Badges have arrived!

Hello everyone!

It's about time for an update on what we've been up to!
Great excitement has been running through the GOLD Guyana 2012 team recently as badge designs have been floating around, back and forth to the badge company and being approved and all sorts!

We have finally recieved the coveted items and are ready to sell them to you all :) As you can see, they are beautiful and by buying one you will be supporting both us, and the Girlguiding Association in Guyana! You can also get a free (and amazing) challenge pack that you can use with your units if you have one. Email goldguyana2012@gmail.com if you would like a copy.
They can also be seen on our fantastic kit, kindly organised by Nikki, including 3 tops and a hoodie (very excited to get these)!
In other news, third briefing is just around the corner so we're all busy packing! We'll be having a very busy weekend judging by the list we have prepared, but it will be great to get things sorted and feel prepared for our trip! So you can expect a new blog post shortly, probably much longer than this, but we were just so excited we had to share our badge availability news! Many thanks from the whole team to Laura, who has been the driving force behind the badge making - what a star!
That's all for now, but keep an eye out for a new post soon :)

lots of GOLD love,
The GOLD Guyana Team 2012
xxxx

Brushing up on Guyana.... two months to go!!

Hello everyone!

With just under 2 months to go till we will be heading out to Guyana on our project, we thought it was about time we brushed up on our Guyana knowledge, and we thought you might to know a little bit about what we've learned!

A map of Guyana

Guyana is in South America and is bordered by Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela as well as the Atlantic Ocean. The country covers an area of over 82,000 miles, 90% of which is covered by the Amazon Rainforest. Guyana is the only English speaking country in South America, This is because, up until 1966, Guyana was a British colony. However, the Guyanese also use a type of slang language known as Guyanese Creole. The Guyanese culture has taken its influence from Europe, particularly Britain, and also West Africa, South Asia and especially the Caribbean. The Carribbean influence is reflected in the laid back approach and the cuisine, rice and beans and fried chicken being paticular favourites! The climate in Guyana is tropical, hot and humid, being placed so close to the equator, with at least one rain shower per day - perfect for cooling off!!
The Guyanse Girl Guides Association (GGGA) was formed in 1922, when the country was still a British colony, and the association has grown and develped since then, becoming full members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) in 1975. The GGGA is a also member of the Carribbean Link, a link created between Carribean countries to support each others Assocations and provide a framework for resources and programmes. There are approximately 1100 members of GGGA who meet in schools and churches but often don't have a set meeting time or length! The association is divided into different sections just like in the UK;

• Brownies aged 7-11
• Guides aged 11-15
• Rangers aged 15+
• Young Leaders aged 18+ who are training to be full leaders
• Leaders

Thanks to Hannah for researching this blog post - you can tell she's a geographer!

Guyana Flag

Hope you enjoyed reading about Guyana, and as you can imagine we're all very excited for our project there to begin. Flights are booked, badges ordered and third briefing approaching fast so it's all getting very real and exciting!
Love,
The Guyana GOLD Team 2012 xxx
P.S. If anyone would like a badge and/or a copy of the badge resource please email us!  

Time for a swim!

Zoe has been very dedicated in her fundraising efforts and has been putting her fitness to the test in an effort to raise as much money as possible! Here's how she did it...

When I found out that I would be going to Guyana in the summer to work with Guides and Guide leaders, I thought very hard about how I was going to raise my £1700 in order to pay for the project costs. I had been meaning to start swimming for a while and so the idea of a sponsored swim seemed like a good one. When I was younger I used to be quite a good swimmer and gained my 5 km swimming badge when I was 10, something that most swimmers never manage. Since 5 km seems to be the standard swimathon length I thought I would try to do this again, both as a personal challenge and to raise some money.

