You Can Do It the merit badge handbook for grown-up girls

by Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas, Vaughn Catuzzi Lohec (Introduction), Dara Catuzzi Near (Introduction)

Book deluxe set about encouraging teen girls to succeed

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Reference, Womens, How To, Psychology, Business

712 pages, Spiral-bound

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[AngieA Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! The concept is just so fun and a natural to those of us who like to learn/try new things and earn a little recognition along the way. The premise of "Dare to Dream, Learn Something New and Do Something Just for You" is a wonderful way to inspire women to get together and learn from each other. The story of how the book came to be is inspiring in itself. Initially begun by Lauren Grandcolas, her work was interrupted by 9/11. She died on United Flight 93. Her loving sisters, Vaughn and Dara, completed her work and brought her dream to fruition. Categories include, Dare, Create, Learn, Play, Deal, Connect and Dream. There are even badge stickers to place on each activity when it's completed. There are groups organized to meet and work on badges, so find one in your area, or organize one. Check out the website, too. I have used the ideas in this book for activities for my church women's group and they have been really fun.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Mom gave me this for Christams. I found it really inspiring. Be sure to take from it what you need. If you don't want to skydive or go to Jamacia, don't. I made croissants and felt quite proud of myself!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I think this is totally fun and cute, it's not like I'm going to be working on them any time soon! It was fun to flip through, but that's about it.

[Clare Neubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as someone who loves to try new things and set goals for myself. I read this book over the course of a couple months as it’s pretty lengthy. I love that all 60 badge activities are doable and even many years later this book is still very relevant to women everywhere. I’m happy that Lauren Catuzzi Grandcola’s sisters helped bring her vision of this book to life. I find Lauren Catuzzi Grandcola’s life inspiring as I’ve read a little bit about her as well as visited the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville where she was a heroine on that tragic day. I appreciate the concept of the sticker badges for completing the tasks as I was also a former Girl Scout myself. This book definitely sends a message of female empowerment and that you can do anything you set your mind to.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a long-term read intended to make you do things and think outside the box. I am really enjoying reading the individual sections and challenging myself to accomplish the goals. I have 2 complete to date!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great fun for former Girl Scouts, or any women who like learning new skills and meeting new challenges. And it's fun to see how many skills you're already acquired, and to give yourself a pat on the back, or better yet, a badge!

[Annie]

Not a book you just sit down and read. It's mildly useful when you aren't quite sure how to go about something, but mostly, I guess it's for folks who have trouble thinking up what crazy thing they want to do next. Now I've surfed (not the way the book said) and done some traveling (though I didn't read that section well before I planned and executed my trip) and there isn't a section on "When you decide you want to build a shed and aren't quite sure how to do it so you check out some books and just figure it out yourself" which is all I really feel like I need help with right now. Maybe I'm just picky. But yes, if you need ideas for new things you can learn how to do, this is actually a good place to start, even though I don't quite get the organizational structure.

[Shasta Patterson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I saw a review on this somewhere and really thought it was going to be a checklist type thing of "things to do before you die" kinda thing. I went to the bookstore and it was very disappointing. It was more a "how to" dream, get motivated, get organized, research things to do, etc. kinda thing. I really thought it was going to be a "earn a badge" type thing of life skills. It had the typical write a book, jump out of a plane stuff that is the cliche and lifetime achievements thing that not everyone really wants to do anyway. I was a Girl Scout, so I wanted to earn my big girl badges.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this was a nice idea, but it doesn't tell you how to do anything, just gives you ideas on things to learn/do. I thought it might include a few diagrams and a pattern for knitting, for example, but it just tells you to find someone to teach you. I didn't find this book to be beneficial at all. I guess if you're bored and need ideas on something to do, this might be of use to you.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Wow!
It is set up like a giant scout's book for women. All kinds of subject, mentors. Girls of all ages should have this.
I fell in love with it and then read the intro that the author parished on 9/11. So sad.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of these are silly, but it is still fun and motivating to read. This was written by a passenger who was killed on Flight (?) in Pennsylvania during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Her sister proceeded to have it published following her death.

[Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. From the touching posthumous dedication, to the zaniest chapter. If I ever feel down- I grab this book and dream big. I haven't actually gone through with any of the tasks described- but that is just the procrastinator in me.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the spirit of this book, and the step-by-step way the author opens up doing those things you've always wanted to do, but have never done. I read most of the text; now I need to go back through and pick what I want to do first!

[Cindy May]

It's a great idea and I commend the late author and her family for publishing this book, but it's getting a little outdated as technology evolves, so it might be worth updating soon so it's still relevant.

[Sumi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the idea. I just didn't like the book.

[Shanna]

I am still reading this book. It is quite interesting and has given me lots to think about. Because of the nature of this book, it might be on my currently reading shelf for quite some time.

[Karla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blah...thought it would be more original, but the book suggested the same vague hobbies and goals as most self-exploration books.

[Kimberly Mccune · Rating 2 out of 5]

A huge disappointment. Most of these ideas were so grandoise that no person of reasonable means would be able to achieve them. Rather than given specific steps everything is very abstract and totally depends on the reader having the time, finances, and wherewithal to complete them. This is more dreamy bucket list than practical life skills.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book, with great suggestions for things to try! I didn't read the whole thing. I suggest skimming and taking suggestions from sections that fit your interests. Would recommend to others. This book has something for almost anyone! Find what you are passionate about and use the book to guide you.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most inspiring thing I've read in awhile. Get up and do it!!

