It's amazing what can be done via Zoom

[smallhobbit]

I led last week's Brownie meeting which was to celebrate Thinking Day, in which the girls made paper dolls which they dressed in the uniforms of various Brownie units (or their national names) from around the world.  Many thanks to those of you who provided the information.  It was really helpful, and I sent out a document in advance with pictures so they could either refer to them at the time, or look at them afterwards.  I also included a map of the world with the relevant countries in different colours.

Explaining how to fold a piece of paper over zoom remains a challenge, especially when we have 18 Brownies - and when they ask a question, and the leader says 'who said that?' the answer is invariably 'Me!'  However, one way or another, they all managed and enjoyed colouring the dolls in - several of them holding up the dolls to demonstrate their progress.  Done correctly there were two groups of four dolls holding hands, which they then selotaped together to make a row of eight, and by the end many of them held up all eight, clearly pleased with what they'd done.  We have two families with two Brownies in, and one of them attached their dolls together to have a great row of 16.  It was a nice easy way to show we're all different, but we're all together.

This week we began with an enrollment ceremony, and three of the girls made their promises, and their mothers all pinned on the badges for them. Then Doodles (the leader) took a Zoom pancake making session.  Each of the Brownies had to have the help of a parent/carer, but they all managed, and clearly had great fun.  It's the first time we've tried cooking via zoom and it was a great success.  (With the added bonus that we weren't left supervising the clearing up).

We've now been told we can start face to face meetings outside with up to 15 girls, but since we have 22 on the list, and no suitable outdoor space for containing a whole meeting, we'll be sticking with zoom for the moment.

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Nice to hear what the Brownies are up to!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - we continue to provide a varied programme, even if it's a bit more limited.

[corvidology]

It sounds like you're making great use of Zoom and I love the idea of them cooking with their parents!

[smallhobbit]

We're doing all we can. We weren't sure how the cooking would go, but if was very successful.

[adafrog]

With the added bonus that we weren't left supervising the clearing up).
Sounds perfect.

[smallhobbit]

It's an excellent arrangement.

[margaret_r]

I think perhaps the parents/carers might be getting something out of your Brownie zoom sessions too:) Great to hear how well they are going.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, they certainly seem more involved than they were.

[moth2fic]

I'd forgotten about Thinking Day! You've had some brilliant Zoom ideas and I think getting out of the clearing up after pancakes was well deserved!

[smallhobbit]

We normally end up trying to come up with something for Thinking Day. At least this time one of the Brownies had suggested we do paper dolls, so that was a good suggestion to work with. And avoiding the clearing up was a major plus!

[rusty_armour]

I really like the Thinking Day activity that you came up with. It's a great way to teach the girls about other Brownies around the world. It's also a craft that girls that age can manage, even if explaining how to fold paper over Zoom is a challenge. ;-)

It's nice to know that enrollment ceremonies are still taking place. I bet the Zoom pancake making session was a lot of fun, though I'm sure the Brownie leaders were happy about not having to supervise the clearing up afterwards.

[smallhobbit]

The Brownies seemed to enjoy colouring the dolls and it does help them to understand that there are many uniforms around the world, but we're all part of one family.

Pancakes was fun - and so much easier when we don't have to clear up :)

[luthienberen]

It's incredible and a blessing what can be done via zoom! The technological adaptation brought about by this trying time has certainly been wonderful. I am glad Brownies continue to be a success and wish you many more happy meetings with as minimal struggles as possible :)

[smallhobbit]

Yes, it's made a lot of difference - and means that 20 girls have something to look forward to every week, so thank you.