This time, however, I was at a disadvantage. Unlike when I was younger and spent about 2 hours a week swimming, I hadn't been swimming for about 5 years when I completed my Duke of Edinburgh's award physical recreation. I went for my first training swim on 2^nd March at Tiverton Pool in Selly Oak. The pool is an old Victorian baths with very basic facilities but it was pleasant and fairly quiet. On my first visit I managed a total distance of 1.5 km, but I had to keep stopping for a rest after every 500 m. I was pretty shocked at how unfit I was and wondered whether I had set the bar too high with a 5 km distance.

I am lucky to live in Birmingham as the council are running a 'Be Active' scheme which gives everyone with a leisure card free swimming at certain times. At Tiverton pool that meant free swimming on a Monday so I was able to swim each Monday and not spend any money, a bonus when I am trying to raise as much as possible. I would try to swim between 12:00 and 1:00 as that was the time when the pool was split into lanes and I was able to swim whole lengths without anyone cutting across and so it was easier to work out how far I had swum each session. By the start of April I could manage 2 km at a time without stopping, a nice improvement in a month and then began to build up my strength by swimming with floats and swimming some lengths faster. By the start of May I was able to swim 1.75 km in an hour and it was getting to the right time to try the challenge.

On Sunday 13^th May I had planned to get the first train from Northfield to Selly Oak which would mean I had just under 4 hours to get my swimming done before the pool closed. However, things were not to go to plan. I arrived in plenty of time for the train but due to overrunning engineering works the trains were not running and instead there was a rail replacement bus at 9.38. There was no sign of a bus but there were plenty of other people waiting so I waited. And waited. At 10:00 there was still no bus and I was beginning to wonder whether I should give up and reschedule the swim for another week since the bus would take much longer than the train. At 10:05 I gave up and started to walk home, only to have the bus pass me on its way to the station. So I ran back to the station and just made it! I was still a little worried about time but for some reason the bus driver missed out the next two stations and drove straight to Selly Oak, arriving at 10:20. I made it to the swimming pool and got changed in record time and was in the pool by 10:30. I was still worried about not finishing in time so I tried to swim faster and managed to swim the first kilometre in about 30 minutes! After that I settled down so I didn't tire myself out and managed to keep going. After three kilometres I felt pretty tired and although I was swimming in the slow lane I was still being overtaken by some people but I just kept swimming! After 2 hours, 57 minutes and 42 seconds I finished 5 km and happily grabbed the side of the pool. I managed to drag myself out of the pool and onto the train (which were now working fortunately). When I got home my husband made a massive plate of macaroni cheese and a nice cup of tea and then I had a nice long soak in the bath.

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has sponsored me in this challenge and to everyone who has supported my swimming it means a lot :)

Well done to Zoe from all the team! 

Remember if you want a copy of the Guyana Challenge send us an email!

x 

Heather holds out in the hope of hot weather and other alliterative stories!

Hello everyone!
We have all been extra busy since 2nd briefing, from fundraising to booking flights (BIG smiley face!!) and sadly revision too... However Heather has been up to some EGGstra special things so read on to find out more! :)

The GOLDen Easter Egg Hunt

Always prepared!

   On Wednesday 5^th April, the day the hosepipe ban was implemented, I was all set to go with my eggsciting GOLDen Easter Egg Hunt. After a lot of preparation: applying for council permissions; designing posters and advertising; making certificates, stickers, bookmarks and puzzles for the kids to take away; and cutting out, laminating, stringing up, and hiding almost 1000 paper eggs in St. Neots Riverside Park, I was well-organised and super ready for anything…. Except the weather!

   It was fine at 10am when I spent two hours in the park with my Mum getting set up (and hiding the eggs!) but as the start time approached, so did the clouds and by 1 o’clock I was huddled under a tree (my gazebo poles were faulty and didn’t fit together – Grrr Argos!) hoping that either: a) British children would prove to be as stalwart as ever and turn up anyway dressed in their wellies and waterproofs; or b) that nobody would show up so I could just go home and get warm and dry!

Prize winning egg hunters!

