Ice Candles
This was one of my most memorable projects while at camp, and one of the super easiest! It sticks out in my memory because we made traditional dipped candles every year at camp, but this was something new and different.
Want to share photos of your troop and finished projects? Contact Us!
Materials Needed:
- Dye chips
- Paraffin wax
- Tapered candles
- Coffee cans
- Ice cubes
- Wax-lined milk carton or wax paper cups
- Saucepans
Directions:
- For larger candles, wash and dry the inside of a wax-lined milk carton. For smaller candles, use wax-lined paper cups. They should be clean enough out of the package that you won’t need to wash them first.
- Use or make a tapered (dripped) candle to use as the center to avoid having holes around the wick.
- Break wax into chunks and estimate how much you’ll need to fill half of the carton. Too much is always better than not enough.
- Make a double boiler by putting about an inch of water in a saucepan. Set a clean coffee can upright in the water.
- Set the heat to low and melt the wax in the coffee can.
- Add dye chips if you want colors. (you can substitute old crayons pieces)
- Fill the carton with ice cubes.
- Pour the melted wax on top of the ice.
- Let it cool.
- Pour out the water.
- Tear away the carton.
- Wait a few days before burning the candle – it needs time to dry.
Safety Tips!
- Always have adult supervision around hot wax.
- An adult should operate the double boiler.
- Steps 9-12 can be done by the troop leader between meetings since there may not be time during one meeting. If in a camp setting, you can hold onto the candles until the groups’ next arts & crafts time.
Kookaburra
This is a fun song we learned when learning about Australia for an International Day festival one year. I’m told it’s a popular song for children down under. When I was younger, I thought Kookaburra was a name for a Koala Bear, but it’s actually a large (11-17″) bird native to Australia and New Guinea. Kookaburras are known for their loud, unique call which sounds a lot like a human laugh, hence the song lyrics. For more information on kookaburras, check out Wikipedia.
Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
Merry merry king of the bush is he
Laugh Kookaburra, laugh Kookaburra
Gay your life must be
Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
Eating all the gumdrops he can see
Stop Kookaburra, stop Kookaburra
Leave some gums for me
Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
Counting all the monkeys he can see
Stop Kookaburra, stop Kookaburra
That’s no monkey, that’s ME!!!
Buy the sheet music below 
 look inside |
The FJH Young Beginner Guitar Method, Performance Book 2 Composed by Philip Groeber. Methods. The FJH Young Beginner Guitar Method. This title is on the 2011-2012-2013 National Federation of Music Clubs list. Guitar. Book. Published by The FJH Music Company Inc (FJ.G1023). |
Water Safety Guidelines
I’ve been meaning to post more first aid tips for troops. These first aid tops are helpful for outings and to teach the girls. Older girls can practice some of these techniques to learn.
Everyone should follow safe procedures when in, on, or around the water. The following are general water safety guidelines. All aged girls should review these guidelines before any water activities, even swimming.
- Learn to swim. Learn boating, general first aid, and CPR skills. Contact your local Red Cross for information about swimming, first aid, and CPR courses.
- Check with your local Red Cross, the U.S. Coast Guard, state boating officials, and other organizations about boating courses. Take a course before engaging in any new activities on the water.
- Know what to do in case of a water emergency.
- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when around water or when boating.
- Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts.
- Know how to prevent accidents, recognize hazards, and care for injuries.
For more, read Basic Water Rescue
