Pip's Perspective
Well what a weekend it turned out to be for thousands of Brownies across the region celebrating the Big Brownie Birthday - 7 Counties and lots and lots of Divisions and Districts were out partying in the sunshine in a whole range of different and exciting locations. Last weekend was probably the most popular weekend so far for events but I know that many of you still have celebrations coming up in the next few weeks of term or even the beginning of the autumn term, so please do keep telling us about them and sending in your photos of Starquest and Stayaway events.
Whilst it's wonderful that our Brownies are having so much fun, I know that you haven't forgotten our Rainbows, Guides and The Senior Section and that they too are joining in with the Big Brownie Birthday Challenge and enjoying their own adventures. I'm looking forward to taking our Guides to camp next week at Heron's Wey, one of our new guides asked "are we allowed to climb trees?" - you bet you are! Giving our young members the opportunity to explore and engage in their natural environment is such an important part of growing up and something that Girlguiding does so well! Look out for more details of 'Growing Up Wild' coming soon!
Camp CEO
Camp CEO will take place from 27-31 October 2014 in Bedfordshire.
We are looking for 20 members aged 14-17 to take part in a week-long residential experience. Camp CEO will be a springboard event to help our members who are inspired by the achievements of female CEOs!
Participants of the camp will learn a range of skills to help them with exams, job applications and interviews, vocational or university courses, and how to pursue their own enterprising ideas!
Applicants must:
- Be available 27-31 October
- Show a desire to develop leadership skills
- Demonstrate their commitment to overcome challenges
- Show an ability to work as a team member
- Tell us how they think they will use what they learn
Travel, accommodation, food and ALL activities are free!
The deadline is Monday 14 July at 9am.
Yellow is the new Raspberry!
Sussex West gathered at Brinsbury College on Saturday 21st June for their Big Brownie Birthday Star Quest.
Upon arrival the 850 Brownies met the Star Commander, County Commissioner - Annabel Grey, who explained that she had had to land unexpectedly in Sussex in her Starship. As it is vital that she continued her Quest to return the stars to the sky, the Star Commander asked every Brownie to travel through the three activity zones - having fun and adventure whilst completing challenges to gain stars.
Brownies chose from activities in the Past, Present and Future zones. These activities included Carousel and Chair o'plane Funfair rides, playing the Handbells or a Harp and Village Fair games such as Hook a Duck and Hoopla as well as learning about the history of Brownies in the Past zone. The Present zone had a Silent Disco, a Local Animal Sanctuary and the playing of African drums. Hands on Science activities, an Interactive Graffiti wall and looking at the skies with the Southdown National Park were all in the Future zone
Finally the Brownies made a Journey of Adventure back to see the Star Commander, in her Starship, to surrender their stars and release them back into space.
"Star Quest was a fun day, but Abseiling was our favourite activity. We also learnt how to play Twinkle, Twinkle little star on a Harp. There were so many great things to do, it was hard to choose what to do next" said excited sisters Francesca and Olivia Martin aged 10 and 7 years from Chichester.
1st Beckton Brownies attended a fun-filled day at Chigwell Row Campsite, Starquest Day. The weather was fantastic and there were over 600 brownies who attended the girls had a fantastic time and loved all the activities planned and loved the climbing wall. Abseiling, trampolines, bouncy castles and much more thanks to all who organised a great day for the girls. The girls did not want to go home!
Have you ever wanted to help out at a World Centre?
Well now is your chance! Pax Lodge is looking for some occasional volunteers who would be willing to help at our reception and shop and maybe give a tour or two.
Full training would be given. Unfortunately we cannot provide any expenses but we will provide lots of tea and coffee and biscuits.
So if you are over 18 years old and are free a morning or afternoon a week, within travel distance of Pax Lodge and would be interested in this opportunity please email rachel@paxlodge.org for more information.
E-Learning for Young Leaders
Aged 12-16 years and in a leadership role with Girlguiding? Help us create e-learning just for you!
You told us you needed more support on how to be good leaders… and we listened. We are creating an e-learning module that will give young members in a leadership role an introduction to leadership. We need your help…
You are the best people to tell us what works and what doesn’t so Girlguiding would like to invite you to a day at Girlguiding HQ. We need your opinions and ideas to make sure we get this e-learning right!
Date – 19 July 2014 from 1.00 to 3.30pm
Big Wild Sleepout Winners – Announcement!
