| SWAPS Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere OR Share With A Pal |
| Swaps are small crafts that Girl Scouts give as gifts or trade. Their origin is Native American. Swaps can be simple or complex, cheap or expensive, They are usually only an inch or two in size, and attach with a safety pin. Traditionally, girls wear them on a hat. Why Swap? To promote friendship. To learn to talk to other people. To have mementos of a good time. To share our handiwork with other scouts. Swap Etiquette Swaps to trade are kept in a ziploc bag, shoe box, on a friendship tie, or anything else easy to carry. Always bring plenty to trade or give away. Keepers are pinned on hats, bandannas, or a specific area of a shirt. It is rude to refuse to trade with someone when they ask. If you already have an identical swap or you don't like the item, accept it politely and give them one of yours with a Girl Scout Smile. Always say "Thank You." |
| Swaps were started at a Native American Potlatch Ceremony. According to the story, two INdian girls took multi-colored feathers from a magic bird and gave them to the colorless birds living in the forest. From that thime on, birds had brightly colored feathers and those gifts are remembered at potlatch ceremonies. Potlatch ceremonies take place when there is a birth, death, marriage, or coming of age to celebrate. Families are summoned to the ceremony by a messenger carrying a bundle of stickes containing the exact number of stickes for the number of people being invited. The ceremony includes speeches, songs, dances, games, races and refreshments. Their host and his family members are dressed in costumes and enact legends about their heritages. The potlatch gifts come last. Since they were symbols of the families status in the village, they are quite fancy. Some of the gifts presented are carved boxes, canoes, dishes, jewelry, mats and baskets. |
| The Legend |
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