All about friendship

[missy dunlap]

FRIENDSHIP DAY
Congress established National Friendship Day in 1935 as a special day to honor and celebrate
friendships. Friendship Day is the first Sunday in August. Let your friends know how special
they are to you!

[missy dunlap]

FRIENDSHIP SONG

Everyone in Girl Scouts is familiar with the famous song, “Make New Friends”. Try singing
both verses in a round at your next meeting!
Make new friends, but keep the old,
One is silver, and the other gold.
A circle is round, it has no end,
That’s how long I want to be your friend.

[missy dunlap]

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE

The Friendship Circle is a special activity that is often done at the end of Girl Scout meetings or
campfires as a closing ceremony. Everyone gathers in a circle where they cross their right arm
over their left in front of them and hold hands with the girls on either side. One person is
selected to start the friendship squeeze which is passed from hand to hand. Everyone remains
silent during the friendship squeeze.
Sometimes during a friendship circle, girls will make a wish after their hand is squeezed before
they pass the squeeze along. Others will cross their feet, and when the squeeze is passed, the feet
are uncrossed. This allows everyone in the circle to see the squeeze as it goes around.

[missy dunlap]

THINKING DAY AND THE WORLD FRIENDSHIP FUND

The idea for a special day each year on which Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world
think of each other with friendship started at the 4th International Conference (USA, 1926). The
date chosen was February 22, because it was the birthdays of both the Founder, Lord Baden-
Powell, and the World Chief Guide, Lady Olave Baden-Powell.
At the 7th World Conference (Poland, 1932), a Belgian delegate suggested that all Girl Guides
and Girl Scouts give “a penny for their thoughts.” The suggestion caught on quickly, and the
Thinking Day Fund was started to help Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting wherever the need was
greatest.
Here in the United States, we give to the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund, which is a living
memorial to our founder. Part of the money goes to the Thinking Day Fund, and part is used to
send Girl Scouts to other countries and to bring Girl Guides to the United States.

(adapted from Trefoil Around the World and The Answer Book)

[missy dunlap]

FRIENDSHIP STICK

"This little stick means friendship of a very special kind. A friend you know is really great and
very hard to find."

A friendship stick can be made from a green stick found outdoors, from a dowel rod, or from an
old-fashioned wooden clothespin. Use paint or markers to color the different symbols on the
stick. An adult can drill a hole in the top, and a cord or yarn can be threaded through to wear it
as a necklace. For extra fun, tie the yarn in a friendship knot! Always sign your name and the
date on the back of the friendship stick. Small friendship sticks can be pinned on a camp hat.

Attach a card to your friendship stick with the saying: “This little stick means friendship of a
very special kind. A friend you know is really great and very hard to find. Have fun making a
friendship stick and giving it to a new or old friend!

How to paint your Friendship Stick

Front of Stick Represents

? Green Cap Girl Scouts
? Yellow Hair Sunlight
? Blue Eye Light-eyed people of the world
? Brown Eye Dark-eyed people of the world
? Black Nose Strength and Courage
? Red Smile Truth and Honesty
? Cross All races coming together to work for peace
? Green Dot Hope and Friendship
? Yellow, Red, Black, White Dots Races of the world
? Black Belt Duty to country
? Orange Dot Faith in your religion, your self, your fellow
man, your Girl Scout Promise and Law

Back of Stick

? Heart – half gold, half silver Gold for old friends, silver for new friends
? Blue vertical rectangle Loyalty and Purity
? Your signature and date Giver of the Friendship Stick



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FRIENDSHIP STICK POEM

This little stick means "Friendship" of a very special kind,
A "Friend" you know is really great, and very hard to find.

The Green Cap is the hat that the Girl Scout wore
When "Scouting new worlds" and learning to explore.

The hair is the color of sunlight, and all that it can mean,
The eyes of light and dark skin people are very plainly seen.

The nose stands for strength and courage that makes our freedom ring.
The mouth for truth and honesty, qualities of which we sing.

The crossroads of all the races joining a brotherhood,
Of yellow, red, black, and white for all our mutual good.

Duty to God is uppermost, as every Scout should know.
Next is duty to our country, for freedom we strike a blow.

The orange sign of helping others means much to those that do,
While a heart of gold and silver stands for friends, old and new.

The givers sign our totem at the back of the stick,
Provides a permanent record of a friend you won't forget.

The color you find on the bottom means my loyalty is true,
It's also the color of the skies, a pure and royal blue.

A friend like this is hard to find, for there are very few;
And when a friend like this is found, the person will be true
Because this person tried to be a real good friend to you.

