Theater Badge Field Trip

We have a field trip scheduled for a backstage tour at PCPA Theater with the opportunity to visit the costume, scenery and prop shops as well if there is interest and time. Our tour guide will be Actor & PCPA Director, Mark Booher.

Note: this is a backstage tour and NOT a viewing of the performance.

When: Friday, December 16th at 3:30 (Arrive by 3:15 - I imagine it would be about an hour)
Where: Marian and Severson Theater at Allan Hancock College Campus

This outing is offered troop-wide and there will be leader supervision.

Whether you are working on this badge or not, you can still note any requirements you complete in case you work on this badge at a later date. There are several potential requirements that could be completed here - check your handbook and see what questions you should ask for credit - come with a list.

For details, see:
#7 (Explorers) - backstage tour
#10 (Any age) - visit costume shop
#11 (Any age) - learn about behind-the-scenes jobs (lighting, directing, make-up, props, etc)
#12 (Any age) - Interview an actor or actress
#13 (Pi/Pat) - backstage tour plus attend the performance (you'll have to do that on your own - #5 for all ages is also attendance of a performance)

Badge Idea - Take Advantage of the Rich Chumash History in Our Area!

As most people who live here know, the Central Coast is rich in Native American History! If you're trying to decide what badge to work on next, why not consider the Native American Badge?

Pounding Acorns for a Native
 American Meal

Requirement #5 - Learn about Squanto: Thanksgiving is the perfect time to study this famous figure in history and how he helped the Pilgrims.

Requirement #7 (Explorers) - Visit a Museum: Did you know the Lompoc Museum has a substantial collection of Chumash and other Native American artifacts? This is also a good place to visit for Requirement #8 which has you researching a local tribe.

Chumash Painted Cave

The Lompoc Museum is one of several outings you can take to thoroughly research many of the requirements for this badge at all AHG levels. You can also view authentic cave painting at the Chumash Painted Cave off Highway 154 and learn a lot from the Chumash displays at La Purisima Mission (go anytime or check their calendar for living history events with hands on Chumash activities).

*Note: the time spent at the Painted Cave can be measured in minutes - there's barely "side-of-the-road" parking for 3 cars and there's only one place to view the art. It can be a quick stop-over on your way from Santa Maria/Lompoc to Santa Barbara. HOWEVER, the dry riverbed full of rocks across the road was an endless fascination for my kids. Can anyone say "Geology Badge?"

Take the whole family and have fun with this one!

Remember to check-off and date any badge requirements that you do even if you are not officially working on the badge - you'll be that much closer if at some point you do decide to complete it.

Community Caroling and Fellowship!

In the spirit of "loving our neighbor," we are planning a Christmas Caroling outing in the neighborhood surrounding Pine Grove Baptist Church.We will simply stroll down a few streets, spreading Christmas joy for an hour or so. Then we'll head over to the church for hot chocolate and cider!

When: Saturday, December 12th - meet at 5:30

Where:  Meet at the intersection of Sagecrest and Alderwood (lots of parking on Alderwood - Trilogy neighborhood off of Rice Ranch)
Details: Wear uniform but bring a sweater and comfortable shoes - festive hats are encouraged; plan to have an early dinner at home first; we will be meeting up at the church afterwards for hot chocolate and treats so, if you would like, bring a Christmas treat to share. If you want, you can drop off any cookie/snack plates at the church at 5:15 on your way to the meet-up location

This is to be a special time for our girls to simply have fun with each other while fun celebrating our Lord and Savior.

Can We Impact Lives? You Bet We Can!

In looking up the details for caroling at Atterdag Village, I noticed some photos that looked familiar! Our recent service at the Veteran's Day Celebration on 11/11 was noted on their website (to see what they said about Erling Grumstup, click here). They even mentioned the loving gift of a retired American flag star mounted, framed, and distributed by our own Patriot, Mollie.

This is just a reminder that every simple act of love and kindness WILL impact someone's life, even if it doesn't wind up on the internet. Keep up the good work of spreading the love of Jesus wherever we go!

Blessing Seniors This Christmas

Would you like to join with our sister troop in Santa Ynez to bring Christmas joy to the elderly?

Atterdag Village 2015

What:  Christmas Caroling
Where:  Atterdag Village Retirement Center, 636 Atterdag Road, Solvang
When: December 5th, 4:00 p.m.
Details:  Wear your AHG uniform, Christmas hats and adornments encouraged. Plan to arrive a little early.

For Your Information...

Thank you for remembering to sign your daughters in and out on meeting days! 

Some may not have noticed the other sign-up sheets on the back tables. These are to help us know who and how many will be participating in various activities and service opportunities. They are also there to help communicate with YOU so that you can know what opportunities are on the Horizon.

