GROOVES offers cool, cultural and comprehensive Dance Badge Programs to Girl Scout troops at our Barrington studio. (Scout's honor!) Troop Leaders may choose from a portfolio of standard Badge Programs or create a customized one with our Creative Director. Depending on troop level, girls may:

	Transform themselves into "Flappers" by learning an early jazz dance routine;
	Learn a disco, pop or country line dance;
	Discover the rhythms and dances of other countries and cultures such as Latin (merengue, salsa, mambo, cha-cha);
	Tell a story through theatrical dance;
	Observe (via video clips and print depictions) and dance the crazes that had our country moving from the exuberant jazz of the Roaring 1920s to the funky pop of the 80s - crazes like the Charleston, the Black Bottom, Lindy Hop, twist, monkey, mashed potato, the swim, pony, Night Fever and so much more!!

You may also consider holding a dance party at GROOVES during which the girls can teach troop leaders, family and friends some of the dances they learned at a previous badge session, or just perform for a "live" audience. Let them pick some music for open dance time and organize the event with
Dance Party Planning Tips courtesy of Grooves!

GROOVES' Badge Programs range in length from 1-2 hours and can be completed in one or multiple sessions. Fees range from $15-20 per girl based on length of session.




Sample Outline for a 2-hour Junior Girl Scout Program
This curriculum incorporates 5 of the required 6 activities to earn the "Dance" badge.

1. Dance Watcher
Periodically throughout the 2-hour session, girls will watch selected video clips of various dance performances (both professional and amateur) and engage in discussions about how the dancers' movements match the music, if the costumes make the dance more interesting, and what they liked the most. This activity is woven into the other activities discussed below.

2. Dance Around the World (Includes "Dance Watcher" activity)
Girls will be introduced to several dances from other countries via instruction to international music. Dances may include cha-cha, merengue, mambo, tango, and salsa.

3. Lines and Squares (Includes "Dance Watcher" activity)
Participants will learn 1-2 line dances including disco, pop and/or country.

4. Belle of the Ball
Girls may be introduced to a classic ballroom dance (to classical music) with emphasis on partnering and the footwork that make up a "figure."

5. Dance Through the Decades (Includes "Dance Watcher" activity)
Participants will watch video clips that demonstrate dance genres and the music that defined our culture throughout the 20th century; from early jazz (1920s Charleston) and Big Band orchestrations (1930-40s swing) to rock and roll (1950-60s twist, swim, hip-shakin' etc.), disco (1970s as learned in "Lines and Squares), funk, punk and pop (1980-90s jazz and robotic), and discuss how the evolution of musical styles influenced the changing dance genres.


GROOVES recommends holding a Dance Party (which is one of the activities) at which the girls review the dance forms and steps they learned and, also, enjoy open dancing to music of their choosing. This is a great celebratory activity that culminates in earning their badge. Grooves can host the party and provide ample music selections.