GIRLGUIDING has certainly been successful in engaging girls throughout the past year despite the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Full use has been made of Zoom and social media delivering an imaginative and varied programme of activities which has proved invaluable. In this round up of the past few weeks the pictures of the girls say it all. Girlguiding has been conscious of their well being and parents have been extremely supportive when required to facilitate activities in the home.

Division Commissioner for Wharfedale, Sue Vint reported that among other things: “We covered a whole host of subjects and badges engaging the Guides in cooking, art, photography, bird watching and camping.

“We have run Zoom meetings each week following badge work and the Guiding programme - doing magic tricks, taskmasters and seasonal cooking. We had several virtual ‘camps’.”

These camps have been extremely popular since the girls could choose to put up a tent in the garden or create a den in their bedrooms.

Food was cooked over fires and what else would a girl enjoy but toasted marshmallows.

A regular thing at meetings is the enrolment ceremony. This when the girl becomes a full member of the Unit and it is an important moment when she makes her promise. Brownies usually hear the brownie story when the Brownie discovers from the Wise Owl that the person responsible for being helpful and friendly is indeed ‘herself’. To do this at home, Brownies made models of the Wise Owl and the pond and the Zoom ceremony was carried out with willing parents stepping forward at the appropriate moment with badge and certificate. Leaders believe they secretly enjoyed taking part.

Just to illustrate the breadth of activities and achievements Ann Peacock, PR Advisor for Girlguiding put together this gallery of pictures and to say again that Leaders, girls and adults at home are to be congratulated for their commitment.

Baking is always a favourite activity as is any craftwork. Lisa White from 2nd Burley Brownies reports; “Girls have been busy learning how to use hand tools, making lifts, robots and air canons. They have joined with Microsoft to make their own computer games, worked on their space badge with The Royal Astronomical Society and practised strategies for improving their mental well being with a Girlguiding Peer Educator. They celebrated Chinese New Year with a visitor from China and world thinking day with a Brownie group in Malta and met a guide dog and her owner.”

One badge earned was the Upcycling badge. Amongst many things upcycled, Guides were asked to upcycle slices of wood into something useful or attractive. The photo of owls is just one thing that was made.

Another big enterprise is fundraising to help others. 2nd Ilkley Brownies have raised nearly £500 by holding a raffle and making Easter Bunnies for sale. They are giving half of the proceeds to buy another Guide Dog puppy and half to the Canal and River Trust as they have been doing a badge from them.

1st Burley Brownies have raised £3000 plus for Katiyo Primary School in Zimbabwe by running 5km a day for seven days, swimming a mile, baking cakes, making and selling hama bead hair slides and running an online appeal. And finally, what else would you do at Easter time but create Easter crafts and decorate eggs. 3rd Ilkley Brownies created an Easter basket, yummy looking nests were prepared by 1st Ilkley Brownies and the more sophisticated eggs by 2nd Ilkley Guides.

Ann Peacock added: “My final words in praise of Girlguiding, the girls and their Leaders are to stress just what strength of character and resilience has been developed this year. Units now have permission to meet face to face and frantic efforts are being made by Leaders to complete risk assessments and plan socially distant meetings outdoors for the girls. Needless to say there is excitement all round.”