From Yorkshire to the USA, with Helene in tow

This summer girls from Girlguiding North Yorkshire South were selected to take part in a trip to America, and Helene came along too!  It was a long journey to get there: we took a train from York to Manchester, a plane from Manchester to London and another plane from London to Boston but we finally arrived late in the evening. Our first impression was the heat, it's a lot warmer than the UK in America!

On the first day we went on a Duck Tour.  A Duck is an old World War 2 tank, we were driven around the city by Captain Duck Tape and then the tank magically drove into the sea and we had another tour by water (we also got the chance to try driving the tank).

That evening we took a bus to Hartford in Connecticut where we met our host families.  We spent two days with our families and visited the local sights like the local Navy submarine base, the beach and aquarium. We also had a pool party in the evening where we met up with all the Girl Scouts who we had stayed with.

On the Sunday morning we all excitedly packed up our bags and headed to Summer Camp. We were taking part in the Girl Scouts of Connecticut International Camporee.  There were lots of international Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from Japan, Ghana, Nigeria, Canada, Australia and the UK, and of course lots from America.  

Throughout the week we took part in traditional American summer camp activities including archery, boating, canoeing, swimming in the lake, crafts, tie-dye, camp fires, cook outs, etc.

 On the Wednesday we held an International Day for all the local Girl Scouts to come to visit.  We met Daisies (like Rainbows) and Brownies who had been too young to come to camp.  We put on a display about our country and Girlguiding UK.  We also made cream teas and put on a sketch.  The camp was visited by the Senator for Connecticut and the President of Girl Scouts of Connecticut.

Camp ended all too quickly and we said very sad farewells to all the new friends that we had made.  We then took a bus for the final part of our trip, a visit to New York City.  We had a fantastic three days in the city seeing all the famous sights such as the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge etc.  We also did lots of shopping including making many of the special edition Girl Scout Build A Bears!

It was then time for our trip to end and we packed our bags for one last time and headed home.  We have so many fantastic memories from the trip and have made so many new friends that we hope to keep in touch with.  Hopefully we will meet up again at another international trip some time in the future.

 PS Fancy going on an international trip yourself? Ask your County International Adviser what's coming up (or if you're a young member, ask your Leader to find out for you!)

Helene's been to BrumJam!

Watching the opening ceremony, Chris Hoy with the flag

 

Helene arrived the Friday before we went off on camp, hand-delivered by the postman! She really enjoyed the Olympics opening ceremony on the TV, and was a great help on the Saturday, with the shopping for camp.

As soon as we arrived at BrumJam (an international jamboree camp in Birmingham) we were busy doing exciting activities. Our first day was Skills - as part of one of the zones, some of our Guides needed to design and make a gadget all within 30 minutes.  Helene joined this group and helped them design and make our new camp couch. They made it really well and all managed to sit on it, though Helene tested it first as she was the lightest!





Check out our gadget!

 

On the Monday we had our subcamp day and ate breakfast at a different camp with people we did not know. We all enjoyed making new friends.

After breakfast we joined in the mini-Olympics which was full of fun games like sponge throwing and spent the afternoon trying food, playing games and doing crafts with other groups on the subcamp, before watching BrumJam’s Got Talent. Though our group entered a fantastic dance unfortunately we didn’t get through to the big finale - Helene thinks we cheered the loudest though!



Visiting friends for breakfast

 

The next day was all about fun in the water. Our group built a fabulous raft with Helene's help, but  she did not fancy going out on the water as the waves were nearly as big as her! The Guides were very brave though. After lunch our group went canoeing, but as the waves were still quite large we tied the canoes together to make them more stable. Helene once more decided that staying inside with the other Leaders was a better option than taking to the water.

After raft making waiting to get on the water

 

The Thursday was an early start but nobody moaned as it was off to Alton Towers with our Subcamp. Woohoo! The braver members of the group did the big rides such as Nemesis, Air and Oblivion and the others did the less stomach churning rides like Ice Age 4, Rapids and Battle Galleons.

We all had a sleep on the way home from Alton Towers ready for the Subcamp campfire in the evening. Helene enjoyed the songs and skits, some of which we did not know and enjoyed sitting by the fire keeping warm.

Friday and the last day of camp was our Blackwell Adventure day. We were split into groups and each given four activities for the day. Helene’s group started with archery, followed by crate stacking where Helene had a go and managed 5 crates with some of the Guides. After lunch we did the 3G swing and then a tree top trek.

Kieran took Helene with him as she was too small for the harness, he instead tucked her into his hoodie so she could enjoy the views of camp as well!

Woah!

After dinner we all headed off to the closing ceremony where we watched the BrumJam flag lowered and all voted for our favourite ‘BrumJam’s got Talent’ act and our subcamp, Hercules, won! We had a few speeches and then a final disco to finish the night off.

Helene and all the Guides had a fabulous time - exhausting but a brilliant adventure!

