GIRLS OF THE PAST PATCH PROGRAM
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All levels need to only complete 3 requirements
You may choose one requirement from each category to complete
or
you can complete all 3 requirements in one category
such as
Colonial, Pioneer, Native American or African American.

Pioneer
Transportation by covered wagon

1. Pioneer girls learned how to make quilts at an early age. Their families were in search of land in the west. Once they settled in their frontier home, there were chores to be completed. Research a chore or pastime of these pioneer girls. Are these chores similar to yours today? Complete a household chore of today that may represent this era of time.. Examples of chores: make candles, knitting, washing dishes, sewing, helping set the table for meals, cooking and make homemade scarves.

2. More than 300,000 new settlers traveled to another land in a covered wagon out west. Learn more about the Oregon Trail or other established paths to the west. Create a game or barter system to make your way from the east to the west.Game is included in kit or you can use your imagination and create your own barter system.

3. Girls of the past wasted nothing. They saved all their scraps of clothing, buttons, and only visited the store a couple times a year. They would reuse old clothes and make them into quilts, smaller dresses and aprons. Create a craft or paperdoll depicting the pioneer era of time. Examples are dried flower sachets, embroidered cloths, pillows, yarn dolls, and painted wooden boxes.

4. The pioneer girls had lots of work to do, but they still had fun. They would try to make chores into games. Enjoy a pastime or game depicting the pioneer era of time. Such as: Jackstraws, fox and geese, barn dancing, quilting bees, and cats cradle.

5. An important occasion for pioneers was a bee or a work-play party. All the neighbors came together and assisted everyone in jobs that could not be completed by one family alone. Afterwards, everyone ate a large supper. Participate in a community service activity helping others or enjoy some pioneer cooking. Such as: Gingerbread, apple salad, scalloped potatoes, meatballs, and biscuits.

Colonial
Transportation by horse and buggy

6. Colonial families came mainly from England and settled in the East. The girls were required to assist their family with the chores around the house. What were some of the chores the had to completed? What were some of the pastimes they enjoyed?Examples of chores: Make apple butter, sweep floors, make pillows and their beds.

7. What were the customs or manners used during a colonial tea party? What type of clothing was worn at teas, in the fields or special occasions. Visit a historical site, have a tea party, dress up or make a paperdoll in colonial clothing.

8. A variety of animals were important part of the colonial plantation. Research more about the colonial farming, harvesting, and animals that were raised. What were geese used for? How did the get milk, butter and cheese? What did they make soap from? For extra make your own butter or soap.

9. In the warm months the colonials would tap the maple trees for sap to make syrup. They also prepared for the winter by making jellies, gathering firewood, wild plants and vegetables. Create a recipe depicting the colonial time period. Examples are: queen cakes, tea biscuits, Shrewsbury cakes, Brunswick Stew, ham, and Johnny cakes.

10. Even though work was hard, everyone still took time for pastimes. The women would sit and talk, play board games or have flaxing bees while the children played games. Research a game or pastime to play. Examples of pastimes: Hoop and Stick, Rites, Whirly gigs, graces, and jacks. For extra find out what flaxing is?

African Americans
Transportation by horse and buggy


11. Women and girls were often skilled craftspeople. Some of these skills included: carvers, basket weavers, potters, seamstresses, and cooks. Create a craft, cook, sew, or latch hook a rug.

12. Girls didn't have much time to play games. They needed to go to school and then do their chores. Play a game that she might have enjoyed in her free time. Such as: changeable pictures, Jacob's Ladder, marbles, Double Dutch, jump rope, tangram, hopscotch, paper chains, and paper dolls.

13. In 1865 Abraham Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. This was only the beginning of the civil right movement. Research a historical African American woman who made a difference in the world. To gain this knowledge through books, historical sites, school or the internet. Examples are: Sojourner Truth, spokeswoman; Harriet Tubman, Underground Railroad: Madam Walker, hair product business; and Mary McLeod Bethune, school for girls.

14. African American families were known for their social gatherings of friends, family, and new neighbors. Girls would help the family prepare the meals for Sunday gathering, usually after church. Plan a potluck dinner, picnic, or social event. Include cooking from the past such as: Sugar cookies, fruit or sweet potato pies, stew, chicken, lemonade, benne candy, and bread rolls.

15. Girls of the past didn't have many personal belongings. They lived in small houses and money was tight. On Sunday they would wear their dress called "Sunday best". This dress was handmade by their mother and given to them as a special gift. They could only wear it to church and then they had to take it off as soon as they got home. Create a keepsake purse, hairbow, or piece of jewelry to wear for a special occasion or create a paperdoll of what the clothing would like in the past.

Native Americans
Transportation by horse and canoe


16. Native Americans were the first settlers of the United States. Each group had an individual name that was chosen according to their way of life or where they lived. Research a specific tribe. Where did they live? What language did they speak? How did the travel? Enjoy a food or create a recipe depicting the Native American era of time. Examples of available food products: pumpkin, squash, corn, berries, salmon, or turkey.

17. The Native Americans created many games using natural products. Twigs, berries and sticks became utensils for games and pastimes for children. Play a game from the native American time period or create Pictograph symbols. Examples are: Hidden Object, Spear it , bowl game, or

18. The Sioux and Comanche Native Americans needed to move around because of seasonal changes and to hunt for their food. Therefore, they needed to use a teepee for shelter because it was portable. Research one Native American house, Such as: where they were located, how they were built, what materials did they use, etc. Build a model of a house or draw a picture. Examples of Native American houses: longhouses, teepees, Hogan, Pueblo, Wigwam, etc.

19. Native Americans learned how to survive from nature. They knew what plants to eat and how to harvest their own food. Girls stayed home and helped their mothers with cooking and sewing. Learn more about their clothing, ceremonial headdresses, or Pow Wow's. For extra credit a paperdoll, headband or visit a pow wow.

20. Native Americans were known for their beautiful pottery, weaving, basket making, jewelry creations and totem poles. Visit a historical site, museum, or Pow Wow depicting the their artistic ability in dance or craft work or learn more about a native craft and create something of your own.