The Badge Archive

While the original book is a great to read (see pages 223-231), we’ve summarized the information with a more modern take here:

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Sharing Snacks: Being a Great Host!

One of the oldest ways people show kindness is by offering food to guests. Whether you’re sharing snacks with friends who stop by or hosting a party, you’re a host!

Snacks for Friends

Sometimes, friends come over unexpectedly. What can you offer from the kitchen without needing permission? Talk with your family about what’s okay to share!

• Could you have your own snack shelf with treats you can give out anytime?
• Are there times when you and your friends can use the kitchen without interrupting meal prep?

Being clear about these things makes life easier for everyone!

Hosting a Party

When you plan a party at home, chances are you and your parent or guardian will be co-hosts. That means you work together!

• Who will help plan and prepare food?
• Who will clean up afterward?

The key is teamwork! Make sure you talk about who is responsible for what so everything runs smoothly.

Hosting with a Group

Sometimes, you’ll plan a party with your Girl Scout troop or another group, like a youth club or school friends. When lots of people help, it’s important to know who does what!

• You can organize tasks by patrols, committees, or individual jobs.
• Make sure everyone has a role and understands their responsibilities.
• A kaper chart (a list of jobs) is a great tool! Post it in the kitchen so the hosts (but not the guests!) can see what needs to be done.

Two reminders:

1. Everyone should get a fair mix of jobs, some fun (like welcoming guests) and some responsible (like cleanup).
2. Let people pick jobs they enjoy or do well. When everyone works together, the party will be fun for everyone, including the hosts!

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What to Serve at Your Party

Planning a party menu means thinking about your guests—what would they like? Are there dietary restrictions or food allergies to consider? If you aren’t sure, ask ahead of time! For small gatherings, you can even check with friends about their favorite foods or strong dislikes.

Picking the Right Foods

• Budget: What can you afford? If you’re doing a troop fundraiser, how can you balance cost while still giving guests a great experience?
• Space & Equipment: Some recipes need big kitchens or extra helpers—make sure your menu fits your space!
• Cooking Skills: Choose foods you know you can make easily. Never try a brand-new recipe on party guests!
• Prep Time: Make sure the food can be prepared before the party starts, so you can enjoy the fun instead of spending all your time in the kitchen.

Great Food Choices for a Party:

Think friendly, fun, and easy to eat!

• Finger foods are always a hit—mini sandwiches, fruit skewers, or veggie cups with dip.
• DIY snack stations let guests make their own treats—taco bars, baked potato toppings, or build-your-own trail mix.
• Baked pasta dishes or cheesy quesadillas work well for sit-down meals and are easy to prepare ahead of time.
• Fruit platters, popcorn mixes, and cheese cubes are great snack options.
• Desserts: Cupcakes, brownies, cookies, or ice cream are always favorites!

Note – the 1971 Girl Scout Cookbook suggested:

• Casseroles can be put together earlier in the day and baked just before serving.
• Jellied salads can be made ahead and stored until it’s time to eat.
• Green salads should be dressed at the last minute, but you can wash and prepare the greens ahead of time.

How to Serve Food

There are two main ways to serve meals—buffet style or sit-down meals.

• Buffets are easy, letting guests serve themselves. They work best for casual parties and smaller groups.
• Sit-down meals are great for formal events and help keep larger gatherings organized.

Buffet Tips:

• Decide ahead if guests will eat at tables or hold their plates on their laps.
• Choose foods that don’t require cutting—things that are easy to eat with just a fork or spoon.
• Set up the table so guests grab plates first and utensils last, making it easier to carry everything.

Sit-Down Meal Tips:

• Each place should have a knife, fork, spoon, napkin, and drink ready.
• Place salt and pepper shakers within reach of multiple guests.
• Spread bread and butter plates throughout the table for easy access.
• Add a decorative centerpiece to make the meal feel special!

Party Supplies

• Paper plates, cups, and napkins come in tons of fun designs and are great for scout events.
• If using a paper tablecloth, don’t use candles for safety reasons!

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Party Manners: Being a Thoughtful Host

Hosting a party is all about making your guests feel welcome and comfortable. Good party manners are really just everyday kindness with a little extra sparkle! You want to be yourself, and you want your guests to feel at ease, too.

Invitations Matter!

The best way to make sure everyone gets the same details is to send clear invitations—no confusing messages! Written or digital invites work best. Whether you’re hosting the party yourself or planning with your troop, here’s what every invitation should include:

• Who: Who is hosting? (Example: “Junior Troop 2045 invites you…”)
• What: What is the event? (Movie night, game party, celebration?)
• Where: Location details. (Park, clubhouse, someone’s home?)
• When: Date and start/end time. (Guests should know when to arrive and when to go home!)
• RSVP: Ask guests to confirm if they’re coming, so you can plan the right amount of food and activities!

Make sure your invitation lets guests know if they should dress up or wear casual clothes. No one wants to show up in fancy shoes when everyone else is in sneakers!

Fun Fact: The term RSVP comes from the French phrase “Répondez s’il vous plaît,” which means “Please respond.” It was originally used in formal invitations centuries ago but is now common for all types of events!

Introductions & Welcoming Guests

When guests arrive, help everyone feel included! If people don’t know each other, introductions help break the ice. A friendly way to introduce someone could be:

• “Hey Riley, this is my friend Mia! She loves baking just like you.”
• “Mr. Lopez, this is my dad! He’s helping us with the party today.”

If an adult is helping host the event, introduce guests to them too! People feel more comfortable when they know each other’s names and a little bit about them.

Keeping Everyone Included

As the host, your job isn’t just serving snacks, it’s making sure everyone has fun!

• If you notice someone standing alone, invite them to join the group.
• If someone accidentally spills something or breaks a glass, help them stay calm and move on. Everyone makes mistakes!

Ending the Party on a Happy Note

When the party is winding down, be sure to thank your guests for coming. A simple goodbye can make a difference:

• “I’m so glad you came! Thanks for making the party awesome.”
• “Thanks for coming! I hope you had fun!”

Being a great host is all about kindness and good energy. When you make people feel welcome, they’ll always want to come to your parties!

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

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This is a supportive community for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scout leaders. This group offers solutions to keep older scouts engaged in scouting amidst their busy lives. Share strategies, tackle challenges, and exchange ideas for fun, meaningful activities that resonate with teens and build lasting connections.

Find out how you can support The Badge Archive!

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Resources:

• Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Girl Scout Cookbook. 1971. Henry Regnery edition ed., Chicago, IL, Bantam Books, Inc., May 1973. pp. 223-231.

A list of recipes that are in the Girl Scout Cookbook can be found on Our Recipe Archive.