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SWAPS Information
What are SWAPS?
SWAPS refer to small crafts scouts make and exchange with each other. Most SWAPS
are pins.

SWAPS

This makes them easily attached to hats, vest, jackets, shirts, etc. Pin SWAPS usually are
1-2" in size.
SWAPS arent limited to pins, however. Bracelets, necklaces and other small keepsakes
are all made and exchanged as SWAPS.
SWAPS can be made relatively inexpensively. If you have a lot of excess craft materials
or scrap you cant do another project with, SWAPS allow you another avenue to use the
materials. Like to recycle? SWAPS often include recycled items. Natural items such as
rocks and dead twigs can also be incorporated. Of course, if you like the look of charms
dangling and have the money to spend, you can make more expensive SWAPS.
SWAPS also can be made by girls as young as 5 years old. The complexity of your
designs should reect the age of the scouts making them. A 5-year-old can string beads.
A 10-year-old can macram. Let the scouts decide what theyd like to do.

How did SWAPS originate?

SWAPS are sometime referred to as potlatch. Potlatch is the ceremonial exchange of gifts
practiced by Native Americans of Northwest Coast tribes. The custom stems from the
legend explaining why birds have colored feathers.
As the story goes, two Indian girls plucked feathers of a magic bird and distributed the
multicolored plumage to the colorless birds living in the forest. From that time on, birds
have had brightly colored feathers, and those gifts were remembered at potlatch
ceremonies.
Families were summoned to the potlatch by a messenger carrying a bundle of sticks
representing the number of people to be invited. The ceremony included speeches, songs,
dances, games, races and refreshments. The host and members of his family were
costumed and enacted legends about their heritage.
The gift giving came last of all, just before the guest departed. Since potlatch gifts were
symbols of the familys status in the village, they were often quite elaborate, often being
carved boxes, canoes, dishes, jewelry, mats and baskets. The potlatch ceremony was given
to commemorate the births, deaths, marriages or coming of age or members of the group.

The idea of SWAPS was started at the rst National Girl Scout Roundup of 1956. The SWAP
tent was a popular gathering place and the site of many lively conversations. Originally, a
swap was just a little remembrance that a girl gave to another with whom she had become
especially friendly during the event. Now, SWAPS are exchanged at National Conventions,
Council events, Destinations, Service Unit or neighborhood events, troop meetings and
most frequently at Day Camp. You might also hear SWAPS referred to as hat crafts.
Swapping is a simple way of learning about each other, starting a friendship and perhaps
gaining a pen pal that could last a lifetime.

Why make SWAPS?

Scouts make SWAPS to exchange or swap with each other. This exchange gives the
scouts an avenue to meet new people and encourage friendships. Often, SWAPS are
exchanged at events such as a Thinking Day or Day Camp. They can be made to swap
with only one person. There are even groups on the Internet that organize and supervise
SWAPS. The other reason to make SWAPS is because theyre just plain fun.

How do you swap?

Each scout takes the SWAPS she has made and keeps them in a bag or box. She can make
a special container to keep them in. She takes them to the event and exchanges them with
other scouts.
If you are going to do troop SWAPS (one girl each makes one SWAP for another in
a different troop), you can send them in an envelope.

How many SWAPS should you make?

Each girl will make their own SWAPS. Let them know that the number of SWAPS they
make will be the number of SWAPS they receive. For example, if Susie makes ten SWAPS,
shell have ten to exchange with other girls. Also, if she wants to keep one for herself,
that needs added to her total. So, shell have her container with her ten SWAPS. If she
swaps them all, shell have ten new ones to add to her collection. As you can tell, these
add up fast.
Older girls may make additional SWAPS so they can receive more. Some girls have taken
over 100 to an event and wished they had more!

What do I do with my SWAPS?

If the girls really enjoy SWAPS, theyre going to have a lot. There are ideas included here
with ways to display SWAPS such as hats, banners, curtains, etc. Some girls like to take
some SWAPS with them, but its unlikely that theyll take all of their SWAPS with them
everywhere they go.

