Russia Challenge Badge Pack

“From Russia with Love”

In the summer of 2011 I will be travelling in a team of six to Russia to complete a GOLD (Guiding Overseas Linked with Development) project. We have created this challenge pack and badge to help with our fundraising and to help increase knowledge of Russia and World Guiding. There are an assortment of challenges, suitable for all sections, feel free to adapt them to your individual requirements if necessary.

To earn a badge challenges must be completed from each of the 5 sections:

1. Russian language, culture, traditions and cuisine2. Russian Geography, Animals and Science3. Crafts4. Games and Sports5. GOLD, WAGGGS and Guiding in Russia

We hope you have fun and enjoy this resource!

The GOLD Russia 2011 team

Section 1: Russian language, culture, traditions and cuisine

Choose at least 1 challenge from each sub-section

a) Russian Language

The official language of Russia is Russian, a Slavic language. The Russian alphabet consists of 33 letters, most of which look entirely different to those used in the English language, due to their origins in the Cyrillic alphabet.

Russian Alphabet

Learn some basic Russian phrases, for example: Hello, Goodbye, how are you? My name is…, What is your name? I am from the U.K.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/other/quickfix/russian.shtml

Most of the letters in the Russian alphabet look very unfamiliar to native English speakers. In sixes or patrols make up your own alphabet, use it to write a message to another group and swap with them.

Watch a video in Russian with English subtitles. This could be a film, or a clip on YouTube or similar sites on the internet.

b) Russian Culture and Traditions

Russia has a rich and diverse culture reflecting its often troubled history and its geographical stretch across Europe and Asia.

Russia is famous for its ballet, especially for productions such as the Nutcracker, with the musical score by a very famous Russian, Tchaikovsky. Listen to music from the nutcracker which was composed by Tchaikovsky, create your own ballet dance, or even watch a performance of the Nutcracker.

Tell the story of the Nutcracker and try the colouring pages and mazes at the end of this pack:-

It's Christmas at the Stahlbaum home. There' s a huge tree, and many guests arrive to celebrate with the family. Clara's godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, makes magical toys. He entertains the guests with two life-sized dolls that dance around the room. Then he gives gifts to the children, and gives Clara a very special gift of a nutcracker. Her brother, Fritz, is jealous, and grabs the nutcracker and it gets broken! Clara is very upset, so Herr Drosselmeyer repairs the doll before handing it back to her.Soon after, all the guests leave and the children go to bed. Clara gets up in the night and goes downstairs to get her nutcracker from under the tree. She falls asleep there, and is transported into Christmas fantasy where her nutcracker has grown to the size of a human. When the Mouse King attacks, the Nutcracker Prince tries to valiantly defend young Clara, but is struck down in the battle. Clara in turn saves her Nutcracker Prince by throwing her shoe at the Mouse King and defeating him. With the nasty Mouse King out of the way, Clara runs to the Nutcracker Prince. When she kisses him, he turns into a human! Then she and her Prince are whisked away through the Enchanted Forest, where they see dancing snowflakes and other wonders. Then they travel further to the Kingdom of the Sweets.

Discover some of the famous Russian fairytales such as the frog princess, the snow maiden or the enormous Turnip.

http://russian-crafts.com/russian-folk-tales.html

Draw your own illustrations to scenes from these stories, or even make up your own fairy tale using traditional characters and settings from Russian tales including a bear, a forest, and an old woman.

For Brownies and Guides, try writing your own fairy tale in sixes or Patrols. You agree the most basic details of the main character, and then each girl writes one line of the story, and one word on the next line, folding over the paper to hide her line and only leaving her last word showing. The next girl continues to write the story and so on until an a4 piece of paper is full. The first girl unfolds the story and reads it out to the rest of the group.

Listen to some traditional or folk music from Russia. Consider the differences and similarities to music from your local area. Research and listen to Russian artists from music genres that you particularly enjoy (classical, rock, metal, hiphop, pop etc)

Learn about one of the following Russian holidays and celebrate it:

New Year: 1st of January (although this has not always been the case) Russians celebrate by decorating their Novogodnyaya Yolka or New Year’s tree which is traditionally topped with a star ornament and decorated with sweets. The Russian Orthodox Christmas Day is celebrated on the 7th of January, when Ded Moroz or Father Frost and this granddaughter Snegurochka the snow girl bring presents for children. On this day people often have their fortunes told. Have a New Year party, share small gifts, decorate or make your own trees, and make fortune tellers.

