Interest Project Awards (IPAs) are badge-earning projects that cover a variety of topics everything from fashion and fitness to communication and camping. IPs have specific guidelines for activities as shown below. They can be found in the Interest Projects for Girls 11- 17 book and on the internet. Girls earn patches for completing IPs, but can also opt to earn certificates instead. (Many girls do not wear uniforms and prefer to keep the certificates in a binder.) Charms are available for a few of the new IPs found on the STUDIO2B website. Much more information is available on the GS Central website for working with girls to set their own goals and how to advise the girls with the REFLECTION activity.

Where can I find IPs?

The IP Book.

GS Central website: http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/insignia/online/

STUDIO2B website: www.studio2b.org

What are the requirements? (New IPs)

There are six steps, described below, for completing each of the new IPs:

1. BUILD: Build a skill foundation by doing the IP's REQUIRED activity

 (each IP has one REQUIRED activity separate from the LEARN, DO, SHARE activities).

2. LEARN: Do ONE activity of your choice from the LEARN category.

3. DO: Do ONE activity of your choice from the DO category.

4. SHARE: Do ONE activity of your choice from the SHARE category.

5. DESIGN and do an activity of YOUR OWN (based on a SMART goal you'll plan with the help of an adult advisor). See: http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/insignia/online/ips11_17/gs_prog_gsc_s2b_ip_ad_qa_f.pdf  or http://www.studio2b.org/lounge/gs_stuff/ip_intro_owngoal.asp

6. REFLECT: Prepare a short REFLECTION describing what part(s) of the

Promise and Law relates to what you did while earning the IP. Think about how this IP has given you skills or greater understanding to help you live out that part(s) of the Promise and Law in your own life and then prepare a REFLECTION that best expresses your experiences and personality, such as a 1-2 paragraph description, Poem, Song/rap, Drawing/painting/photograph, or short movie.

IP Book: "Old" or "New" Requirements: (choose your style)

"OLD" (as printed in the IP Book)

You must complete at least seven activities as follows:

_ 2 Skill Builders activities

_ 1 Technology activity

_ 1 Service Project activity

_ 1 Career Exploration activity

_ 2 additional activities from any category that you choose

"NEW"

1. Do two "Skill Builders" activities of your choice.

2. Do two activities of your choice from the four categories (selected

activities can't be from the same category.)

3. Design and do one goal of your own (must be a SMART goal)

4. Prepare a short REFLECTION describing what part(s) of the Promise and Law relates to what you did while earning the IP

What do you earn?

Patches or certificates. Charms are available for some IPs.

What is "double-dipping?"

Each activity should only be counted once toward completing an IP - you must do six different activities to earn the IPA. For example, if one activity is to learn to sew from a pattern and another is to make a tote bag, you cannot make the tote bag from a pattern and count it both places (you must sew two different items to satisfy the two different requirements.)