We're back!

Apologies for the radio silence!  I don't think anyone realised just how long it had been since our last blog post!  We will try to do better this year, although as it is already February, we might not be as efficient as we'd like!

So much happened last year for Clack Close District!  There's no way we can update you on everything but hopefully here we can give you a few highlights.  Perhaps our favourite day was the District Day Out at Eaton Vale, organised by Rainbow Leader Fox.  All the girls were invited to attend and there were activities for every section including Raft Building, Abseiling, Backward Cooking and Crate Stacking to name a few.

The weather was a little chilly but that didn't stop the girls enjoying some outdoor games and lunch was outside even though it wasn't quite picnic weather!  It was really nice seeing the different sections taking part in activities.  I was convinced the Rainbows were going to go into the water while I watched them canoeing but they all emerged from their boats nice and dry.  The Rangers, on the other hand, seemed to spend a fair bit of time in the water!

It was a really successful day and great to see who the different units are and what they do.  We hope to do something similar this year, so watch out for further information.

But it wasn't all outdoor activities last year.  Some sections spent time looking at the Vote 100 Challenge Badge and also took part in Parliament Week.  Visiting speakers and a range of activities got us thinking about the importance of voting and knowing what you are voting for.  We celebrated the victories of the Suffragettes with glass painting, green,white and violet hair ties and by enjoying a High Tea with decorated biscuits and cakes.  We were also lucky to have Rebecca Elliott from the local Labour Party talk to us about policies and why every vote counts.

There was no summer camp last year as most of the leaders were either away or volunteering at Norjam.  We know how much organisation goes into running a jamboree, so thank you to Willow and Wren for supporting our Guiding and Scouting community.  The leaders are already planning a summer camp this year, so keep an eye out for more information.

Other things that happened last year included:  trips to Stow Hall for Croquet and wide games, trips to Oxburgh Hall, trips to the Pantomime and The Christmas Spectacular in Yarmouth, BP Nights, YL Nights, Community and Christmas Fairs, Thinking Day, Sixer Weekend, Coffee Morning, District Campfire, Parties, Crafting and Drumming!  Sorry we can't expand on these things here - I'm sure your Daughters have already told you all about them though!

So that is our very brief round up nearly over, except to say that we have a new programme!  New badges, new activities and more links between the sections so that your daughter can really see her progress through Guiding over the years .  Your daughter is likely to have brought home some information about how it all works, the most significant change for parents is probably the expectation that all interest badges will be completed at home.  The range of badges is fantastic, so expect some slightly strange requests from your girls....anyone for whittling?

Yours in Guiding
Clack Close District

Our Poacher Adventure (part 1)

For the parents of Guides going to Poacher, the last time they saw their girls was when we were cramming the coach full of too much stuff!  You'll be glad to know that we squeezed it all in and we arrived at Poacher happy and full of excitement for the days ahead.  Although the sky was overcast, we managed to put up our tents before the rain came (even though the high winds did slow us down) and ate our lunch whilst our marquee was put up.  The kitchen was set up and jobs completed (water collected and gas connected) and eventually we headed off for the opening ceremony.  We marched in with the rest of our subcamp, having got to know some of the other Guides and Scouts while we were waiting.  24 countries were represented at Poacher and it was really poignant watching the flags being raised.  We were also introduced to some of the key members of the Poacher team and had a message from the Chaplin.  Some of our girls feature in the Poacher opening video, which you can find on the Poacher 2017 website

Fortunately, the rain held off until after the opening ceremony but then it seemed to rain for the rest of the evening.  The first night at camp is always one of the most difficult in terms of sleeping and it wasn't helped by the constant sound of rain on tents but we woke the next day to clearer skies and a day full of activities ahead.

Activities at Poacher are allocated on a random basis but girls are free to swap and collect more activities or simply go and queue for an activity.  It took a little while to get used to the ticketing system but by the end of Sunday, most girls had got into the swing of things.  Another highlight from Sunday was a visit from Bear Grylls, who arrived by helicopter and did a back flip onto a giant inflatable.  I am told that when Skip heard the helicopter arrive she took off at high speed to track Bear down (apparently, she has never run so fast!) - you can see some of her pictures on our twitter feed.  Connie, one of the Rangers, managed to get her necker signed.

Our girls have already experienced a range of activities, although some like Hot Air Ballooning have been hampered by the weather (the rain and high winds have continued throughout the first half of the week) and none of our girls managed to be selected for this activity.  However Kirsten, one of our Rangers, did get selected for Gliding which was an amazing activity and Wren has some photos of this on her camera, which we hope to post when she returns from camp.

