Brownies 2021 style

[smallhobbit]

We started back at Brownies-by-Zoom yesterday.  Last week we had a planning meeting when we decided the term's activities and sorted out who would run what, plus what would need to be delivered to the girls in advance of the meeting - pens and paper they all have anyway.  Plus the relevant craft kits were ordered, along with various badges (they do like to receive badges!).

Last term we had 12 Brownies joining us, so Doodles (unit leader) contacted the remaining families to see whether they wanted to join/keep membership/no longer interested.  A few said they definitely didn't want to stay, and we knew one Brownie was moving up to Guides, because we'd said goodbye to her at the end of last term, so we were left with a number of spaces and now have three new girls who have come up from Rainbows.  On top of which three more said they'd like to join Zoom, so in the end we had 16 girls last night, since one didn't make it.

I think it was a good thing we had started with a lower number last term, as it gave us time to work out what was feasible and how to adjust things, otherwise 16 at once would have been rather daunting.  Yesterday was a 'getting to know you' evening, with games, including a treasure hunt: something you love (cuddly toys, younger brothers, dogs, cats) and something that is normally outside (various offerings including a rabbit and a guinea pig).

Today I did an online Safe Space (safeguarding) course.  Not improved by my laptop crashing at the beginning and promptly doing an update when I rebooted.  However, I only missed the beginning slides, which I can read up, and made sure I participated fully for the rest of the time so I'll get my certificate.  It was really well done and possibly the best such course I've done.

As I've said before Zoom Brownies is not ideal, but it's probably making as much of a difference to the girls at this time as our regular meetings used to.

Comments

[ride_4ever]

But "not ideal" is infinitely better than doing nothing! *g*

[smallhobbit]

Most certainly!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Good to hear what's going on with the Brownies! And that your safeguarding course went well.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - we continue to do what we can.

[corvidology]

I suspect Zoom Brownies may be making even more of a difference as social opportunities have been cut down so drastically.

[smallhobbit]

You're probably right - most of their other activities, like after school clubs and sports clubs won't be running, and they won't be able to meet their friends.

[rusty_armour]

I think 16 is a pretty good number for a virtual Brownie meeting, especially considering the age of the girls in question. Of course, you obviously make it worth while and probably add some much-needed enrichment to their lives. Even though Zoom Brownies isn't ideal, I'm sure it does make as much of a difference to the girls as your regular meetings used to. In fact, they may mean even more considering everything that they're facing with the pandemic.

I'm sorry that your laptop crashed and then performed an update during the Safe Space course. At least you only missed the beginning slides and can read up on what you missed. That is certainly one advantage to virtual courses.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. Yes, it's good to be able to do something for the girls which is a bit different at this time.

Online training worked well. No-one had to travel and everyone could take part equally.

[shadowhive]

I hope it all goes well! Though I had to admit I did a double take because I thought you meant eating brownies

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. No, they'd be indigestable! In my case brownies will always be 7 to 10 year old girls.

[adafrog]

Yay activities!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you.

[margaret_r]

Great to see you're geared up for Brownies again and it's all going ahead. With things the way they are over there anything to help kids communicate and interact is wonderful. Good luck with it all.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. Yes. And we're putting the emphasis on having fun.

[moth2fic]

I'm in awe of your zoom skills! Those unexpected carshes and updates are really infuriating. I suspect they happen at times that seem appropriate for Silicon Valley and are just at the wrong time for the rest of the world.

Good luck with your new group, especially the girls who have just joined. As always, it will be interesting to hear what you do with them.

[smallhobbit]

What was particularly annoying was that it was a different app they were using (which worked very well for their purpose), so I'd downloaded it a couple of days earlier and it worked fine, my laptop had been working in the morning and then it crashed and had to update without warning.

Thank you - one is the younger sister of one of our current Brownies, so they come together (we have two sets of sisters this term). I shall be making my usual regular posts.

[luthienberen]

Good to have a Brownie update and typical that an update occurred on reboot!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - of course it would!

[debriswoman]

A good start for the Brownie year, and a very valuable connection for the youngsters.

And yes...safeguarding training does vary in quality.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - yes, we are definitely making a difference at the moment.