Surf Coast welcomes Girl Guides return

TWENTY children from across the Surf Coast gathered on Saturday as Girl Guides returned to the region for its first session in years.

The group spent their time getting to know each other at Camp Tallawalla, participating in games, pikelet making and re-purposing activities.

Unit leader Sue Wilson said they had a great time, with children joining in from around 10 different schools.

“There were a lot of kids that needed to mix and max, and some kids said that was the best part,” she said.

“We made pikelets with jam, ate some ourselves and served the parents. They [the girl guides] were so lovely, they took them around on a tray and offered them to parents, they were just gorgeous.”

Girl Guides is a worldwide program encouraging girls and young women to learn new skills and grow in confidence.

Ms Wilson said being back around the Girl Guides was going to keep her young.

 

“It was second nature to be back, it was just lovely, and the girls were so responsive and having that mentoring role, plus a guiding role, plus a fun role, it’s a very multifaceted role when you’re a leader.

“You get to see these girls grow. I’ve got them right from day one, and I’ve got the opportunity to watch these girls not just growing in stature, but growing in their development, in their emotional and their physical development.”

Parents were also involved in the first session, learning about the value of guides and the resilience, perseverance, leadership and organisational skills that can come from it.

Next time the group meets, there will be an international theme, where they will be dressing up as guides from all over the world.

“We’ll be travelling the world with a passport. We’re going to be making trips, we’re going to be making huts in the bush and fortunately, we can actually access some international guide uniform,” Ms Wilson said.

For more information, head to guidesvic.org.au