In America The Boy Scouts provide the builder an additional badge for technology-related skills, including playing games. Play skill games are divided into three levels, which is characterized by three kinds of badges that Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts.

So, to get the badge and sash of honor, members of Boy Scout must fulfill three conditions namely, to explain the importance of having a rating system for video game skills, create a schedule of activities that included their main activities, namely to do homework, play and learn new games. Not to forget, the two tasks above must obtain the approval signature of a parent, guardian or teacher of the members of the Boy Scouts.

Not only that, the Boy Scouts can also earn additional academic badge if they buy a video game according to their age. Once bought, they are required to make a list of reasons why buying a video game, compete in a tournament game family, teaches how to play the game to others, making the five most useful tips for beginners, play it with the help of math or reading skills, to install the game with the help of parents, and lastly, compare prices and consider the video game games store policy and the manufacturer’s warranty for the product game.

In August of 1907, Robert Baden-Powell, a British Army officer, created his landmark scouting program, which would later grow to include 28 million Scouts in 155 countries worldwide. Inspired by his military experience, where the soldiers who were self-reliant, resourceful, and responsible succeeded far beyond the call of duty, Baden-Powell decided to introduce these skills to British boys, and the movement soon spread like an expertly kindled wildfire.

Whether your children are seasoned Scouts or not, Scouting’s centenary is the perfect opportunity to celebrate its basic principles. Creating confident, responsible, and principled individuals is Scouting’s mission – and a parent’s goal too! Here are some suggestions to give your child’s life skills a boost:
• Self-reliance.When kids feel competent, their self-confidence will make a major leap. Teach your child practical skills that will last them a lifetime, such as how to kindle a fire, change a tire, or pitch a tent on their own. These life skills could come in handy anytime, anywhere, whether it’s on a mountaintop or in your backyard.
• Character. Encourage your child to go out of their way to help others. Need ideas? How about mowing Mrs. Henderson’s lawn or helping with her groceries? A little help goes a long way.
• Dexterity.While waving a Wii may improve your child’s motor skills, go back in time for some old-fashioned finger-work. Show your child how to whittle a piece of wood or stitch a holey shirt, and teach them practical skills while practicing their hand-eye coordination.
• Camaraderie.Have a sleep-over to facilitate friendships. A fun activity to get kids closer is to tape a piece of paper on each child’s back, and have each child write something that they like about the others on that their pages. Then, each child gets a list of anonymous compliments from their best buddies.
• Responsibility. Sooner or later, kids need to take responsibility: for their actions, for their words, and especially for the environment. Teach your child to be responsible for the world around him by planting a tree, cleaning up litter, or going on a recycling rampage.

The key: Bring the story of Low to life by preparing an interactive reading of the “Juliette Low Album,” which is found on pages 8-11 of the Brownie Girl Scout Handbook, a leader’s staple.
1. Before the meeting, the leader rereads the story, and gathers items that represent parts of the story. For instance: a United States map (Low was born in Savannah, Georgia)
2. a paintbrush (to illustrate that Low loved the arts)
3. pieces of taffy to hand out (Low famously got taffy stuck in her hair)
4. a Brownie who is the second oldest child in her family (like Low)
5. a small plastic bag filled with rice (an accident with rice caused part of Low’s deafness)
6. a first aid kit (Low’s first U.S. troop learned first aid)
7. basketball (her first troop also played basketball)
8. a book and a pencil (to demonstrate when Low wrote the Girl Scout handbook)
9. any other items that the leader feels appropriate, to match the number of Brownies present

Before reading the story, the leader passes out at least one item to each Brownie. The leader then animatedly starts to read the story. She pauses at the point where an item is represented, and asks the Brownie who is holding the item to display it to the group (the Brownie who represents the second oldest child stands up.) This helps the girls listen carefully to the reading. It’s great fun!

