Circle of Smiles (2003)
Nov 24, 2015 15:52:25 GMT -5
Post by American Girl Rescue on Nov 24, 2015 15:52:25 GMT -5
I really thought we already had a review about this program!
It was sponsored by Hallmark. Participants who signed up in their local Hallmark Store the Summer of 2003 were given a pamphlet with Historical Characters Games and Activities inside it. After you had completed the activities for a particular character, you could take the booklet back into Hallmark and receive a Pin (like a tack-pin) with that Historical Character on it!
After you completed each Girls' required activities you could then receive a necklace with all of the Historical Characters (at that time) on it.
It was very fun! I did it along with my then 6-year-old son. Here are a couple of photos of the Pins and the Necklace:
ETA: I found a link to the announcement in April, 2003 about this program. It has more information about it.
Raving Toy Manic News: Hallmark’s American Girls Collection
KANSAS CITY, MO -- Apr 7, 2003 -- School's out for the summer -- what do you do? How about stepping back in time with your favorite American Girls characters and discovering games and activities that entertained girls during the long summer days of years past? Even better, how about earning beautiful American Girl pins while you're having fun? This summer, young girls can do just that by participating in The American Girls Collection® from Hallmark "Circle of Smiles" program -- a free and fun-filled program that provides engaging summer activities for girls to try alone, or complete with their moms, family members, or friends.
The "Circle of Smiles" activities are based on the lives and times of the eight characters in The American Girls Collection®, Pleasant Company's flagship line of historical books and dolls. The activities encourage girls to imagine what growing up might have been like long ago as they create some of the same summer fun enjoyed by the American Girls they know and love. Girls can bead a necklace similar to one Kaya might have made in the 1760s, read a Scandinavian story like Kirsten would have done on the Minnesota frontier, collect scrap metal like Molly and other patriotic American girls did during World War II, or learn a clapping game that Addy might have played with friends in 1865, to name just a few!
The program includes three activities for each character, and girls must complete two of the three activities in each section to finish the entire program. Girls who participate in the program will receive personalized certificates. For each "Circle of Smiles" activity section that girls complete between April and August, a free pin featuring an American Girls character will be awarded. And girls who complete the entire program by collecting all eight American Girl pins will receive a special reward -- an exclusive American Girl necklace created just for "Circle of Smiles" program participants.
Fun-filled weekend to kick off the program
Moms and daughters won't want to miss the "Circle of Smiles" program launch to be held at participating Hallmark Gold Crown® stores around the country April 12-13, 2003. Starting Saturday, April 12, girls and their moms will be able to stop by a local Hallmark Gold Crown® store to pick up a free "Circle of Smiles" Activity Booklet which describes the program, presents the activities for each character, and helps participants track their progress. Once a girl completes an activity section and has an adult sign the page, she can bring her booklet back to the Hallmark Gold Crown® store to receive a free pin.
Two other special promotions will be offered only during "Circle of Smiles" launch weekend. The "Circle of Smiles" Keep-in-Touch Kit -- which includes correspondence-related products from The American Girls Collection® from Hallmark that can be used to complete the activities or just to keep in touch with friends over the summer -- will be offered for just $9.95 ($20 retail value). And, moms can register to win the "Circle of Smiles" prize package. One winner per store will receive a set of seven American Girls Mini Dolls and the "Circle of Smiles" Keep-in-Touch Kit ($160 retail value).
"The 'Circle of Smiles' program is an excellent opportunity to teach girls about American history -- in a fun and rewarding way," says Peggy Bruce, product manager, Hallmark Licensing. "Just like The American Girls Collection® from Hallmark product line, the 'Circle of Smiles' program is designed to connect girls with the past and strengthen the bond they have with their mothers, family members, and friends."
Head back to school with the ultimate reward
"Circle of Smiles" fun lasts all summer long! The summer program culminates with a special "Back-to-School Event" to be held in August at participating Hallmark Gold Crown® stores. At this event, open to all, participating girls will receive personalized certificates. Girls who completed the entire "Circle of Smiles" program will be recognized and will receive, free, the unique American Girl necklace created especially for "Circle of Smiles" program participants.