   In the end I had 10 brave children (and their poor soggy parents) traipsing around the park in the rain and then lo and behold, 20 minutes into the event, the sun appeared in all it’s blazing glory and it was like a different day. Now don’t get me wrong, I was pleased to see - and feel - the sun, but I was fairly miffed that it hadn’t come out half an hour before to encourage the earlier park full of children to participate!

   So, not the huge fundraiser I had hoped for, but I actually had a lot of fun in the rain and the kids that took part really enjoyed themselves. Not so sure about all the parents though! :)

The May Fayre Deluge

Guiders showing off their
circus skills!

   Now I was lucky enough to visit Canada in 2011 and my friend (whom, incidentally, I met through Guiding 10 years before) took me on a wonderful day trip top Niagara Falls. They have a great attraction there where you can walk through tunnels in the rock face behind the falls and see, hear and feel the roar and power of the water. Now it just so happens that I visited in February at a time when the falls were mostly frozen and the tunnels ended in icicles rather than gushing water. However, following the recent Bank Holiday I don’t feel I’ve missed out at all because right here in my own home town, at our village May Day fete I feel I got to enjoy(?!) a similar experience whilst sitting under my gazebo trying to sell craft and run a teddy tombola!

    Once again, the day started off bright and I was thrilled to see the sun when I opened my curtains in the morning. I got ready and went to set up my stall in plenty of time. By 10 am – 2 hours before the fete was due to start – the Heavens opened! I was so glad to have the gazebo; last year I was just sat at my table open to the elements (which thankfully were kind to me on that occasion!)

Robyn and Judy (a fellow guider)
at the stall!

     I have to say, unlike my Easter venture, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people who turned out despite the bad weather to enjoy the day’s festivities. It became so soggy that even the maypole dancers had to relocate onto the church driveway as the green was just too boggy underfoot!

    However, it’s not about the surroundings, but the company you keep and thanks to my niece, Robyn, and my fellow Guiders and local Trefoil Guild (who had the stalls either side of mine) I had a very enjoyable – if somewhat chilly – May Day, and raised nearly £60 for my GOLD funds. 

 

Well done Heather!  On behalf the team good luck to Zoe, who will be shortly taking part in a swimathon!
Not long now till 3rd briefing...

GOLD love

Jess xxx

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

The Great Guyana Boat Race!

On Saturday 24^th March I held a boat race to help raise funds for our trip to Guyana.

My assistant leader Susanne was the one to suggest it as she had seen and idea in a resource about making paper boats and sailing them as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations as the Queen is having a flotilla of 1000 boats on the Thames. Making and selling 1000 paper boats was a bit ambitious, but I started folding! I found a good instruction video on Youtube and bought some bright paper. I then printed numbers on the sails that would make the winner easy to identify and had a corresponding spread sheet where people could sign up and buy a boat for £1.00. The owner of the first boat over the finishing line would win £100.00.

In the end I sold just over 420 boats. The race took place at Netherurd House, the Scottish training and activity centre in Peebles-shire. I chose a day when people from my county would be attending a training weekend so that I would have their support.

I couldn’t have picked a better day to do it as the sun was shining! Just as well, as the water was still freeing. Some parts of the stream were too deep for wellies, so I had to wear crocs and bear the cold!

With he help of a net (constructed by my brother Graham), two willing guides and a big stick, the boats were launched. Unfortunately  the water was very low because of the good weather and lack of snow over the winter some boats either got stuck on rocks or disintegrated completely. There were still some determined wee boats and in less than 10 minutes we had our winner, a yellow boat owned by Susanne’s friend Clair. She had the last 20 boats on the list and was glad of her last minute purchase!

Thanks to everyone who bought boats or helped on the day including the staff at Netherurd, My parents, Graham, Susanne, Chantelle, Megan,  Division Commissioner  Anne, Karen, Margaret Anne and my County Commissioner Margaret. 

Laura x