During May we have been lucky to have decent weather and avoided Zoom meetings. We joined the Guides in the park one week, While they played games we were given instructions and materials to make a Jianzi. None of us were able to keep it up in the air, but they were fun to make. At the Hut we had a relaxation evening, trying out different ideas to see which helped us the most. We joined in with a Camp skills day. It's so long since we camped, would we remember how to pitch the tent? Firelighting, cooking on the fire and some knots practice helped us catch up a bit. For our last meeting before half term we tried baking biscuits and cakes on a BBQ in a cardboard box oven. The BBQ was very hot and the first tray of biscuits were scorched in a couple of minutes. Eventually we managed to make some edible cakes. We are also joining in with the attempts to earn the 50th Birthday badge for NWE. Cakes, an obstacle course and trying to count our Random Acts of Kindness has kept us busy. See the members page on this site for our plans this half term. |
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Spring approachesSince the last post we've had our Easter School Holidays. For some, it was nose to the grindstone with the news that exams, although not externally marked, will be part of the GCSE and A level Assessments this year. Girlguiding provided a Spring Social event on Easter Monday. The following weekend, we joined the District for a virtual Spring Sleepover. we chose from a range of activities, baking, STEM challenges, crafts, puzzles, and a rabbit trail around West Kirby and Newton. Penguin helped to write the baking booklet, Woodpecker and Ella send it sent in a photos of their baking. We met back at the HQ again, and had another go at firelighting, this time in a colander, and we actually managed to toast marshmallows this time. We were also given a tarp, string and sticks, and challenged to build a rain shelter. The following week we went out with the Guides around the area. When they had finished tossing pennies to decide which way to go, we chose the route back to the HQ. It was a good chance to chat and get to know each other better (And have some healthy exercise) We're looking forward to more outdoor adventures, including a day camp in late May.
Heading for EasterOur final Zoom meeting of the term included some more first aid skills. This time we had a visiting Doctor (thank you Badger) who explained about seizures and what to do if someone had a fit. We now need to practice the recovery position, but this means we have to practice it on a family member, we can't get close to someone else at the moment. The final week of term was the day English restrictions were eased a little and we could have A REAL MEETING! Ella P officially stepped up from Guides to Rangers now that she has celebrated her 14th birthday. We joined the Guides in the HQ grounds. the weather was good and we were challenged to make some different types of firelighters, then test them to see which we thought worked best. Vaseline and cotton wool was definitely the winner. We finished by taking part in an egg hunt. Red Squirrel has set us some challenges for the Easter Holiday. Pick a couple to do when you need a break from school studies.
1. Bake: Make a cake and decorate it to celebrate 50 years of Girlguiding in North West England 2. Self Care: Create something to show how you spend your time. Can you see where you can spare half an hour or more to do something for yourself? Look for fringe time before or after other commitments to see if you can squeeze in some time for self-care. 3. Indoors: Plan an evening where you put aside your concerns or work and take time for you. Choose your favourite way to relax and unwind. 4. volunteer Collect a bag of litter - be careful and use litter pickers or wear strong gloves. If you find anything sharp, think twice or ask an adult to help. Dispose of it in your bin or a council litter bin. 5. Outdoors: Do something to connect yourself with nature. Decide on what you want to do outside and do it. Maybe a run in the park, a picnic, some cloud spotting, star gazing or gardening? International Women's Day and CensusOver the past two weeks we've celebrated International Women's Day and looked at the Census (since next Sunday is Census Day.) International Women's Day. This seemed a good opportunity to boost each others confidence so we did an activity called 'Pitch your Pals'. We chatted about skills and interests that we have, then each person recommended someone else for a special opportunity. These included a spa day, and going to a Proms Concert. It is MUCH easier to recommend a friend than ourselves! - Try it yourself and see. After that we thought about how to have confidence in your self eg at an interview, and realised there's a lot we could learn and practice. This was the last challenge Woodpecker needed to earn her Live Smart Skillbuilder badge. Congratulations! it will be delivered shortly. The Census takes place every 10 years and is happening next Sunday. Did you know that in 1911 a suffragette called Emily Davison hid in a broom cupboard in the House of Parliament on the night of the 2nd April, so that she could declare it officially on the census? (In 1911 it counted where everyone spent the night, not where everyone usually lives.) 110 years later we are able to look at past censuses thanks to the wonders of screen sharing and Ancestry.co.uk. In 1841 they collected names for the first time, but very little other information, and gradually asked more questions as the decades have gone by. We looked up people with our names in previous decades and found housewives and a servant. We wondered what a Cordwainer was, and thought how awful to be listed as 'pauper'. The examples below are from 1841 and 1881. Peacebuilding and skill buildingOn 22nd Feb it was World Thinking Day. The theme this year was peace building. We joined the Guides for an extended meeting. Some activities from the WAGGGS pack helped everyone think about changing their mindset to help us become peace builders in our community.
