The theme for Thinking Day 2007 is “Discover your Potential by taking the lead, growing friendships, and speaking out.” My thoughts on the theme were that it was both vague and broad at the same time. Panic briefly was considered and then I simply decided for our annual school-wide celebration, we would focuse on one portion of the theme. The portion we are focusing on for our celebration is the "growing friendships" part.

Traditionally, our school holds a Thinking Day event in which troops contribute activities and all the attendees rotate through the stations. The only requirement this year is that the booths relate in some way to "growing friendships." SWAPS, foods, games, experiments, and other activities are a part of the day. We also do large-group activities such as a singing and opening and closing ceremonies.

WAGGGS has designated five countries to represent the five regions of the world--Czech Republic, Lebanon, Mexico, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka. In addition to focusing our activities on friendship, we also will be exploring some of these countries traditions and customs.

So, for example, a troop may choose to focus all of their contributions on one country and present a food, a SWAP, a game, or another activity all related to one of the five countries. Focusing on the WAGGGS-designated countries is optional, but it is likely that having a country to focus on will help to generate ideas.

In addition, several of the troops are beginning an "adopt a soldier" project this month and we will be incorporating that project into our Thinking Day plans. Our soldier has a birthday in March and one of our activities, to be determined later, will relate to our growing friendship with him and his birthday. We will also hopefully learn about Iraq's people, customs, and traditions as a part of the day.

Whatever you do to celebrate Thinking Day (the actual date for Thinking Day is February 22nd), spend a moment to reflect on its purpose, which is to celebrate the global links and sisterhood of all Girl Scouts and Girl Guides.