Caroling

Caroling

Notes and docs from 2017


__CAROLING at Hadley Mother’s Club Fair, 11/18/17__ //(notes compiled by Emily Pfeiffer -- grade 5 troop, and Laura says "perfect.")// //(Remember to get Activity/Travel form approved by SU mgr.)//
 * 1) Emily Pfeiffer made a caroling book. Laura Ellia (Gr. 4) has a whole bunch she printed and assembled.
 * 2) This used to be third grade historically, but 11914 (Emily/Roselee) has continued to do it each year with younger girls. It's fun, easy, and appreciated by the community/HMC.
 * 3) It's best to get together early and practice a few times through the songs. (Maybe half an hour before gonig on so everyone is there and ready.)
 * 4) Encourage girls to wear festive stuff if they'd like, with their vests/sashes. (We in 11914 aren't sticklers about it - it's a fun and brief event.)
 * 5) It takes about 15 minutes to run through them all - closer to ten if the girls get excited and speed up.
 * 6) It's hard to keep everyone on the same tempo, especially if they spread out in one long line, so: (a) have a leader in the center of their line of sight, and prepare them to watch that person - if she starts exaggeratedly mouthing the words, you're out of whack and need to line up with her, (b) arrange the girls in two rows (if on the stage, one sitting on the edge and one standing behind is good) and in a C-shape, rather than all side by side in a long row.
 * 7) Make sure Santa (and his HMC handler) and the DJ are prepared (give the DJ a song book). The DJ will intro the group and speak in between each song.
 * 8) The last song is Santa Clause is Coming to Town and we like to change it so the very last time you say that, it's "Santa Clause is coming, RIGHT NOW" with big jazz hands, as the curtains open to show him!
 * 9) The girls like to get in line and have their pictures taken with Santa. Encourage them to go in groups of 3-ish, or it will take forever!
 * 10) You might choose to spend troop money on snacks they have there. Encourage parents to participate/shop. It's a really nice event and supports a great organization that does a lot for us.

__**CAROLING at Golden Court – Monday 12/18/17 – NOTES**__ Caroling was coordinated by Jo-Ann Konieczny, Grade 7 //(Remember to get Activity/Travel form approved by SU mgr.)// Here is the procedural list for caroling: 1. Select a date that works for all interested parties. We usually go the week before Christmas and keep in mind that you may need a alternative date for inclement weather. 2. Email Mary Billions at Golden Court hadleyhousingauthority@gmail.com and make sure that date works for her. 3. Prepare and send flyers for GS troop. Event starts at the community room at Golden Court - flyer contents are: //Hadley Girl Scout Caroling, Monday Dec. 18th, 2017. meet at Golden Court at 6:15. event should end by 7:30 pm. (please note sometimes route takes less time)// 4. See if any troop wants to make ornaments for the residents (not required, but done in the past). 5. Prepare flyer to be distributed at Golden Court. This year’s flyer said: 6. Distribute flyers at each person's door/mailbox in Golden Court either day before or a few days before. IT shouldn’t be done too far in advance. 7. Prepare song books (we need new ones). 8. Meet at Golden Court and have fun! Sometimes we share a snack at the end.
 * HadleyGirl Scout Caroling, **Monday Dec. 18th, 2017,6:30 pm - 7:15 pm**,** //Please leave your light on if you would like the girls to carol at your house.// //We hope to see you then! //



(2011)

**Notes and docs from 2015**


__**HADLEY GS Fall 2015 – HOLIDAY CAROLING & SANTA Comm. Svc.**__ Some new events were introduced this year. jbb 12/19/15 CAROLING at Hadley Mother’s Club Fair, 11/21/15 This sort of replaced the caroling (Grade 3) that we used to do at the Senior Center. Hadley Mother’s Club is a huge supporter of Hadley GS.

__Caroling was spearheaded by Barbara Pliska__, Grade 8 (Mother’s Club member and troop leader) Troops attending: Gr. 6, Mara Breen’s Gr. 3, Roselee, Emily ? Did others go?

__Some of Roselee’s prep notes below__ __The Hadley Mothers' Club Holiday Fair__ is on November 21st. The event is from 9-3, and Barbara suggested we sing before Santa arrives. That would mean that we sing from 1 - 1:30 p.m. We have chosen 5 winter classics (not Christmas - specific) to sing. Emily will compile the lyrics and we’ll distribute before our next meeting. We would love to have the girls be familiar enough with the songs so we can practice at the next meeting. __LUNCH WITH SANTA 12/3/15 for Hadley Park & Rec__ The older troops help out at Park and Rec Events Grade 8 is “assigned” to help with Lunch with Santa. But all the older troops help as needed (Gr 6-12) This year the event was at the new Hadley Farms Meeting House. It was not very well attended. Troops assisting were: Gr. 6, Breen Gr. 8, Pliska Gr. 9, Diane I think they were wonderful community reps and sang carols.

