The End of an Era
May. 25th, 2018 10:52 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smallhobbitIt was Brown Owl's last Brownie meeting last night, but before we get there ...
Last week we had a trip to Hobbycraft, where the girls got to enjoy a craft, and we didn't need to clear up afterwards. It was slightly disorganised - the girl who was leading it was given the craft, partially prepared, but without any instructions as to how to do it. Nevertheless we managed - Brown Owl and I helping. Since it was two days before the Royal Wedding they made red, white and blue garlands, with felt flowers and beads. The Brownies enjoyed themselves and seemed very pleased with what they'd made.
On Sunday there was a District Science Event. I was hopeful that this would be good, and we had five girls booked on each of two sessions (one for Rainbows and younger Brownies, the second for older Brownies and Guides). It was run by two people from a Cheltenham Science organisation, which meant some of the leaders also had to lead some of the groups. The girls moved round from table to table, but some of the tables didn't seem to have anyone in charge so it was a case of whoever was there (e.g. me) instructing a group of girls, most of whom I didn't know, in how to make something without prior practise. The girls seemed happy enough, but the behind the scenes organisation was chaotic.
The second session, for the older ones, involved creating a mini helter skelter for a small ball to run down, points to be scored in various categories. It was good for the older guides, but some of our Brownies weren't particularly involved. They were using glue guns, so I told my Brownies they were not to use them but to leave that for the Guides. At that age I'd want specific parental permission for them to do so.
The Brownies said they'd enjoyed it when I presented their badges at our meeting. For them it was something different, which was good - and we couldn't have done that in a meeting. Sadly the District guiders were as unfriendly as ever - we had to get our own cup of tea halfway through. And the health and safety left something to be desired.
Then yesterday we held a Farewell Brown Owl party. We began by playing musical chairs, which had no winners because I disqualified both the contenders for cheating - breaking the same rule I'd already disqualified others for earlier. Oops. Probably not a game we'll play again. Then one of the District team presented Brown Owl and Sparkly Owl with cards and gifts to mark their leaving - lovely Girlguiding Dartington Glass vases. After which the Brownies played Pass the Parcel, in which everyone won a packet of sweets. And then it was squash and cake.
When that was finished I called out the four sixers who presented Brown Owl and Sparkly Owl with cards and bouquets. I'd managed to get some of the parents to write in Brown Owl's card as well as getting all the Brownies to sign it. And we gave Brown Owl a craft trolley to keep her own craft materials in. (She'd liked one we saw in Hobbycraft, so I nipped back in after we finished to buy one). She was very pleased with her gifts.
We finished by playing two rounds of Musical Statues - different winners, but no prizes so everyone was happy.
And then it was Farewell!
Last week we had a trip to Hobbycraft, where the girls got to enjoy a craft, and we didn't need to clear up afterwards. It was slightly disorganised - the girl who was leading it was given the craft, partially prepared, but without any instructions as to how to do it. Nevertheless we managed - Brown Owl and I helping. Since it was two days before the Royal Wedding they made red, white and blue garlands, with felt flowers and beads. The Brownies enjoyed themselves and seemed very pleased with what they'd made.
On Sunday there was a District Science Event. I was hopeful that this would be good, and we had five girls booked on each of two sessions (one for Rainbows and younger Brownies, the second for older Brownies and Guides). It was run by two people from a Cheltenham Science organisation, which meant some of the leaders also had to lead some of the groups. The girls moved round from table to table, but some of the tables didn't seem to have anyone in charge so it was a case of whoever was there (e.g. me) instructing a group of girls, most of whom I didn't know, in how to make something without prior practise. The girls seemed happy enough, but the behind the scenes organisation was chaotic.
The second session, for the older ones, involved creating a mini helter skelter for a small ball to run down, points to be scored in various categories. It was good for the older guides, but some of our Brownies weren't particularly involved. They were using glue guns, so I told my Brownies they were not to use them but to leave that for the Guides. At that age I'd want specific parental permission for them to do so.
The Brownies said they'd enjoyed it when I presented their badges at our meeting. For them it was something different, which was good - and we couldn't have done that in a meeting. Sadly the District guiders were as unfriendly as ever - we had to get our own cup of tea halfway through. And the health and safety left something to be desired.
Then yesterday we held a Farewell Brown Owl party. We began by playing musical chairs, which had no winners because I disqualified both the contenders for cheating - breaking the same rule I'd already disqualified others for earlier. Oops. Probably not a game we'll play again. Then one of the District team presented Brown Owl and Sparkly Owl with cards and gifts to mark their leaving - lovely Girlguiding Dartington Glass vases. After which the Brownies played Pass the Parcel, in which everyone won a packet of sweets. And then it was squash and cake.
When that was finished I called out the four sixers who presented Brown Owl and Sparkly Owl with cards and bouquets. I'd managed to get some of the parents to write in Brown Owl's card as well as getting all the Brownies to sign it. And we gave Brown Owl a craft trolley to keep her own craft materials in. (She'd liked one we saw in Hobbycraft, so I nipped back in after we finished to buy one). She was very pleased with her gifts.
We finished by playing two rounds of Musical Statues - different winners, but no prizes so everyone was happy.
And then it was Farewell!
no subject
Date: 2018-05-31 06:12 pm (UTC)Squash as in orange squash - fruit drink, often called juice, although it's not fruit juice as such. We buy bottles of squash which is then watered down. (Like this: https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/263588333)