One of the best opportunities I have had in my life is being a part of Girl Guiding.
My mum signed me up to be a Rainbow, I was a very shy child and going to Rainbows was a big deal. I loved putting on my blue tabbard and earning badges,taking part in all sorts of games, songs and activities. Moving up to brownies at 7, somewhere there is a photo hidden in the depths of my parents photo albums, where I proudly pose in my new yellow and brown uniform tshirt, coulottes and cap, which was at least 2 sizes too big, but I was so pleased to be a brownie and had so many opportunities to grow and learn during this time, then moving up to Guides going on residential camps, abseiling, canoeing, fundraising and doing good deeds in the community, being responsible for those younger than you as a Patrol Leader and planning activities and sessions with the leaders. Unfortunately I didn't stay in Guides all through my teen years, other after school activities and just hanging out with friends over ruled my weekly Wednesday meetings but as an adult fresh out of university, and back from a summer as a Camp Counsellor in North Carolina, I had rekindled my love of camping, outdoors, badges and Guiding.
Back at home I got in touch with the very same Guide unit I was a guide at almost 10 years prior. Run by the same leader, at the same time and at the same local church hall. I went every week for the next 7 or so years. Planned many activities for the Guides, crafts were my forte and I loved sharing the games I had learned from camp and from my other travels. Taking them camping in rain or shine (mostly rain!), bouncing on the coach to the Big Gig, screaming over Ed Sheeran and The Wanted, and singing along to Scouting for Girls! Giving them advice and ideas and inspiration and encouragement on anything they needed.
Over time you get to see these young girls move from Primary to Secondary school, watch as their likes and dislikes change, maturing and shaping themselves into young women, you get to see them discover themselves and experiment with who they want to be, and have the privilege of seeing them grow before your very eyes into intelligent, caring, talented and determined young women.
A few weeks ago I was running my last evening at 1st Basford Guides, it was a tough decision but due to moving house and moving county it had become difficult to go back and forth every week travelling an hour each way, so I took the big decision to say goodbye.
I had been running Free Being Me sessions with my group for a few weeks and was sharing with them about Body Confidence and Self Esteem, the girls had some wonderfully encouraging and insightful things to say and made me immensely proud to be their leader.
Some of the girls I started out with are leaders themselves now, college and university students, or in full time work, others taking their GCSE's and making important steps in what they want to do with their lives. It has been the most humbling experience to be part of their Guiding journey, to see their confidence grow, and to have been allowed to help shape them into something that they too can be proud of, looking back in years to come on fond memories of their childhood and teenage years knowing there were people in their lives who wanted them to do their best and to be proud of who they are.
Thank you Georgina, Charlotte, Ellie, Charlotte, Georgia, Emilia, Elise, Victoria, Izzy, Charlotte, Alice, Ella, Laura, Gaynor and Pauline and so many others who have come and gone over the years, you have all made a huge lasting impression on me and inspire me to keep Leading and Guiding and trying to make that small difference each week to other people's lives.
It really is the end of an era and I felt so emotional leaving on that last night. You have brightened up so many Wednesday nights, always putting a smile on my face and highlighting why Guiding is not just a hobby but a passion in my life.
My mum signed me up to be a Rainbow, I was a very shy child and going to Rainbows was a big deal. I loved putting on my blue tabbard and earning badges,taking part in all sorts of games, songs and activities. Moving up to brownies at 7, somewhere there is a photo hidden in the depths of my parents photo albums, where I proudly pose in my new yellow and brown uniform tshirt, coulottes and cap, which was at least 2 sizes too big, but I was so pleased to be a brownie and had so many opportunities to grow and learn during this time, then moving up to Guides going on residential camps, abseiling, canoeing, fundraising and doing good deeds in the community, being responsible for those younger than you as a Patrol Leader and planning activities and sessions with the leaders. Unfortunately I didn't stay in Guides all through my teen years, other after school activities and just hanging out with friends over ruled my weekly Wednesday meetings but as an adult fresh out of university, and back from a summer as a Camp Counsellor in North Carolina, I had rekindled my love of camping, outdoors, badges and Guiding.
Back at home I got in touch with the very same Guide unit I was a guide at almost 10 years prior. Run by the same leader, at the same time and at the same local church hall. I went every week for the next 7 or so years. Planned many activities for the Guides, crafts were my forte and I loved sharing the games I had learned from camp and from my other travels. Taking them camping in rain or shine (mostly rain!), bouncing on the coach to the Big Gig, screaming over Ed Sheeran and The Wanted, and singing along to Scouting for Girls! Giving them advice and ideas and inspiration and encouragement on anything they needed.
Over time you get to see these young girls move from Primary to Secondary school, watch as their likes and dislikes change, maturing and shaping themselves into young women, you get to see them discover themselves and experiment with who they want to be, and have the privilege of seeing them grow before your very eyes into intelligent, caring, talented and determined young women.
A few weeks ago I was running my last evening at 1st Basford Guides, it was a tough decision but due to moving house and moving county it had become difficult to go back and forth every week travelling an hour each way, so I took the big decision to say goodbye.
I had been running Free Being Me sessions with my group for a few weeks and was sharing with them about Body Confidence and Self Esteem, the girls had some wonderfully encouraging and insightful things to say and made me immensely proud to be their leader.
Some of the girls I started out with are leaders themselves now, college and university students, or in full time work, others taking their GCSE's and making important steps in what they want to do with their lives. It has been the most humbling experience to be part of their Guiding journey, to see their confidence grow, and to have been allowed to help shape them into something that they too can be proud of, looking back in years to come on fond memories of their childhood and teenage years knowing there were people in their lives who wanted them to do their best and to be proud of who they are.
Thank you Georgina, Charlotte, Ellie, Charlotte, Georgia, Emilia, Elise, Victoria, Izzy, Charlotte, Alice, Ella, Laura, Gaynor and Pauline and so many others who have come and gone over the years, you have all made a huge lasting impression on me and inspire me to keep Leading and Guiding and trying to make that small difference each week to other people's lives.
It really is the end of an era and I felt so emotional leaving on that last night. You have brightened up so many Wednesday nights, always putting a smile on my face and highlighting why Guiding is not just a hobby but a passion in my life.
Awww Maxine! I totally had a little tear in my eye reading this. It has been a total privilege being part of your guiding journey but also having you as part of my own! You inspire me to be a better leader! We miss you and you missed a very muddy rainy camp last weekend.
ReplyDeleteI am going to set a Facebook page up for the unit (westlands have one and it works good for them) so I will add you so yOu can keep up to date with all our doings! Xxxx