Behind the program details

Whats planned may not occur.

2011-04-01T18:39:00.001-07:00

What was planned at the beginning of this term altered as the term progressed. Usually occurs as the Guides 'needs' actually change. Ten weeks for this age group is a very long time.

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Terms and useage of.

2011-01-25T14:30:00.001-08:00

Bedroll,
Patrol Activity

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Things we have done in Guides

2011-01-24T20:59:00.001-08:00

Camping, badges, patrol activities, camps, visitis, games, activities, hikes, cooking, service to the community

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Practice calling commands

2010-08-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

Note that with a practiced and functioning color party at the beginning of the meeting time the Unit leader has discussed with the color bearer what formation that is to be taken when the Color Party presents the flag.

Standing at the front the Leader calls the Unit into formation with the following orders.

Unit Fall in.
Unit Forward march
Unit inward turn
Unit Holt.
Unit, Stand easy
Unit, Stand at ease
Unit, Attention

Color Party takes over

Then the Leadertakes over

Unit fall out

The program begins.

When ready close the meeting:

Unit Fall in
Color Party take over.
Taps is sung.
Unit Dismiss

There are many ways that creating training aids can be used when practicing these command and executing them into a vibrant colorful formation.

Color Party Commands

2010-08-19T21:24:00.000-07:00

When a Color Bearer has been chosen all commands to her color Party are to be issued through the Color Bearer.

Before the Unit meeting has started the Leader who is the 'Caller' talks to the Color Bearer as to how that Leader would like the Colours brought to the front. This Leader must be sure that the Color Party is able to perform any maneuvering and physically able to meet the Color Party sstandards required.

The following commands are learned, practiced, vocalised and repetitive.

Color Party fall in
Color Party Right turn [Left turn]
Color Party Forward march
Color Party Holt
Color Party Salute the Flag
Color Party About turn
Color Party Fall out
Color Party Dismiss

Out of respect for the Flag embarrising the Color Party or Color Bearer is just not done.

Ownership and responsbilities.

2010-08-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when one wants to own something really bad there are responsibilities that must be learned with that ownership.

When the older Guides wanted to have ownership of their meeting times flag little did they realise there was things to do before they could take on this responsibility with good grace. Displaying a flag during the meeting just does not mean having a piece of material attached to a pole stuck in a holder at ground level.

To meet the challenge of being responsible for this flag they are now challenged to:

Learn the care of the flag.
The history of the Flags used within World Guiding.
What the Australian Pennant is, it's meaning and where the Pennant is housed.
What flags and pennants the District has.
The times when the flags and how the flags are flown,
Safety and protection of the flags.
Care of all things and people associated with the flags.
Technical terms of the flags.
Symbols used in flags generally.
What makes up a flag.
Knots and ropes used in flag use.
Saluting the flag
Horse shoe formation
Color party.
Flag protocol.
Ceremonial participation.
Service within the community with the flag.

Most of these challenges have games, competitions and training aids to be made that assists the Guides in their learning endeavours.

What it's going to take to fly the Pink Unit meeting times flag!

2010-08-19T20:56:00.000-07:00

Not one of the Guides agrees that "The best thing about having the Unit flag is that the District leader has dimantled the previous flag pole". Then again all these older Guides really want not to have the Younger Guides flag up there during their own meeting time. So the challenge is simply to replace the younger Guides Blue flag with their Pink meeting flag.

Now the Guides who want to fly their chosen Pink during their meeting time will have to put it back together again. From scatch. Which means these Guides are learning different knots Sixteen different knots. Some, of which actually are used on flags and flag pole. Then later these same Guides will be shown how to do West Country Whipping for the top of the flag poleas well as how to make their own Grommet for the top of the flag pole.

Just to keep these Guides on their toes they are all particpating in making a knot board.

Wanting to have the ownership, to fly their flag, the Guides have a list of further challenges to incorgorate within their program. These involve:

Learning to erect and strike a flag pole.
Connect the flag properly to the flag pole.
To raise salute and respect the flying flag.
Color Party protacole.

Presenting of the flag.
Color bearing.
Marching

Horseshoe formation... and the list goes on.
Ceremonial knowledge.

Now there is more that the Hazelwood Guides have done with flags. As these Guides add to the list of activities their knowledge and understanding will be growing.

As the Guides travell throughb these challenges they will bond with their flag, learn survival methoids, be able to reuse and transfere the knowledge learned in one activty to another activity. For instance the use of the knots into games, challenges and challenges with regard to camping, other activities, crafts, and service to the community as they go through their Guiding lives..... (Other celebrations such as Australia Day and A.N.Z.A.C.

The Knot board idea.

2010-08-19T20:31:00.000-07:00

There have always been little knot boards in the Hazelwood Girl Guide Dstrict. Years ago a decision was made to make a big oneto use as a training aid. One that could be used when out and about at public displays.

So now the challenge has been set for the current older Guides. A knot board is to be made. A big one made out of wood and ropes... fibre and man made pieces of rope. Since we are not going to be hanging this up where we meet what will we do with this board? The District Leader will not tell these Guides.

