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)Come up with an idea or theme. The theme could have something to do with the event you are going to attend. For example, if you are going to a campout, think campfire cooking.
Do some research on your theme, and think "out of the box". If you are going to make campfire cooking related swaps, try to be unique. When you are researching, you may come across some information about recycling while campfire cooking. You may decide to make a swap out of the aluminum foil that was used during your campout. You can attach a tag to the swap that says "I'm Saving Our Planet By Recycling".
Decide what you will make. It is usually a good idea to have a couple of different kinds of swaps for your troop. Remember that another troop might have similar swaps so try to come up with a unique idea. In addition to the aluminum foil swap idea, for example, your troop may also want to make something out of bottle caps from milk or orange juice jugs.
Give your troop parents a supply list so that they can help you find cheap materials or recycle the items you will need. Since you will be making several swaps per girl, you don't want to spend a lot of money on materials. Swaps should be little handmade reminders of the event. It's okay if your swaps are made of less than perfect materials or if they look like they were made by children, because they were.
Dedicate a whole meeting to making your swaps and have fun! Most swaps consist of a cute trinket and a safety pin to be used for attaching the swap to a hat, shirt or banner. You should make sure that the event (for example...Fall Campout), the month and year (Oct. 2004), your troop level and number (Brownie Troop 1234), and your location (Atlanta, Georgia) are on your swap. If this information cannot be placed directly on the swap you can make small labels and stick the pin through the label as well as the swap.
Be sure to take extra swaps to trade with the leaders!
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