Crowd Pleasers

See larger photo

Girl Scout troop leaders are experts at entertaining packs of kids. We reached out to Girl Scout volunteers across the nation, asking for their best group activities. A flood of inspiring stories and ingenious ideas came in from hundreds of troops. Here's one of our favorites.

TROOP: Girl Scout Troop 496
HOMETOWN: Bristow, Oklahoma
LEADER: Kamrynn Johnson

What They Did: The troop transformed scrap paper into greeting cards that will sprout pretty wildflowers when planted.

Why They Love This Idea: Making this double-duty paper is a hands-on lesson in conservation. "We'd been learning about the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle," says Kamrynn. "This project earned the girls a badge and was a fun way to make the world a better place, which is part of the Girl Scout Law. They can't wait to do it again this year."

Materials

• FOR EACH CARD:
• 1-1/2 cups of 1-inch scraps made from newspaper, construction paper, or used printer paper
• Large bowl of warm water
• Masking tape
• 6- by 10-inch piece of window screen

• Blender
• 9- by 13-inch baking pan
• Packet of wildflower seeds
• Bath towels
• Markers

Instructions

1. Place the scraps in the bowl of warm water and soak overnight.

2. Fold strips of tape over the edges of the screen to make it easier to handle.

3. Place the soaked paper into the blender, then fill the blender halfway with fresh water. Blend until the mixture looks like a thick, creamy soup.

4. Add water to the baking pan until it's a quarter full, then pour in the blended pulp. Add the packet of wildflower seeds and mix well with your hands.

5. Slip the screen into the pan so that it slides beneath the pulp and seeds. Lift it gently, catching the pulp mixture in an even layer on top and allowing the water to drain off.

6. Lay the screen on a bath towel, moving it to a dry area when the fabric below is saturated. Let the paper dry for at least 24 hours.

7. When the paper has dried completely, gently remove it from the screen. Add a message with the markers.

• Previous: Compliment Sheets
• Next: Pudding Cones