Senior Branch Magazine • November 2017 The Welly! Irish Girl Guides
THE CRAIC FROM CAMP
Will you organise the next Is it Chief’s your turn to ? celebrate at the SB 18th Birthday? STEM AT IGGNITE
Who’s new on Lego the SB Robotics Gaisce Committee? Tales Ventact from the Tall Ships Welcome to Senior Branch weekend!!!
f you are with us here in Ennis, you are in the Guides in singing songs inside and outside the Iprivileged position to be the first Senior Branch Gaiety Theatre. Past weekends have included a (SB) members this year to get their copy of The Disney Princess Ball, when we launched the new Welly! Journey Programme, and, one year, we even had the challenge to escape from Cork Gaol! ational Senior Branch weekend is an annual Nevent that traditionally takes place on the o, what are the plans for Senior Branch last weekend in November. This year, after all the Sweekend next year, I hear you ask? hard work of the Sparks at Camp IGGNITE, we knew you would all enjoy a reunion with your e’ve decided to up the anti and go new found friends from around the country, so, Winternational!!! Next year we are going it was important to find a venue big enough to Girlguiding Ulster’s Lorne Estate, just to fit you all in! The SB team has been busy outside Belfast, which is technically classed organising a fun weekend of activities for you, as international, haha! Places will be limited which we’re sure you’ll enjoy. We can’t wait to so make sure you book your place as soon as see your fancy dress outfits the bookings go live. If you would like to get involved in organising next year’s National enior Branch weekend is looked forward Senior Branch weekend - it’s a great experience Sto as a time to get together and stay and you will have lots of support along the way - indoors, for a change! Last year we had just let us know drama workshops, a visit from blogger James Kavanagh, and we joined in with the IGG Pantomime, ‘oh yes we did’. We had a great HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!! time leading all the Ladybirds, Brownies and
2018 CALENDAR FEBRUARY: APRIL: SEPTEMBER: • Branch Weekend • Regional Bronze Star hikes • Ventact • 18th Birthday JULY: OCTOBER/NOVEMBER: • World Thinking Day • Roverway 2018 • Regional Conferences AUGUST: NOVEMBER: • Chief Commissioner’s Award • Senior Branch Weekend
2 The Welly! | 2017 Hi everyone,
Another year has flown by and, again, it’s been a great one for Senior Branch Contents IGGNITE 2017 was a real highlight this Senior Branch weekend and 2018 Calendar.. 2 summer and, to those of you who were there as staff, WELL Note from SB Chair and Contents...... 3 DONE and THANK YOU!! No task was too big or too small. SB Committee Updates...... 4 I am sure that the future of Guiding is in great hands with all of you as Leaders. I hope you all Important information for SB members...... enjoyed it and have great memories to add to 5 your Guiding collection. Pre-Camp Challenge...... 6-7 Next year will see a Senior Branch 18th Birthday, a Chief Commissioner’s Award, Ventact and a Senior Branch Weekend, all once Gaisce: ‘How to Register’ and Q&A...... 8-9 again on offer for our members, as well as Regional hikes and indoor weekends. There’s lots to choose from! Be sure to get involved Ventact 2017...... 10 in the activities that are available for your age group and, also, to write about your experience and submit it to us for next year’s Welly!. More Lego Robotics and SB 18th Birthday...... 11 details on some of these events can be found in this edition. Staff Experience at IGGNITE...... 12 I spoke at the recent National Guide Awards in Croke Park to tell our new Senior Branchers all about what Senior Branch has to offer. I Chief Commissioner’s Award Organiser and enjoyed hearing about all the great work they Crumlin Guide Unit...... 13 had done as part of their Guide Awards. It’s clear that they are a fabulous group of young women and I’m looking forward to seeing them Tall Ships...... take on the adventures and opportunities that 14-15 Senior Branch has to offer.
I hope you enjoy reading this edition of The Welly! A big thanks to all those who Want to contact Senior Branch? contributed to it. There’s lots of interesting It couldn’t be easier! reading between these pages, including information on Gaisce, reports from those who have been to various events in Ireland We love to hear from our members and and abroad during the past year, as well as their Leaders so get in touch if you have a upcoming Senior Branch events. Hopefully next year…. it will be YOU that we are reading about, question or have been up to anything you so start making your plans now! would like us to know about!
