One of our most beloved Service Unit traditions is our annual Yule Log Hunt. Cadette Troop #534 organizes the event now, in memory of Wilma Kirshenbaum, a dedicated Girl Scout leader and volunteer who ran the event for many years.
What is a Yule Log Hunt?
Burning a Yule Log is probably the oldest winter tradition there is. The yule log gets its name from Scandinavian traditions but the ritual burning of a special log during winter solstice took place as far west as Ireland, as far south as Greece, and as far north as Siberia for thousands of years in history. The yule log tradition has continued, with the fire coming to represent the light of the Savior instead of the light of the Sun (for solstice). The yule log burning marks the start of the Christmas celebrations and requires the gathering of family and friends for a warm and cheery celebration. This is why it is a perfect way for us to celebration and honor the life of fellow GS leader Wilma Kirshenbaum, who ran the Yule Log Hunt for many years before her passing.
What do we do?
Prior to this event date, each participating troop needs to decorate their own yule log. What does this mean? Grab any log from your fire pile, and decorate it with flammable decorations!. (fabric, paper, yarn, stickers, pom pons, streamers, berries, evergreens….be creative, but think BURNABLE) You could make a theme (Santa, neon, snow….anything!) or just make it festive. You will drop off this log and markers (see below) BEFORE the hunt. Troop 534 will hide your log on the trail and use your supplied markers to help you find your way through the woods to find your log.
Along with the decorated log, you need to make trail markers. What are these? Any easy “ornament” type hanging marker that we will use to hang in the trees to mark your path to find where your log is hidden. Please make MINIMUM 5 markers, but you can make as many as your troop if you want (see more info below). They MUST HAVE YOUR TROOP NUMBER. Punch a hole and add a string or ribbon so they can hang on a branch. The Cadettes have requested your markers be around 4” x 4” to be more visible. This is just a suggested size, and they don’t have to be square! Good materials for markers are foam sheets, cardboard, pipe cleaners, etc. and they don’t need to be flammable. Many girls bring home their markers after the hunt and use them as ornaments on their Christmas trees or decorations in their bedrooms.
Once you find your log, you will bring it to the bonfire and add it to the fire! Yes… You are going to burn your work!! Please prep the younger girls for this 😉 sometimes they are not prepared to see their project burned, lol. If you tell them the traditions of Yule Log and what it means, they will understand this is not a bad thing, it is good luck! BUT you DO get to keep your markers!! Maybe you want to make one for each girl in your troop so they can take it home and use it as an ornament! OR, throw them in the fire! That’s ok too! You can make easy, disposable markers, they just need to hold up for the hunt. This can be as SIMPLE or FANCY as you want!!! Make it work for YOU!
Photos of trail markers and yule logs from years past are posted on our Service Unit Facebook page!