International Women’s day: 8th March. Russians celebrate women’s day as an official holiday! Russians often link this day to events which commenced on this day in 1917. In 1917 Russian women began a strike for "bread and peace" in response to the death over 2 million Russian soldiers in war. Opposed by political leaders the women continued to strike until four days later the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote. Russians celebrate by giving female friends, and especially family members flowers, roses and tulips are especially popular. Make some flowers out of tissue paper and give them to a female family member. (But make sure the flowers are an odd number as it is unlucky in Russia to give an even number of flowers!)

Easter: Easter is celebrated in Russia in a traditional manner. Paint some hard boiled eggs, or have a go at designing your own Faberge egg, with card, glitter and sequins, or buy some polystyrene eggs and push in sequins and use metallic pens and ribbon to create your own version.

Make an easy version of traditional Russian Kulich (Sweet Bread with Raisins and Almonds, served at Easter)Get a boxed pound cake mix, and make up according to the instructions, with the addition of raisins, chopped almonds and candied mixed fruit. Add some vanilla extract, and if possible some powdered saffron. Bake in a bundt pan according to the instructions on the boxMake a thin frosting of icing sugar, milk, vanilla, lemon juice and almond extract, and when the cake is cool drizzle the frosting over the top and down the sides of the cake.

Shrovetide: Russian’s celebrate Shrovetide for an entire week. In Russian Pancake week is called "Maslyanitsa". Shrovetide is an ancient festival dating from pagan times. People wore funny masks and costumes, and partied with lots of food and wine! Traditionally it celebrated the end of winter and the coming of spring. Rituals included burning a man of straw (symbolizing winter) leaving festival food on the ancestors` graves) and feasts, particularly consisting of pancakes. Celebrate with pancakes served with butter or sour cream, as is traditional in Russia.

c) Russian Cuisine

Russian cuisine is also very varied, reflecting a wide range of flavours from Europe and Asia.

Tea is a very popular drink in Russia. Have a tea party and try different teas. Rainbows may enjoy brining a teddy bear and having a Russian teddy bears’ picnic, share some fruit teas and try and guess the flavours. Have a chat about bears as a Russian symbol and their presence in Russian wildlife. Senior Section, adults and

Trefoil Guild may wish to try Russian caravan tea. If it is summer you could even have a go at making iced tea cocktails, over 18s could add some Russian vodka!

Make Sbiten, a traditional spiced honey drink, served warm during the winter months.

Boil one litre of water add ½ a cup of honey, ½ a cup brown sugar, 2 cloves, ¼ tsp of cinnamon, 1 tsp of ginger 1 tsp lemon zest and 2 tablespoons of raspberry jam, stiring constantly .Turn down the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes. Turn the heat off and leave for another 5 minutes. Garnish with mint leaves and serve. Can also be fortified with brandy or vodka, or even use Cabernet Sauvignon instead of water.

Make, or simply eat some Beef Stroganoff or Chicken Kiev, both of which originate in Russia

Make some Borsch (Beetroot soup)

Ingredients

1kg beetroot450g carrots8 shallots2 garlic cloves1 stick of celery 1 leek1 large potato1 bay leaf2tbsp caraway seeds1 litre vegetable stockSalt and pepperSmall tub of sour cream.

Chop vegetables roughly and add stock. Boil for one hour with caraway seeds and bay leaf. After 1 hour remove bay leaf, season with salt and pepper and blend. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

Section 2: Russian Geography, Animals and Science

Choose at least 2 activities from this section

a) Russian Geography

Russia is the largest country in the world, stretching across Europe and Asia. The Russian climate varies significantly. While northern villages can experience average winter temperatures of -47 degrees Celsius, southern regions can enjoy more moderate climates, and average summer temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius. Russia has two million fresh and saltwater lakes and is heavily reliant on rivers for trade and transport.

Make a snowman out of ice cream, with two vanilla scoops forming the head and body and sweets to decorate

Wrap up in warm clothes and run some games outside in the colder months

Have a winter survival meeting, make a mini camp outdoors and wrap up warm

Learn some winter survival skills

Make a snow globe

Design a uniform for Russian Girlguiding members that would be suitable for the freezing winters and warm summers.

