Brownie Elf: dates back to old English tales of Brownies who literally were elves: tiny creatures who did good de eds and helpful work. (How To Guide Girl Scout Brownies on Brownie Quest, p.7)

ELF: Explore, Link Arms, and Fly Into Action

ELFing: to ELF

I have had the opportunity to help get a brownie troop started in one of my neighborhoods. In helping the leaders it was decided to introduce the girls to the idea of ELF. We decided that whenever the girls needed to find a buddy or we need to move to the next activity we would tell the girls to ELF. Last week was our first opportunity to try the ELF idea out as the girls were going to go outside and do scavengers hunt. After explaining to them what ELF was and practicing how to ELF during our Brownie circle we transitioned to the scavenger hunt. I stood up and said, let’s ELF and the girls quickly found their buddy and linked arms. On our way outside I told the girls that what we were doing was ELFing and so whenever you need to find a buddy you will go ELFing. With that the girls giggled and went on their way to find the parts of the law. Later on in the meeting we needed to transition to the next activity and the leader of the troop said, “it is time to go ELFing.” The girls quickly stood up and found a buddy and flew to the next activity station. So after the meeting it was decided that ELFing was now officially a troop verb to be used generously.

*This Girl Scout idea brought to you by the first Journey, It’s Your World Change It, Brownie Quest.*