The suspense will have these Guides chafing at the bit; so to speak.

Knots for flag and flag pole useage

2010-08-19T20:21:00.000-07:00

All the knots needed to know for flags and flag pole useage.

Stopper knot
Half knot
Reef knot / square knot.
Thief knot
Slip knot
Half Hitch.
Round turn and two half hitches.
Clove hitch

These are only some of the Knots that are on the Districts Knot Board.

Ownership of their flags

2010-08-17T20:28:00.000-07:00

The District has a set of flags that, as the Guides become familiar with, are gradually brought into the program framework and used throughout different activities and events. Traditionally flags are were the people rallied to 'support' their people. The most used have the pink one, the blue one and the World Girl Guide and Girl Scout Flag.

By the end of term two 2010 there was a need arising for two meetings to occur. Several attempts were made to begin a second meeting time. Literally to no avail. However we adults persisted.

Over the last few terms the Guides have had

Free standing flags seen during the program.
The flags having a special emphasis during horseshoe.
The visitors stand up the front on the Left but next to the Leaders.
The three most used flags at things like the District Morning teas and the District Campfire - just to name a few events.

The primary focus of the program over the current two months has involved developing a District Identity, bonding the Guides together with activities where the Guides are comfortable with their own advocacy styles leading into governance of their decisions. The core group of girls attending the Guide meeting has grown in number. The parents are spreading the word amongst their friends. Thus are seen by their daughters as supporting them in their Guiding endeavors. The efforts put into developing the expanding core of different aged Guides is having positive results.

So much so that a once the Guides had voted on which flag [pink or blue] would represent their meeting time they are identifying with 'their' flag. Last night just as horse shoe was forming the 'pink' flag on its flagpole was installed to the Right of the Horse Shoe head. When asked why the blue one was not up the Guides were informed that the blue flag is used on Thursday afternoon meeting. Of course only the older Guides attend this meeting. If these Guides wanted to stand under 'their' flag they were welcome to come to a Thursday meeting. The results were two fold.

The older Guides are committed to attending Thursday afternoons.
The older Patrol now stands on the Left side of the Horse Shoe. The younger Guides on the Right... under their flag.

The consensus for this action came from Guides who used what they had seen, been shown how to do, fleadingly understood a process that enabled them to feel comfortable with making a decision, offering an alternative and carrying the deceive These Guides have bonded with each other and are rallying under their meeting times flag.

Now to encourage the interest in attending the Baw Baw Region event of 'Flying the Flag' at Gippsland Heritage Park, Moe. Acknowledging that Guiding is part of a uniformed World organisation. Australian Girl Guides rallying together under just one World Flag.

The underling process of 'flag ownership' will carry on until they have earned their World Guide Badge and fund raised for their new uniforms on which to wear that badge.

Baw Baw Regions Campfire 2010

2010-08-09T04:54:00.000-07:00

Early in 2010 when the Hazelwood and Churchill Youth members were discussing the Centenary challenge badge section the idea of going to the Regions Campfire was put forward. All members decided that they either could not attend or simply did not want to attend.

Some did not want to be seen as different, others were unsure of attending with different Guides - they felt they would be out of their comfort zone while others just had no clue what the tradition of a campfire involved. So no one from this district went to the Region Campfire.

The Leaders tried to introduce what it may mean through the program to very little avail.

Once the Region one had been and gone a Guide was upset as her school friends who had attended asked her why they did not even go as a family. When asked why the leaders did not tell them the District Leader reminded to Guide of earlier discussions and the Guides decisions. That having decided not to go the responsibility was no longer in the leaders hands. Therefor the responsibility to be interested was partly hers.

The District Leader decided then to include a campfire in an overnight stay. However the program had to be rapidly adjusted and no campfire was done.

So the 1st Campfire of this District in the 2000's was held August 8th 2010. 2011's date is August 6th beginning at 6pm. The 2011 campfire is set to introduce changes in the tempo and rhythm of the evening.

Campfire becomes upbeat

2010-08-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

Campfire had been prepared for over the last few months. Alas the cold weather had us all inside. The adults were showing the Youth how to organise a campfire program. The flow of the campfire was going along like any other campfire the adults had organised.... to the letter with no flare. Campfires really are not 'these adults' things as none of them have any rhythm and they all sing off tune or muck up the words.

Flash!@# FLASH.

The guests and Guides changed the temp, introduced a beat and new life into the songs. Sounds via vocal cords .... music to every ones ears. Some of the songs actually were song accompanied to this voice over effect. The adults sung the words the Guides and Guidest vocalised.

Next years campfire looks good to me. We are all starting the planning for 'Campfire 2011' very soon. What we plan comes into the Guides program over the next twelve months.

Some old favourites added too, along with the suggested radical changes leaves the District 2011 Campfire being a good one.

Only four Guides attended.

2010-07-24T04:17:00.000-07:00

The last two overnight stays had only four Guides attending. This meant the Teddy Bears smuggled in to the sleeping area had a great adventure. Be this as it may be to many people low numbers have negative impacts. The enthusisum of going to camp, doing things without your actual relatives knowing everything you do is restricted.