[Dee Renee Chesnut · Rating 3 out of 5]

I looked for this book for I watched an interview with a sister of the author on Veria TV. The two sisters saw this book through publishing after the death of the author on United Flight 93 on September 11, 2001.

I liked the idea of using this book as a catalog of 59 merit badges as a starting point to accomplish something new with a mentor and enough small steps in order to feel as if you had a good introduction to a new activity. Even in those areas in which I already earned a merit badge, this book provided some new information. I learned new ways to remove a stuck wine label from its bottle. There are some new website resources to checkout. If you don't find a badge for a area that resonates with you, you can Make-Your-Own in six steps: 1. Envision it. 2.Write down the payoffs. 3.Find your mentor. 4.Interview your mentor. 5.Do your homework, and research your badge. 6.Plan your steps to create your badge. Now Do It.

I recommend this book for women who are looking for a new area of adventure or for a way to prove their accomplishments with a tangible merit badge.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I feel really, really good about myself after reading this. I’ve done all the merit badge tasks except for stand-up comedy, firewalking, gardening, beading, starting a rock band, aviation, film making, wine appreciation, negotiating, skydiving, participating in a triatholon, scuba diving, billiards, investing, estate planning, car care, computer care, home maintenance, and genealogy.

Two-thirds ain’t bad! I think what this book really does well is help you define your goals, figure out the steps to reach them, and help you prioritize and weed out what you’d like to accomplish with your life. Not to mention the fact that it’s incredibly inspiring and girl-empowering.

Truthfully, the only ones I’m interested in learning are stand-up, negotiating, skydiving, a triatholon, scuba diving, and strengthening my relationship…as well as a few others. Yeah, we'll see if I ever get around to doing them. lol

I loved this book except for one tiny thing, in the "make your own badge" section, one of the suggestions is to breed dogs. Yikes. How about rescue dogs, instead?

[hissi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in the used bookstore I wrote about before.
It's such a treasure.
Every chapter is a about a skill or an opportunity to experience something you haven't before. There are steps to get it done and earn a badge (they've got sticker badge for every one if them at the end of the book).
And they also feature someone. Who's an expert in that field and tells you their point of you. It can take something that looks so ordinary, like knitting for example. And turns it into something so intriguing, because of how that person views this. You can't help but share their perspective and passion for it.
And before it moves on to another skill, they give you a page to extended material if you choose to read about this and explore it further.
This book is so diverse. It gets you up and going to experiment with life, in all its forms. I have a feeling that I'm going to be savoring this for awhile
I can't wait to finish it.
What a journey it'll be.

[Donna Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has some nice resource material. Thumbed through the entire book and read areas specific to what I am interested. This is one of those reference books I plan to keep on my shelf.

I can see this as a tool to be used in a women's groups. Each person could pick a chapter of interest and follow the steps in the book. Want to learn how to dance? Here's the steps you would take. Want to learn how to quilt? Start here. Need more reference material, go here. If you love what you've accomplished you can go beyond the badge and embrace the activity. Everyone in the group could chart their progress and report back.

Sometimes we don't know if we will like something until we try. This book encourages you to try!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Above and beyond the New Year’s Resolution! Want to lose weight? Work on the fitness badge. Promised to learn something about art? There’s a badge for that! Anything you’ve told yourself you’d like to try one of these days is probably in here, along with “requirements” (just like in the Girl Scout Handbook), advice from experts, and, most valuable of all, a list of resources to help you on your way. If you want to try something, and don’t know how to get started, this book might be a good place to begin. Sadly, Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas, the author, died as a passenger on Flight 93, on September 11, 2001, and her sisters and writing partners finished the book she had begun.

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I return to this book again and again for ideas on what to do with my friends when we get together or for myself when I need a pick-me-up in the middle of the winter! This book is an incredible resource of information and ideas, articles and websites to complete 60 "merit badges" like negotiating, personal style, and strengthening your relationships. There are actual merit badges included with the book, and you will treasure each and every one of them. A motivating message for any woman looking for a jumpstart.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book! I had forgotten I had it when I moved so I "found" it in a box! It just let's you really say okay I am going to enjoy my life on purpose & try some new things without force! It is a must have & I will definitely be sharing it for generations!

I may not ever be actually finished with this book because of all the actual activities but I am clearing it from my list as I have read all of the "reading" section & completed some of the adventures.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good overview of every type of activity one would have interest in:computers, mediation, estate planning, beading making just to name a few. But I can't imagine why anyone would really need this. I guess my interests are already very board and I've covered the basics in most of these catergories. Waste of my time but could be ok for tweens who have not been exposed to so many things yet.

[Dom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet ideas, good interviews, positive outlooks. There are also helpful resources in book, web and other types of media in each section. I was inspired to learn to fly!
Other sections are more basic and the youthful language is sometimes bothersome to follow. I'd give it to a preteen, teenager or a parent.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book...all us "girls" have so many accomplishments in our day to day lives...this book gives us the chance to pat ourselves on the back in celebration of a little "girl power" as well as giving some ideas for future projects.