Girl Scout   S.W.A.P.S. Special  • Whatchamacallits  • Affectionately  • Pinned • Somewhere -- or -- Share • With • A • Pal

The following information is comprised from: http://www.makingfriends.com/pro_swaphistory.htm The History       The origin of SWAPS is Native American. Potlatch is the ceremonial exchange of gifts practiced by Native Americans of Northwest Coastal tribes. (More detailed info. about Potlatch  can be found on the above website.)       The idea of SWAPS was started at the original National Roundup Conferences. At that time a SWAP was a little remembrance that one  Scout gave another. SWAPS are handmade, thus the girl is giving a  part of herself to show friendship. Swaps are exchanged at National Conventions, Council events, Wider Ops, SU or neighborhood events, troop meetings and most frequently at day camp. They can have a tag attached with the event name and date or the Troop number, Council name or State.       Swapping promotes friendship, and encourages girls to talk  to other people.  SWAPS are great mementos of a good time as well as a great way to share something about where we live and what we do.                Top of Page: Felt Smore, Spider, Fly Swatter (Don’t Let Life Bug You”) Above: Mini Kaper Chart, Silver and Gold, GS Sign, Marbles (“to replace the ones you lost”), and a Clown (made on a pop can tab - “Just Clowning Around.”)

SWAPping Manners     SWAPping "do’s and don’ts" vary from council to council but      there are some basic rules that everyone should be aware of.      SWAPS for trade are carried separately from the ones you      want to keep. Keepers are frequently pinned on to hats      or bandanas. Sometimes they are pinned onto a specific area      of a shirt. SWAPS for trade can be in a SWAP bag, zipper      baggie, shoe box, a friendship tie or pinned onto ribbon, any thing      that can be easily carried. SWAPS are usually 1" to 2".       It is considered very rude to refuse to swap      with someone who asks.      If you don’t like the item you have been given or already      have an identical SWAP, accept it politely and give them      one of yours with a Girl Scout smile. (Try to make      your SWAPS something you would want to receive.)      ALWAYS say thank you!       Try to have a few extra SWAPS on hand for those people      who don’t have any to give in return. Most SWAPS have a      pin on them so they can be pinned to a hat or a shirt but      they don’t have to.      SWAPS should NOT contain edible food.      Food items can attract bugs and critters when outdoors. Some SWAP idea sites: http://www.gsswaps.net/  http://www.trudyd.homestead.com/swaps.html  http://www.makingfriends.com/swaps.htm  http://parentingteens.about.com/library/sp/gs/blswaps-index.htm