Camp Gowonagin coming soon!

[moderator]

Since there isn't any Circle of Smiles this year I'm going to set up a Camp Gowonagin for the girl I mentor, with a little camp book, activities, etc. I'll be sure to share the ideas with all of you, if any of you would like to do this with friends or daughters. I won't post lengthy instructions, just some general ideas that might get us all started. Stay tuned! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ June 23, 2004 11:48 AM: Message edited by: Melissa ]</font>

[courtneysunshine]

Melissa what a wonderful idea! Yes, I would definitely like to hear what you come up with. My daughter would love something like this [img]smile.gif[/img]

Kim

[moderator]

I put it up as an article online...I hope it has some ideas that will be fun for others...I am really anxious to begin!

Ignore the title of the article, since it's for my website. [img]smile.gif[/img]

http://www.angelfire.com/mi/FAST/camp.html

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ June 23, 2004 07:47 PM: Message edited by: Melissa ]</font>

[sharlit]

Melissa, one thing I can recommend about lanyards is, the more plyable the gimp (?never knew that was the name for it) is, the easier it is to work with. I assume it's the same type of plastic stuff I used at my summer camp. It was pretty soft and lanyards were pretty easy for everyone after a little practice. But I got the AG set for Molly, and didn't like it because the gimp that came in it was soo stiff it was difficult to work with. But you're making me want to start lanyards again!

[moderator]

Sarah, the texture of it might be the problem! I think it is stiff. I can't tell if I'm pulling too tightly or not. The lanyard also has another gimping technique I'll need to learn, so I feel intimidated...what a big project for kids! No wonder I never understood Molly's instructions! [img]wink.gif[/img]

You should definitely think about starting again...it must be "in" right now since an elementary-aged friend of mine said everyone in her school is doing this right now (keychains and zipper-pull type things). I was shocked how many color choices there were available at the craft store, including ones with glitter embedded in them.

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ June 26, 2004 04:31 PM: Message edited by: Melissa ]</font>

[sharlit]

Ooh, yes, I remember seeing the glitter ones for the first time and being very excited. But I never found any that were soft. Hopefully it's changed since then (over 10 years ago). You know you're pulling too hard when you snap the gimp. [img]tongue.gif[/img] I remember some people's braids were tighter than others. I used to do mine pretty tightly, but only broke it once or twice. So I guess it's a personal preference. If you like it tight, go for it!

[sharlit]

I did it! I got lanyard supplies! However, they're not too "in" here, as no where in my town did a store sell the lace (including KMart). I ended up going to the next town 20 miles away, and found some at WalMart there. I was very impressed with the selection. They had a new package that had holographic lace which was way cool, but more expensive and I couldn't justify it. The brand there is Camp Hoochee Coochee Craft Lace. The lace is perfect. It's soft, and it stretches slightly when you pull it. I got a package of sparkle lace which I haven't used yet, but seems much improved over the stuff I remember! I started with the box knot with two strings, which was the simplest knot that was taught first at my summer camp. It must be like riding a bike, because I remembered how to do it! I was even able to start it, which is harder, and the counselors at my camp would start them for beginners. I realize my technique is pulling the knot until there is no hole in the center of it. Then it's tight enough for me. I bought a pack of zipper pulls and keyrings form the same company, and it came with instructions for various knots. Lanyard-making was a big thing at my camp, and the really talented kids could do the cobra braid with 6 or more strings. We also did the round braid. The more strings you could use, the more talented you were. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Melissa, thanks for bringing this up! I am having such fun with my childhood memories and a nice craft to relax with. I hope this long post has something helpful for you or someone else in it!

[moderator]

I've updated the page with some photos. After working on a lanyard, I have to say that Linda was very talented...the rope braid is tough! (In <u>Molly Saves the Day</u>, Linda makes a lanyard because she wants to be like the counselors.) Molly wouldn't have had the patience for it! [img]wink.gif[/img]

[moderator]

Sarah, you're right! I tried the process with embroidery thread, and it looks a lot more like it's done correctly. So that would mean the more pliable the material is, the better the results. Now I can feel better that my lanyard isn't looking so good. [img]wink.gif[/img] I think the kind I'm using is more the old-fashioned kind...no stretch to it at all. It reminds me of the kind that came with Molly's lanyard kit, which I remember being really stiff. Hopefully it will work better for the box stitch...it's not the best for rope braiding.

I hope you have a great time with the gimping! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

[moderator]

We started the camp and had a blast! The Mini Scavenger Hunt is *extremely* difficult and we ended up losing several items in the grass. [img]redface.gif[/img] It seems like it would be very easy to find everything, but it was tough and I was really bad at it.

As for the lanyard, I am trying to figure out the box-stitch so I can get these whistle lanyards finished...I just can't figure it out. As Winnie the Pooh says, "oh, bother."

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ June 30, 2004 07:04 PM: Message edited by: Melissa ]</font>