As always, the Senior Branch committee and Facebook: www.facebook.com/senior.branch I are here to answer any questions you might Email: [email protected] (general) have about Senior Branch, no matter how big [email protected] (national SB events) or how small. Feel free to get in touch about anything and we will do our best to help you with it. Ways to get in touch:
Yours in Guiding,
Clare Facebook: Instagram: Snapchat: Twitter: Senior Branch seniorbranch sbweekend @senior_branch
The Welly! | 2017 31 Senior Branch Committee
Last year we introduced you to the full Senior Branch Committee so, this year, we thought we would remind you of who’s who and give you a quick update on some members who have changed their position, or joined us since then, and introduce them to you. Feel free to get in touch with any member of the committee with questions or with your Regional rep. about what’s happening for Senior Branch in your Region. Chair: Clare Sheridan Assistant Chair: Anne Hyland Secretary (new role) and International rep.: Aisling Claffey Treasurer: Katherine Ryan Gaisce Coordinator (new role): Deirdre Henley Eastern Regional rep.: Ann Doyle South East Regional reps.: Emily Yule and Róisín Lowe (new) South West Regional rep.: Emma Lovell (new) North West Regional rep.: Gemma McLoughlin North East Regional reps.: Annamarie Lawlor and Mary O’Connell (new) Mid West Regional reps.: Katríona Kiely and Naomi Keays (new) West and Central Midlands Regional rep.: Katie Coyne COMMITTEE UPDATES
Emma Lovell • New South West Regional rep. in Germany, a visit to Our Chalet in Switzerland, and IGGNITE. Now, as a secondary school teacher, Guiding Hi, I’m Emma Lovell and I’m from Bandon in West Cork. has given me the most amazing life skills and experiences I joined Guiding as a Ladybird back in 1999 and I have that have made me the teacher I am today! never left. I am a Brownie Leader with Allin and Siamsa Brownies in Bandon, and I’m with Bandon Senior Branch. I am the South West Senior Branch rep. and I look Naomi Keays • New Mid West Regional rep. forward to organising and helping out with some great Hi there! My name is Naomi Keays, I’m from Limerick and Senior Branch events in the near future. I’ve done many I’m one of the Mid West reps. for Senior Branch. I joined things in Guiding so far that I would never have done if IGG when I was five and I haven’t left since! I am a second I wasn’t part of the organisation. To name a few: trips to year student in the University of Limerick studying Our Chalet, international camps in Ireland such as Camp Industrial Biochemistry. In my spare time I love to hang Le Chéile (my first international camp), out with my friends, go to new places IGGNITE 2017, of course, and I was part and occasionally binge watch the odd of the small Irish group that attended TV show on Netflix. Girlguiding UK’s international centenary camp. My favourite part of Guiding is camping and I look forward to going to Regional Other than my Guiding life, I am a Camp every year! My first international pre-school teacher. I play rugby with Guiding experience was at Roverway Bandon, have done so for six years, and I in France in 2016. I attended Camp 101 was on the Munster A squad in 2015. All as a Guide too and didn’t stop talking of this doesn’t leave me with much time about it for months after I got home! I for anything else but I love being kept absolutely loved IGGNITE this August busy and I wouldn’t have it any other and I’m already looking forward to the way. I look forward to meeting you all at next international camp. I’m particularly upcoming events and don’t hesitate to looking forward to the Senior Branch contact me if you need anything. weekend this November; hope to see you there! Mary O’Connell • North East Regional rep. Róisín Lowe • South East Hi, my name is Mary O’Connell and I am from Regional rep. Dunshaughlin in Co. Meath. I am your new Senior Róisín Lowe is from Carlow and is one of our South Branch rep. for the North East Region. I am delighted East Regional reps., alongside Emily. She loves all things to be joining the team and working with my fellow rep. Guiding. Anyone who knows her will know that she is Annamarie from the North East. I was a Guide when always up for a laugh and full of energy and enthusiasm. I was younger and was brought back to Guiding by a She was a Leader on the Pre–Camp Challenge this neighbour who asked me if I would come to a Ladybird summer and is organising the 2018 Senior Branch 18th meeting for one night; I’m still here six years later! Moving Birthday. She has just started studying in Marino to be from Ladybirds to Brownies to Guides, I’m still a Leader a primary school teacher and we wish her all the best as well as a member of Senior Branch! Guiding has with her course. She is delighted to be supporting all the brought me all over, from Camp 101, a Brownie camp SBers in the South East.
4 The Welly! | 2017 Important Information for Senior Branchers
Leaders, Unit Helpers and girls on OGM In December 2014 Online Guide Manager (OGM) was introduced as a revolutionary online resource for IGG Units across Ireland. OGM helps reduce administration for the Unit, and helps Leaders to manage their paperwork more efficiently, saving time and energy. Leaders (over 18) and Unit Helpers are added to OGM in National Office, when the appropriate paperwork is received. The girls’ information is added by the Unit Contact Person (UCP) from their Personal Registration Form.
