Late last year some friends told us about how much their daughters were enjoying girl guides. I was a sunbeam a million years ago and I remember really loving it. When we asked the girls if they thought they wanted to give it a go the idea was met with a lukewarm and a downright when hell freezes over reaction.
One of my girls and I actually had a very serious and worrying conversation that to me was far too old for her in thinking. She told me she didn't want to go and it was only me wanting her to go and that she had no intention of doing things in life just because I thought she should.
Sigh.... It wasn't pretty.
I agreed that she could make her own choices provided she had valid reasons . So her reasoning was that she didn't have to sit with a room full of strangers to learn about cooking and craft as she could easily do that at home. So I had to quietly give in and wonder for the umpteenth time what the teenage years would hold for me.
On the first night when the other one was due to go I get oh well alright then I will go just to see BUT I'm not joining I'm just going to see
Sigh...
After the first night it's never been mentioned again. They both love it so much.
Now 8 months down the track they are busily collecting stuff and making projects for badges - it's a never ending call of lets see what else I can collect, make, do add to my book.
This weekend they have their first region camp and their troop is leading the campfire which is very exciting. ( No beanie no campfire is the rule- lucky they just came in at Target and were 20% off $4.80) There was a fairly comprehensive list of things to take - some of which were new to me. I feel like I have been packing and prepping for weeks - I think I have!
Situpons - I'd never heard of but thanks to some of my lovely blog readers I soon got that sorted - I made them from a waterproof foam, denim - added some doilies and then covered it all with pvc from spotlight - I also added a handle as suggested by one of my readers.
Plate bags - pretty self explanatory - the hardest part was finding plastic cups with handles - They hold a cup bowl plate knife fork spoon and a tea towel. I made hexie flowers - following along with Mels hex - along Wednesdays and I stamped them names onto white cotton and sewed the labels on.
My mum sent them two beautiful guide blankets which she bought from overseas. They are so gorgeous she also found them the loveliest badges to sew on. I had them embroidered with their names and last night late I added their badges. I must look to see where I can buy some more from to add.
I wasnt sure what to expect when we went to drop off. The campsite is in Redland Bay and they are in cabins. They were both so excited about having to shower with thongs on :) and one of our friends bought them torches and spare batteries so they can read once lights go out ( they were told they could). I loved seeing the other girls rush out as we pulled up and help get their bed rolls and bags - they were enveloped in a little sea of blue shirts and giggling.
We followed them in to find a dorm room with 10 bunks - what fun tonight will be. We pick them up on Sunday at 2.00pm.
I love the ethos behind guides, the inclusiveness, the preparedness, the team work, the strict dress rules and
yay for the weekly 2 hr meetings that are just $5 and in the land of childrens activities that's an unbelievable bargain. TOTALLY recommend it - my girls are 8 they are the youngest in their troop.
Google to find a troop near you :) You won't be sorry.
Tamar x
PS I spent some late nights at work this week finishing reporting so I could have a school work free weekend of prepping lots of goodies for Tari :) Richard has golf and will be spending some time with his mum who has unfortunately taken a turn for the worse.
