Air, water, earth and fire

This term both companies are working on the Eco- Green adventure.   We have learned about the big 5 and little five, endangered species, alien invaders and we have to do an activity from the 4 elements, Air, Water, Earth and Fire.

For Air we made paper frogs and held a frog Olympics, fanning  frogs with newspaper.   Then we had air ball races.   Most fun was the balloon popping game.   Each Guide had one or more balloons attached to her ankles and the goal was to pop everybody else’s balloon but keep your own intact.

 

 

 

 

Last week the Rays of Hope girls played balloons again as our environmental expert couldn’t make the earlier time.

Next week we will be working with clay (Earth) and the week after we will make candles (Fire)

Regional Hike.

Since I was diagnosed with a deteriorated disk in my lower lumbar region, I haven't been hiking.   I am doing much better than I was last year which I regard as an answer to specific prayer, however I know my back is delicate and every now and then I get twinges.   I was therefore delighted when Jelly Bear, one of my assistants, showed an interest in attending the Regional Hike.   Three girls from Waverley decided to attend with their families.  

I didn't think the Rays of Hope girls would be able to go because it was held near Parys, more than an hour and a half away.   I tentatively mentioned it to the Rays of Hope transport contact and to my delight they agreed to provide transport.   It was very last minute, however, but the girls were very keen.

 I stressed most of Sunday, trying to find out if the girls arrived at the meeting point at 7am, whether they were on the way, and, when they hadn't arrived at the venue at the time of the hike, I had to tell myself that there was actually nothing I could do.    I did also tell myself that that was the last time I was sending the girls to something without me. It is too stressfull.

Anyway, it seems like everybody had fun.   The Rays of Hope girls didn't get to go on the hike because they arrived so late but I did get an answer from Samantha when I asked if she had fun.
   "Lots of fun", read the message.
The photos are from Jelly Bear.

Good turns, fun and fellowship

The end of the 2nd term was quite busy.   Both Companies did a Company good turn.   The Rays of Hope Guides gave a concert to the residents of the Old Age Home.


The Waverley Guides made chocolates to take to the residents of Nazareth House.   Unfortunately it was the evening we had a power failure and we had to finish by candle-light.
 





On the Saturday, several of the Guides went to visit Nazareth House to hand out the chocolates, play with the children and visit.

I don't know who had more fun, the Guides or the children

At the end of the term the Waverley Guides hosted their parents to dinner and entertainment.   The girls earned cooks, bakers, hostess, entertainers, flower arranger and singers badges.
I didn’t take any photos of the dinner but this is some of the entertainment.

Finally, to celebrate the start of the government school holidays, we had a Day Camp with both companies.

2nd Term

To finish our 3 edible novelties for a children’s party, we made racing cars out of finger biscuits and marshmallow baskets.

The Rays of Hope Guides are beginning to integrate into the Old age Home community.   They have each adopted a Granny and later in the term we will do a concert for them.
We spent a meeting highlighting the Guide Law.   This involved translating words to Zulu or Sotho, working through pictures in the handbook and short skits illustrating how Guide Laws are broken or kept.   They ranged from being kind (or not) at school to Rhino poaching.

Last Thursday we did part of the Keep Fit badge.   The Alex girls organised their own set of movements which turned out to be cheerleading type routines while Jelly Bear led us in a more professional routine at Waverley.   She has subsequently agreed to do the same with the Rays of Hope girls.

Change is in the air.   The new programme is due to start in June and the new uniform is already being stocked.
The changeover will be challenging but we will do our best to be innovative and take things one week at a time.

Easter eggs

Because we were meeting on the Thursday before Good Friday, I didn’t expect full attendance.   Gummi Bear will not be able to help this term as she is coaching hockey.   Jelly Bear, one of the Waverley Guide’s mothers, helped out last week but was away during the private school holidays.   To celebrate Easter, we decorated Easter eggs (the candy coated hen’s eggs) with plastic icing.   I thought it would be something I could handle alone with  reduced number of girls.

Only four of the Rays of Hope Guides came.   One patrol leader won’t be coming anymore because she didn’t go straight home after the friendship day last week and got home late.   A small group suited me fine though.

 

 

Eight Waverley Guides came and although I had planned a game to play afterwards, we spent the whole meeting decorating eggs.   Each girl got to make two.

 

 

 

One of the clauses for the discovery arts and crafts flash is …  “make 3 different edible novelties for a children’s party.”   Next week we will complete the clause by making racing cars out of finger biscuits and baskets out of marshmallows.