Senior Branchers Are you receiving who are Leaders in Trefoil News and The Units Welly!? If you are helping with a There are a lot of Senior Unit, can you ensure that Branch members on OGM the UCP has included you with no addresses. Can in the Leader Section of you check with your UCP her Unit on OGM. If not, that they have your full the UCP in your Senior postal address and email address on OGM? Branch Unit can copy your This will ensure that you get your copies of record to the Unit that you Trefoil News, The Welly! and the weekly IGG help with. email update.
E-Vetting/Screening for Senior Branch Members E-Vetting was introduced on 1 Senior Branch members changing Please note that Senior Branch September 2016, therefore the to adult Leaders, i.e. assisting in a members, 18 years and over, paper Garda Vetting Application leadership capacity with any IGG must successfully complete form is no longer accepted and a Unit, must complete the full Leader Garda Vetting before being new Vetting Invitation form is now screening process including Garda allowed to attend a residential required. In addition to completing Vetting. They must ensure that they event at which under 18s are in a Vetting Invitation form, Senior submit all screening forms found in attendance, this includes Senior Branch members must have their the purple Senior Branch pack well Branch residential events. Those identification (ID) validated in in advance of their 18th birthday attending in a leadership capacity person by their Unit Leader and an in order to continue assisting with must successfully complete the full ID Validation Form signed verifying a Unit when they reach 18 years of Leader screening process including this. A Garda Vetting Parent/ age. Senior Branch members are Garda Vetting before being allowed Guardian Consent form is also allowed to submit their screening to attend. required for those under 18 years of forms to IGG for processing from 17 age who are applying. years of age. All forms/packs are available from the Safeguarding Membership Officer, IGG National Office at [email protected] The Welly! | 2017 5 Pre-Camp Challenge 2017 By Ciara O’Reilly and Edel Campbell
Day 1 Early on 25 July, we started our journey to Clonmel train station. We met a lot of the girls on the train, as they got on at different stops. We were all very recognisable to each other as, not only our uniform gave us away, but the gigantic rucksacks too! When we arrived, we boarded the bus and travelled to Goatenbridge, which was where we started our hike. We were given our fab new t-shirts and our budget for the few days. We then had a quick safety briefing and played an icebreaker to get to know everyone. Finally, we began our hike to Parsons Green Campsite. It was a challenge in itself to figure out how to read the maps, for some of us especially! As we hiked through the mountains the songs kept coming, with ‘Black Socks’ echoing through the trees. One of the main concerns for the girls was whether the local shop would stock chicken and pasta, and thankfully it did! We bought dinner, breakfast and lunch for the day ahead. Tough decisions were made, choosing between chocolate fingers and a loaf of bread! After a well deserved dinner, tents were quickly put up and an early night was had by all.
Day 2 Waking up on our first morning was quite an experience. We’d never witnessed a pair of Senior Branchers get their tent down, bags packed and breakfast eaten, all in under twenty minutes, as quickly as Emma and Edwina did. For this day’s activities, the group was split into two sections. We walked the first half of the route, then cycled the second half. We stopped in Ardfinnan for lunch and bargained with the local shops for our dinner, breakfast and lunch for the next day. It was an amusing day, as we were house-hunting along the way for our dream homes. I think we were all glad to reach the campsite that night. We practiced the art of cooking on a trangia, and we had the best carbonara we’d ever tasted. After a quick global awareness debate, we hit the hay.
6 The Welly! | 2017 Day 3 Another action-packed day awaited us when we woke up on our third day. With tents down, bags packed and breakfast eaten, we started our hike to our final campsite. There were a number of surprises in store for us on this day. The first was Aldi. We don’t think we’ve ever been so happy to see Aldi in our lives. We splashed out on chocolate and somehow still managed to stay within our budgets! After a pleasant lunch, we then had a surprise canoeing session. Lunch on the banks of the river, paired with the beautiful scenery, made it just perfect. We quickly continued through the forests on our trek to our final campsite. On arrival, tents were pitched for the final time and another delicious meal enjoyed. Day 4 On our last day we had a small lie-in before embarking on our final hike to Rockwell College. Unfortunately, it was a bit overcast but, being the prepared Girl Guides we are (we hope Clare will agree after the week with us!!), we took it in our stride, equipped from head to toe in waterproofs, along with sun cream. We finally reached the gates of Rockwell and were greeted with rounds of applause from the Canadian guests. With sore feet, we made our way to the accommodation and had the best shower of our lives. Our Pre-Camp Challenge came to an end with an awards ceremony. We were presented with certificates and a framed group photo. We finished our week with a well- deserved, delicious Chinese meal and a party.