Helene looking tired and ready for a nap after all the excitement :o)

P.S. If you're interested in finding out more about international camps, keeping checking back here or find out what's going on in your Country/Region

Biscuits or cookies? Helene chats to Michigan Girl Scouts in York

Today our Guides hosted some Girl Scouts from Michigan, and Helene met them too! It's the Girl Scouts USA's Centenary this year - a very exciting time for them.

Here are the Girl Scouts and Girl Guides with the whole group



Our "British Biscuit and American cookie" picnic



Helene visiting the Minster. Helene joined by wearing a UK Centenary Tshirt!

Helene braves the rain for an Olympic adventure with 1st Boxmoor Guides

A couple of weeks ago, Helene arrived to stay with 1^st Boxmoor Guides and friends securely in her own ‘sleeping bag’ but did get a little downhearted being asked to ‘sleep rough’ on a door step in the rain whilst waiting for one of her hosts to return from work! Eventually she returned, gave Helene a hug and things started to look better.

Helene soon learned she was to have a very busy Sunday as the Olympic Torch was coming to Hemel Hempstead and she was invited to join Guiding and Scouting members to a Torch Celebration with lots of activities before we all marched across town to view the Olympic Torch as it passed by.

Sunday morning came with huge rain clouds and a flurry of activity – Helene started to worry about getting wet again...

We arrived early at the Guide Hut where we loaded a huge assortment of equipment into various cars and set off for the local park. Helene watched as areas were set up for Sports Day, food and creative activities, and kept a very close eye on the weather.

At 1:30 as all the Leaders assembled in a big marquee the rain began to fall, we all had to shout to hear each other over the rain. Oh-no, would all the Rainbows, Beavers, Cubs, Brownies, Guides and Scouts still come? We crossed our fingers and the sun began to shine a few minutes later.

Just after 2:00 the young members began to arrive, and Helene made friends with some local Guides who took care of her for the rest of the day. She had a really great time with them!

Everyone had a great time – there were marshmallow pigs made, union flags coloured and waved, giant straw constructions, welly throwing, team sports competitions, fruit kebabs made, so many things we didn’t get to finish them all!

At 4:15 we all lined the streets outside the Guide and Scout Headquarters and waited patiently for the Torch Tour to pass. It began to rain, but we were so excited we didn’t really notice (and a Leader walked along the line with a bucket of sweets!).

Everyone had all been collecting 1ps and 2ps we put these in the now empty sweet bucket to raise money for WheelPower (based at Stoke Mandeville, a fab Olympic themed charity). Soon we heard whispers along the lines that the torch was coming, and the excitement was building. Then police bikes drove slowly past, and some policemen waved - one created a cheering competition!

And then it came - we heard chattering down the road and saw a glimpse of the top of the torch in the distance, the clapping and cheering got closer to us and then we could see the Torch Bearer and the Torch in front of us and it was our turn to cheer. It was a once in a life-time experience and Helene was so glad we all braved the rain.

That was the highlight of Helene’s week, she’s also been to a unit meeting where two of our older Guides organised a team sports day – we did get rather muddy but that was all part of the fun and it marked the end of term for 1^st Boxmoor Guides.

Facing fears in Guyana - Rosy opens our new topic of courage

For as long as I can remember, I've been terrified of heights.  My chest gets tight, my legs start to shake, my head starts to spin and I just want to curl into a ball and cry.  Just thinking of heights brings on an attack of vertigo – that feeling that I'm falling and have to catch myself. 

In 2010 I was selected to be one of six UK participants on the first GOLD (Guiding Overseas Linked with Development) trip to Guyana.  GOLD had been my dream for over 10 years, since I first found out about it as a Guide, so to be selected was literally a dream come true.

One of the challenges of a GOLD project is that, as a representative of the UK, you have to be willing and able to “just get on with it”, no matter how you feel. I was totally prepared for this.  However, what I wasn't prepared for was finding out that Guyana is home to the largest single-drop waterfall in the world.  Kaieteur Falls is a waterfall in the middle of the rainforest with a drop from top to bottom of over 740ft.  Getting there involves flying over the rainforest in a very small plane and a short hike to the edge of the falls.  When you get there, there are no fences, just a small sign telling you how high the falls are.  That's right.  NOTHING TO STOP ME FALLING! 

With the rest of the team, we decided that Kaieteur was a must-see and we all agreed that we would go and explore it on one of our rest-days.  When we decided this, it was still a dream.  I didn't quite believe that I was going on a GOLD trip, let alone flying into the rainforest to face my biggest fear.  However, over the 9 months of planning, the realisation started to sink in, along with the panic.  How was I going to be able to get off that plane and walk into the rainforest knowing that, at the end of it, I would have to stand at the edge of a cliff and look over at this waterfall?  How could I “just get on with it”?  (Just thinking about it now, 2 years later, makes my head spin)

I knew no-one was forcing me – the rest of the team were really supportive – but I was terrified.  However, I was also determined to do this.  I just didn't know how. 