Here are some prep notes from Mara to her troop. This Saturday, 12/5, Hadley Park and Rec is looking for help with their Lunch with Santa and Toy Workshop events (see the attached flier). Please let us know if your daughter can help out. We need volunteers between 11:30 & 3:30 (or whatever part of that you can make). It's another opportunity for our Cadettes to earn time toward Community service awards. __**CAROLING at Golden Court – Friday 12/18/15 – NOTES**__ Caroling was coordinated by Jo-Ann Konieczny, Grade 5 Troops attending: Gr. 5, Jo-Ann Konieczny Gr. 6, Mara Breen’s Gr. 8, Barbara Pliska Gr. 2, Laura Ellia Gr. 1, Dana, Maureen ? Did others go?

Jo-Ann publicized the activity via email within the Hadley SU troops. See Flyer contents. Then Jo-Ann coordinated with the leaders. SU did Travel Form, with info provided by Jo-Ann Each Troop did their own permission slips
 * FLYER CONTENTS 2015 GS Caroling at Golden Court**
 * Girl Scout**
 * Caroling**
 * Friday, Dec. 18th**
 * 6pm - 8 pm**
 * meet at the Senior Center**
 * pick-up at 27 Middle St.**
 * pick-up at 27 Middle St.**


 * girls will carol at the Goodwin**
 * Memorial Library, Golden Court and**
 * other homes on Middle St.**
 * by 7:40 pm girls will arrive at the**
 * Stanley’s House (27 Middle St. Hadley)**
 * where we will have cocoa and cookies**


 * Each troop is invited to lead us in up to 5 songs— first come first pick! (leading us in song is not**
 * required) Please email Jo-Ann Konieczny the song names and words by Dec. 11th so a**
 * songbook may be created.**
 * Each troop responsible for your own ratio. This is a girl only event - no tagalongs.**
 * Could each troop bring milk and/or cookie dough for baking**



Notes for Next Year from Jo-Ann on 12/19/15 (Grade 5) (please feel free to jump in here if anyone has anything to add). 1. Route was short but good. The event could have been 6 - 7:30 2. Golden Court was VERY receptive and I think the numbers that come out for it will only grow. 3. We could use a few more songs in the booklet. 4. Maybe get the booklet out to leaders earlier so girls can practice once or twice in their troop. 5. I had Mara’s girls (Gr 6) lead singing and Barb and Jackie (Gr.8) walk at the front and lead the group. I liked that. I think we need to help older girls take the lead. Maybe announce that at the beginning before we carol. 6. We could have used 2- 3 sets of bells. 7. Flashlights to read the words are good to have. 8. Cookies and cocoa at Andrea’s works well and she said she is happy to host every year. 9. I had parents tell me they teared up when Maureen & Dana’s girls presented their ornaments. It was so sweet and so kind. 10. Timing? Is there any time that we could schedule so that more older girls are available? Other feedback? Jo-Ann

From Dana Whitney – Grade 1 The evening was terrific!! --I agree on timing and songs but truly that was minor compared to the fun of the evening.

From Maureen – Grade 1 Kudos to Jo-Ann for setting it up. Kudos for the older girls for leading. --I think the caroling was a huge success for the Hadley Girl Scout troop as a whole. Events done out in the community only strengthen the need to do more of them. Golden Court really appreciated it too! --Only one thing to add for next year is that we set up a police officer to cross the road.

From Laura Ellia – Grade 2 Thank you for a wonderful evening of caroling! Our girls and parents really enjoyed themselves. --I agree with all of your ideas and would be happy to buy a set of bells for our troop to carry. This year was much more manageable for the little girls too

From Barbara Pliska… Grade 8 --Jackie and I enjoyed the evening very much. I know if the rest of my girls would have loved this opportunity, but all 5 were playing basketball games. --Including older girls is just plain difficult. They are all so busy with sports and jobs. My advice, plan an event and hope that some can attend. Hopefully as the years go on, and the young girls mature they will figure out how to participate in this event. --Agreed, a couple more songs would have been helpful, and having the book be bound or stapled so they can be used in order instead of guessing what song is next. --And definitely flashlights for the songbooks. It was a wonderful evening.