However one Guide attended twice. Three new Guides came the second time. Two of the first Guides had other holiday commitments. Chicken Pox and a rather infectious stomach bug was doing the rounds.

The Guides shared in working together. Friendships were cemented. Leadership qualities came forth. Every Guide included someone else within their personal circle.

The overnight stay program was altered to suit both the individual and group needs of those attending.

Therefore the Guides participated in making all their food:

O.N.S. Quiches,
Nibbles and fruit through out camp were prepared [some before camp]
a roast meal,
dessert,
supper,
buddy burner breakfast [ Battered banana and apple, thick fruity pancakes, fried bread and popcorn]
morning tea and lunch. [ fried eggs, salad, potato bake and cooked bacon]

The Guides had an experience on the penny hike [ which was different from the Penny hike that occurred last camp]. Night and darkness fears were challenged and found to be acceptable with others and group managed by the Guides themselves. Previous tent skills were remembered, learned and shared. Games activities and experiments were largely driven by the Guides themselves.

Occupational health and safety aspects of any 'campsite' and activities were attended to both in pre-training and during the overnight stay. These through games and activities were objective inclusive. As such as basic cooking requirements like preparing cooking surfaces, washing hands, keeping surfaces clean, recycling rubbish, cleaning the site, packing and storing of personal items and equipment... the list goes on.
The Guides have requested another Penny hike for the next camp. They would like to include a BBQ along the way instead of having dinner at the hall. A Campfire evening has been planned as a family activity to fund raise towards the new uniform. Buddy burner and alternative cooking skills methods are being sort out.
So tell me please that the Guides attending did not experience an overnight stay that suited them at that point in time? That as an adult you saw this success through the eyes of your child with the knowledge and understanding of an adult.

Why do Australian Young Guides salute like older Guides?

2010-03-22T20:00:00.000-07:00

I share with you a story I was told about a a small voice that was made louder. The story goes like this:

The little Australian Brownie Guide who wanted to know why Brownie Guides were not allowed to Salute like the Girl Guides... after all were they not Girl Guides too. Since this happened about 1959 the effect was amazing. Australian Brownie Guides and New Zealand Brownie Guides of the time were able to Salute with permission from the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. It did take time for the Voice of one Brownie Guide to travel all the way up the chain of command but it did happen. So even small voices can be heard when they have a good advocate.

Advacy for Brunai with Asia Pacific Region Committee encouragement.

2010-03-22T19:59:00.000-07:00

Being a member of Girl Guides you are not only given the opportunity of having a voice but shown how to as well as encouraged to use it. this happens through out all the levels of Girl Guides. you may be new, or in Australia only five, or be a Patrol Leader, a seconder, or have a job to do. However everything you want to do needs to be communicated with so that others may know what it is and were you want to end up.

Remember the little Australian Brownie Guide who even small had a strong line of communication and great advocacy people. She asked a question that people did not know the answer of and people wanted to find out the answer too.

Have a look at what has occurred on an international level with Brunai becoming a full member of Girl Guides. A further challenge was to then get the Leaders working towards being on the international committees such as the Asia Pacific Region.

What is a Patrol Activity

2010-03-18T04:43:00.000-07:00

Patrol activities help the Guides further develop within their peer group. In order to actually 'do' an activity their must be several things happening at once.

Firstly their must be registered members of Guides participating. Friends may attend sometimes. (Up to three times then they must be a member to do any more visits to Guides programs and / or Patrol Activity visits - inclusive. The activity must be interesting, challenging and fun. Something to be talked about and shared.

Having something special occurring keeps the friends interested in what you are doing.This way the friends will want to join in on the planning too.

Patrol activities are overseen by adults.

Patrol activities are not always held at Guides. These adventures can be to all sorts of interesting place, events, activities and services. Sometimes Patrol Activities can be something that is a small part of something else happening. Like doing the food shopping before a come or cook out. Supporting a friend with a sport endevour, Going to the pictures together. Going shopping anyway even hiking in the bush.

So you can see that to achieve a Patrol activity

Management of any activity is a learned art.
Management of people has many different variables.
Time management is a different senaro altogether.

What is a Patrol Activity

2010-03-09T03:18:00.000-08:00

Patrol activities can occur either while at Guides or out of Guide meeting times. Basically the members of the Patrol discuss something, organise it and do it. They must inform parents and their leader. Their leader must inform the District Leader before the activity begins.

There can be any number of Patrol Activities going on through out the year. Often the younger Guides will take along something they are familiar with [teddy bears for instance]. While the older Guides take along a Unit mascot ot flag.

Patrol activities on private land or in private homes have guidelines to them. So therefore there must be a registered leader of Youth present.

Decisions are made

2010-03-09T03:14:00.000-08:00

After discussing what we wanted to do each patrol had more input. Being asked to go somewhere and discuss what one option was wanted makes you think.

2010-03-06T13:17:00.001-08:00

Being a member of Girl Guides is fun.