You would be surprized at how the younger Brownies come right out of their shells when the older Brownies are away and they are put in charge of teaching the Sparks about Brownies!

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Every year, about a month or two before Sparkle Up, we invite the older Sparks to come and visit our group to find out about Brownies. Because we have a large group we do it on a night when the older Brownies are going to visit a Girl Guide group. We tell the younger Brownies that they will be in charge that week and that it is good practice for them when they become the Senior Brownies next year. We ask them to try and remember what it was like when they first came to Brownies and how important it was that they saw lots of Brownie smiles and friendly people.

When the Sparks come, we divide them up (trying to keep at least 2-3 together) and send them to different circles. We ask the Brownies in each circle to teach the Sparks their particular circle song, show them their Brownie Books, and talk about why they like Brownies. We have the Brownies in each circle bring up their Sparks, singing their Circle Song as they come into the Brownie Ring. We tell the Sparks that this was just a practice and that it is a secret which Circle they’ll really be in next year.

We then talk about all the things we do in Brownies and let the girls see some of the Brownie Outlooks and Windows they will be earning next year and look at some of the photographs we have taken of Brownies doing "Brownie things". We talk about how some things are different then Sparks, like the badges they can earn, but how many things are the same, like doing crafts and playing games.

We teach them the bridging song and have them make the bridging Spark/Brownie card to use while singing it. Later we have them hold the Spark part of the craft forward when we sing "When we’re Sparks" and show the Brownie when we sing "Then we’re Brownies". We then play a Brownie Game and teach them a couple of Brownie Songs.

You would be surprized at how the younger Brownies come right out of their shells when the older Brownies are away and they are put in charge of teaching the Sparks! We make sure we mark in their Brownie Book that they covered Widening People #1.

Because the craft is so inexpensive we are able to purchase a Brownie Colouring Book for each Spark to take home. It really helps them get excited about when they become a Brownie. We have had many a parent call shortly after the visit to say they want to put their daughter’s name on our list for next year, stating she came home so "excited about Brownies….she just can’t wait to go!"

For Bridging Song We Use Click Here >

For Bridging Spark/Brownie Card That Goes With The Song Click Here >

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