A Final Word Pre-Camp Challenge has been one of the most enjoyable opportunities we’ve been a part of. From learning to read maps, to meeting so many wonderful girls, we truly loved it all. We learned so many new skills and we made so many hilarious memories: Ciara’s vole, Jenny learning to fly using a bike, the dreaded grey bike, and Liz’s extreme canoeing skills, just to name a few. We would like to thank all the girls and Leaders for a great experience and we urge everybody to participate in the next Pre-Camp Challenge. See you there!
The Welly! | 2017 7 HOW TO REGISTER
If you have made the decision to pursue The President’s Award, then check out the handy instructions below on how to register.
NOTE: You are required to register with Gaisce Ɣ Visit www.gaisce.ie. before you commence your award-related activities. Ɣ Click on ‘Get Involved’. Activities undertaken before you are registered with 1 Gaisce will not be considered towards your award. Ɣ Scroll down and select your award – Bronze, Silver or Gold.
Ɣ Scroll down again NOTE: From and check out the 6 2 this point, use the buttons stages to ‘Starting provided (e.g. Your Award’. ‘back’ and Ɣ Next click on ‘How to ‘next’) to move Register’. through the Ensure you first meet the screens as Ɣ opposed to ‘Checklist’ requirements the browser and then click through ‘to buttons. begin registering’.
Ɣ Click ‘Next’ and create your new Gaisce Login. 3 Ɣ Follow the guidance on the website. Ɣ When you arrive at the Award Partner section, this is what you need to enter. No matter where you live in Ireland, you must choose Dublin 4 as your county, IGG National as your award partner, and Admin IGG as your PAL. Then click ‘Next’.
Ɣ Enter your activity details and Ɣ Complete the last page i.e. click ‘Next’. 4 ‘application fee’ and ‘terms 5 Ɣ You’ll be asked to check your and conditions’, read the last details and to click ‘Next’ again. page and then click ‘Finish’.
8 The Welly! | 2017 Questions and Answers for Gaisce Awards HOW TO –Gold, Silver, Bronze REGISTER weeks in Community, Personal and Q. When I log onto my award, I am Physical, an Adventure Journey of only credited for 10 weeks on four days and three nights and a Community. I have done a couple If you have made the decision to pursue The President’s Award, then check Residential Project of five days and of days some weeks but it doesn’t four nights. appear to be counted. What is out the handy instructions below on how to register. the problem? Q. Do I need to keep the online Q. I am fourteen and a half. Can I diary entries? A. The challenges are 1 hour per week sign up for the Bronze Gaisce? It for the required length of time NOTE: You are required to register with Gaisce Ɣ Visit www.gaisce.ie. says 15 years on their website. A. No. You must record your depending on which award you are before you commence your award-related activities. Ɣ Click on ‘Get Involved’. challenges each week by getting undertaking. This can be done in Activities undertaken before you are registered with 1 A. Yes, you can sign up for the Bronze the Record Sheet signed by your full or on different days. However Gaisce will not be considered towards your award. Ɣ Scroll down and select your Award when you register with IGG trainer/supervisor. It is good only ONE hour each week counts award – Bronze, Silver or Gold. National Office as soon as you have practice to make notes of what you for the challenge and Gaisce is completed the Now You’re a Senior are doing for your own information. about continuity over the length of Branch member section of the For the Gold Award, you must time. programme. Follow the steps on produce a log book of your page 17 of your SB Travel Journal. challenges as well as the Record Q. I have been helping with Sheets. Meals on Wheels for the past Ɣ Scroll down again NOTE: From Q. There are a number of IGG PALs two months. I am signing up and check out the 6 2 this point, use on the list. How do I know which Q. Must I submit my Record Sheets for Gaisce. Can I count these the buttons one to use? to IGG? weeks as part of my Community stages to ‘Starting provided (e.g. Challenge? Your Award’. ‘back’ and A. Look for Dublin 4 and then IGG- A. Yes, you must submit your National. Once you have done this completed and signed Record A. No. You need to sign up for Gaisce Ɣ Next click on ‘How to ‘next’) to move and paid the fee, your name will Sheets to the IGG Gaisce Co- and decide on your challenges and Register’. through the appear on the IGG list on the Gaisce Ordinator - Deirdre Henley, then you can count the weeks from Ensure you first meet the screens as website. The IGG Co-ordinator will Birchleigh, Rosnascalp, Macroom, your registration date. Ɣ opposed to activate your application and will Co. Cork. We suggest you keep a ‘Checklist’ requirements the browser contact you shortly afterwards. copy for yourself. and then click through ‘to buttons. begin registering’. Q. I did my Bronze Award in Q. I started the Bronze Award in Transition Year. I want to do school but didn’t get it finished Silver but my school doesn’t do within the academic year. Can I this. Can I move to IGG for my still complete this with IGG? PAL and will the award that I completed through school be A. Yes, you can transfer to IGG to Ɣ Click ‘Next’ and create your new recognised? complete the award. Contact the Gaisce Login. 