We're Getting There

[smallhobbit]

It's really getting hard to find suitable activities for the Brownies over zoom.  We've now started to work towards the Take Action theme and finding things which will work is quite a challenge.  Each theme has a number of activities: the five activities for the Skills Builder are compulsory, although there are a couple of choices as to which Skills Builder we can do; and there are a wide selection of Unit Meeting Activities which we can mix and match.  Each activity comes with an A4 card which tells you how to run the activity.
 
All of which sounds really helpful, except that units have to buy the cards in the first place - we were fortunate to get a Guiding grant which meant we could afford a complete set.  And, of course, the activities are designed to be done as a unit, meeting together face to face.  We have been adapting as best we can but it's not always possible.  At our recent meeting in the leader's garden we instantly discarded a good number of the cards, which might have been quite fun, but just wouldn't work.

However, we have managed some things.  Last week we looked at being super-Brownies.  Each girl stated something which needed improving in our location - several mentioned litter.  They then made a super-Brownie costume of a cardboard mask and a cape from a plastic bag and came up with a solution to the problem.

This week we talked about the idea of doing good turns, and how it should be something that benefits others and not just themselves.  After which they made paper chains with a good turn done by each of the Brownies on a separate link.  They're now being encouraged to continue the chain with more good turns.

Nearly there ...

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

I am glad you're persevering and working so hard to make the experience valuable for them.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - we'll be very grateful when this term comes to an end.

[margaret_r]

Good luck with finding more ways around the zoom difficulties. What you've done so far is brilliant.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. We're bending the rules as far as we can at the moment (badge earning-wise not safety-wise).

[debriswoman]

Cheering you on :-)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you :)

[luthienberen]

It is remarkable how hard you are trying, succeeding, in holding virtual Brownie sessions. Truly laudable :) A shame though that the entire pack costs sufficient money that many groups without the funding wouldn't be able to to afford a set :/

Do you find it harder to maintain their attention through the screen than in person? I think that loss of in person contact has been the hardest, even though I have certainly benefited from virtual meetings overall (no long hours travelling!).

Summer holidays are almost here!!!

[smallhobbit]

It was part of a rebrand a few years ago and they have to fund it somehow but it does serve to emphasise the gap between HQ and many packs.

We use a combination of quizzes, games and craft activities so they don't spend all the time just looking at the screen which helps. Although it will take up more of the evening it will be much better once we're back.

[therealsnape]

I think you're doing a brilliant job! Is there any chance of the Brownies meeting face to face again soon? It's amazing how you all keep up the good work, but it must certainly be very difficult.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much. We're hoping to meet in September. We finish for the summer holidays this week anyway. The rules are such we could meet but with the size of our hall we could only meet half a pack at a time, which would cause as many problems as it would solve. It would also further isolate those who are currently isolating from school of which there are normally one or two each week.

[rusty_armour]

I think the Brownie leaders are doing remarkably well under the circumstances, though I'm sure it must be frustrating to have to reject great ideas for activities because they won't work on Zoom.

I really like the super-Brownie activity as it does encourage Brownies to think about their community and engage in some problem solving. I like the good turns activity even more, especially as the Brownies can visualize what they've accomplished with those paper chains.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - yes, some good ideas but totally impractical for a zoom meeting.

It will be good if some of the Brownies do continue with their chains - it will be a real encouragement for them.