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