3RD BLACKHEATH (ST. PAUL'S) GUIDES
During 2007 numbers have remained at nearly full all year attracting an average of 33 girls throughout the year. We have had a steady intake of new members and we currently have over 20 names on our waiting list. We have recruited two new adult leaders both of whom are working in the adult leadership qualification.
The focus this year has been working on the 'Right Now' syllabus, a folder put together with UNICEF to raise awareness of the rights of a child. This has been highly popular with most of the unit now holding 3 badges from the scheme. Activities have included moving 'contaminated' materials, trading bracelets and designing a zoo.
This year we have made Kitchen Angels from tea towels and pot holders, Christmas cards using string art, an Easter craft and Animal boxes. We have had an outdoor cooking challenge and learnt about Groundhog Day. We celebrated Christmas with a bouncy castle and ordered Pizza for tea.
We have continued to support the district attending the district thinking day celebration and going with them to Drayton Manor. We supported the district stall at the Halesowen Victorian Fayre by sending mugs filled with fancy goods and helping man the stall on the day. In October we attended the district swimming gala. This year we won a number of medals. The relay team swam extremely well and managed to win the relay cup for the fist time in 6 years. We attended the district Christingle service at St Paul's Church where three of our ex guides were presented with their Baden Powell award.
In July we took 17 girls camping to Kinver Scout Camp. The girls did riffle shooting, crate stacking and abseiling. The weekend was American themed and we ate American food, did American crafts tried Girl Scout cookies and the girls were awarded an American Girl Scout badge. This was a great weekend and we are please the one leader gained her Camp licence from the event. Well Done Clair.
In October a number of us went to Dudley Castle in fancy dress for a Trick or Treat Walk. This event was organised by the charity 'Feed the Children' and the unit raised £240 to send to them.
With lots of girls waiting to join us we hope 2008 will continue to be successful. We are already planning two residential events the first in April to Far Forest Guide Centre. We are continuing to work on the Right Now Syllabus and have planned some exciting events alongside it. We hope to see our two new leaders gaining their qualification and we also have three guides working on their Baden Powell Awards which we hope they will gain sometime this year.
Karen Hodgson