3 IGG Gaisce Co-ordinator.or. A. Yes, your Bronze Award will be Ɣ Follow the guidance on the website. acknowledged and you will be Ɣ When you arrive at the Award Partner able to use the merit system for the section, this is what you need to enter. Silver Award. No matter where you live in Ireland, you Q. What is the merit system and how must choose Dublin 4 as your county, does it work? IGG National as your award partner, A. If you do the Bronze level, you do a minimum of 13 weeks for the and Admin IGG as your PAL. Then click Community, Personal, and Physical ‘Next’. sections and an extra 13 weeks in one of these. In addition you will do the Adventure Journey of at least two days and one night. When you sign up for Silver, you will complete a minimum of 26 & Ɣ Enter your activity details and Complete the last page i.e. Ɣ weeks in the Community, Personal click ‘Next’. 4 ‘application fee’ and ‘terms 5 and Physical sections with no extra Ɣ You’ll be asked to check your and conditions’, read the last weeks. Your Adventure Journey will A details and to click ‘Next’ again. be a minimum of three days and page and then click ‘Finish’. two nights. If you continue to Gold, you will complete a minimum of 52 Q
The Welly! | 2017 9 • VENTACT 2017 • After hearing so much about was the only Ventact from other Senior thing on the Branchers, and being told about agenda and it at IGGNITE 2017, we were we wouldn’t very excited that, this year, we have missed it were finally old enough to go. for the world. We had the best campfire yet, with just as many new songs as old, and each one just as good as the last. It was the best craic. Afterwards, at swaps, we told on the loudspeaker to peg With our expectations high, all haggled for our tickets for our tents as well as possible it is safe to say we were not Saturday’s activity, trying to and Leaders began running disappointed! Even on arriving, get the same as our friends. around, panicking over weather although we took a few wrong After what felt like forever warnings of a possible storm. turns trying to find it, we could we returned to the campsite, Thankfully there were no tents already feel the buzz in the all smiles with our tickets for harmed that night, bar a few atmosphere around the Kilcully Kinsale Activity Centre in our leaky roofs. Luckily the weather campsite. hands. didn’t stop the disco that night which was great fun and went Saturday morning we on from 9pm until 12am. were jumped awake by the loudspeaker beside our tent screaming “GOOD MOOOOORNING VIETNAM!” It was then we could feel that Ventact was truly underway. As soon as we were ready, we headed to the buses for our activities. At Kinsale there were Ventact is like no other camp water and land activities. We we had ever been to. For once, opted for a kayak, paddling we were left to our own devices. along, admiring the beauty of Yes, it may have taken a lot Kinsale and playing water polo. longer than expected to put While by the water, we also The next morning, we couldn’t up our tent - and then to move played games like bulldog on believe we were packing up, the it when we realised it was in the beach. After a much-needed weekend had flown by so fast. the wrong spot - but still, it shower and some lunch we were The last memory we were left was done independently! After straight back to activities, with a with was the water slip-and- the tent was up, the evening leap of faith, a climbing wall and slide that was stretched out was ours and even archery. across the site. Although we had we quickly no clothes left to destroy, it was As soon as we found friendly still very entertaining watching got back to neighbours the others slide by. It was such the campsite and familiar an amazing camp, which none we had to faces to talk to. of us will forget, and already we dive into our can’t wait to be back for Ventact On Friday tents for cover 2018. evening, as it started an optional to pour with Eimear Hehir campfire rain. We were Sophie Kenrick
10 The Welly! | 2017 The Challenge of Lego Robotics By Ciara-Beth Griffin
From 26-30 June 2017, 22 Senior Branch members descended on St. Pat’s campus at Dublin City University (DCU) for the week, to take part in the IGG Lego Robotics Mission to Mars summer academy. We were kept very busy all week. Every morning we arrived at the Lego Education and Innovation Studio at 10am and would spend the days building and programming robots made out of lego that would attempt different challenges associated with colonising Mars. We learned how to make the robots move forward and backward, and how to combine three robots to pull a plant sample.