[missy dunlap]

FRIENDSHIP TWIST CEREMONY
(by C. McLane)

Supplies Needed
2 pieces of chunky wool, cut in 12” pieces
2 friends

Instructions
1. Put the two pieces of wool together and have each friend hold one end.
2. While holding tight, one person (“the friend maker”) twists the wool as tight as possible.
This represents how tight and strong you want the friendship to be.
3. The “friend maker” rubs the string – to smooth out any differences you may have with the
other person – and stops her fingers in the middle of the length of wool.
4. While the “friend maker” still holds the middle, the new friend folds her end and gives it to
the “friend maker” to signify giving her friendship also.
5. The “friend maker” ties a knot at her end, representing the sealing of a friendship that can not
be broken.
6. The “friend maker” then takes the wool and shakes it, signifying shaking out all the parts of
the friendship that might cause problems and arguments.
7. What you have is a “Friendship Twist” that the “friend maker” presents to her new friend!

[missy dunlap]

TROOP FRIENDSHIP QUILT

Supplies Needed
Poster Board – 5-6” square pieces
Old Magazines
Markers
Glue
Scissors

Instructions
Each girl creates her own quilt square that tells all about herself. A self-portrait can be placed in
the center of the square. At each corner of the square, girls can show their hobbies or interests.
Use pictures, drawings, or magazine cut outs to represent their favorite things. Glue the squares
together on a larger piece of poster board to create a troop “quilt”. For a more advanced
adventure, make your troop quilt using fabric squares, fabric paint, or embroidery floss, and hand
or machine stitch the finished squares together.

[missy dunlap]

FRIENDSHIP KNOT

The Friendship Knot represents the special bond that is formed by friends in Girl Scouting. The loop at the top of the Friendship Knot makes an unending circle, representing the permanence of
the friendship. Legend says that a friendship knot can only be tied by a friend, and given to a friend. A friendship knot can only be received by a friend, and worn by a friend – never to be untied!

How to Tie a Friendship Knot

The knot takes its shape as two "S" curves that weave their way into each other to form the body of the knot. It is a stable knot, and will hold its shape after a minimum of tightening. Follow the illustrations below.

1. Lay the ribbon, yarn or cord flat on a table in an upside down “U” shape. Take the right cord and pass under the left cord and back over the left cord. Take the bottom of the left cord and go on top of the right cord and through the loop at the top. Leave the remainder of the left
cord hanging straight down.

2. Take the bottom of the right cord, pass it under the left cord and through the loop.

3. Before tightening, check to see that your knot looks like illustration #3. Tighten carefully by pulling the right and left cords at the same time.

4. The back of the finished knot.

5. The front of the finished knot.

[missy dunlap]

FRIENDSHIP CAKE

Various friendship cake starters have been passed from person to person for more than a hundred years. The original creation was called Amish Friendship Cake and was started as a mixture of flour, sugar and water. Airborne yeast fermented the mixture. The pioneers used the starter mixture as leavening and made pancakes, breads and cakes.
Today’s friendship bread recipes are more of a novelty than a necessity. A friend passes along the starter and instructions as well as a recipe. The starter mixture sits on the counter for seventy-two hours, until it becomes a fermented starter. Then, according to tradition, the starter is fed and stirred daily. The stirring must be done with a wooden spoon for 10 more days. If it is not carefully nurtured, the starter will die. But then if it lives, the resulting mixture must be divided. One portion goes into a quick bread or cake batter, another is kept, and the two remaining portions are given to friends, thus the name - Friendship Bread.

There are many versions of the starter as well as the bread and cake recipes. Some have fruit, nuts, or raisins, and some are made with whole wheat flour.

Friendship Cake Starter Recipe

1 package active dry yeast
3 cups warm water (105° to 115°F), divided
2 cups all purpose flour, sifted
2 tablespoons sugar

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water, stirring well; let stand 5 minutes or until bubbly.
Combine remaining water, flour and sugar in a medium size, non- metallic bowl; mix well. Add dissolved yeast and stir well. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or cheesecloth and let stand in a warm place (80°-85°F) three days, stirring 2-3 times daily.
Place fermented mixture in refrigerator at this point. Stir daily and use within 11 days. Always bring starter to room temperature before using in cake recipe. Allow to set in a warm place for one hour or longer before using. Stir well, and then measure the amount needed for recipe.
You can also divide the mixture on day 10. Measure two to thr ee cups of the starter for your recipe. Divide remaining starter into one cup portions. Place in plastic or glass containers, loosely cover with plastic wrap. Give one cup each to friends along with the "Nurturing Your
Starter" instructions and cake recipe.

