A Brief History of Swaps
Traditions connect Girl Scouts across the globe. They link current Girl Scouts to the trailblazers who came before them and remind them of the camaraderie that comes with a wide network of millions of fellow Girl Scouts and Girl Scout alums. One exciting tradition your Girl Scouts may experience is exchanging SWAPS with other Girl Scouts or Girl Guides.
SWAPS is a clever acronym for “Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.” SWAPS are small tokens or keepsakes that Girl Scouts (and adults) trade with other Girl Scouts that serve as a reminder of a memory or special event. They made their first appearance at national Girl Scout Senior Roundups in the 1950s and 1960s. Historically, SWAPS are a way to provide contact information for Girl Scouts to stay connected after larger events; a sort of Girl Scout business card. They’re a great way to share stories and get to know Girl Scouts from across the country and the world.
Some troops plan their SWAPS to match the theme of the event, or some come up with ideas that show a little bit of their troop’s personality.
Whether you’re brand new to this SWAP business or a seasoned veteran with a few tricks up your sleeve, there are endless ideas online. GSRV even has a Pinterest board dedicated to SWAPS!
Happy SWAP-ing!