We then compared Guide Promises around the world, before Woodpecker made her first Promise as a Ranger. With candles lit, and lights turned out, everyone renewed their Promise together. If you want to find out more, click the button below. The following week, 1st March, was St David's Day. One of the stories about St David was the miraculous raising of a hill so that a vast crowd could hear him preach. This provided an excuse to practise some communication skills, and we revised the BSL finger spelling alphabet. The mountains of Wales are not far away from where we live, so we also practised some first aid skills in case anyone was injured half way up a mountain. Unfortunately its not easy to practise splints and stretchers by yourself, but practising with each other will have to wait some time yet. We are not even allowed to cross the border into Wales at all yet. Useful videos are on the buttons below. Start practising - on your siblings or parents, and send a report on your progress. Chinese New YearIt's half term, so a little more time to do some things you choose instead of relentless studying. The Year of the Ox began on Friday, So on Monday we joined the Guides at the Zoom meeting and helped them learn about Chinese New Year customs. We talked about whether we fit the descriptions of our Zodiac animals - Monkey, Rooster and Goat. (not much except for Kat). Red Squirrel and Hedgehog are both goats too. Woodmouse led the activity to make a Chinese lantern from paper and Kat showed everyone her 'dragons' (baby geckos) There was an introduction to Feng Shui, and how to enhance different types of luck, by keeping your room clear of clutter and putting appropriate objects in different areas. You can extend it to cover your whole house and your garden too. Whether you choose to believe that it makes a difference is up to you! News from home
Woodmouse sent in the photos of the meal she cooked following on from last week's meeting. Chilli con carne and Pineapple upside-down pudding. Woodpecker also cooked her family meal, consisting of sausage pasta and pancakes (on pancake day) Well done both of you. Penguin Has decided to become a Rainbow Young Leader to complete the volunteering section of her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. She is helping to plan the Easter District Sleepover. Science of CookingWith the International Day of Women and Girls in Science coming up this week, 11th Feb, we took a look at the science involved in cookery. Some of the processes involved are coagulation, gelatinisation, caramelisation, evaporating, and melting. Can you work out which of these are involved in the things you cook? After finding out by solving a puzzle, we planned a meal which used at least 3 of these. Pasta and sauce, a chicken and rice dish, burgers, and various cakes were among those foods discussed. The challenge this week is to cook the meal for our families. The button will take you to the website with lots more information about the day. We also chatted about the Council plans to build a sea defence wall right along the prom. There are lots of pros and cons to this, and a debate is going on in the community. Woodpecker is most affected by it as she is the Ranger who lives nearest to the sea. Chinese New Year starts on Friday, so make sure all your cleaning and emptying out of bins and clutter is done by Thursday night.
First Aid for hearts and mindsIt's children's mental health week. there is lots of discussion in the media about how the lockdown is impacting on mental health, but sometimes, part of the solution is to with off the news, and all the commentaries, and just go for a walk, turn up your music, or dance. Monday's Zoom was a chance to practise first aid skills. We performed imaginary CPR and went through the procedure for using an AED machine. Rangers confirmed that they knew where these are located in their school. Following this we thought about what would go into a 'mental health first aid kit', and came up with suggestions such as music on a playlist, a cuddly toy, photos, and a jar of inspirational messages. When we thought about what type of place helps us feel calmest, we all chose by the sea. This weekend's outdoor challenge is to take some photos that you find calming, eg a view, a robin, a reflection or a bee. Share the best with others (and us) to help them relax and destress. Congratulations to Penguin who has completed 11 years in Guiding. Your badge is on its way. Advance notice:
15th Feb will be a joint meeting with Guides to celebrate Chinese New Year. 22nd Feb is World Thinking Day, meeting with the Guides to celebrate and renew our Promises. Woodpecker will make hers for the first time as a Ranger. The links below will take you to the Activity challenges for Thinking Day, and for the Region's 50th Birthday. If you have time, pick out and suggest an activity you'd like to do. WAGGGS Thinking Day Region 50 Challenge Scary SituationsLeading on from this we looked at a range of situations and talked about which would worry us most, and what actions we could take to reduce the risk, or how to remove ourselves form the situation. We also thought about how the risk has changed in the light of Covid. Next week we will be practising first aid for cardiac arrest. - bring a teddy. News From You Not much is happening in our lives apart from lots of pressure from school to keep up with the work, and worrying about how the GCSEs and A-levels will be assessed this year.
Be Prepared to lend a handLast Monday our meeting involved practising DIY skills at home. They are the kind of skills you might need when you go away to Uni or College.
You can see below the challenges from the card, but we skipped 3, and substituted: find out where to turn off the electricity, gas and water in your home, and what you should do before they are turned back on again. When you have tried them all, send a message and we'll give you a virtual pat on the back ! |
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