Solar Eclipse workshop

The CTK Girl Scouts got to learn about the 2017 Solar Eclipse right before it occurred! They learned about sun clocks, magnets and compasses, how important it is to protect ourselves from UV light, and many other experiments.  We ended making a pin hole box with cereal boxes so they could safely view the eclipse.  Now to wait until the next one.

Bronze Award: Buddy Bench

One of the highest awards that a Junior Girl Scout, grade 4th and 5th, can receive is the Bronze Award.  Girls are asked to explore their community to see if they can help improve an issue.   As the girls pursue their project, they put the Girl Scout Promise and Law into action. They also develop an understanding of sustainability and gain an understanding of the wider world by discussing how others may experience the same problem that their project helped resolve.

Our Christ the King 5th grade Junior Girl Scouts saw a need on the Kindergarten playground.  They thought that with so many kids coming from different Pre-schools and areas around town, that many of them might not have any friends when school starts.  They did some research and found that there is what is know as a Buddy Bench.  This bench is made and placed in an area that kids play.  When some one is feeling lonely and doesn't have a friend/classmate to play with, they would go sit on the bench.  Another classmate would see them and go over to invite them to play.  

The Girl Scouts worked on presenting their idea to Principal Reynoso at the end of the school year and got her approval!!  Over the summer the girls went to Menards to learn about what wood would be best to build the bench with and what paints would be best for being outside in the Kansas elements. Once they had plans, they set off on building and painting their Buddy Bench! Building took the girls a couple of days, making sure that every piece of wood was lined up just right. Girls learned that even painting took some time; they thought that because it was hot outside that the paint would dry much faster.  Instead, it took longer due to the humidity in the air!  They experienced the old expression, "watching paint dry"!  

Right before this school year started, the 5th grade Junior Girl Scouts presented their Buddy Bench to Fr. Matthew, Principal Reynoso and Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Kinney.  Fr. Matthew did a blessing on the bench for the girls.  The bench was in the Kindergarten hallway during registration night so new parents and Kindergartners could see it and then it will be moved to their playground!  

The girls leaders, Jennifer Augustine and Linda Wolf are so excited for all the hard work and dedication that their girls showed on their project.  They look forward to seeing more of what their girls do in the future!  Congratulations young ladies!