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!

Meet the team! :)

We thought it was about time we introduced ourselves properly so here's a little bit about each of us:

Leader: Nikki

Hi! I'm Nikki, I'm a guide leader in Bedford and the GOLD Guyana 2012 leader. Last year I graduated from Bath University with a degree in Maths and Physics and I'm currently doing a PGCE at the University of Bedfordshire to become a Maths teacher. Outside of Uni/School/Guiding I enjoy playing hockey and I currently spend lots of time helping to plan my sisters wedding!
I'm really excited to be going back to Guyana this summer with such a great team of young women. With less than 3 months to go until project, I'm looking forward to lots of planning and fundraising activities to prepare for our trip.

Nikki xx

First Aid: Hannah 

My name is Hannah Foxon and I am 20 years old. I am currently studying for a degree in Geography at the University of Bangor.

I have been a member of Girlguiding UK since I joined Rainbows at the age of 5. I have progressed through Brownies, Guides and have now become a leader at the 1^st Littleover Rainbow and Brownie Units.  I have completed my Rainbow Sleepover and Brownie Holiday licence and enjoy taking both units away! I recently earned my Queens Guide award and will be presented with this in July in the Houses of Parliament.

Whilst at university I help out at a local Rainbow Unit, 1^st Bangor St Johns, and have enjoyed the new challenges this has given me, learning to count in welsh being one!  I also joined the university Student Scout and Guide Organisation group, BUGS, and was recently elected as the chairperson.

In my spare time I enjoy reading, listening to the radio, playing lacrosse , canoeing and lifesaving.

Hannah x 

Secretary: Heather

Hiya! My name is Heather McCollin and I am a 28 year old Science teacher. I studied Environmental Science at university and will be leaving the whizz-bang-pop of GSCE Chemistry behind to go back to my studies this autumn, hooray!

In terms of guiding: I joined the movement as a Guide aged 10 and moved up through the ranks of Ranger, Young Leader, Guider. I was involved in SSAGO at uni and helped out at a Brownie unit during my time away from home.

I am now Guider in charge of Eaton Socon Rangers. We currently have 6 girls on roll who are producing their very own duck-themed musical J

In my spare time I love to read, watch movies, ring bells and ice skate backwards!

I am thrilled to have been selected for the Guyana project and look forward to working with the awesome Team Guyana 2012!

Documenter: Jess 

Hello! I'm Jess and I'm 20. I'm studying Chemistry at the University of St. Andrews, and next year will be working at Croda International in Yorkshire on an industrial placement. I've been guiding since I was 5 and became a Rainbow in my home city of Newcastle upon Tyne. Since then I've been a part of all the sections until I became assistant leader of my Senior Section group. Whilst doing that I became a Guiding Advocate and helped present the airbrushing petition to parliament! I also went on the Centenary Stampede which was an amazing experience, and gained my Senior Section Holiday Permit. Now I'm a leader with 1st Balmullo Brownies in Fife, and am a member of the 2013 Programme Task and Finish Group. I'm nearly finished my Queen's Guide!

During my spare time, I am Dance Captain of the university Cheerleading squad, and Vice Tower Captain for the bellringing society. I also enjoy reading, playing the piano and clarinet, travelling, netball, cricket and dancing. I'm very much looking forward to visiting a new continent and achieving a lifetime dream of visiting the rainforest, especially with such an amazing team!

Jess x

Treasurer: Laura

Hi all! My name is Laura McKay and I am the treasurer for the team. I live in Coatbridge, central Scotland in the Guiding County of North Lanarkshire. I am the Guider at 13^th Coatbridge Guide unit which opened in 2008. It was scary starting from scratch and it has taken a little while for our numbers to grow! We currently have 20 Guides. I love taking Guides away on trips, camps and holidays and my favourite part is always the camp fire.  I am also a District Commissioner and help to look after 12 units in the local area.  It can be challenging at times and I have learned that I am really there to support the leaders in their role. My other guiding passion is swapping, designing  and sewing on badges!

I completed a BA in Learning Difficulties/Disabilities in 2010 (combining a dissertation with a centenary year was an experience!) and now work in a school for children age 5-12 who have moderate to severe additional support needs. My main interest is emotional and behaviour needs and I worked at a US summer camp for children with Asperger’s Syndrome for three summers.

With all of my experience I hope that I will really be prepared for the challenges that our project in Guyana will bring. I am lucky to be part of such a fabulous team and know we will have lots of excellent adventures together!

Laura x

Resources: Zoe

Hi everyone, my name is Zoe, I am 27 and going to go to Guyana in the summer! I have recently finished a Ph.D. in microbiology, investigating proteins involved in bubonic plague and I am now looking for a research position. I live in Birmingham with my husband and a large number of bears of different sizes. I am originally from Manchester and enjoy watching football. I am a big fan of FC United of Manchester and also like to watch ice hockey. My other big hobby is travelling. I would like to visit every country in the world one day, so far I have been to 34 (depending on what counts as a country...) including 4 different continents.

I am currently an assistant Brownie Leader at 272nd Birmingham brownies but have also been a Guide Leader and District Commissioner. I was also involved with planning the 2010 Innovate youth forum, a role I would recommend to anyone! I have been involved with Guiding since I was 6 and so have been a Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and young Leader. I love being involved with Guiding and I am so excited to be going to Guyana to work with Guiding members over there!

As you can see we are all excited to begin. I hope you enjoyed meeting the team and I'm sure you'll hear a lot more from us as we get closer to G-day (Guyana day!!)

 

Lots of love

GOLD Guyana Team