Nurturing Your Starter

Your starter should have a sweet yeasty smell. If at any time you notice signs of spoilage toss the starter and begin again. Do not add milk, cream, or eggs to starter or it may produce harmful bacteria.

Day #1 The day your receive your 1 cup of starter, stir the mixture with a wooden spoon, let it sit on a counter, loosely covered with crumpled plastic wrap or wax paper for one day. Do not refrigerate at this point. Use a non-metallic container.

Day #2, 3, 4 Refrigerate, and stir the mixture each day, keeping loosely covered.

Day #5 Transfer the starter to a larger glass or ceramic jar or bowl.
Add the following “starter food”:
1 cup water
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
Stir to mix, cover loosely and return batter to the refrigerator. Mixture will
expand. Your container should not be more than half full.

Day #6, 7, 8, 9 Stir only and keep refrigerated, loosely covered.

Day # 10 You may need to transfer the batter to an even larger container. Add more “starter food” and stir. Allow starter to sit at room temperature for one hour. Remove 3 cup for three friends, and measure 3 cups for the following recipe.

Note: If you keep a cup for yourself, start over, beginning with Day #1.

Friendship Cake

1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped apples
3 cups “Starter”
1 cup raisins or chopped nuts
1 egg plus 2 egg whites

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl, set aside. In another large bowl mix starter, egg and whites, sugar, oil and vanilla. Add flour mixture, apples and raisins or nuts. Pour into a greased and floured tube pan or 9 x 11 loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Cool and dust with powdered sugar.

Note: Any combination of fruit and nuts can be used as long as the total equals 2 cups. Try crushed and drained pineapple, dates, pecans, or almonds.


Friendship Coffee Cake
1 cup flour 1/3 cup oil
½ cup sugar 1 egg
1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda 1 cup “Starter”
½ cup raisins ¼ cup chopped nuts

In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add starter, oil, egg, raisins, and nuts. Stir. Spread in a greased and floured 8 or 9 inch square pan. Sprinkle with topping (recipe below). Bake 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees or until light golden brown and
toothpick comes out clean. The recipe can also be doubled and baked in a 9 x 13 pan for 45 minutes.

Topping:
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoon flour
2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 ½ teaspoon sugar

Mix with fork until smooth.

[missy dunlap]

FRIENDLY PLACES
Wow – did you know that there are some really “friendly” places in the United States? See if anyone in your troop has visited these towns!

Friend, Nebraska
Friendly, Maryland
Friendship, Tennessee
Friendship, Maine
Friendship, Wisconsin
Friendsville, Tennessee
Friendsville, Maryland
Friendswood, Texas

It looks like Maryland and Tennessee each have two friendly towns. Does your state have any “friendly” places? Be on the lookout for friendly towns on your next road trip!

[missy dunlap]

How do I rate as a friend quiz

How do you rate as a friend to all? Circle your answer. You must be completely honest with yourself on this.

1. Do I make fun of other people’s religious beliefs just because they are different from my own? Yes No sometimes

2. Am I jealous of other people’s possessions? Yes No sometimes

3. Do I call other’s names that might hurt their feelings? Yes No sometimes

4. Do I make fun of people if they have an accent different from mine?
Yes No sometimes

5. Do I shun people who are “not like me?” Yes No sometimes

6. Do I ignore others or make fun of them because they are not “cool”
Yes No sometimes

7. Do I stereotype people by thinking whole groups of people are alike: such as all blondes are dumb-all cheerleaders are stuck up-all jocks are stupid-
Yes No sometimes

8. Do I keep my temper in control? Yes No sometimes

9. Do I insist on having my way all the time? Yes No sometimes

10. Do I get upset and whine and pout when I do not get my way?
Yes No sometimes

11. Do I try and blame others when I loose my temper? Yes No sometimes

12. Do I respect other peoples wishes and? Yes No sometimes

13. Do I say mean things about people behind their backs? Yes No sometimes

14. Do I share my things with others? Yes No sometimes

15. Do I do chores and assignments on time and to the best of my ability?
Yes No sometimes

16. Do I make excuses when I do not do my chores and assignments on time or to the best of my ability? Yes No sometimes

17. Am I Polite and wait my turn in all things? Yes No sometimes

18. Do I put others needs before myself? Yes No sometimes

[missy dunlap]

How to Be A True Friend

True friendship has a foundation in respect. To be a true friend it is important that you:

• Respect your friends, by not talking behind their backs even when you are angry;
• By not taking sides between two friends or groups of friends;
• Believe that your friend's intentions are always for the best;
• Respect your friend enough to accept an apology for a wrong;
• Respect your friend even when you are feeling jealous; and finally
• Respect your selves.