Then we moved on to the more complicated challenges. Some of the challenges included engaging a satellite, launching a rocket, rescuing a Mars rover, and rescuing some astronauts from the moon. We used the lego robotics software to programme the robots. We were able to drag and drop blocks on the screen to programme the robots. None of us had to write any complicated code, that most people would associate with robotics, which was a huge relief for everyone.
We finished the workshops at 4pm each day and IGG had a whole range of activities organised for us. We went to the cinema; we visited Google; and we tried trampolining and rock climbing. There really was something for everyone! Initially I had been really nervous to be the only girl from my Unit going to this event but, even though I didn't know any of the other girls beforehand, we all became very close very quickly.
IGG’s 18th Birthday Bash! Have you turned 18 since 1 September 2017 or will you turn 18 before 31 August 2018??? YES? Then it’s your turn to come to the Senior Branch 18th Birthday!!
When: Thursday 15 February 2018 Where: Kippure Estate, Blessington, Co. Wicklow. We will have a central meeting point in Dublin (e.g. Heuston Station) and a bus to take you to Kippure and back to Dublin. What: Outdoor adventure activities e.g. climbing wall, low ropes challenge course. How much: €10. This includes travel from Dublin to Kippure and back, all activities, lunch and birthday cake! Your travel to and from Dublin will also be refunded. Who: Senior Branch members born between 1 September 1999 and 31 August 2000. Check out the Senior Branch and IGG Facebook pages and the weekly email for the link to register and let us know you’re coming!! YOU ONLY TURN 18 ONCE!!!
The Welly! | 2017 11 Staff Experience at IGGNITE 2017
GGNITE 2017 was undoubtedly an amazing old Guide uniforms. It was the perfect way to get Iexperience for all involved - especially the staff! everyone hyped up for the week ahead. On Saturday 29 July we arrived at Rockwell College, Tipperary, from all corners of the world - from New was lucky enough to be part of the amazing team Zealand, the Philippines, United States of America I assigned to the Be Limitless activity, ‘around the and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, to Cork, Dublin world in 150 minutes’. You may remember, we were and Cashel. I was heading up from Cork with seven the group with coloured face paint, leading Guides staff from my Unit (Kinsale Senior Branch) with around the camp, and absolutely screaming our team a massive bag, a newly rolled necker and lots of chants; hence I lost my voice on day three. enthusiasm! was the Leader of the grey team and, honestly, hen we arrived, it was straight to registration I running around completing the challenges and Wbefore helping out with odd jobs. My friend screaming with the girls (OLÉ, OLÉ, OLÉ, OLÉ, WE’RE Aoibhinn and I offered to lend a hand in the GREY, WE’RE GREY, OLÉ, OLÉ, OLÉ, OLÉ, WE’RE supermarket and the amount of food was truly GREY, WE’RE GREY, GREY, GREY!!!) was so much unbelievable; you’d think we were feeding an army fun for me too. So, that was how I spent the majority for a month! After that, it was time to mingle with all of my week at camp - chanting, losing my voice, and the other staff and get to know people, followed by running around Rockwell - not bad at all! I can’t forget setting up our tents and, of course, a photoshoot with the evening activities, from the talent shows to the our fabulously decked out camp ‘homes’ – fairy lights, campfires, to my first experience watching Game of bunting (we’ll be back to this…) and all! After the first Thrones. of our staff meetings, and unexpectedly joining the staff choir, it was time to sleep in preparation for the he week finished up with the amazing closing girls arriving the next day. Tceremony, which included a fireworks display, gospel choir, staff impromptu campfire, and a pizza veryone in my tent woke up after barely a wink party for all the staff. IGGNITE is definitely one of my Eof sleep, cursing our stupid bunting. No longer favourite experiences in Guiding so far. I’m so grateful the adorable Pinterest-worthy pieces of art we had to have had the chance to be one of the staff at an hung up around our tent the day before, it had been international camp and I think it’s an opportunity that ferociously flapping the whole night. Needless to say, everyone should take advantage of. I’d like to thank it was ripped down as soon as we left the tent. the fantastic Camp Organisers, Leaders, participants, and our incredible security team for keeping us safe ost of Sunday consisted of unloading buses, throughout the week. Thanks also to all my fellow Mgreeting Guides, hauling camp equipment to staff members and friends for making IGGNITE so campsites and repeating it all again, until over 40 bus memorable for all of us. Thank you all! loads of happy, excited girls had arrived. Sunday was the day of the opening ceremony for all participants By Cathy Hynes and staff with singing, drama and a fashion show of
12 The Welly! | 2017 Chief Commissioner’s Award 2018 In 2016, the Chief Commissioner’s Award took place in Valentia, Co. Kerry. Next year’s destination is still a mystery and that choice could be up to you… DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO ORGANISE NEXT YEAR’S CHIEF COMMISSIONER’S AWARD? The Senior Branch committee is looking for a very special person/group of people to plan the next Chief Commissioner’s Award. Assistance will be provided in the form of a mentor. If you are interested in being involved, have any questions, or would like more information on what’s involved in the planning, please email [email protected] COULD IT BE YOU??!!!
