Earning Their Patches

EACH WEEKEND WE are trying to force encourage the kids to do some sort of new project or activity -- very similar to what kids do in Pathfinders or the Boy/Girl scouts back in the States. Like in the scouts, Kerri and I are offering 'patches' that they can earn by successfully completing a project or task. They earned a few patches yesterday

First, we took the kids on a hike/bike ride along a river near our house. There came a point where we could no longer bike down the path because it was too technically difficult -- especially for Henry. So we dismounted and I took the kids about 300 meters upstream then gave them their challenge: cross the river and make it back to the bikes in less than 10 minutes (the reward would be a 'navigation patch'). The task would have been quick simple except crossing the small river/creek was a bit of a challenge. I ran back to Kerri and the bikes and we waited...and waited...and waited. Finally, about 9 1/2 minutes later we saw three kids coming along the river bed -- on the other side. Success.

Then, later in the afternoon, Patrick and Julia earned two more patches. Take a look. Patrick chose a raft-making task where he had to create a raft that will support a toy figure, using only items from our yard. The Swiss Army Knife he bought in Geneva came in real handy. Success!


Julia chose a baking project and she made calzones completely from scratch and completely by herself. I can tell you without a doubt that this was a success. She made four -- filled with tomato sauce and cheese -- and they were gone very quickly.
Next week I'm pushing them to try for a 'laundry', 'ironing', and 'car washing' patch.
CJS