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SWAPS etiquette
Heres a list of dos and donts you might want to review from time to time to keep fresh
in your mind.
Information you might want to include with your SWAP is your troop number,
council, city, state, date, and/or event. If you want your name on the SWAP, use
your rst name only. If you dont have room on your SWAP, attach a tag with this
information.
Try to make your SWAPS something youd like to receive.
Make sure you have enough for participants and staff, especially if youre going
to a big event such as Day Camp.
Make your SWAPS before events so youre not missing the events trying to make
your SWAPS.
If the entire troop is going to be swapping, dont let them all make the same one.
If you have ten girls and they each make ten of the same SWAP, thats 100 of the
same one. If the entire troop nds a girl with SWAPS they really want, shell now
have 10 of the same one from your troop. However, if youre just making one
for each participant and handing them out, the troop can make the same one.
SWAPS should be handmade, not store-bought.
SWAPS should not contain edible food. You dont want any bugs or critters
visiting. If you do use food for SWAPS, make sure the item is wrapped, sealed,
dried, etc.
Make sure your SWAPS do not contain sharp edges.
Make sure your SWAPS are rain-proof.
SWAPS that youre going to trade should be carried separately from the ones
you want to keep. You might even want to immediately pin them on so they dont
get mixed up.
SWAPS attached to a hat or other item are off-limits for the asking.
Swap face-to-face as much as possible. It gives you the opportunity to exchange
addresses or emails if you wish.
It is considered rude to refuse to swap with someone who asks. If you dont like
their SWAP or already have one, exchange it with a smile.
Dont give away a SWAP that someone gave you (at least at the same event).
Giving a SWAP to someone who doesnt have any to exchange is a great gesture.
Some scouts have never seen SWAPS and dont know anything about them.
If youre worried about running out, bring extra supplies to make more. This is
especially true for a multi-day event.
SWAPS dont have to be pinned. You can make bracelets, necklaces, key rings,
exchange patches, etc.
If youre mailing SWAPS, use lightweight materials.
Always say Thank You.

How do I get information to make SWAPS?

There are groups on the Internet that exchange ideas. Many sites have directions. You can
nd SWAPS and take them apart to nd out how they are made. Try going through craft
books and nding small crafts that you can adapt. Miniatures for use in dollhouses or
Barbie dolls are great to use.
Of course, there are also leaders and troops that package up kits so that you can purchase
all the materials and directions to make it easy for you.

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SWAP supplies
As you work with SWAPS, you may nd that your supplies vary from this list. Your basic
equipment and supplies will vary on your own crafting interests as well as that of your
girls.
Supplies Basic
These supplies you will need, whether you use recycled or store-bought materials.
Pin backs, .75" to 1" pin backs come with and without adhesive tape on them.
To help remove the tape to expose the adhesive, use a straight pin or needle tool
to gently pierce through the corner of the protective paper and lift it off.
Safety pins, regular or coilless
Magnet tape
Tacky glue make sure your glue is NOT water soluable.
Hot glue gun and sticks ice water in a bowl nearby is good to minimize burns.
If glue accidentally gets on a hand, plunge it into the ice water to stop the
burning immediately.
Scissors safety scissors will not always work. Place colorful yarn on scissors
that you do not want the girls to use so you can quickly identify them.
Ruler
Pen or pencil
Markers permanent markers are preferred.
Acrylic paints and brushes
Paper or stickers younger girls may nd pre-printed stickers that they only
have to write their rst names on easier to use.
Supplies General
These are a general listing of supplies you might want to have on hand.
Beads
Bottle caps
Buttons
Cardboard (tubes, cereal boxes, chipboard, etc.)
Clay (polymer, paper, salt dough, etc.)
Craft foam
Craft sticks
Embroidery oss
Fabric scraps
Felt
Fiber scraps
Film containers
Gimp
Jewelry bags
Nuts
Pipe cleaners
Pom poms
Preprinted paper scraps
Puzzle pieces
Ribbon
Seeds
Spools
Stickers
Wiggle eyes
Wire
Woodies

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Supplies Recycled
Many swaps are made of recycled materials. Keeps your eyes open for buttons, beads,
wood scraps, fabrics, etc. A walk on the beach may yield drift wood, sh bones, shells and
interesting debris that you may want to include in your supplies. You can also have your
girls collect unused crafting supplies from friends and family.

Remember . . .
SWAP designs are only limited by your creativity and imagination.
Check out larajlas Enrichment Project
to start your own adventure.

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