Have a snowball fight. Split the girls into two teams and give them a pile of newspapers each. In five minutes they must make snowballs and chuck them at the opposite side. The winners are the team with the fewest snowballs on their side

The Russian hat the Ushanka ‘ear hat’ is famous for its ear flaps, which can be tied under the chin to keep Russians warm during the very cold winters. Design your own hat to keep you warm during a Russian winter, using material and fabric pens, or design an outfit using newspaper, binliners and carrier bags to create a waterproof, warm outfit which could be warn during a Russian winter. Think in particular about protecting feet and legs from the snow. Feeling brave? Why not test its waterproof features by splashing with water or jumping in some puddles!

b) Russian Animals

Russia is home to many famous animals such as bears and tigers, but many are at risk of extinction.

Make masks of some famous Russian animals (Bears, Wolves, Tigers)

Make a poster or leaflet about an endangered animal from Russia (for example the snow leopard, blue whale, tiger or sea otter)

Visit a Zoo, or conservation park or learn about ways in which endangered animals from Russia are being saved from extinction

c) Russian Science

Russia was the first country to send a man into space when Yuri Gagarin went up in 1961, and has invented many items essential for industry.

In teams build a rocket out of newspaper and sticky tape and see which team can make the biggest rocket, which must stand without assistance.

Make a film canister rocket (outside)

You will need:

One empty 35mm plastic film canister and lid (clear/white canisters work best)One fizzing antacid tablet Slightly warm water

Break the antacid tablet in half.Remove the lid from the film canister and put a teaspoon (5 ml) of water into the canister. Drop the tablet half into the canister and snap the cap onto the canister (make sure that it snaps on tightly.)Quickly put the canister on the ground CAP SIDE DOWN and STEP BACK at least 2 meters.

Wait for lift off!

Learn about how astronauts live when they are in space. Try some space ice cream!

Rocket boots are a patented Russian invention to speed up walking. In groups come up with your own invention to speed up tasks, or to make life easier, the wilder the better!

A Russian immigrant in America, Sam Born is credited with inventing the lollipop as he made a machine which mechanically inserted the sticks. He also developed chocolate sprinkles. Make Lollipop flowers by sticking a lollipop to a flower head cut out of paper or card. The lollipop forms the centre and the stem. Add leaves and green tissue paper to the stem.

Section 3: Crafts

Choose at least one activity from this section

A Matryoshka doll, or Russian nesting doll, is a set of painted wooden figures that stack inside each other. They are popular mainly due to the elaborate painting on each doll. Try making your own Russian dolls from papier maché or buy a plain set from a craft shop to paint.

Templates for Matryoshka Dolls to colour in – for Rainbows:http://www.mssscrafts.com/crafts/matryushka/

Russian Doll Hanging Decorations from Baker Ross-http://www.bakerross.co.uk/cat_id/XMSDECO/product-Russian-Doll-Wooden-Tree-Decorations-EV688.htm

Get a big piece of wall paper and draw round each other keeping your hands by your side and feet together and create your very own Matroyshka doll. Draw on a face and your own design and colour in. Once you have finished cut it out and see how many dolls can fit inside each other in your unit. Or cut out the face big enough to fit your head through the hole and take a photo of your unit all as Matryoshka dolls.

Using strawberry laces tie them together to make your own edible Russian lace, make a pattern on a paper plate and use different sweets to decorate.

Russian Orthodox churches are famous for their decorative domes. In sixes or Patrols design a dome on a piece of paper, using different patterns and colours. Have a church template cut out of cardboard, so each six/Patrol can put their dome onto the church cut-out.

If you did not select to celebrate Easter in the previous section, have a go at dying eggs or making your own Faberge eggs.

Traditionally during festive occasions Russian women wore a Kokoshnik, a beautiful decorated headdress. Design and make your own version out of card and fix it with elastic or ribbon.

Section 4: Games and sports

Choose at least one activity from this section

Sochi, a city in Russia, is hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Find out what sports are played at the Winter Olympics and hold your own mini Winter Olympics.

Find out about Rhythmic gymnastics, a popular sport in Russia, and have a go!

Russia has won the bid to host the World Cup in 2018 – think about all the things you have learnt about Russia and create a logo for the Russia World Cup in 2018.

Play Dragon, Princess, Warrior:Split the girls into two groups. Each group must decide amongst themselves which figure they want to be. The groups line up facing each other and on the count of three reveal which figure they have chosen, by shouting it out, and by performing the chosen action:Princess: CurtseyDragon: make claws with hands and raise into airWarrior: Pretend to draw sword (Dragon beats princess, princess beats warrior and warrior beats dragon)

Play the cat and the mice:One girl is the cat and stands in the middle with eyes closed. The rest are mice. The mice say: Where do you stand? The cat answers: On the Bridge The mice say: Try to find us and catch us! And then clap loudly. The cat must keep eyes closed and try and catch someone. If caught they become the cat.