If you aren't already in the habit of checking the back table, make sure you stop there each meeting and let us know:

1) if you have a Tenderheart or Explorer who needs to present badgework completed at home (sign-up for the preferred meeting date).

2) if you are planning to attend any of the upcoming service opportunities or family activities (put your daughter's/family's name on the appropriate sign-up sheet).

Help Gwen and Have Fun at Oso Flaco!

ONE OF OUR EXPLORERS IS ORGANIZING A HIKE 
TO EARN HER LEWIS AND CLARK LEVEL AWARD!  

Oso Flaco Boardwalk

Where: Oso Flaco Lake State Park 
When:  December 3rd from 1:30-3:30 pm.  
Cost:  Parking is $5 per vehicle

Details:  It is a 1.5 mile hike out and back that is stroller friendly (most of the trail - unless you want to go out on the beach).  

We will be working on some requirements for the hiking patch.  Make sure to bring sunscreen, water, and a snack.  One of the requirements for the Tenderhearts is pack a snack for their hike.  

Bring your families and we hope to see you there!

AHG Troop 0247 "IN ACTION"...

Joining Award Ceremony

Light for Christ

Tenderheart Badge Awards

The Moment We've All Been Waiting For...

Mom and Daughter - Two Hearts for Christ

AHG Mother/Daughter(s) Love

Cheeeeeese!

Christmas Caroling 12/10

Singing by Candlelight

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

And the music doesn't end...

Hot Chocolate and Goodies

Christmas Cheer

Safety Tips with Gwen before the hike...

Oso Flaco Lake

On the move...

Made it to the beach (it's a tad windy)

 Pathfinders Are Ready to Sing -
Bringing Cuteness to the World!

Ready for the Veteran's Day Program to Begin

God Bless America!

Lunch time for the families!

Serving Those Who Served Our Country

Passing Out Thank You Cards

CAKE!

A Job Well Done - Time to Eat!

Serving at Care Net Pregnancy Center -
Oct. 29th

Serving (and Sorting)
at Care Net Pregnancy Center - Oct. 29

Serving at Care Net Pregnancy Center -
Oct. 29th

Opening Flag Ceremony

Singing Together

Servants Circle

Sharing the Geology Badge

Sharing the Ancestor Detector Badge

National Day of Service - Sept. 17th -
SMFD Station 1

 

National Day of Service -
Sept. 17th - SMPD

Don't Forget to Log Your Service Hours!

American Heritage Girls have a fun time earning badges, but we're all about Christ-like service to our community! Be sure to keep track of your service hours and earn service stars - there is a handy log sheet on pg. 68 of the handbook. That will fill up quickly, but you can staple additional sheets on top as needed.

The following hours are required for each level to earn one star:

Tenderhearts - 5 hours/star
Explorers - 10 hours/star
Pioneers - 15 hours/star
Patriots - 20 hours/star

Knowing service hours is also important for any troop member who wishes to earn her Level Award (Sacagawea, Lewis & Clark, Harriet Tubman, or Dolley Madison Awards).

Besides the actual service events, don't forget to include time spent beforehand. For example, include making cards and cookies for the National Day of Service, baking for the Trunk or Treat Event, and collecting items in your neighborhood for Care Net. Just add them into the total for a given service project - no need to itemize them in your log.

Individual Service Opportunity: Salvation Army Bell Ringers Needed

Some members of our AHG troop have done this in past years and had a wonderful time. You can purchase small candy canes to pass out or play Christmas music while you wish others a Merry Christmas and help out a great cause. It's also a great opportunity to earn more service hours.

Note: This is a fundraiser for a different organization. Girls can earn service hours but SHOULD NOT wear any sort of AHG uniform (class A or B).

Any families interested in doing this should contact Carmen at 805-354-0124.

Time to Assemble Your Operation Christmas Child Shoebox!

It may seem early, but shoeboxes must be turned in at our upcoming 11/14 meeting so that they can be delivered to the facility and shipped on time. The girls watched a video on the the Operation Christmas Child program at the last meeting and are excited about sending love overseas.

Box labels were placed in the Family Communication File Box several weeks ago (note: PGBC also has some if you need more or didn't check your file). Labels can also be downloaded HERE.

Girls should bring their completed boxes (can be an ordinary shoebox, an "official" OCC box, or the plastic shoeboxes from the $ Store) and they should be appropriately labeled. For information on correctly packing your shoebox, visit the OCC website link HERE.

What should you put in yours? Here are a couple of helpful links: 101 Operation Christmas Child Ideas and 50 Best Items to Pack.