Crumlin Hospital Guide Unit Are you a Senior Brancher in Dublin looking for a new Guiding experience? Are you free one Thursday night a month? Would you like to help bring a smile to the face of girls in hospital? If so, we’d love if you joined us in Crumlin Guide Unit! Crumlin Hospital Guide Unit has been going for over 8 years now. We meet every Thursday in the hospital from 6.30-8.15pm, all year round, except August and December. Each week we bring girls aged 8 upwards, who are patients in the hospital, away from their wards for an hour of fun. We give them a chance to try Guides for an evening, to meet girls from other wards, to try out some new activities with a Guiding twist and to offer them a brief distraction during their stay in hospital. The weekly programme is varied as we never know how many girls will be available, the age range, or their limitations due to illness. So it is both fun and challenging for Leaders. We select weekly themes, for example Halloween, Mother’s Day, or maybe camping, a pyjama party, road safety, winter fun, friendship or summer holidays. Crafts are always popular as well as simple activity games. Each week, four rostered Leaders explain about Guiding in Ireland and internationally and each girl is given a special pink necker to wear and bring back to the ward with her and, if she stays in hospital for any length of time, she can wear it to Guides each week. We love to see the smiles on their faces, having had a chance to forget for a short while why they are in hospital. Some of the girls come for a number of weeks; others join for just one night.
If you’d like to know more about Crumlin Guide Unit, please give me a call or email me: Róisín Fitzgerald • 087 9925312 • [email protected]
The Welly! | 2017 13 on the box in front of you, down Tall and right to get the number up. It was great fun! I couldn’t wait to steer again. Dinner that night was a delicious curry. Abbie, Ships the cook, was amazing and the portions were huge; no fear of any of us needing the extra food On Monday 5 June we arrived we had all brought, just in case! on the tall ship ‘Pelican of London’. On the way there, I was We had our first breakfast at relieved to have bumped into half past seven since we were on a gang from the north and, as watch from 8am to 12pm, during we laughed about the security which time we had to keep an man trying to search our bags, I eye out for fishing equipment, clicked with them straight away. boats etc. We also had fun Unfortunately for him he started playing random games. After our with mine, and to everyone’s first watch, we had a talk from great amusement the poor fella Frances about the boat while couldn’t get his hand past my sitting on the deck and having ginger biscuits and decided to a laugh. We then had lunch and just pat-down everyone else’s played a picture game in the bag. When I got on the ship, I mess (‘the mess’ is the name of was waiting about five minutes the dining room). when I saw Georgina, the other In the afternoon we climbed IGG member, come on board and up the sails for the first time. I was relieved to realise I knew It was great craic climbing up her. We then went down to the and the view of the ship was mess room and chatted a bit. fantastic. It was hard coming A few people were going to down though as it was scary as be late arriving from Liverpool, hell at the start, but amazing! so everyone got off the boat We had dinner and did another and walked around the festival. watch from 6pm to 8pm. Later, Georgina and I had some I had a shower for the first time amazing wedges at a food on a moving boat. It was an stall and laughed as we both experience, I’ll tell you that. Not admitted we were nervous about long after, we went to bed since sea sickness and how bad the we had another watch at 4am. food might be. At half past five, Watch at 4am. What can I say? we met back on the boat and We sat for four hours in lashing had spaghetti bolognese. To our rain and no waterproofs could shock, we got a huge portion have kept us dry, we were each. We dug in and relief drenched inside and out. We had flooded us as we realised the water pouring out of our boots food for the week was going to as they tried to get the boat be gorgeous! That night a few of through the storm to Cork. For us played cards and got to know a lot of people the sea sickness each other a little better. kicked in that night. Once we The next day we learned knots. came indoors at 8am we had a What can I say? We felt right at cup of tea, a shower and threw home, and even recognised a our clothes into the dryer. We knot or two. We then set sail and then went for our nap until lunch. were in awe for a couple of hours When we woke up we realised as we passed cargo ships, tall that in twelve hours we had ships like ours, and even a small travelled one mile backwards! boat or two, but mostly the view The crew decided that we was transfixing with the waves wouldn’t make it to Cork, so Plan crashing, and the fresh air and B saw us heading for Glasgow! wind. I felt like I was in a dream… Our watch from 4pm to 6pm but quickly woke up when it was was amazing. The sails were up my turn to steer the boat as our and the sun was out, the view group was first on watch. was magic and everyone was in I felt like Captain Jack Sparrow great spirits. on the Black Pearl as they shout Unfortunately, Glasgow didn’t 180, 185, 190 and you must steer work out either, so, for Plan C, the boat left to get the number the Captain got permission to