Here are some of the comments from the girls about some of the activities they have done:

Lucy:

The first activity I did was Sailing and it was so good!  The wind was really strong which made it more exciting.

Alisha:

I enjoyed learning about the African culture, when I had a go at playing on the African Drums.  It was really good and the sounds and rhythms were amazing.

Lily:

Although the weather has been unpredictable, I have had so much fun at Poacher.  My favourite thing I have done so far is Go Karts, it felt like I was going so fast but looking back at videos it was embarrassingly slow!

Kirsten:

I really enjoyed Gliding, something I wouldn't normally be able to do.

Gabby:

I really enjoyed doing the Inflatables as I could keep going on them with my friends but I hated being chased by wasps when eating my food!

Lucy:

I have really enjoyed getting to know Kirsten and Gabby really well.

Anna G:

Poacher is amazing.  The food Wren does is amazing and always filling.  The activities are really fun and nothing like we have done before.  Getting to the middle of the week, our tent is getting a little bit messy but it's nice to be all snuggled in and the fairground is amazing.  Thank you everyone and see you Saturday.

Anna R:

It is really good fun at Poacher.  I love the food and all the activities are brilliant.  The atmosphere is really nice and everyone is so kind and friendly.

Georgina:
My time at Poacher has been amazing, I have done so many activities like zip line, zorbs, segways and much more.  As well as physical activities there are also mental ones and there is a Poacher Challenge badge.  There are also off-site trips.  I love Poacher!

Lottie:
This camp I have really enjoyed the Freefall Stuntbag because it was a challenge.  I have loved the camping and activities.

Elizabeth:
I have really enjoyed going on the Rock Climbing and Abseiling Wall because I challenged myself with heights, this was a great achievement.

Katie G:
I have really enjoyed Poacher so far. Crate Stacking has been super fun and I got to do it with my friends.  All the birthday surprises (balloons, cards, presents) were amazing.

Izzy L:
I have found all my activities amazing!  Inflatables were really fun, especially with friends.  I also loved Cave Bus and Crate Stacking.

Rebecca, Neve and Lauren:
We love Poacher.  There are tons of fun things to do.  We plan on going Scuba Diving.  Our favourite activity has been Crate Stacking.

Joanna, Abbie, Abby, Marissa and Leo:
Scuba Diving was amazing.  The instructors were very nice and patient.  Cave Bus was good, as well as Cave Challenge.  Inflatables meant that we could do activities in our group of 5.

Sarya:
I had fun on the Freefall Zipline, Bowling and Go Karts.

Lara:
I really enjoyed the Micro-quads, as they went really fast.  Luckily, I didn't fall off!

Elisa:
I have had fun, it has all been amazing!

Sarya, Lara and Elisa have done so many activities - they have really got into the spirit of Poacher, getting up early to get all the best tickets.  They have done three badges already - well done girls!

Katrina, Lucy and Caitlin:
Today we played the African Drums and they were more fun and interesting than we expected!  We also did some dancing during the activity which we were a bit embarrassed about!  Luckily, none of us had to dance in the middle!  Lucy said "I loved learning the different rhythms"  Katrina said "I learnt a new skill" and Caitlin "It's my first time on camp and I'm really enjoying it"

Carmela: 
The funfair was amazing but the lines were too long!  The Inflatable challenge was great.

Anya:
I learnt that the best tickets come out in the evening, that was how I got an Aqua Park pass.  When I went, it was incredible.

As you can see, the changeable weather has not dampened the girls' spirits!  There have been a few ups and downs but there is always someone there to look after anyone feeling a little home sick or tired.  We had Christmas Day on Wednesday (a notorious 'dip-day') with Christmas jumpers, tinsel, crackers and an evening meal in the Bistro.  The girls have met Guides and Scouts from all over the World and have swapped some of those swaps you might have seen them making at home - in particular, there have been a few visits to the girls from Australia, who are in the UK for 3 weeks.

Not all the girls had a chance to comment in time for this post but hopefully we will have more feedback for our next post.

Don't forget to keep checking our twitter feed for more pictures and updates.

Sub

POACHER here we come!

With less than a week to go, Skip and the team have been busy preparing for Poacher.  Currently, everything (including Daniel Craig!) is waiting to be packed in the coach ready to depart on Saturday.