Thank you for all your entries. It is great when everyone gets involved with adventures in nature! So keep up the good work. We love hearing back from our girls around London and the South East!
The winners of the Rainbows section were…
1st Thornton Heath Rainbows (Croydon County) – "Rainbows attended the Division campfire and said…We ran in the fields and woods searching for stickers and sang our rainbow song at a real campfire and we had hotdogs to eat"
The winners of the Guides section were…
4th Sunbury Guides (Surrey West County) wild adventure –“Everyone agreed the highlight of camp last August was the whole camp - sleeping out under the stars during a spectacular Meteor shower"
Go For It!
Girlguiding is creating a new GFI and that means we need your opinions, your fun ideas and your expertise at being Guides to make sure we get it right.
We would like to invite you to a day at Girlguiding HQ to begin our creative journey.
The theme of the GFI is girls! It will look at the power of the girl effect – this means that when girls are empowered they have the potential to change the world. But there are barriers that prevent girls from achieving their full potential, both in the UK and Internationally.
There will be 2 sessions, the first on Saturday 19 July 2014 and the second on the 13 September 2014.
The first session will take place on 19 July 2014 from 10am – 12.30pm at Girlguiding Head Quarters, London.
Girls World Cup Themed Football Festival
Come and get into the World Cup spirit!
This is a fun World Cup themed festival for girls.
It would be ideal for new and existing teams as well as groups of friends who want to get involved!
Date: Saturday 19 July
Venue: Southfields College, 333 Merton Road, London, SW18 5JU
Time:
11.00am - 1.00pm (Ages 5-8)
11.00am - 1.00pm (U9's)
1.30pm - 3.30pm (U10's)
Age and Group format:
U9's (4v4) and U10's (5v5)
For more information please contact your local County FA: Emma.barnes@londonfa.com
TWEET OF THE WEEK
‏From @AnitaMunns
“@girlguidingGLK had the most fanstastic day at GLK Zootastic at Drusilla's - 1700 Brownies and leaders”
LaSER Champions and Girlguiding Spokespeople...
Who are the LaSER Champions?
The LaSER Champions are the campaigning arm of LaSER. They are the voice of Senior Section in the Region. The LaSER Champions consist of 20 Senior Section members (age 16 – 26th Birthday), who are active in local Guiding.
Who are the National Spokespeople?
These are LaSER Champions who also represent Girlguiding nationally and contribute to national campaigns. Spokespeople could be called on at short notice to do media interviews; asked to write a blog on a particular topic or asked for an opinion on something etc.
So, can I apply to just be a LaSER Champion, but not a Spokeperson?
Yes.
Can I just apply to be a Spokesperson?
No. We hope that you will want to do both as it is a great opportunity!
Criteria:
- age 16 – 26th Birthday
- involved in regular Guiding in LaSER
- committed to Girlguiding
- a good communicator
- keen to develop new skills and to be trained in the areas mentioned above
- proud to represent Girlguiding
- a good ambassador
Helen Beecher Bryant
Lead Volunteer, Advocacy
LaSER Walks MILES - Update
So far LaSER has walked 4233 miles.
When will we get to Sangam (5681 miles)? With only 40 units/individuals having logged any miles so far, it shows we have great potential. Congratulations to 10th St Leonards (St Ethelburga) Guide Unit for logging a fantastic 1110 miles. Can your unit beat that? How far can your unit walk? It doesn't matter how many or how few miles your unit has walked - it all counts.
Please do continue to, or start to log how far you or your unit have walked. It’s certainly not too late to start this challenge!
Do you know a Unit that has done something extraordinary?
The end of term is fast approaching, get your nominations in! You can nominate a Unit (it can be your own) by sending in a photo and description of something extraordinary or outstanding that they've done.
The winner will be announced in the final edition of the term.
Email Cleo (CleoD@girlguidinglaser.org.uk) at Region HQ with your nominations!
Growing Up Wild in the Woods at Cudham Shaws Campsite
When? 28th September 2014 from 11.30am – 4.00pm
Who for? All sections
Where? Cudham Shaws Campsite, 144 Cudham Lane North, Cudham, Sevenoaks, TN14 7QT
How much? ÂŁ5 per person
What’s happening? Come along and earn your Growing up Wild in the Woods badge by trying some of the following and more:
- Following a trail through a wood
- Conservation work
- Climbing a tree
- Learning to use binoculars
- Go on a minibeasts hunt
- Collecting natural materials and create a collage
- Building a den
- Hug a tree
- Bark rubbing