Junior Colonist is a Junior Badge from the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey Council.
Complete 5 activities, including the one started.
- Visit a Colonial era house or museum and lean about its history. Learn what girls typical day was like regarding schooling, chores, playtime, and household responsibilities, OR Visit you local historic preservation society and learn what their purpose is in our community. Tour the area or buildings they are trying to preserve and volunteer at one of their event. Inform you classmates or make a poster to educate the public about the society’s goals. Display your work in a public place.
- Research the colonial method of candle making and present your findings to your troop. Learn about natural scents and dyes used in candles. What safety precautions must be taken when making candles? With an adult, make a candle.
- Learn the process of fiber making in the colonial era. Explain the terms sheering, carding, spinning, bobbins, flier, spindle, weaving, warp and weft. Visit a fabric store and learn about natural fiber fabrics. Compare the characteristics of natural fibers to manmade fibers. Make a small weaving project. OR Learn what early colonist used to dye their fabrics. Make a least five different natural dyes and compare how cotton and wool samples take up the dye. Try using two different mordents and compare your results.
- How did children amuse themselves during their free time? Research some of the games they played or toys they made. Play one of the games with you troop or make a toy to share.
- Learn about colonial craftsmen, such as coppersmith, tanner, tinsmith, blacksmith, housewright, miller, locksmith, clockmaker, ironmaster, and limner. Which ones still exist today and why? Make a sample of one of these crafts.