Girl Scouts Bayou Council

Legacy Program

 

 

Acadian Culture Try-it:

 

Brownies should choose four of the following activities to earn the Acadian Culture Try-it.  Whenever possible girls should have hands-on experiences.

1.    Visit a person of Acadian decent.  Have them share stories in their Cajun dialect.   With the help of the storyteller, try to say some Cajun phrases and learn their meanings.

2.    Learn to identify instruments important in the development of Cajun music such as the fiddle, accordion, triangle (t’fir), and spoons.  Listen to some Cajun music and try to pick out the sounds of these instruments.

3.    Visit with a craftsman or museum and learn about a craft that was important to the Cajun culture such as quilting, spinning, weaving, canoeing, and rawhiding.  When possible try your hand at helping the craft person.

4.    Learn about South Louisiana’s agriculture.  Visit a rice or sugar cane field.  Taste some raw sugar cane if possible.

5.    Learn to do a traditional Cajun dance such as the two-step, waltz, or les danses rondes.

6.    Learn to play a Cajun game.  Play it with your troop, friends or family. 

 

Pile (a Cajun game)

This game is similar to horseshoes.  It is played with 10-12 large coins (1/2 dollars, silver dollars, or large washers).  Dig two two-inch deep holes several feet apart.  The holes should be a little larger than the coin or washer.  Clear an area six to eight inches around the holes (coins will slide on loose dirt which is good).

There will be two teams of two players.  The object of the game is to toss your coin so that it either covers the opponent’s coin or goes closer to the hole.  Points are scored when the player actually tosses the coin into a hole and it lies flat.  Give each player 6 coins and stand 10-15 feet from the hole.  The first player on team A throws, then the first player on team B tries to better her throw.  When the B team surpasses the A team members throw, then the game is reversed and the second player on team A throws to try to beat team B. This continues through each player and the coins.

A point is scored when a coin is tossed into the hole and touches the bottom of the hole.  If a member of the opposing team tosses her coin into the hole and it lands covering the other teams coin, the last person throwing receives the point and takes the other player’s point too.  If one player knocks another’s into the hole then the player who threw last gets the point.  Play continues to a pre agreed point level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Girl Scouts Bayou Council

Legacy Program

 

 

Acadian Heritage Badge

 

Purpose is to gain insight into the multitude of traditions of the Acadian people of Louisiana and inspire pride in the culture.  To earn the badge Juniors need to complete eight activities including the two starred activities.

1.    * Make a time line showing the exile of the French people, who became known as the Acadians, or if you are of Acadian decent trace your family history back as far as possible.

2.    Visit with and older person of French decent,  Have him/her share a story in the dialect with which they grew up.  Learn to say some Cajun phrases and their meanings.

3.    * Find out about the different religious customs of the Acadian people.  Include the religious holidays such as All Saints Day and Good Friday and special religious celebrations such as burials, weddings, and Baptisms.

4.    Listen to traditional Acadian music.  Learn to identify the instruments used to play it.

5.    Learn an Acadian dance such as the Cajun Two Step, Cajun Waltz, or Les Danses Rondes.  Teach the dance to someone else.

6.    Explore traditional Acadian foods.  Why did Acadians eat foods like they did?  Cook and share an Acadian dish with your troop, family, or friends.

7.    Visit a historical Acadian structure such as a home or church.  Learn about its architectural significance, including the material the structure is made of, codes and taxes regarding building, and foundation of building.

8.    Learn about Acadian superstitions or gris-gris.  Share what you find with others.

9.    Visit with a craftsman or museum and learn about a craft that was important to the Cajun culture such as quilting, spinning, weaving, canoeing, rawhiding and pirogue making.  Try it out.

10.           Make a toy or learn a game that an Acadian Child might have enjoyed.

11.           Dramatize an Acadian folk tale using a skit or puppets.

12.           Make a list of famous Acadians past and present and be able to tell about their contributions to society.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Girl Scouts Bayou Council

Legacy Program

 

 

 

Acadian Heritage Interest Project

 

Purpose is to gain insight into the multitude of traditions of the Acadian people of Louisiana and inspire pride in the culture.  To earn the interest project, Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts should complete 10 activities including the four starred activities.

1.    * Make a time line showing the exile of the French people, who became known as the Acadians, or if you are of Acadian decent trace your family history back as far as possible.

2.    Visit with and older person of French decent, Have him/her share a story in the dialect with which they grew up.  Learn to say some Cajun phrases and their meanings.

3.    * Research the different religious customs of the Acadian people.  Include the religious holidays such as All Saints Day and Good Friday and special religious celebrations such as burials, weddings, and Baptisms.

4.    * Listen to traditional Acadian music.  Learn to identify the instruments used to play it.

5.    Learn what a fais-do-do is.  Plan a fais-do-do as a troop activity.

6.    Learn an Acadian dance such as the Cajun Two Step, Cajun Waltz, or Les Danses Rondes.  Teach the dance to someone else

7.    Listen to an Acadian Ballad.  Find out all you can about the story and its composer.  Write your own ballad.

8.    Explore traditional Acadian foods.  Why did Acadians eat foods like they did?  Cook and share an Acadian dish with your troop, family, or friends.

9.    * Visit a historical Acadian structure such as a home or church.  Learn about its architectural significance, including the material the structure is made of, codes and taxes regarding building, and foundation of building.

10.           Read about the non-religious customs of the Acadians.  Suggestions include but are not limited to Mardi Gras (traditional not New Orleans style), boucherie, la tasse de café, and charivari.

11.           Make a booklet of Acadian folklore remedies for common ailments.  Or seek out a person in the community who is a traiteur and speak to them about their gift for curing.

12.           Learn about Acadian superstitions or gris-gris.  Share what you find with others.

13.           Visit with a craftsman or museum and learn about a craft that was important to the Cajun culture such as quilting, spinning, weaving, canoeing, rawhiding and pirogue making.  Try it out.

14.           Make a toy or learn a game that an Acadian Child might have enjoyed.

15.           Dramatize an Acadian folk tale using a skit or puppets.

16.           Make a list of famous Acadians past and present and be able to tell about their contributions to society.