The Circle

Your Circle is the basic unit organized under the Rocky Mountain Expedition. The Circle is the group in which members experience the adventures, and Moms and Daughters bond together. Members pick their nicknames, take part in the monthly Circle Meetings and Ceremonies, practice the skit for the Winter Outing, make the monthly craft, take part in the Circle Chant, etc.

- Nicknames. Members each pick a nickname. The silliness that comes from using nicknames helps children see parents thru different eyes. Nicknames are used during Circle Meetings and the Induction Ceremony. Remember: do not use any Indian names that belong(ed) to real people, such as Sitting Bull. Most folks choose names that relate to their circle name. For example, a Tree member may choose a specific tree type that she is fond of. (A Fremont Cottonwood or a Christmas Tree)
- Awards. The Expedition issues the Compass Patch to each member, along with the velcro event patches. In addition, some circles give Circle awards (necklace beads) to their members for certain accomplishments, like reciting their aims, purposes, mottos or pledges; hosting a meeting; or celebrating a birthday. Patches are awarded for Expedition events.
- Monthly Circle Ceremony. Circles have a ceremony during the monthly meeting. Daughters pay the monthly dues into the Circle Money Can; members take part in the Circle's chant; Moms and Daughters commend each other for good deeds, all members recite the aims, scouting reports are provided for future Expedition and circle events, and so on.
- Craft. Moms and Daughters jointly make a craft during the monthly Circle meeting. Examples include: popsicle stick figures, Christmas ornaments, etc. Kits are available from Hobby Lobby, Michaels and catalogs.
- Moms meeting to coordinate future events, payments, etc. Circles sometimes have a short Moms meeting before the monthly circle ceremony. Others have a separate "Moms only meeting" on a different day.
- Strategy meetings. In some circles, Moms meet to discuss the Circle's direction, future Circle events, etc.
- Invitations. The host family is responsible for sending out invitations for the meeting to the Circle members. Remember to include the details for who, when, where, and what.
- Refreshments. The host family usually offers simple refreshments after the meeting/craft. Each circle is different, and some circles provide food for the entire circle before the meeting. This gives daughters experience in being a hostess, preparing for, and cleaning up after, the meeting.
- Monthly Circle Dues. Members contribute to the Circle funds (typically a $5 for one girl and her mother or $7 for more than one girl) during the monthly meeting/ceremony. The Circle typically uses this money for buying Circle property (drum, treasure box, etc), donating to a good cause/charity, etc.
- Circle Property. Circles usually have a few items such as a drum, candids, a Treasure Chest, Scrapbook, and so on..
- Scrap Book. Some Circles maintain a scrap book. A different member takes responsibility every six months to add a page of memorabilia of what happened within the circle. The book can be filled with photos, invitations, etc.