World Thinking Day

World Thinking Day is a Girl Scout holiday that celebrates the sisterhood between Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world and the global impact of Scouting.

Resources

Girl Scouts website – https://www.girlscouts.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/ways-to-participate/global-girl-scouts/world-thinking-day.html

WAGGGS – https://www.wagggs.org/en/what-we-do/world-thinking-day/

Wiki- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Thinking_Day

In the Little River Service Unit, we honor this day with an event that gives troops an opportunity to learn more about a chosen country in the WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts).  They then create a presentation table/booth sharing information they’ve learned as well as samples of food from their country and SWAPS.

Typical LRSU World Thinking Day Schedule (subject to change per host troop’s discretion)

Elements of LRSU World Thinking Day

Passports – At registration, each Girl Scout will be given a passport.  After visiting each troop’s booth, they will get a stamp on their passport.  There will also be spaces for the 5 requirements of the official World Thinking Day badge.  They must have all 5 stamped to earn the badge.

Parade of Flags – each troop carries the flag of their country across the stage and announces the name of their country (our Service Unit has a collection of boxes for many WAGGS countries with WTD items in them, most of them have flags, reach out to Samantha Andersen on BAND to request one)

Skits – troops can choose to perform a skit for the group.  This can be a song, story, game, etc. that represents their country.  2-minute time limit

Presentation Board & Table/booth

Typically, a tri-fold board with basic information and facts about the troop’s chosen country (flag, map, language, etc.).  To keep with the WTD theme, troops are encouraged to also share information about a famous woman from their country as well as Girl Scouting or Guiding in their country. 

Snacks/Food Samples

Troops are invited to bring a food item that represents their country that they can share with the group at their booth.  An ingredient list or packaging should be available for anyone who has food allergy concerns. 

SWAPS (Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere)

As Girl Scouts make their way to all the booths, they will collect SWAPS from each country.  It’s a good idea to have baggies or something for each girl to collect her SWAPS in.  Pinterest can be a great resource but remember part of the idea of SWAPS is to make them inexpensively and reuse materials as much as possible.

Leader/Troop Checklist (some items may not apply and many are just suggestions after years of participating)

• Registration Fee if paying as a troop
• Table (& tablecloth)
• Extension Cord (if needed)
• Flag
• Skit (optional)
• Presentation Board
• Stamp & Inkpad for Passports
• Food Sample
  • Ingredient List
  • Serving Gloves
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Napkins
  • Wastebasket
• SWAPS
  • Baggies to put SWAPS in
• Country Box if you borrowed one