My Journey as a Troop Leader

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Make a Sit-Upon

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The weather is turning and we are now starting to make outdoor plans for our troops. One of the traditional crafts of Girl Scouts is making a sit-upon. I remember doing it as a Brownie myself. This February I took an Outdoor 2 class and experienced the real benefit of using one myself sitting outside on a cold wooden bench all day. It really does make sitting more comfortable, cleaner, and warmer.

There are a variety of ways to make sit-upons, but last year my daughters' leader had the girls make them with this fun and easy technique. All you need is a vinyl shopping bag with handles, duct tape, and recycled newspaper. These vinyl shopping bags are available everywhere these days and the handles provide a perfect way to tote your sit-upon.

First, put the folded newspaper inside the shopping bag. You don't want the bag to be too heavy, so a good Sunday paper should be enough for insulation. Then, fold the sides and bottom of the bag in toward the center of the bag. Use the duct tape to seal each side and top of the bag.

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You can use fun designer bags and colorful duct tape or if you use simple bags, the girls can decorate their sit-upons with permanent markers. If this essential is on your camping list, be sure to try this technique with your girls.

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Have fun,
Shawna

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

So cute! And much easier than sewing for the younger scouts. Thanks!

Jennifer said...

How much duct tape did it take to cover one bag?

Unknown said...

Great idea. Will use. Thanks for sharing.

Laura Moncur said...

Umm... why don't you just sit on the bag with a little newspaper in it and then use it to carry your stuff home instead of closing it up?

Dianna said...

A-DORABLE!! Welcome to the sisterhood! I look forward to following you and your scouty adventures. I've been a leader for 5 years (my girls are 11 & 9 too) and I still learn new things everyday and truly love being in this wonderful organization!

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Anonymous said...

Somewhere in my house is the sit upon I made in Girl Scouts in 1969! I was delighted to find so many new ideas for them as well as the old standard I used. I'm taking my grandchildren camping next weekend and want to surprise them with them. Thanks a bunch!

DaniFitch said...

I'm sure you've seen this by now or it's been suggested, but since I don't see it in the comments I thought I'd mention it. My oldest daughter's troop did their sit Upons with newspaper, after taking them to camp she said they kept them dry (KEY POINT!) but weren't very comfortable to sit on. So I put batting fluff inside & whoa- happy camper! Just be careful not to over fill or it will split. Throw sheet/blanket/cloth over it & can double as a pillow too! We attended Cub Scout family camp this fall & several of the guys were impressed by them- the boys could sit on those & leave chairs for adults! :)

DaniFitch said...

Oh & as part of the leadership team for my youngest daughter's troop we're making them at our upcoming meeting. Thanks for posting a a easy tutorial- I was able to link it in my email to parents!

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Anonymous said...

We use a foam bleacher seat pad that you can buy in the sporting goods department at Meijer. Or a foam gardening kneeler pad that you can get in the gardening department at Meijer. Both of these have a built-in carrying handle. My daughter has made at least 2 sit-upons over the years so there's really no more learning benefit from it. And going into the 6th grade, she is now interested in comfort.

Theremustbecake said...

Woven plastic cat food bags also can be stuffed to make a nice heavy duty waterproof sit-upon. If you don't like the graphics on the outside, turn it inside out for plain white. Put the newspaper inside, fold the opening over, and duct tape it closed. The tear off opening strip can be taped on for a handle.

Latharia said...

Thanks for this easy alternative! We had all of the supplies on hand, so it made my day so much easier!

Unknown said...

We made these as well for my troop but instead of newspaper we used about 20-30 grocery bags balled up to make it fluffy and more padded. Plus if water gets in they dont get ruined cause its just plasic that will dry.

Unknown said...

I'm part of the GGC,love the idea.

Anonymous said...

I’ve also seen a suggestion of using a bunch of regular plastic grocery bags as filler too.

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