Seasons of Service Patch Program® Group

Set of 4 embroidered iron-on patches each measuring 2″.

Each patch also available individually:

• Summer of Service Patch – Wedge
• Fall Food Drive Patch – Wedge
• Winter Warmth Patch – Wedge
• Spring Planting Patch – Wedge

 

The “Seasons of Service” patch program® is designed to encourage Girl Scouts to make a positive impact on their communities throughout the year. Scouts will have the opportunity to develop valuable skills, foster a sense of responsibility, and experience the satisfaction of helping others. This program aims to inspire girls to become active members of their communities and instill a lifelong commitment to service.

We have 42 community service ideas for your group.

Suggestions for how girls can earn the Spring Planting Patch.

Great for multi-level troops. Older girls can lead the planning and organizing and younger girls can help complete the project.

Girls will enjoy getting outside and getting their hands dirty. And gardening is great way to get some exercise and Vitamin D.

1. Choose your team. Will this be done with your troop? Your service unit? Family? Friends? What about the engaging the whole community?
2. Choose a location. Walk, ride your bike or drive around your community to scout out some potential locations. Look for new locations that could use beautification or established locations that could use some improvement. Consider local regulations and obtaining any necessary permissions or permits.
3. Choose a project. What would be the best type of planting for your chosen location? Think about maintenance. Most gardens will need maintenance. Who will be doing the maintenance? Generally, tree planting will not require as much follow up work.
   Here are 12 ideas:

• • Community Garden: Organize a community garden project where volunteers can come together to plant vegetables, flowers, and herbs. This not only beautifies the community but also provides fresh produce for local residents.
  • Tree Planting: Coordinate a tree planting initiative in collaboration with local authorities or environmental organizations. Planting trees helps to combat climate change, improve air quality, and enhance the overall aesthetics of the neighborhood.
  • School Beautification: Work with schools to enhance their outdoor spaces by planting flowers, shrubs, and small trees. This can create a more inviting and pleasant environment for students, staff, and visitors.
  • Park Restoration: Identify a local park in need of restoration and organize a community effort to plant native plants, repair pathways, and clean up the area. This can revitalize the park and make it more enjoyable for everyone.
  • Senior Center Landscaping: Partner with a local senior center to plant flowers, create raised garden beds, or establish a small herb garden. This not only adds beauty but also provides a therapeutic and engaging activity for the senior residents.
  • Urban Farming: Start an urban farming project in vacant lots or unused spaces within the community. Teach residents how to plant and maintain crops, promoting sustainable agriculture and providing fresh food options.
  • Community Orchard: Establish a community orchard by planting fruit trees in a designated area. This initiative can promote healthy eating habits, provide free fruits for the community, and create a sense of pride and ownership among residents.
  • Flower Bed Installation: Collaborate with local businesses or organizations to create and install flower beds in public areas such as sidewalks, parks, or plazas. Bright and colorful flower arrangements can uplift community spirits and attract visitors.
  • Native Plant Restoration: Identify areas where native plants have been displaced by invasive species and work with local conservation groups to restore these habitats. Planting native species helps maintain biodiversity and supports local ecosystems.
  • Rooftop Gardens: Encourage the establishment of rooftop gardens in residential or commercial buildings within the community. This innovative idea not only beautifies rooftops but also promotes urban greening, improves insulation, and reduces energy consumption.
  • Butterfly Garden: Research the best plants to attract pollinators. Find a local spot to plant the garden. Consider asking a beekeeper for help. Bees are an important part of our ecosystem.
  • Throw a Garden Party: Choose an area to plant a garden such as a local Assisted Living Center. Get the area ready to plant and invite the residents to help with the planting. Make it a planting party and provide refreshments and music.

4. Make a list of everything you will need including supplies and tools. What types of tools can be borrowed? Will you ask the community for use of their tools? What will you need for supplies? Where will the funds come from? Will you ask local businesses to donate some of the supplies? Will you need to do some money-earning activities?