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Why Friendship Is a Two-Way Street

Additionally, you need to see friendship as a two-way street and learn the keys to how to be a good friend: Those keys include:

• Friends need to be sensitive to what their friends are experiencing and going through;
• Friends require time, time doing things, even if there is nothing to do;
• Knowing a true friendship involves both parties being "themselves" at all times (not pretending to be someone they aren't or like something they don't just to preserve the friendship);



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The Best Friend

Having a best friend is something that just about everyone -- girl, boy, man, woman, even dog -- desires. For girls, it's often vital to their self esteem, especially as they enter preteen and teen years. However it is important to not make that exclusive friendship so exclusive that it is the one and only friendship in a your life. That isn't healthy, that's dependency. If the friendship is based on dependency, and something happens to that friend or that friendship -- it can be devastating and leave a life long hurt.

Sometimes best friends can not always feel as close one day to the next. Girls need to know this is a normal phenomenon. That's why you should be encouraged to not only have a "best friend" but several "best friends" -- so that you don't lose yourselves, should the friendship end or fade.

One of the first things you need to know is that best friends grow from your acquaintances and casual friends. Secondly, you need to know that even best friends can change and that the friendship will change because of that fact.


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Mutual Respect and Equity in Friendship

Mutual respect and equity in friendship takes patience and nurturing. You must learn that respect is something you must demand in friendships and give freely in friendship. A true friend will respect your wishes---not make demands on you that make you unhappy or uncomfortable. You should do the same to be a true friend.

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Jealousy In Friendship

Jealousy has no place in friendship and it's important to understand that. You need to know that this is one thing that can poison and ruin a friendship. You need to know that there will always be someone who has more than you do. Just like, there will always be other girls who have less than you. Overcoming jealousy is a difficult thing to learn. Jealousy is sometimes rooted in poor self-esteem. Jealousy is also rooted in fears, both rational and irrational. It’s one of life's most powerful emotions and learning to fight this emotional demon can be one of the most challenging we may face when it comes to friendships with other girls.

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The Ingredients of a Good Friendship

Just like baking a cake, the ingredients of a good friendship are key to a lasting friendship.

Ingredients:
• Being someone who is there for both the good times and bad
• Being someone you can trust
• Being someone who won't judge you and accepts you for who you really are
• Being someone who won't deliberately hurt you
• Being someone who always tells you the truth
• Being someone who will listen when you need them to
• Being someone who will not betray you
• Being someone who is not an on-again/off-again friend


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Bullies

Sadly, bullies and bullying are making headlines across our nation. Let's take a look at why girl's in particular, are given to this behavior:

• Attention seeking
• To gain respect of peers (albeit false respect that means nothing)
• To gain popularity among peers
• To make themselves feel superior
• To deal with their own feelings of jealousy
• To deal with their own lack of self esteem
• Because their friends are also bullying

It's important that you understand that bullying is cruelty, teasing, hitting, and worse. It may surprise them to know that bullying also involves:
• Gossiping
• Name calling
• Telling lies about someone
• Spreading rumors
• Excluding someone
• Picking on someone for being different than you or your friends
• Text-messaging mean or unkind words
• Internet and phone calls of an unkind nature

Sometimes we start off with what we think is just playing around and it can get out of hand and someone’s feelings can be hurt. Anytime you are “just teasing” or “just playing” and your friend asks you to stop then STOP!!!! Before that playing ends up becoming bullying and someone gets hurt.


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The Importance of Knowing the Difference between Cliques and a Group of Friends

Group friendships are important and good, while cliques are neither normal or healthy. It's hard to convey to young girls that subtle difference, when wanting to belong and fit in are so important to your self esteem.

Being a friend, within a group of friends can:
• Help you develop relationship skills
• Give support
• Get support
• Share ideas and accomplishments
• Share common interests
• Just be fun

However, unhealthy group friendships, that go out of their way to not include anyone new, or anyone who is not a part of the "group" is clearly a clique.
Girls within these cliques can often be mean, purposely hurt others, exclude other girls, and sometimes even victimize or bully both girls outside the clique and the weaker members inside the clique.

You can help yourself develop good and lasting friendships by:

• Learning to respect yourself and others
• Being involved in activities and interests that make you feel good about yourselves
• always be open to new friendships
• Speaking up and speaking out. if one of your friends is treating another person wrong
• Learning to think for yourself…not just follow the crowd because it is easy
• Being the kind of friend that you would like your friends to be for you