The girls have got their t shirts with the fantastic winner of the design a logo competition printed on the back.  We also have pin badges to give away to the new friends we meet.

Excitement is definitely building and we are looking forward to letting you all know what we get up to while we're there - watch this space!

Sunny Hunny

On Saturday 10 June Guides from 1^st & 2^nd Downham Market met under a rather overcast sky in Hunstanton.

Our first stop was the Washmonster. The Washmonster is an amphibious vehicle which was used in the Vietnam War and originally cost £1 million! It was a little choppy, but we all got to see just how wonderful the Hunstanton cliffs look as well as watching the Kite Surfers.

Once back on dry land we walked onto the green above the cliffs for our much needed lunch. By now the weather was glorious and out came the sun cream. While on the green the girls were reminded about how to put someone in the recovery position, how to help someone if they were in shock. This was all part of their WaterSafety badge.

Back on our feet, we walked to the Lifeboat station in Old Hunstanton. We were a little early for our session so all the girls had some time playing on the sand. By now it was really hot! And we were glad to get into the shade of the Lifeboat Station.

The Lifeboat crew were all fantastic and showed the girls the hovercraft (one of only four in the country) and the Lifeboat. The Guides then went to watch a video of a real life rescue. The rescue took place at Brancaster beach involving young people getting caught out as the tide came in.

The Guides took part in numerous activities, including how to look out for danger when they are in the water or on a beach, what the flags on the beach mean, how to attract attention should they become cut off, how to assist someone who is in the water, how to throw a line to someone.  The session ended with a race between two of the crew and Bo, to see who could get dressed in all the kit ready for a rescue the quickest. Bo almost won, but she did have an extra pair of hands and had less kit to get into!! The Guides then presented a cheque to the RNLI which is entirely funded through donations.

A huge thank you to all the lifeboat crew for a really excellent session, and also to the girls who never moaned once, even walking all that way in the heat.

Skip

1st Downham Go For It!

Throughout May 1^st  Downham Market Guides  have been working on Go For Its.  Each patrol choose a different GFI and over four weeks completed various activities and tasks.

The final evening was run by a patrol who were doing GFI Parties. They planned and ran a Golden Guides Awards evening.

It was excellent, even included a red carpet! There was a mocktail bar and amazing cupcakes.

Guides had been asked to vote on various categories such as most organised Guide, most helpful etc. and, as with the Oscars, (although no wrong envelopes here) not everyone got a prize, but all participated.

The evening ended with an impromptu disco and dance off.

Well done Mia, Katie, Lauren and Anya it was a truly excellent night which we all enjoyed so much. 

Skip

Rangers on Coastal Safari

Clackclose Rangers set off early one Sunday morning at the beginning of June, not knowing quite what to expect, for a morning of Coastal Safari.  We all met at the NT Activity Centre at Brancaster Staithe.    

After our safety talk, and once we had all struggled (some more than others!) into our very fetching waterproof trousers we were off.  Along the way Seb, our guide, taught the girls about various flora and fauna along the water line, including one plant which always grows at the very highest part of the marsh. Once on the marsh we all paired up with a mud buddy. Someone who will help you out of the mud if you got stuck. Little did we know just how stuck we would get!

Off we set out onto the mud flats. The girls were a little hesitant at first but after getting feet, shoes and legs stuck in the mud, there was no stopping them - as the photos show. 

Unfortunately the one photo we all wanted but didn't manage to capture was Bo doing the most amazing tumble (very graceful) down a mud bank and into the water. All the while her sun hat stayed on!

We finished our day off with a picnic in Hunstanton, while being serenaded (!!!) by a rock band. Then there were visits to the arcades, sweet shop, doughnut stand, chip shop, tea and coffee stall and doughnut stand again. 

It was not only our legs that ached (all that getting stuck in the mud) but also our faces and sides, from laughing so much.      

Yet another wonderful day out with the Rangers.

Skip

I Will Survive Go For It

During the summer term, 2nd Downham Market Guides worked on their I Will Survive Go For It.  Girls practised compass work and grid referencing and were challenged to tie knots, perform first aid and eat things you might find in the wild.

We were very lucky to have Scout Leader, Bob, visit out unit and to teach all sorts of skills including fire lighting and we also went for a visit to the Scout Hut in Runcton Holme where Bob taught Archery - even Dolphin hit the target despite her belief that she wouldn't!  The evening was finished with S'mores around the campfire.