Odds Are. To earn the Odds Are Patch you must complete the required activity as well as at least one activity in each of the five sections.

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1 1 Odds Are. A patch program based on the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Introduced at GSCNC Camp Sunshine, July 2012 Contact: Ann Robertson (ann@robertsonwriting.com) The Hunger Games books by Suzanne Collins have sold millions of copies to devoted fans. Readers are drawn in to the story of Katniss Everdeen, whose brave acts of self- sacrifice inspire ordinary citizens to take a stand against violence and cruelty. To earn the Odds Are Patch you must complete the required activity as well as at least one activity in each of the five sections. Required Read at least one of the novels in the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins or view one of the movies inspired by the books. Agree not to reveal any spoilers in any of the books that your troop- mates have not also read. The Hunger Games take place in the future, in the fictional country of Panem, which is located in roughly the same place as the continental United States. Each Hunger Games begins with a history lesson that explains how an earlier civilization, North America, was destroyed by disasters and war. In time, Panem emerged from the ruins of North America, consisting of a Capitol and 13 Districts. When the districts attempted to overthrow the Capitol, the rebellion was brutally put down. The resulting Treaty of Treason created the Hunger Games as a way to instill fear and obedience in the Districts so they will never rebel again. What is a rebellion? Has the United States ever experienced a rebellion? Did the winning side do anything to punish the loser?

2 2 1. The Phenomenon Suzanne Collins was inspired to write The Hunger Games by the ancient Greek myth of the Minotaur. Read the story to yourself or aloud with your troop. How do the Hunger Games resemble the myth? Collins was also inspired by reality television. One night, as she channel surfed between a news report about war and reality competition show, she was struck by how similar the two programs were. How real is reality television and how does it differ from scripted television? Design your own show and pitch it to others in your troop. Is there a (taste) limit to what shows make it to television? 2. Life in District 12 District 12 is one of the poorest in Panem and food is scarce. When Mr. Everdeen is killed in a coal mining accident, Katniss learns to hunt and gather wild foods so she, her mother, and her sister will not starve. Learn some of her secrets Katniss hunts wild game in the forest using a bow and arrow. Locate an archery range near you and take a lesson. Bread plays an important role in the Hunger Games, as does the baker s son, Peeta Mellark. Try your hand at baking two different kinds of bread. Kat s sister, Prim, has a goat and makes cheese using the goat s milk. There are many easy recipes for goat cheese on the Internet, such as to- make- goat- cheese- recipe.html. Try it out! No goats? OK, then try making blackberry jam. Katniss and Gale enjoy fresh bread spread with goat cheese and basil and fresh blackberries the morning of the Reaping ceremony. 3. Life in the Capitol Cinna carefully selects the costumes and hairstyles that Katniss and Peeta wear when all of the tributes are introduced to the audience and television viewers. What is his strategy? How is that strategy applied to the tribute interview show? How would you handle the interview? What would you say if you were coaching a tribute? Stage your own version at a troop meeting, with tributes,

3 3 an interviewer, and an audience. Create your own character or just be yourself. Who do you think has the best chance at winning? Try making commercial pitch for sponsors. What items would a Tribute want or need the most? Imagine you are the stylist for one of the contestants in next year's Hunger Games. Use catalogs or visit a sporting goods store for inspiration, design their uniform, considering the weather conditions they will face. Will they need to stay warm, dry, or cool? What fabrics and styles would be most appropriate? 4. Let the Games Begin Katniss grabs a small square of plastic as she flees the cornucopia, what does she use it for later? Where does Katniss seek shelter at night? Learn about improvised shelters and try building one yourself. When the games start, Katniss has a water bottle but no water and becomes dehydrated before she finds water. When she finally finds water, she treats it with iodine and waits 30 minutes instead of gulping it down. Why? How else could she get clean water? Try making a solar still. Katniss grabs the closest backpack before she flees the cornucopia. What basic supplies does she find inside? Dump out your purse and/or backpack and see what s inside. If you were lost in the woods, what items might help you survive? Tributes are not issued first aid kits and must fend for themselves if they are injured. Katniss learned some healing methods from her mother and receives help from another tribute. Ask a trained health care provider how to treat some of the injuries mentioned in The Hunger Games, including: how to treat an arrow wound infection (blood poisoning) from deep knife cut how to transport a person with a severe leg injury (knife cut to thigh) insect stings dehydration burns how to use a tourniquet how to transport a person with a leg injury Learn two or more ways to start a fire without matches.

4 4 5. Life after the Games The winners of the Hunger Games are taken to the hospital. Instead of celebrating with a feast of the Capitol s finest food, they are fed intravenously for several days. Why? What happens if a person who has gone with little or no food for several days suddenly can eat as much as they d like? The annual Hunger Games provide thousands of jobs throughout Panem, including trainers, publicists, stylists, and television production crews. How many can you identify? Are there similar jobs in the real world? What kind of training is required? The Gamesmakers of Panem work to make sure Tributes do not survive. Fortunately, most U.S. towns, cities, and states have people trained in locating, rescuing, and healing lost and severely injured people. Find out who provides such services in your town. Are they employees or volunteers? Who pays for their training and services?

5 Odds Are. and Rising Tide Patch programs based on the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Contact: Ann Robertson Patch Order Form (Patches are 2.5 inches wide) of the Odds Are $2.00 each = of the Rising Tide $2.00 each = Shipping and Handling = $ (see chart) Total Amount Enclosed = $ Mail Patches To: Quantity Shipping Charge 1 4 $2.00 Name: 5 10 $4.00 Street: $6.00 City: $8.00 State/Zip: $ Please contact seller. Please send the order form and check payment to: Ann Robertson 9500 Briar Glenn Way Gaithersburg MD Questions? Please contact me at or ann@robertsonwriting.com Thank you!!!!