With the Guiding year beginning in just a few weeks I thought it would be fun to come up with a short list of ideas to start off the year with other Guiders. We focus so much on getting our unit meetings and activities planned and ready for the girls sometimes we forget about the sisterhood we have with other Guiders. Here are some ways I would love to start off the Guiding year!
1. Have a campfire
Campfire is one of my absolute favourite parts of Guiding; there is nothing like sitting around a fire and singing songs with friends. If you are ever stumped for a campfire program check out Guiding with Guider Dusk Resources on Facebook. Dawn is an amazing Guider in my area that shares her passion for music by creating campfires and posting the plans online for other Guiders to use. The theme for the September 2015 campfire is "Sounds of Happiness" and it is posted on the Facebook page.
2. Craft Supplies Swap
Every Guider that I know has a TON of random craft supplies. Left over fun foam from a craft where you needed 10 sheets and the pack came with 12 sheets and if you want to do the craft again next year you need to buy more sheets anyways, extra pipe cleaners, the five bags of googly eyes you somehow have etc. etc. I know I have this problem and I also know I am not the only one. To have a craft supplies swap all you need to do is invite a bunch of Guiders, bring the craft supplies that you don't need but don't want to throw away and put them out on a table, walk around and take what you want for your unit. It is easy and a good way to use up the little bits of craft supplies.
3. District Meeting Discussion Time
I went to a commissioners training a few years ago and one of the ideas that really stuck with me was having time at every district meeting for all of the leaders for each branch to have some time to talk with each other and share ideas about games, crafts, themes, camps, etc. I think it would be great to have all of the Sparks leaders talk, all of the Guide leaders talk and so on so that everyone gets some new ideas without spending a ton of time listening to things that might not be relevant to you and your unit. For example a Sparks leader might not care how to book a whitewater rafting trip, but all of the Pathfinder leaders might find that interesting. I am going to suggest it to my commissioner this year and see how it goes.
I went to a commissioners training a few years ago and one of the ideas that really stuck with me was having time at every district meeting for all of the leaders for each branch to have some time to talk with each other and share ideas about games, crafts, themes, camps, etc. I think it would be great to have all of the Sparks leaders talk, all of the Guide leaders talk and so on so that everyone gets some new ideas without spending a ton of time listening to things that might not be relevant to you and your unit. For example a Sparks leader might not care how to book a whitewater rafting trip, but all of the Pathfinder leaders might find that interesting. I am going to suggest it to my commissioner this year and see how it goes.
4. Great Camping Cook-Off!
This next idea might take a bit of time to plan, but it would be super fun to have a "cook-off" of different camping recipes to start off the year. Pick your favourite recipe, and either cook it up with your fellow Guiders or bring it and have a potluck of sorts with everyone's snacks. For bonus fun and resources have everyone bring copies of the recipe to put together into a district/community cookbook!
This next idea might take a bit of time to plan, but it would be super fun to have a "cook-off" of different camping recipes to start off the year. Pick your favourite recipe, and either cook it up with your fellow Guiders or bring it and have a potluck of sorts with everyone's snacks. For bonus fun and resources have everyone bring copies of the recipe to put together into a district/community cookbook!
5. Games, games, games!
Everyone love a good game right? Playing games with your fellow Guiders is a good way to get to know each other and learn a few games to stick in your back pocket for when you are with your girls. I would highly recommend Becky's Guiding Resource for great game ideas.
Everyone love a good game right? Playing games with your fellow Guiders is a good way to get to know each other and learn a few games to stick in your back pocket for when you are with your girls. I would highly recommend Becky's Guiding Resource for great game ideas.
How will you be starting up the Guiding year in your districts, areas, and communities?
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