5. Set a timeline.

6. Complete your project. Take photos or videos to submit to media and post on social media.

7. Reflect on your project with your team. Would you have done anything differently?

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Suggestions for how girls can earn the Summer of Service Patch.

1. Choose your team. Will this be done with your troop? Your service unit? Family? Friends? What about the engaging the whole community?
2. Choose a project. What would be the best type of summer service for your community?Here are 12 ideas:

• • Hydration Drive: Organize a campaign to collect and distribute water bottles to homeless individuals or outdoor workers during hot summer days.
  • Cooling Station Setup: Set up cooling stations in public areas, such as parks or community centers, where people can rest and cool down during hot days.
  • Fan Distribution: Collect donations of fans or raise funds to purchase fans, then distribute them to elderly individuals or families in need who may not have access to air conditioning.
  • Community Garden Maintenance: Volunteer to help maintain community gardens during the summer months by watering the plants and ensuring they are thriving in the heat.
  • Youth Mentorship: Become a mentor to younger children by organizing summer workshops or activities that promote learning, creativity, or personal development.
  • Energy Efficiency Awareness: Create educational materials or host workshops to raise awareness about energy-efficient practices that can help reduce energy consumption and lower the heat index in homes and communities.
  • Assisting Local Libraries: Offer to help at the library by shelving books, organizing reading programs, or assisting with summer reading initiatives.
  • Heat Safety Campaign: Develop and distribute informational brochures or pamphlets about heat safety tips and precautions to distribute to community members, particularly targeting vulnerable populations like the elderly or young children.
  • Pool Safety Education: Offer swimming lessons or organize a pool safety awareness program to teach children and adults about water safety and how to prevent accidents during the summer months.
  • Shade Tree Planting: Organize a tree-planting initiative in parks or other public spaces to increase shade and provide relief from the summer heat.
  • Clothing Drive: Collect gently used summer clothing items, such as lightweight shirts, shorts, and hats, to donate to organizations that support individuals in need during hot weather.
  • Beach Cleanup: Arrange a beach cleanup event to help maintain the cleanliness of local beaches and protect marine life. Ensure that participants are mindful of the heat and take appropriate precautions while cleaning up.
  • Assisting at Community Events: Volunteer at local fairs, festivals, or charitable events to help with setup, organization, and activities.

3. Make a list of everything you will need including supplies and tools. What types of tools can be borrowed? Will you ask the community for use of their tools? What will you need for supplies? Where will the funds come from? Will you ask local businesses to donate some of the supplies? Will you need to do some money-earning activities?

4. Set a timeline.

5. Complete your project. Take photos or videos to submit to media and post on social media.

6. Reflect on your project with your team. Would you have done anything differently?

Remember to consult with local authorities or community organizations to ensure compliance with any regulations or guidelines when organizing these activities.

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Suggestions for how girls can earn the Fall Food Drive Patch.

1. Choose your team. Will this be done with your troop? Your service unit? Family? Friends? What about the engaging the whole community?
2. Choose a project. What would be the best type of summer service for your community?Here are 10 ideas:

• • Leaf Raking for Donations: Organize a group of kids to offer leaf raking services in exchange for Thanksgiving meals for families in need. Advertise in your neighborhood and create a list items to be donated as payment for the service.
  • Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods: Instead of collecting candy on Halloween, kids can go door-to-door in their neighborhoods asking for canned goods or other non-perishable food items to support local food drives. This can also be done as a Trunk-or-Treat event.
  • Apple Picking for a Cause: Organize a trip to a local apple orchard and encourage kids to pick extra apples to donate to food banks or shelters. This can be a fun and productive way to enjoy the fall season while helping those in need.
  • Bake Sale for Hunger Relief: Host a fall-themed bake sale where kids can bake and sell homemade treats like pumpkin pie, apple cider donuts, or caramel apples. Proceeds can be used to help stock a local food bank or charity.
  • Harvest Festival Food Drive: Plan a fall-themed event like a harvest festival and request attendees to bring non-perishable food items as their entry fee. Include activities like bobbing for apples, pumpkin decorating, and hayrides to make it a fun-filled day for the community.
  • Soup Kitchen Volunteer Day: Find a local soup kitchen or shelter and organize a group of kids to volunteer their time serving meals or helping with food preparation. Fall is a great time to offer warm and comforting meals to those in need.
  • Canstruction Contest: Challenge kids to create artistic sculptures or structures using canned goods. Set up a donation station where people can contribute canned goods to vote for their favorite creation. After the event, all the donated food can be given to a local food bank.
  • Fall Food Drive Concert: Organize a community concert featuring local musicians and bands. Instead of selling tickets, ask attendees to bring non-perishable food items as their admission fee. Create a festive atmosphere with autumn decorations and encourage everyone to contribute to the food drive.
  • Neighborhood Pumpkin Patch: Set up a pumpkin patch in your neighborhood and offer pumpkins for sale. The proceeds can go towards purchasing additional food items for the food drive. Make sure to inform buyers that their purchase is supporting a good cause.
  • Cooking Class for a Cause: Host a cooking class for kids where they can learn to prepare fall-inspired recipes using inexpensive and nutritious ingredients. Ask participants to bring non-perishable food items as their registration fee, which will be donated to a local food bank.

3. Set a timeline.

4. Complete your project. Take photos or videos to submit to media and post on social media.

5. Reflect on your project with your team. Would you have done anything differently?

Remember to consult with local authorities or community organizations to ensure compliance with any regulations or guidelines when organizing these activities.

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Suggestions for how girls can earn the Winter Warmth Patch.

Staying warm during cold weather can be life saving. Your girls can make a difference in the community by providing winter warmth to someone in need.

1. Winter Clothing Drive: Organize a community-wide winter clothing drive where kids can collect and donate gently used coats, hats, gloves, and scarves to those in need. Coordinate with local shelters, schools, or charities to distribute the collected items to individuals or families who may not have adequate winter clothing.

2. Knitting for a Cause: Teach kids how to knit or crochet warm winter accessories like hats, scarves, or blankets. They can create these items and donate them to homeless shelters, nursing homes, or hospitals to provide warmth and comfort during the winter months.

3. Snow Shoveling Assistance: Gather a group of kids and offer to shovel snow for elderly or disabled individuals in the neighborhood. This act of kindness will not only help those who may have difficulty clearing their driveways and walkways but also foster a sense of community spirit.

4. Winter Care Packages: Assemble care packages with winter essentials such as hand warmers, lip balm, tissues, and socks. Distribute these packages to homeless individuals or low-income families in the community to provide some relief during the cold winter season.

5. Holiday Meal Delivery: Coordinate with a local food bank or community center to deliver warm holiday meals to families in need. Kids can assist with preparing and packaging the meals, as well as distributing them to those who may not have the means to celebrate during the winter holidays.

6. Winter Book Drive: Encourage kids to collect new or gently used books and create a winter-themed library in a local community center or school. This project promotes literacy while providing an indoor activity for children during the colder months.

7. Blanket-Making Workshop: Organize a blanket-making workshop where kids can learn how to create tied fleece blankets. These cozy blankets can be donated to homeless shelters, foster care agencies, or hospitals to offer comfort and warmth to those in need.

8. Winter Toy Drive: Host a winter toy drive to collect new or gently used toys for underprivileged children. These toys can be distributed during holiday events or donated to local organizations that support families in need, bringing joy and warmth to children during the winter season.

9. Winter Safety: Reach out to the community to provide information about hypothermia and frostbite. Community member should be asked to check on their neighbors during cold spells.

10. Winter Wellness Workshop: Plan a workshop for kids to learn about winter wellness and self-care. Activities can include making natural lip balm or hand lotion, teaching yoga or mindfulness techniques, and providing tips on staying healthy and active during the colder months. This project empowers kids to take care of themselves and share their newfound knowledge with others in the community.