Make Girl Scout Themed Mug
Brownies love crafts! The following project, which takes about 20 minutes, ties into the birthday theme, is educational, relatively mess free and requires little to no adult help.
• clear plastic mugs with plastic insert (readily available at “big box” craft stores in children’s section) These cost about $1 each
• markers, pencils, crayons
• glue sticks
• scissors
• Girl Scout graphics (free, from the national Girl Scout website) downloaded and printed in color
• Girl Scout Promise printed out in color (several more copies than girls, to allow for mistakes)
Girls remove the mug insert and paper, then decorate the paper. They should make sure to paste (or write) the Girl Scout Promise and their troop number on the paper. They also can add the dates “1912-2009″ to help link history to present. Afterward, they simply wrap the paper around the insert, and put it back in the mug. The mug is not fragile, but care should be taken when washing so as not to get the paper insert wet.

For snack: a birthday cake made from a mix, served on birthday plates. Before eating, the girls can sing “Happy Birthday to Girl Scouts.”
By using a “Happy Birthday, Girl Scouts” theme, Brownie Girl Scout leaders can quickly design a troop meeting that celebrates Girl Scout Week with a story, craft and snack.

Girl scouts who like crafts,sewing and cooking may like a book on crafts or a craft item to work on and earn a merit badge. Merit badges are earned by participating in and demonstrating skill in areas such as,crafts,sewing,life saving and of course, camping. Giving a gift relative to one of these areas would be ideal for a girl scout.

What about a day or overnight camping adventure? Check with your daughters troop first and find out if they have any upcoming events or outings that your daughter may like to attend. The YMCA and YWCA may also have opportunities for outings,craft events and camping.

A new uniform or handbook might make a good gift for your little girl scout. Accessories for her uniform that she does not already possess may be what your daughter would like. New sash? New hat? All of these would make excellent gifts for a young girl scout.
Keep in my mind your daughters interests,likes and dislikes when purchasing a gift. If in doubt about what to buy ask her, her friends and even her troop leader.

These programs traditionally served to keep kids occupied until their parents got out of work, but new research says it provides a boost for many kids. According to a new study of 35 afterschool programs serving low-income elementary and middle school students, children that regularly attended a program were academically far ahead of their peers. Not only did test scores increase, but their work habits, social skills, and behavior also improved with increased afterschool activities. “These findings underscore the importance of high quality afterschool programs and activities for both elementary and middle school youth,” says Deborah Lowe Vandell, PhD., Chair of the Department of Education at University of California at Irvine and the study’s lead author. “In contrast, unsupervised time spent either hanging out with peers or even at home alone watching television is problematic for young people.”

It’s no secret that juvenile crime rates spike in the time between school letting out for the day (around 3pm) and parents arriving home from work (around 6pm). But studies such as this one suggest that afterschool programs do more than just keep kids occupied during the afternoon. Most programs offer enrichment opportunities that seek to make learning fun. “I constantly give cooking as an example,” says Jodi Grant, Executive Director of the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization raising awareness of the importance of these programs. “It’s a great way to learn about nutrition, math, and measurements. What a great way to teach kids about science!”

So, if the academic and social gains to be made are so clear, why aren’t more kids in afterschool programs? According to Grant, there is simply not enough funding to provide afterschool activities for all. “Many of the programs are oversubscribed,” she says, and points out that the last six years have shown no increased funding for afterschool programs. However, a new spending bill which dedicates $100 million more in funds was recently passed by Congress and signed by President Bush on Dec. 26, 2007. The increase will allow for the development of more afterschool programs in the coming years.

Interested in getting your child involved in an afterschool program? First off, keep in mind that today, afterschool programs serve a variety of functions, and may not take place “after school” at all. “When we talk about afterschool programs, we’re talking about programs that operate in the before school space, programs that traditionally take place in the afternoon after school lets out, and summer programs,” says Grant. She says that although schools are the most likely places to host afterschool programs, parents should also investigate the afterschool offerings of community centers or other organizations which host programs. “In general, most people support afterschool,” she says. “But we need to translate that support into action.” So, what are you waiting for?