Events - Item

Event Dates

Starting: Friday 20 October 2006
Ending: Sunday 22 October 2006

Report

NATIONAL GUIDE PATROL LEADERS WEEKEND

KILCULLY, CORK

20 ^TH – 22 ^ND OCTOBER 2006.

This event started on Friday night with supper and getting to know each other.

Saturday morning began with ice breakers.  The result of one of which led to the Guides dividing into patrols each named after animals. Each patrol was then given a copy of a   patrol challenge to be completed over the weekend.  This had lots of different tasks which had to be solved, such as, counting the vowels in the promise, completing a log book of the weekend etc. etc.

Next came some team building exercises – one of which was to make a reef knot using a large rope with half the patrol on each side holding the rope without letting go.  It was interesting to see the Guides twist in and out of each other to eventually reach their goal. Another exercise was to build a tall tower with newspaper – some seemed to look more like monsters than towers by the end!  The third team building exercise involved the Guides working together in their patrols to build a device which would  enable them to drop an egg (raw!) from a second floor window, without it breaking when it hit the ground. Three out of eight patrols  successfully landed their eggs.  Much cheering and excitement  accompanied the drops. 

After this the Guides took part in  outdoor activities run by the campsite.  These were  archery, aerial runway and orienteering.  Despite the rain great fun was had by all even if most people were soaking wet by the time everyone was finished.

After lunch came the patrol leader training which was very kindly given by Julie Donnelly.  Here the Guides discussed what made a good patrol leader, how to solve problems and what they would do if they were Chief Commissioner!  Judging by some of the suggestions our organisation has a healthy future.  They also had to say what was great about patrol leaders. Here are some of the answers;

“P = prefect L = Lively

A = amazing E = Environmentally Friendly

T = try very hard A = Angelic

R = running for help D = Daring

O = over all fun! E = Everyone counts

L = Lovely R = Reduce – reuse - recycle

S = Silly”

“Patrol leaders are great because they form an important part of the CGI Company. 

They are sensible and responsible members of Guides”

“Guides is like a plant that never dies and always grows.”

After the training and a short trip into Blackpool it was shopping time. Here the patrols hunted for the most unusual item for €2 for their patrol challenge.  Among the offerings were fake dandruff, coronation street soap, a doggy news toy cleverly bought by the dog patrol and cat sunglasses bought by the cat patrol.   Next came a visit to a bowling alley for food and bowling.  Judging by the screams and roars the bowling was a great success, even if some cruel person had removed the bumpers!.

After a tour of Cork we returned for a hotly contested table quiz.  The last event of the evening was an enjoyable campfire after which the sleepy girls made their way to bed.

Sunday morning began with mass at the campsite.  This was followed after breakfast by a lively and enjoyable session on crafts.  These crafts were suitable for the patrol      leaders to use in their patrols for Halloween and Christmas.

After this the Guides were asked for their ideas on the website, competitions and badges among other things.  This led to a lively discussion among the girls.    At the same time the Guiders held their brain storming session.

After lunch there was just time to have a quick prize giving with trophies being awarded to the winners and runners up in both the bowling and table quiz.  There was also a prize for the patrol that won the challenge which had been ongoing all through the weekend.

After this it was time for the girls to say goodbye to all their new friends and board the coaches for home.

Many thanks to Eileen McCarthy and all the Guiders who helped make the weekend a great success.

Suzanne Lenihan,

National Commissioner

Guide Section.