It isn’t always easy to find an expert to come to your troop and talk with the girls. Here are ways around that step when earning badges for older girls.
For many of the Cadette, Senior and Ambassador badges, the first step that is required is to “ask an expert”. While that is fine if you have a wide social circle, that isn’t always the case. People are very busy and post pandemic, are less inclined to come out to see people.
Here are two strategies that will help you accomplish Step One of an older girl badge without having to reach out too far.
Use Technology
It is hard to imagine a life without Zoom, Google Classroom, or having a telemedicine appointment. While I used to enjoy leaving my house to attend meetings and having the “parking lot conversations” that occurred afterwards, nowadays, that has changed. I am happy to sip my tea in my comfy clothes and if necessary, turn off my camera for a bit and just listen.
If you are in need of an expert who does not live locally, you can reach out to others who may be able to connect you with someone out of your area. Or maybe, there is a parent with a skill set that you do not know they have! Maybe they quilt, are a photographer, are an expert chef, or have written a book. I recently surprised many people by joining my synagogue’s choir. People did not know that I could sing!
The expert can have a Zoom call with your troop even when you are meeting in person. When my troop was in 6th grade, we actually Skyped with the other leader’s friend, and she helped the girls earn the Cadette Marketing badge.
YouTube Videos
There is so much knowledge out there on the internet, especially on YouTube. When I need to learn how to do something, I go there first. For example, there was a plumbing issue in my children’s bathroom that I had never encountered before. A quick search sent me to a video that gave me the instructions on how to fix the problem. Five minutes later, all was working as it should.
If you have the time, and need to find a video to help with “asking an expert”, become the expert yourself! You can talk to the girls and then show them small clips of videos with others sharing or showing the information that is needed to complete this step.
Don’t let the “Ask and Expert” part of the badge get in the way of earning it. Find a way around that obstacle with one of these two ideas.
What have you done when you have not been able to find a local expert?
