On Monday afternoons at 4 pm you will find a group of 7–11-year-old girls from surrounding schools, gathering in their uniforms at the Girl Guide Hut in Mt Eliza. Laughter and energy abound as they begin another night at ‘Guides’.
As part of the worldwide organisation of Girl Guides, this unit of Koala Guides in Mt Eliza is a vibrant group of girls and leaders who engage in and deliver a program of activities which are wide ranging, challenging and fun. Designed to allow girls to challenge themselves in activities which are sometimes physical, social, and emotional, the special all – girl environment allows the guides to thrive! Girl Guides present opportunities to spend time with like-minded peers, to be silly, try different things, spread their wings, learn to take positive risks, and reap rewards and grow and prepare for life!
Activities are as broad as the horizon and include outdoor and indoor camping, games, cooking, craft, service activities for the community, leadership, badge work, bushcraft, drama, patrol time, and World Guiding; all of which help the girls make new friends, have fun, and develop life skills. Many of the activities stem from suggestions or interests of the girls or emanate from their interest badge work.
Girls work in different ways at Guides as badge work provides scope for personal endeavour, growth, creativity, and self-esteem is fostered.
As a whole group they can work on unit activities such as preparing for a camp, making a challenge course, having a waterslide night, joining in a science experiment, attending an ANZAC service or sausage sizzle fundraiser day. Other times, they work in smaller groups, called patrols, on things such as preparing a menu for a Patrol Master Chef Outdoor Cooking Challenge or an International Night Patrol presentation.
All Guides are also encouraged to work on individual challenges and presentations in areas of interest to them. They devise a challenge to undertake – something which will extend them and need a little time and effort to accomplish. Once completed, they present their efforts to the group. Some highlights have been solar systems created from foam balls, skateboard skills, yummy treats as part of a cooking challenge, flower pressing, and wooden flagpole stand making. All these activities, when achieved, earn the Guides badges which they wear on their uniform, with pride, which is always evident.
Life skills abound as part of the Girl Guides structure. Independence, responsibility, achievement, cooperation, understanding, care and appreciation for the environment, community spirit, pride, resilience, and courage progress naturally, and the chance to lead their small patrol group allows girls to develop leadership and communication skills.
As Guides is a worldwide community, there is also the opportunity to participate with other units on the Mornington Peninsula and across Victoria to foster an understanding of world guiding. State camps, Region camps, and special days in the Guiding calendar are times of getting together in a wider capacity.
The Mt Eliza Guides like to “have fun and get grubby” but also maintain many of the traditional elements of Guiding such as the opening and closing ceremonies each week, enrolment ceremonies, and Colour Party procedures. They love getting out of the hut and exploring. From local beaches to parks, Christmas carols to community services, outdoor adventures to big sleepovers and camps, these Guides see a lot, and do a lot more.
Super creative, caring leaders bring experience and everyday tasks to the forefront at Guides. Ask your child, can they change a light bulb, hammer a nail, or tie a knot? What about sewing a button, writing formal invitations, and setting tables?
The goal of Girl Guides is to shape youth into caring, capable, fun-loving women who have initiative, tolerance, resilience, and a desire to be the best they can, coupled with a healthy amount of not taking themselves and life too seriously.
Come and join the Girl Guides!
Contact Heather Runting on 0414 881 545.
facebook.com/mtelizagirlguides
mtelizagirlguides@gmail.com
