Girl Scouts of Washington Rock C

Developed by Cheryl Wagner as part of her Gold Award Project in August of 1999, the New Jersey Shore to Please Patch encourages girls of all levels to visit one of the Garden State's most precious and treasured resource, the Jersey Shore. In order to earn this patch, different levels of Girl Scouts must perform different tasks.

Brownies must complete four tasks.
Juniors must complete six tasks.
Cadettes/Seniors must complete one task from each category plus three of their choice.

Abbreviations: B=Brownies, J=Juniors, C/S=Cadettes and Seniors

Skill Builders

1. Choose a water sport you don't already know and learn how to do it. Remember to always have a buddy whenever you are in or near any water, be sure to follow Safety-Wise and use qualified instructors when necessary.
B/J/C/S--Swimming, boogie boarding, snorkeling.
C/S--Surfing, Sailing.

2. B/J/C/S Try your hand at catching some of New Jersey's best. Learn to fish, crab, clam or seine. If you're not going to eat what you catch then remember to be gentle and put the animals back carefully. C/S can learn to clean and cook your catch. B/J might prefer to watch someone else clean it. Be sure to follow local guidelines about the size and quantity of what you catch.

3. B/J/C/S Learn or review how to wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) and learn when you should be wearing one. Know how to choose a PFD in your size, and use it an activity. Be sure it is a Coast Guard approved PFD.

4. B/J/C/S New Jersey has some great seafood restaurants. Try to dish from the sea that you've never tasted before. Would you recommend it to others? Why?

5. B/J/C/S Shell collecting is a favorite experience along many waterways including the Jersey Shore. Take a stroll along the beach and discover some of New Jersey's natural collectibles. Learn about mollusks. What is a univalve? What is a bivalve? Discover which are most common along these shores. When would you expect to find the most collectibles? Why?

6. B/J/C/S Learn about safe boating procedures. C/S can take a boating safety course from a qualified instructor or school.

7. B/J/C/S Make something special to remember your trip to the shore. Make a craft, write a story or a poem, paint or draw a picture. Try to use things that you saw or found to make your artwork "special" for you. Share it with others by showing what you've made or reading what you wrote.

8. B/J/C/S Learn about shore birds. Find two that are native to the Jersey shore. How are they different from the birds where you live? What do they eat? Where do they live? What kinds of nests do they make? Do they migrate? Suggested birds to study: Seagulls, sand pipers, mallards, ospreys, egrets, cormorants, etc.

Technology

1. B/J/C/S Discover how tides are created and how they work. What effect do gravity, the sun and then moon have on ties? How does this effect your enjoyment of the beach? The water? Can you "predict" when the next low tide will be? High tide? C/S should learn how to read a tide chart.

2. B/J/C/S Find out how waves are made. How does the ocean floor effect them? How big is the average wave in New Jersey? What is the relationship between wind and waves?

3. B/J/C/S Learn how different wind directions can effect your day at the beach. What would a west wind bring to the beach? East? South? North? Be able to explain your answer.

4. B/J/C/S Some of New Jersey's most popular shore animals have been placed under government protection. What are the state agencies doing to help ensure that they survive? Find out the current restrictions on at least two of these animals. Suggested animals: clams, lobster, horseshoe crabs, fluke, blueclaw crabs. Have the methods been successful?

5. B/J/C/S Learn more about our marine life by taking a guided dolphin tour or an ecoaction tour. Follow Safety-Wise procedures for safe boating.

Service Projects

1. B/J/C/S Organize or volunteer at a beach cleanup event.

2. J/C/S Make a pamphlet for your favorite beach. Describe its prices, it's safety measures, it's rest areas, and why you like it. Share it with other girls who might like to visit the shore.

3. C/S Some beaches allow Girl Scouts to camp. Plan a trip to take younger children to the beach. Find out where you are allowed to camp and take all appropriate Safety-Wise precautions. Remember, you must follow appropriate lifeguard standards when entering the water.

Career Exploration

1. B/J/C/S Visit a marine sanctuary or aquarium. Learn about the different plants and animals we have in New Jersey by seeing them up close. What kind of careers are available there? Which skills, experience or schooling would you need for that type of position?

2. B/J/C/S New Jersey's lighthouses are rich in history. For example, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse is the oldest operation one in the United States. Visit one of our lighthouses and learn what makes it special. Discover the role that lighthouses and learn what makes it special. Discover the role that lighthouses and their keepers have had over the years.
NJ lighthouses include Absecon in Atlantic City, Barnegat on Long Beach Island, Cape May, East Point, Finns Point Rear Range at Fort Mott in Pennsville, Hereford Inlet in North Wildwood, Navesink Light Station in the Highlands (also known as the "Twin Lights"), Sandy Hook, Sea Girt and Tinicum Rear Range in Billingsport (this one is by the Delaware River).

3. B/J/C/S Find information on careers in at least three different shore categories. You might try interviewing a fisherman, life guard, marine biologist, boardwalk attendant, scuba dive instructor, etc.

4.B/J/C/S The Coast Guard and the State Marine Enforcement Bureau are both very important in protecting our waterways. What are their roles? How are they different? If possible, visit a station.

Finally, while summer is the most popular time at the Jersey Shore, fall, winter and spring each have their special points too.
Get to know the beaches in all kinds of weather.
It's Shore to Please!