2nd Briefing - Tolmers Activity Centre, Hertfordshire

Hello everyone!!

Last weekend was our second briefing, and our last chance to see all the GOLD teams in one place! We were all very excited to meet up again and learn what Nikki had heard from country!

We had a busy time on Friday evening, preparing our presentation for the morning and sorting out a million and one things on our to do list! We also completed a task of making a game up out of one item. Ours was a torch which was quite difficult but we came up with an awesome idea so that was good. We were ready for bed when it came to the end of the evening as Laura and Jess had flown from Scotland, Hannah had got the train from Wales after her field trip, and we'd all be busy and full of adrenaline.
Our presentation was first on Saturday morning, and all of our hard work paid off as our Guyana blockbusters went without a hitch! Can I have a P please Bob? We had a special children's tv edition, with Sooty and Matthew, and Mr. Blobby and Noel Edmonds making an appearance. We then watched all the presentations from the other groups. During the day on Saturday we had some group time to sort out things like kit, the badges and travel plans, and several trainings on our specific group roles, facilitation and leading trainings. It was a busy day but full of energisers which are always appreciated, and lots of laughter! In the evening, each group had prepared an 'entertainment' which were all great, and all entertaining! We were most proud of our efforts though, as we sang 'G.O.L.D', an original song by Laura, to the tune of YMCA. We were all dressed as a character from the village people, and our costumes included pom poms, and a riot shield. (Thanks to Heather for bringing them!) We were so proud when Carrie said she would put the words up at CHQ so if you are ever there look out for them! I'll give you a verse as a taster...

Young girl, are you listening to me?

I said, young girl, aged 18-30?

I said young girl, get yourself a form,

And apply to go on INTOPS!

After the entertainment we were all off to bed as it had been a busy day, and Sunday was looming! It was all too quickly here, and time to go after we had washed up from lunch (a mammoth task!) which involved loudly singing such classics as 'A Happy Working Song' from Enchanted, and various from Les Miserables. We then watched a video of our time from INTOPS to 2nd Briefing! We will see some groups at Winter debrief, and hear about their projects then, but for the others this was goodbye.When the sad time came to part, we had a group hug, bought a badge, had a sit in Heather's taxi, and waved farewell as Zoe, Heather and Hannah drove away. Nikki kindly took Laura and I to the airport, with Hazel from Sri Lanka Team, and we began our long journey back to Scotland. It will be two months before we're all together again!
For now however, flights are being booked, kit ordered and badges made, so it is beginning to feel very real, exciting and close!! Guyana here we come!
After 2nd briefing, we're all very much looking forward to the amazing adventure that's about to begin. Good luck to all the teams, have an amazing time!
Lots of GOLD love
Jess x
P.S. If anyone would like a copy of our Guyana Challenge resource please email goldguyana2012@gmail.com, and you can order badges from us too!