The Badge Archive

GSUSA SWAPS

A SWAP (Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere) is a small, handmade token that Girl Scouts create and exchange with one another to promote friendship and share memories.

SWAPs often represent the scout’s home, troop, or a special event and are typically attached to safety pins for easy trading. These little keepsakes are a cherished tradition in Girl Scouts, fostering creativity, connection, and fun!

SWAP Exchanges

SWAPs are fun to make and a meaningful way to commemorate friendships and events. However, it’s important to note that SWAP exchanges do not occur at every Girl Scout event.

Scout events typically announce ahead of time whether a SWAP exchange will take place and provide guidelines on how many SWAPs to bring per scout. If no SWAP exchange is announced, scouts are still welcome to bring SWAPs but should understand they may only give them out as tokens of friendship, rather than participate in an organized exchange. Scouts should be prepared to give SWAPs away without expecting to receive any in return.

SWAP Examples

Anything that is small enough to have a safety pin hold it to a vest, bag, lanyard, or cap qualifies as a SWAP. Here are links to SWAP examples.

Special Note – Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors have the option of using an automotive themed SWAP as part of their requirements to earn their Automotive Manufacturing badge.

SWAP Holders

At an event, scouts typically use a bag, lanyard, vest, bag, or cap to hold and exchange SWAPs. Once home, many use a SWAP holder to display all their SWAPs, or a special box or container to hold them all in.

The Pros & Cons of SWAPs in Girl Scouts

SWAPs (Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere) have long been a beloved tradition, fostering friendship, creativity, and connection among scouts. While they bring fun and excitement, there are also challenges to consider when incorporating SWAP exchanges into troop activities.

Pros of SWAPs

  • Fun to make and share—Scouts enjoy crafting SWAPs, allowing them to express creativity and share meaningful keepsakes.
  • Tradition for all ages—Even the youngest scouts can participate, making SWAPs an accessible tradition that promotes inclusivity. The oldest love making more detailed or complex SWAPs.
  • Exciting to collect—Many scouts love building their SWAP collections, displaying them on banners, backpacks, or SWAP holders.
  • A new take on collecting—Today’s scouts love collecting blind bag toys and small figurines, so SWAPs offer a scouting-specific alternative to trade and treasure.

Cons of SWAPs

  • Time-consuming to make—Even simple SWAPs take time, and creating large quantities for exchanges can be challenging for busy troops.
  • Not every event includes SWAPs—Many scouting events do not hold SWAP exchanges, meaning some scouts may be the only ones bringing them.
  • No guarantee of receiving a SWAP—Scouts must be prepared to give SWAPs away as a token of friendship, without expecting to receive one in return.
  • Shift in SWAP culture—Traditionally, SWAPs were personalized exchanges to remember new scout friends. Today, many exchanges feel competitive, with scouts focused on collecting the most SWAPs or finding the most elaborate designs. Some scouts may not even recall where they got a SWAP or from whom.

Balancing the Tradition with Modern Scouting

While SWAPs remain a fun and cherished activity, leaders may need to adapt how exchanges are introduced to ensure they uphold their original purpose—building friendships rather than competing to collect the most or the best-looking SWAPs. Troops can also opt for small-scale, meaningful exchanges that highlight personal connections rather than large trading events.

Origin

Juliette Gordon Low encouraged Girl Scouts to share small tokens of friendship as early as the 1910s. These keepsakes were precursors to today’s SWAPS.

There is little written record of when SWAPs officially started. GSRV states “They made their first appearance at national Girl Scout Senior Roundups in the 1950s and 1960s.” The Roundups (1956, 1959, 1962, 1965) were massive national events where thousands of Senior Girl Scouts camped together, and SWAPS became a way to remember new friends. Later, the tradition spread to council events, day camps, and troop activities, becoming a universal Girl Scout practice.

A few sources suggest that SWAPS may have been inspired by Native American potlatch ceremonies. Several Girl Scout council documents describe potlatch as involving the trading of colored feathers as a sign of friendship. The Oregon Office of Indian Education explains: “The potlatch is a significant ceremony practiced by several Oregon Tribes focused on giving and sharing. During a potlatch, tribal leaders distribute goods and resources to community members, demonstrating responsibility toward their people. The word ‘potlatch’ comes from a Chinook trading language meaning ‘to give away.’”

While different tribes may perform the ceremony differently, it is unlikely that SWAPS directly originated from potlatch. The Oregon Office of Indian Education mentions “the United States government banned potlatches from 1884 to 1951”. So it could be that the return to allowing Potlatches at the same time period could have inspired the idea. More likely, the connection was drawn later to highlight similarities in the spirit of generosity and friendship.

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Tia Kennard