Wide Game: Cossacks and Robbers.Children split into two groups, one are Cossacks, and the others are Robbers. The Robbers hide while the Cossacks guard their camp and look away. All the Cossacks apart from one then go and look for the robbers. When they find a robber they must take it back to their camp where the one remaining Cossack is keeping guard. The game continues until all robbers are caught.

St Petersburg Hearts. Each girl should write something that she loves doing, reading, watching or eating on a heart (trying to be as individual as possible) they are all

collected in and read out one by one. Each girl must write down who they think the heart/sentence belongs to. The girl with the most correct answers is the winner.

Play broken telephone, which is essentially Chinese whispers, but standing in a row and said very fast.

Snake charmer: All girls stand in a line and hold on to waist of the girl in front. The head of the line must catch the tail. If the link breaks they must stop and rejoin. Once caught, the head becomes the new tail and the next person at the front becomes the head.

Section 5: GOLD, WAGGGS and Guiding in Russia

Choose at least 2 activities from this section

Find out about WAGGGS, draw a poster or write a leaflet explaining what it is and what it does

Draw the world flag and label each part, describing the meaning behind each section

Learn the world song

http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/about/guiding/guidinghistory/symbols

Guiding in Russia started in 1910 but was disbanded in the 1920s because it was banned by the Communist Party which had taken rule in the country. Imagine Girlguiding was about to be banned in the U.K. make a time capsule style box with what you consider to be the most important elements of Girlguiding, and write a message to girls who might one day find the box. Have a discussion about what Girlguiding means to you, and why you enjoy it.

Here is some information about Guiding in Russia:

Russian Girl Scout Promise

On my honour, I promise that I will do my best:To serve my country,To strive for spiritual perfection,To help those who need my help, andTo live by the Girl Scout Law

Russian Guide Laws:

1 A Girl Scout’s honour is to be trusted.2 A Girl Scout always finishes what she has started.3 A Girl Scout does her best to be useful and help others.4 A Girl Scout is friendly, affable and courteous.5 All Girl Scouts are sisters.6 A Girl Scout is a friend to nature.7 A Girl Scout is loyal to her parents, disciplined, and obeys her Leaders’ orders.8 A Girl Scout is always cheerful.9 A Girl Scout is thrifty and respects others’ property.10 A Girl Scout is pure and noble in thought, in word and in deed.

Consider the differences between the Russian and British Guide laws. Carry out some activities which fulfil the Russian Guide laws, in particular number 6 and number 9.

Examples:No. 6. Be a friend to nature by planting some bulbs (perhaps snowdrops, which are a sign of spring in Russia) or help pick up litter in a public park. No. 9. Be thrifty by holding a meeting where you swap unwanted clothes and accessories, or make your own from recycled materials and cloth. Do a craft using as many old household items as possible.

Extra Activities

Russia Quiz

1) What is the capital city of Russia?a) Helsinkib) St Petersburgc) Moscow

2) Approximately how many languages are spoken in Russiaa) 10b) 100c) 1000

3) If you travel the length of Russia how many time zones will you cross?a) 3b) 9c) 11

4) Russia is the largest county in the world?a) Trueb) False

5) Approximately how many people live in Russia?a) 100 millionb) 120 millionc) 140 million

6) What colours are the Russian flag?a) Red White & Blue

b) Yellow Red Greenc) Black Pink Red

7) In what year was Guiding re-started in Russia?a) 1999b) 1990c) 2000

8) What flower is on the Russian Guides Trefoil?a) Lillyb) Daffodilc) Snow Drop

9) What food would you not find in Russia?a) Cauliflowerb) Potatoesc) Beetroot

10) What alcoholic beverage originates from Russia?a) Rumb) Vodkac) Sherry

Answers 1=c 2=b 3=c 4=a 5=c 6=a 7=b 8=c 9=a 10=b

(1)

(2)

The Nutcracker

Useful Websites:-

WAGGGS Russia http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/world/organisations?mo=112

Russian Tea Party Games http://www.child-tea-party-game-ideas.com/russian-tea-party-games.html

Russia Activities and Colouring Pages http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/russia/russ_kidspage.htm

Learn Simple Russian http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/learn_russian.htm

Learn Russian Numbershttp://www.enchantedlearning.com/language/russian/numbers/

A Kids Life in Russiahttp://library.thinkquest.org/CR0212302/russia.html