Girl Scouts of Rolling Hills Council
Service Unit 8

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History of SWAPs:

            The original SWAP pin can be traced back to the Native Americans of Northwest Coastal tribes and their participation in potlatch ceremonies. Potlatch is a ceremonial gift exchange popular among these Native Americans. The custom is from the legend telling why birds have colored feathers. The story says that two Native American girls took feathers of a magic colored bird and gave them to other colorless birds in the forest. From then on, all birds have had brightly colored feathers, and those gifts were remembered at a potlatch ceremony. A ceremony was held to commemorate births, deaths, marriages, or a coming of age. To invite a family to a potlatch ceremony, a messenger summoned them carrying a bundle of sticks that represented the number of people to be invited. At the ceremony, there were speeches, songs, dances, races, and refreshments. The host family wore costumes and enacted legends about their heritage. Just before the guests left, they exchanged gifts. The gifts were a symbol of family status in the village and were very elaborate. Many were carved boxes, canoes, dishes, jewelry, mats, and baskets.

            SWAPs as we know them today were first started at the National Roundup Conferences. Then, SWAPs were little gifts that one Scout gave to another. They are handmade because it is as if the girl is giving a part of herself to show friendship. They can be exchanged at National Conventions, Council events, Wider Ops, SU or neighborhood events, troop meetings, or at day camp. Sometimes they have a tag attached with the event name and date, the troop number, or the council name or state. SWAPs promote friendship, encourage girls to make new friends, and are great mementos of a good time.