proper way to display the flag when flying on a pole, hung on a wall, or carried in a parade. Find out what you should not do with a flag. Visit www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetig.html for information.

d. Do something to help educate the public on how to correctly display the flag. Learn the proper way to dispose of a worn US flag.

e. Fold the American flag the correct way.

2. DOCUMENTS OF AMERICA

a. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Learn the history behind the Pledge of Allegiance. Talk about the words and what they mean to each of us. What does “allegiance” mean? What is “the republic?” What does it mean to be “indivisible”? How does our country help ensure “liberty and justice for all”? Use the pledge as part of your troop’s ceremonies. Visit www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.html for information.

b. AMERICAN’S CREED: Read the American’s creed and talk about the meaning of the words. What does the creed tell us about what our life should be like in this country? Does everyone live this way?

Visit www.ushistory.org/documents/creed.htm for information.

3. SYMBOLS OF OUR NATION

a. BALD EAGLE: Find out why the bald eagle was chosen as the emblem of the United States. Look at our money. Which ones have a picture of an eagle on them? Which state flags have an eagle as part of their design?

Visit www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle9.html for information. If possible, visit a zoo or aviary that houses a live bald eagle. Find out how bald eagles live.

b. GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES: Look at the back of a one-dollar bill. Learn about the different parts of the great seal and what they stand for. Visit www.greatseal.com for information. Find out what “E Pluribus Unum” means. Create a seal for your troop. What symbols will it have and why?

c. LIBERTY BELL: Why is it called the “Liberty Bell”? Where is it? If possible, take a trip to see it either for real or in virtual reality. Create a Girl Scouts’ Own ceremony on freedom and liberty that includes ringing your own “liberty bells”. Ask another troop to join in. Visit www.ushistory.org/libertybell/index.html. Talk to someone who serves in the military. How does she/he help protect liberty?

d. UNCLE SAM: Find a picture of Uncle Sam. Learn how he became a symbol for the United States. Create a poster using Uncle Sam asking us to help our country. Display it where others can see it. Visit home.nycap.rr.com/content/us_bio.html

for lots of facts. Continue through the site for pictures.

4. PATRIOTIC SONGS

a. NATIONAL ANTHEM: What is its name? Find out the history behind it being chosen as our anthem. Talk about the words and what they mean. Listen to recordings of different people singing the song. Which one do you like best? Least? Why? Sing it as part of a flag ceremony. Know what to do it you are somewhere and you hear the national anthem being played. Do something to educate others. Visit www.americanhistory.si.edu/ssb/opening.html.

b. MORE SONGS: Sing some patriotic songs. Learn one or more new ones. Sing the songs for others in your community. Visit www.hometown.aol.com/kidsfun101/kidsparties4th/pg10b/patrioticsongs.index.html for the words of several patriotic songs. If your don’t know the tunes, find someone who does (i.e. music teacher) or listen to a recording.

c. WRITE YOUR OWN: Think about what you would like to say about our country in a song. What would the words be about? You could ask someone who is familiar with poetry and/or music to help you write the verse for a song. It could be sung to a popular tune. Sing your song for others.

5. SERVICE TO OTHERS

a. COLLECTIONS: Find a community organization that could use your help collecting items that, in turn, will benefit those in need. Help collect what is needed. Involve the community in your collection. If you know of individuals or families who need help, you could collect things to help them directly.

b. DIRECT SUPPORT: Girls can help community service organizations by stuffing fund envelopes, putting up posters, passing out snacks at a blood drive, helping at stations during an event, etc.

c. LETTER WRITING: Girls can write letters of support and praise to those whose mission it is to protect and serve us (e.g. military, firefighters, police) and/or letters of comfort and support to victims and their families of disasters by sending them to organizations such as the Red Cross or Salvation Army. For members interested in writing in response to disasters, letters and cards can be given to your local organizations, sent to GSUSA, or dropped off at your Council Service Center for delivery to the Red Cross.

Note: Girl Scouts cannot raise money for another organization. They can, however, vote to make a donation from their troop funds.

6. CELEBRATING PATRIOTISM

Help plan and hold a patriotic party with your group. You could invite a sister troop, and/or family members. Hold it for others in a nursing home or other type of long-term care facility, homeless shelter, for local rescue workers or military personnel. Think about what kind of decorations you could make, what food you will serve, what the activities will be. Ask others to help you.

Revised 12/06