UM11 - Carol Singing

So, our last week of term was a trip to the local care home to sing some carols for the residents.  Our attached Brownie unit also joined us, along with our young leaders, so we had around 45 girls, plus half a dozen adults and leaders. Our District President also joined us, which was lovely.

The care home made us feel very welcome, and we set up in the lounge near the entrance way. Chairs had been placed out for the 'audience', and lots of residents came in to listen.  One of our fantastic young leaders and her UH mum had organised a backing track which we played through a bluetooth speaker, and this really worked well. They had also printed out word sheets for all the brownies and guides.

As the music started up, it was quite moving to see the energy the brownies and guides put into their singing, and the evident enjoyment of the residents and staff.  One gentleman shed tears as he listened (surely our singing wasn't *that* bad?!).  After half an hour of singing, the guides handed a home made christmas card to each resident, and we spent time chatting to our audience.   There were may tales of their own experiences in brownies, guides, or scouts, and one lady told us that her mother, born in 1903, had met Lady Agnes Baden Powell!  It was an evening that I think all the leaders and adult helpers were very proud of our young brownies, guides and young leaders. They did a wonderful job.

At the end, the girls were treated to home-made decorated gingerbread biscuits, made by the staff at the home. It really was a magical start to christmas, and I hope the residents and staff of the home enjoyed it as much as we did.

UM3 - Go For Its and Patrols

Unit Meeting 3

This week, the aim was for the guides (in patrols) to choose a Go For It to work on this term, and plan which activities they wanted to do from their chosen GFI, and ensure they were happy in their new chosen patrols.

We were lucky to have two parent helpers this week, plus two of our Young Leaders, so one 'leader' to sit with each Patrol.

Go For It!

In the past, the girls have sometimes had problems deciding as a group and learning how to compromise, and also, in actually getting their plans down on paper in any sensible time frame.  It really helped to have one dedicated adult/YL sitting at each table, to help and encourage them through the process.  

I also wanted to encourage the girls to try some different GFIs, and particularly to do some that covered some aspect of Global or Community Awareness. As such, I highlighted a number of GFI's in different colours and this week said they could choose from any of the GFIs highlighted in green.  These were:

• Be The Change
• Blast from the Past
• Breaking Barriers
• Grrreeeen
• Globalistic
• Peace
• Take Action
• With a Splash

Patrols

We also re-jigged the patrols again!  I already knew there was at least one who wanted to change) asked them to come to me after the horseshoe and let me know if they wished to change - but with the limitation that patrols must have a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 8 in each.  We had 8 wanting to move!  They juggled themselves around - two patrols of 8, one patrol of 5 and one of 6.  Looking now, I like they way it has worked out. One of the 8's now has all 3 BP girls in it, and while they are working on BP activities, the patrol will have five girls (and not all young ones).  They all seemed happy with their choices.

Games

After all the choosing and planning was done, we had drinks & biscuits, and half an hour of games.  We played these games:

• Yes/No - Move Left/Right game - sitting on chairs in a circle, facing outwards.  Leader shouts out statements with yes/no answers (e.g. I have brown hair, I'm wearing a blue top, I like football, I've got a brother).  If the girl's answer is 'yes' she moves one place to the right. If the girl's answer is 'no' she moves one place to the left. Can end up with several girls sitting on one chair.  This went OK, but they prefer games with more running and shrieking.
• Changing Chairs game - sitting on chairs in a circle facing inwards, one less chair than the number of girls, and one girl in the middle. One girl in the middle shouts out a statement that is true of themselves (I have long hair, I play a musical instrument, i ate sausages today).  Anyone who also says yes, must stand up and run to another chair, and the one in the middle must try and get a chair.  Girls cannot move to a chair immediately next to them.

Other Stuff

• Handed out uniform to our four new guides (just missing a polo shirt each for KF & SM)
• Took in money and consent forms for November camp. 15 places taken so far out of 22. I suspect some may be disappointed.
• Handed out letters about challenge badges

For next week/another time

• New patrols need to agree on their PLs and PS
• Need time to talk to the BP girls and really get them started on their tasks.
• Look at YL folders with the YLs
• Use whiteboard and post-it notes to get ideas for 
• Games to play
• Craft Activities
• Other Activities
• Visitors In
• Trips Out
• Badges
• GFIs