14 The Welly! | 2017 Tall Ships continued...
dock in Carlingford, since he’s we played Proof Spoof and from the area, and we were had different dares, including running out of food because we hot sauce and raw eggs. should have arrived in Cork at Unfortunately Georgina lost the this stage. We were on watch raw egg round. again from 12am to 4am which, thankfully, weather-wise was On Monday, we all headed into better and spirits were higher. town again for supplies and a last look around before setting We arrived in Carlingford at sail to the Isle of Man, Plan D. midday on Friday. We did Later that day we were joined workshops most of the day and by another tall ship whose crew then had happy hour, but, wait asked us to keep three ship- for it… ‘happy hour’ consists lengths away. After our main of scrubbing the deck and a crew discovered that this ship general boat clean, including was going faster than us, they toilets! Nonetheless, we laughed ordered us, for a laugh, to put right through it. Later that down all the sails to speed past evening we all headed out them. in Carlingford. Since it was a working dock, we had to leave It was great to see all the crew the boat altogether and come excited about passing out the back altogether, which resulted other ship, even the Captain was in us all heading to the same pub helping. The atmosphere was where the atmosphere was great epic until all hell broke loose and and everyone had a laugh. the steering broke! Luckily, they fixed the steering before the On Saturday morning it was propeller broke! We then had to happy hour again and we had sheepishly ask the other ship, to clean the entire ship. We then that we had previously raced and went to town and got a few beaten, to give us a wide berth supplies - sweets, Tayto, salsa as our steering was broken and, sauce; you know, the essentials unfortunately, we were heading bar actual food, as the food back towards them. We did a lot on the ship was amazing! I feel of sailing that day and eventually Abbie deserves a couple of stars; sailed to Bangor Bay, to anchor we’re really going to miss her and fix the propeller. food. After a few card games, we had a barbeque on deck We went sailing the next day and just chilled while sausages, and had a relaxing day. That lamb skewers, cheesy peppers, night someone videoed us with a drumsticks and burgers were drone that hovered above us, the passed around. We then played film of which, hilariously, is on a game with a cardboard box, YouTube! where you must pick it up with The following day the Captain just your mouth and after every decided to head to Belfast early round the box gets smaller. It since, at that stage, they couldn’t was great craic! fix the propeller 100% and On Sunday everyone was tired, needed extra help and diving but after the barbeque the deck equipment. Overall, it was an needed cleaning again. Since amazing trip. I genuinely laughed we had cleaned the upper deck, from start to finish and, a lot of I had to bring down the hose. the time, I had to pinch myself Unfortunately it resulted in me as the view was so amazing. The falling on the soaked deck, not excitement of putting up and ideal! Later that day we made down the sails and watching how egg parachutes that we tossed they work was fantastic! Steering off the top of the sails. It was the boat on your own watch hilarious, as one team had an took a bit of getting used to, but engineer and we all joked saying overall was great. The general they should be disqualified. atmosphere on the boat, and the When it was their turn we all sense of adventure, I just can’t burst out laughing as we held put into words. The experience our breath, and it plonked to the is a one in a million opportunity. ground as the worst parachute! Anyone aged 18 to 30 would be We then had a talk about how crazy not to apply. to tack a ship and how to do different knots. That night By Ann-Marie O’Leary
The Welly! | 2017 15 Senior Branchers of the future at the National Guide Awards Congratulations to all 107 Guides!
Irish Girl Guides Trefoil House 27 Pembroke Park Dublin 4 Phone: 01-6683898 Email: [email protected] www.irishgirlguides.ie
The mission of the Irish Girl Guides is to enable girls and young women to develop to their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.
• 16 The Welly! November 2017 The Welly! | 2017