It was sponsored by Hallmark. Participants who signed up in their local Hallmark Store the Summer of 2003 were given a pamphlet with Historical Characters Games and Activities inside it. After you had completed the activities for a particular character, you could take the booklet back into Hallmark and receive a Pin (like a tack-pin) with that Historical Character on it!
After you completed each Girls' required activities you could then receive a necklace with all of the Historical Characters (at that time) on it.
It was very fun! I did it along with my then 6-year-old son. Here are a couple of photos of the Pins and the Necklace:
ETA: I found a link to the announcement in April, 2003 about this program. It has more information about it.
Raving Toy Manic News: Hallmark’s American Girls Collection
KANSAS CITY, MO -- Apr 7, 2003 -- School's out for the summer -- what do you do? How about stepping back in time with your favorite American Girls characters and discovering games and activities that entertained girls during the long summer days of years past? Even better, how about earning beautiful American Girl pins while you're having fun? This summer, young girls can do just that by participating in The American Girls Collection® from Hallmark "Circle of Smiles" program -- a free and fun-filled program that provides engaging summer activities for girls to try alone, or complete with their moms, family members, or friends.
The "Circle of Smiles" activities are based on the lives and times of the eight characters in The American Girls Collection®, Pleasant Company's flagship line of historical books and dolls. The activities encourage girls to imagine what growing up might have been like long ago as they create some of the same summer fun enjoyed by the American Girls they know and love. Girls can bead a necklace similar to one Kaya might have made in the 1760s, read a Scandinavian story like Kirsten would have done on the Minnesota frontier, collect scrap metal like Molly and other patriotic American girls did during World War II, or learn a clapping game that Addy might have played with friends in 1865, to name just a few!
The program includes three activities for each character, and girls must complete two of the three activities in each section to finish the entire program. Girls who participate in the program will receive personalized certificates. For each "Circle of Smiles" activity section that girls complete between April and August, a free pin featuring an American Girls character will be awarded. And girls who complete the entire program by collecting all eight American Girl pins will receive a special reward -- an exclusive American Girl necklace created just for "Circle of Smiles" program participants.
Fun-filled weekend to kick off the program
Moms and daughters won't want to miss the "Circle of Smiles" program launch to be held at participating Hallmark Gold Crown® stores around the country April 12-13, 2003. Starting Saturday, April 12, girls and their moms will be able to stop by a local Hallmark Gold Crown® store to pick up a free "Circle of Smiles" Activity Booklet which describes the program, presents the activities for each character, and helps participants track their progress. Once a girl completes an activity section and has an adult sign the page, she can bring her booklet back to the Hallmark Gold Crown® store to receive a free pin.
Two other special promotions will be offered only during "Circle of Smiles" launch weekend. The "Circle of Smiles" Keep-in-Touch Kit -- which includes correspondence-related products from The American Girls Collection® from Hallmark that can be used to complete the activities or just to keep in touch with friends over the summer -- will be offered for just $9.95 ($20 retail value). And, moms can register to win the "Circle of Smiles" prize package. One winner per store will receive a set of seven American Girls Mini Dolls and the "Circle of Smiles" Keep-in-Touch Kit ($160 retail value).
"The 'Circle of Smiles' program is an excellent opportunity to teach girls about American history -- in a fun and rewarding way," says Peggy Bruce, product manager, Hallmark Licensing. "Just like The American Girls Collection® from Hallmark product line, the 'Circle of Smiles' program is designed to connect girls with the past and strengthen the bond they have with their mothers, family members, and friends."
Head back to school with the ultimate reward
"Circle of Smiles" fun lasts all summer long! The summer program culminates with a special "Back-to-School Event" to be held in August at participating Hallmark Gold Crown® stores. At this event, open to all, participating girls will receive personalized certificates. Girls who completed the entire "Circle of Smiles" program will be recognized and will receive, free, the unique American Girl necklace created especially for "Circle of Smiles" program participants.