UMOJA stands for unity. It means to work for togetherness in my family, our community in which we live, our nations and with others. (The UMOJA patch programs were developed by the Commonwealth Girl Scout Council of Virginia, Inc.)

Complete a minimum of six (6) activities (including the one starred). Complete at least one (1) activity in each section.

1.  Well-Being

The Middle Passage

The Middle Passage was a harsh journey into slavery from the West African Coast across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World. Learn about the Middle Passage.

Do one (1) of the following:

A. Design a poster or a display to share your findings.

B. Write a paper to your ancestors, who survived during the Middle Passage. Thank them for the opportunity you have to live because of them.

C. Trace your family back three (3) generations. Share with others something special you have learned about your family.

D. Make an African triangle out of magazines showing Africans living in Africa, the Caribbean and America.

A. Participate in a Kwanza Celebration, or plan and conduct one and invite family, friends or another Girl Scout troop to join in.

B. Learn the seven (7) principles of Kwanza; say the principles in Swahili.

C. Prepare an African dish for your celebration.

2.  Outdoors and the Environment

The Underground Railroad

Learn about the Underground Railroad. Read about Harriet Tubman. Why was she called "Black Moses"? Based upon your feelings and what you know about the Underground Railroad, prepare a skit, story or poem to share at a troop campfire program.

OR

Conduct a nature hike similar to the journey taken along the Underground Railroad. Determine directions by the mold on trees and the position of the sun. Use your & compass. With this information, draw a map of the Underground Railroad.

OR

Design a wide game for Brownie Girl Scouts which shows how the Underground Railroad worked. Include stations which show how people helped, the dangers they met and how they escaped along the way.

3.  Girl Scouting

Girl Guides of African Nations

Learn about Girl Guides in Africa. Find pictures of Girl Guide pins and uniforms in two (2) African countries and make comparisons with your own pin and uniform. How are they similar and how are they different? Find out what life is like in these countries and share several activities that Girl Guides might do with others - consider their homes, family size, schools and recreation.

4.  Arts and Music

African Queens

Many Africans fought against the onslaught of slave traders. Angola, led by Queen Nzinga, fought the Portuguese for over forty years. Read about her story and discuss your findings with others in your troop.

Visit a library, museum or community activity featuring African exhibits. Look for examples of great pyramids, temples, tombs, empires and universities. Design a model of something you observed.

Most African-American folk music was composed to carry a message about one's job, religion or social protest. Listen to three (3) African-American spirituals - "Go Down Moses"; "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"; and "Steal Away". Discuss the message in each of these spirituals.

5.  People

Slavery

Utilizing your library, or by visiting historical sites featuring African-American history, learn about slavery in the United States prior to the Civil War. Based upon your findings prepare a skit, story, poem or pictures showing a day in the life a black slave. Consider the following: work, food, slave auctions, family, punishment, housing, social gatherings and others.

Work in groups or individually to learn about some of the contributions of African-Americans. "COMPLETE A, B, and C."

A. Identify at least five (5) African-American inventors or scientists. How have their inventions affected our lives today? Share your discoveries with other troop/group members.

B. Make a "Black Tree" with at least five (5) branches labeled for scientists and inventors, artists, musicians, historical figures, civil rights leaders and writers.

C. Begin your tree's growth by finding out about two (2) people in each category. Add leaves to each branch as you or troop members discover more people. Be sure to include some facts about each person on their leaf. Use what you learned in Part A to add leaves to your scientists and inventors branch. Continue to add leaves for each African-American you learn about, and share your discoveries with the rest of your troop or another group.