A surge in Girl Guiding numbers around the district has units calling out for more leaders.
Tinwald Guide leader Rebecca Kenny said there were Girl Guide units for Pippins, Brownies, Guides and Rangers meeting in various times and locations around Ashburton, ‘‘and we would love to have some more leaders, especially as most units are seeing a growth in girl members’’.
She said Pippins (aged 5 to 7 years) and Brownies (aged 7 to 9 1/2 years), usually meet for one and a half hours each week during term time. Guides (aged 9 – 12 and a half years) and Rangers (9 and a half – 17 years) meet for two hours each week during term time.
Most leaders plan a term programme at the start of each term. Programmes are planned around various badges.
‘‘As a leader, I’ve have gained a lot of confidence and learnt many new skills. I also enjoy watching the girls confidence improve and how much they enjoy trying out new activities and their excitement when they receive badges from the various activities that we complete.’’
Once such occasion was the district’s Guides recent for a camp at the Allenton Scout Den.
Rebecca got involved with Girl Guides movement initially as a parent help when her daughter, Julie took up Brownies.
‘‘I was helping every week, including assisting with planning the programme each term. I had also been involved with Girl Guiding as a child.
‘‘When Julie moved up to Guides, I decided I would like to become a leader and have stayed involved for a variety of reasons, which includes the friendships I have made with other leaders, the way that I am constantly learning something new, and the skills I have learnt while being a leader.
‘‘It is also rewarding seeing the girls who attend our weekly unit meetings, gain new skills, and become more confident.
‘‘When we have camps, it is great to see the older girls assisting the newer girls to complete the various activities.’’
Leaders complete basic training online and then if a leader is interested, there is other training offered a couple of times a year covering things like camping skills.
A uniform is provided to leaders with free training, she said.
Rebecca said it had been a fun organisation to volunteer for and it had given her the opportunity to learn new skills, and try new things.
‘‘I have also had the chance to be involved with the development of new badges and have had the opportunity to attend Guide Jamborees (large camps involving girls from all over New Zealand and overseas) in New Zealand and Australia.’’
She said a good leader shared a desire to use their skills and passion to give back to their community and help build happy, confident and resilient young women.
Anyone interested in can make contact local leaders or check out www.girlguidingnz.org.nz for more information.
