Kids, Craft and Chaos

Since I got involved in GirlGuiding a few years ago my summer has been marked out with a couple of key dates- Camp! This year it was a 2-for-1 deal with the Scottish Senior Section camp (for all Senior Section girls- aged 14-25 across Scotland) and my "County Camp"- Since I work within Lones this equates to a non-geographical county and every year we have a camp for all sections- Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Senior Section and Leaders (and anyone else we invite along). This year we were at the Scottish Training Centre- Netherurd.

For weeks Kateri and I have referred to tasks as things "for camp" and "after camp". It seems to have taken a long time to come around this year but in the same breath it also seems to have arrived far earlier than I thought it would, such is the joy of much anticipated events. So here it is- Camp with Clair!

The Senior Section Camp was a big camp- with around 160 people on site, most of them camping. Somehow my enthusiasm for camping resulted in Kateri being convinced to work towards her camping licence. Pure genius since she was only camping because I wanted too and suddenly she was in charge of the campsite and fire safety. So, on a big campsite with lots of similar looking tents how do you make sure people know where to find the fire hooter (the official name, honest!) and first aid kit? Why you attach a inflatable pink flamingo to your tent. Handy huh?

In case of emergency, open the tent  at the flamingo side and- hey presto one first aid kit and fire hooter.

It wasn't all straight forward turn up and have fun at camp for us- we had to earn our keep (or at least our food that was being provided on a regular basis). Kateri and I had both been working on producing a number of samples of the crafts we were doing this year- did you see my awesome "ZAP!" hairband?

Since the theme of the camp was "Have A Ball" (Balls, circles, spots, circles...) we had a masquerade ball scheduled for the Saturday evening meaning everyone needed to make themselves a mask to wear. I was very imprsssed with the creativity that led to some beautiful masks and those that were left behind made it into my bag for the girls to enjoy.

Add to that Kateri had found a great craft that made making flower corsages for hairbands, kirby's or brooches- this is a brilliant mass craft especially if some (or many) of those doing it can't sew. It's adapted from a craft posted here. At the Lones section we had fun with marble monsters- and yes I do mean the Senior Section!!!

It wasn't all crafting though- the girls (and leaders) had options including Coracle, Canoeing, High Ropes, Trash Band, Musical Theatre, Stage Make-up, Low Ropes, Geo-caching, Belly Dancing and I'm sure there were other things too that have passed me by. I however was stuck indoors with a big task- clearing away the myths and legends surrounding the opportunities and programme available to Senior Section girls. I won't pretend it was the best thing on the programme- lets face it who wants to come to camp and listen to me talk- but I think we went some way to making the challenges and awards available to Senior Section more achievable. Ah, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

But back to the fun- the Ball was fantastic- with all of the girls throwing themselves into the ceilidh- I certainly have the bruises to prove it from the Flying Scotsman and Strip the Willow. The masks were brilliant- they were used as table decorations at our celebratory meal and were very effective.

There was endless laughter all weekend- everything from our tent pitching skills to people confusing me with Kateri through forgetting about a girl from our unit- not once but twice (sorry Hazel). It's the one thing I always bring home from camp- memories of laughing all day long and even when we should be sleeping (thanks Kirsten!)

Over the weekend we were all working towards this challenge badge (designed by Kateri) by completing 10 Ball related challenges (and if you are interested in finding out more about the badge and the challenge please contact me).

We also managed to spend time with the Lones camp with one of the Guides and one of our Senior Section girls taking their promise with Dinah Faulds, the current Scottish Chief Commnissioner- what a special way to make your promise! Add to that one of our girls was also awarded her Commonwealth Award- a fantastic achievement.

I always come away from camp with renewed inspiration and enthusiasm for this wonderful movement that pushes girls to do their best at everything they try and gives you such wonderful friendships. In our closing ceremony we sang a song that sums up Guiding to me (and it's been stuck in my head ever since camp!).

Make new friends

But keep the old.

One is silver,

The other is gold.

A circle is round

It has no end

That's how long

I will be your friend.

If you ever get the chance to go to GirlGuiding camp I urge you to go and throw yourself into it with gusto, you will never regret it. I'm absolutely signed up for next year.