Guiders' staff room - tea, wine, chat and optional dancing around the toadstool

[MadBadandDangerousToKnow]

Thought it might be nice to have a place to swap ideas and experiences. Shall we do introductions first?

My name's MadBad and I've been a Brownie guider for about 5 years.

Hello!

I'm Rossco and I'm a District Comm & Brownie Leader.

Off to Brownies tonight for a toilet paper fashion show . Might throw in some crepe paper too for a bit of colour.

Oh we had a fashion show this week too but with a wedding theme, Lots of old net curtains One of our guiders is getting married so we designed her dress, strange but she choose to wear her own design on the big day

Our brownies loved the centenary launch party and the weather was kind most of the afternoon. But nothing could dampen the girls spirits even when the disco tripped the power supply, cue for a giant circle game, LOL!
Oh and I found out last night that I won a raffle prize which I think I will hide away until xmas

We held a little coffee morning yesterday to raise our profile and a little extra money(always useful) The Brownies really enjoyed themselves. Its lovely to see the girls growing in confidence, We have one new Brownie who doesnt speak and she was taking orders and selling cakes.

We have a guide dog coming in this week which should be good. (only trouble is it was to finish off a disability badge which we did last term but the Guide dog handler and our unit guider got their dates in a muddle. As we have loads of new Brownies we will be redoing some of it.)

We have gone from having an old unit (lots of 10 year olds) to a young unit (lots of 7 year olds) having managed to pass our 10 year olds off to guides.

We are planning a Centenary Disco, Swimming party and a talent show (maybe even a sleepover!)
Does everyone take their Brownies on sleepovers? Am thinking of doing my overnight licence!

Whats everyone else up to?

The first week back I took them through the Adventure 100 programme and they chose all the stuff they want to do. Last week we had games night and this week we are finishing off the Friend to Animals badge which we started last term. We have lots of Centenary stuff planned, as well as a big Thinking Day service and a Gorgeous and Golden day.
We go on pack holiday with another pack whose leaders have holiday licences, but I am wanting to get the overnight licence too.
We are planning a party in the dark for later on this term and and outing in the dark too for badger watching if possible.

So, how's it all going then? Have you started your Adventure 100 stuff? We've already for 5 points each.

LadyGlencora - What's a Gorgeous and Golden day?

Trying to get as much Adventure 100 in as possible - some of us have got to the dizzy heights of 25 points! We're going to the panto at the end of term which not only avoids having to have a Christmas party but also adds points .

I'm doing my Brownie Camp module next summer - have had my Holiday Licence since the Dark Ages.

A panto counts for points? I must check my booklet!

Gorgeous and Golden is a weekend Brownie celebration that is happening in the South-West region on April 25-26. There are things happening at District and Divisional level and the Brownie units in our districts are joining forces for an activity day focused on the theme of golden - golden food, gold coloured crafting, gold nail polish, and anything else golden we can think of really.
We are pressing on with Adventure 100 - I think we have 15 points now and our end of term session is going to be a glow in the dark disco! We did Science Investigator badge last week and next week we are having a concert - having discovered that every single Brownie in the unit plays an instrument of one kind or another, they are all bringing them in and they are doing their party pieces and we'll have a bit of a jam session. Could be interesting...

Ooh yes - What a Performance item 4 - it's worth 10 points. There's usually a method in my madness

That sounds fun.

We're supposed to be having a fundraiser at the end of term - have just bought lots of plain hair slides for us to decorate and sell (hopefully) at a profit. Last year we spent a lot of time making sweets which nobody bought!

Oh thought I would mention this magazine that I have re-discovered. (Creative Steps)

I used to subscribe a while ago but forgot to renew!
I have just found an old xmas copy and it has inspired me to subscribe again. It is out 6 times a year and I remember several times thinking "umm what shall we do next term with my Brownies?" then it would turn up on the mat!

I just got 30% off by quoting NCMSAV30

Just thought I would share with other guiding folk. It covers ages upto 11 so is great for Rainbows, Brownies and young guides.

I am trying to transfer dd2s brownies. We have moved house and so far dd1&2 both carried on at the same Brownies as Dd1 is going to Guides after Christmas.

I was told that DD2 would get priority into a new pack as a transfer but so far I havent had a response from the new pack and I cant find any info amoungst my Guiding stuff.Dealing with Rainbows we havent had any transfers.

Anyone know about this?

Hi nymphadora

I've only ever had one Brownie transfer in (and none transfer out - we're a bit like the Hotel California - you can check out any time you like but you can never leave, ha ha).

I thought that existing members transferring in got priority. fairly helpful This page on the website certainly seems to imply so, but I haven't actually been able to find anything that states categorically that tranfers go to the top of the waiting list (I've looked in the online version of the manual but suspect it's in one of the other booklets).

Sorry, not much help and must go to bed now!

Err, please forgive spelling and other mistakes.

Finally got hold of the leader last night and she has just had a drop out so dd2 can go after Xmas!

That's great, Nymphadora!

I've been doing Rainbows today as their leader was ill and we did a great update on Mr Grasshead - we made Mr Jedwards! Can't wait to see their hair grow.

LOl, I miss doing Rainbows but since I moved its more difficult to get there and my work has been very hectic and now I cant commit to another troup

Hello everyone.

Just back from our Funtenary event, where we had a wild time and notched up plenty of points for Adventure 100.

May I pick your brains again, on how to manage/meet the needs of girls who are waiting to go up to Guides, consider themselves too sophisticated for Brownies and consequently sneer at the younger ones, who they consider 'lame'. There's the Brownie Go For It, obviously, but more than the practical stuff I'm looking for advice on how to respond to the 'too cool for school' attitude here. Over the weekend, some of these girls have been quite mean to the 7 year olds and I wnat to nip this in the bud. All advice and tips gratefully received!

What's the news from your units?

Centenary bump?

I've got a meeting tonight with the unit team to sort out what we will do over the coming term.

Anyone got any crazy ideas? The girls love to try new things but because we are soooo rural we don't have a lot of the options that suburban unit do.

It's our County Rainbow Centenary Event next weekend, lots of excited Rainbows in the district just now

We're having a Brownie election next week, where each six will present its manifesto and then we'll have a secret ballot. Their policy commitments include "no boys in Brownies" and "stop pollution".

Have you ever had a pamper night? We do hand massages, hair styling and foot soaking (bring a mop). Both of these will earn you Adventure 100 points!

Earlier in this thread there was a description of a jelly babies theme night. We tried it - it was brilliant!

The kettle's on, wine's in the fridge and sticky buns on the table.

To anyone dropping in for the first time - welcome.

Rossco - Tell me more about your rural activities. We are a super-urban pack so maybe we could swap ideas and experiences?

Morning all......sips tea....and then wanders off to ikea.

{I am just doing my ALQ with bronnies BTW}

Hello everyone, I'm doing my ALQ too, I'm doing my Rainbows and Brownies sections.

We are a rural group too from South West Norfolk. We have been handing out reusable bags today in a local town and raising funds for the seaside sparkle centenery event. I'm knackered now!

So, what will we all be doing this term? Any great Centenary moments planned for October?