All too quickly, we were in Guyana, halfway through our project, in a tiny nine-seater plane flying into the rainforest and closer to Kaieteur.  As we approached the landing strip, the sea of trees started to clear and we flew straight over the top of the falls.  

The view from the plane

The view was absolutely incredible, but I could feel my heart start pounding, I started to shake and I couldn't breathe.  I still had no idea how I was going to manage to hold it together and not let the rest of the team down. 
I don't really remember the walk through the rainforest; I was so focussed on just putting one foot infront of the other and remembering to breathe.  All of a sudden though we came round a corner and face to face with a sign:

I couldn't do it.  I was so terrified, my mind went blank; I couldn't move.  I could see everyone else walking around taking photos, sitting with their feet over the edge of the overhang, admiring the views and enjoying themselves. 

I felt so disappointed with myself for being scared, and was ready to start crying when the rest of the team stopped what they were doing and came over to help me.  They all talked to me and encouraged me to crawl slowly towards the edge, while they held on to my ankles, so I could look over at the falls. 

When I eventually reached the edge, the view was absolutely breathtaking, it's impossible to describe:

It was at this point I realised – I had done it!  With the help and support of my friends I found the courage to face my fear.  They held my hands, gave me hugs, wiped away my tears (of joy!) and told my how proud they were of me.  This was one of the best days ever: 

For that I need to thank (L-R) Sara, Kirsty, Lizzy, Keeley and Sam

Rosy Burgess

PS There's another GOLD team out in Guyana right now! You can follow their blog here - and find out about the other projects for 2012 here.

Helene's been getting muddy with 2nd Preston Park Rainbows!

This week Helene spent time with 2^nd Preston Park Rainbows in Brighton.

On Saturday she went to our County Diamond Games event at Sheffield Park NT near Lewes, where we celebrated the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee!


Thanks for sharing your lunch Jess

There, Helene joined in fancy dress races, played cricket and golf, had lunch at our giant picnic and met nearly 1000 Rainbows, Brownies and Guides from all over Sussex East.

It was a VERY muddy event and Helene did come home with brown paws which have luckily cleaned up well. The photos show her having lunch with Rainbow Jess and joining in the dancing at the grand finale.

Wave your flag!

As I write, it's Monday and Helene has just come back from Hove Park where the Rainbows joined in the party to watch the Olympic Flame pass through our town.  The girls all enjoyed the music and build up and then were delighted to be in the front row to see the flame go by.

Helene’s time with 2^nd Preston Park Rainbows has been very wet and muddy but she’s had lots of fun and made thousands of new guiding friends.

The Olympic flame whizzes by

Helene's summer adventures with 1st Bodicote Guides

Any writing in blue are words taken from Helene’s diary which has been compiled and written by our Guides.

Saturday 9^th June

Marie and Emily return home from camp to find Helene sleeping in a jiffy bag in the letterbox.  We tell her all the things we got up to at our Jubilee camp in the rain and gale force winds.  Helene agrees she was probably in the best place...

Tuesday 12^th June

Helene has her photo taken with 1^st Bodicote Guides' welly entry in Jubilee village flower festival.  1^st Bodicote Guides were overjoyed to be awarded with 2^nd prize rosette in the decorated welly competition. 

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Well done Guides!

Wednesday 13^th June

Helene’s first meeting with 1^st Bodicote Guides......

Today we made woggles and wind sock kites.  We had a lot of fun but it was really hard.  Hopefully we will get round to making one for Helene later.  Holly has made her a purple and green headband.

Olivia, Alice and Hannah are looking forward to taking her climbing next week! We hope she is not scared of heights. :0

Sunday 17^th June
Helene joins a patrol of guides at Oxygen – Oxfordshire Annual Patrol competition held at Jubilee House near Oxford.

Today Helene came to Oxygen at Jubilee House.  In our patrol was Katie, Lily, Holly, Leah, Lauryn, Olivia and Alice.

The activities were

1.     – Transporting the Royal Family
2.     – Queens Lego challenge
3.     – Orienteering
4.     – Afternoon Tea
5.      – Pioneering
6.     – Geocaching

Helene had a great time and so did the rest of us. 

Helene had really good fun, she got to sit in a Lego castle, she got to solve a problem with us to try and put the puzzle together and guess where the flag came from.  Helene also got to ride in the Royal family carriage we made. Helene loves to have her photo taken and we have recorded all her adventures from today.  Helene has had an awesome time at this event with us and she is going climbing on Wednesday.  I hope she is careful. 

Helene in her castle!

 

Wednesday 20^th June

Helene joins us at the climbing wall in Bloxham. 

Helene had great fun tonight at Bloxham.  Katy looked after her and they both prepared for the big climb. 

Written by Katy - When it was our turn Chris our instructor put Helene in my harness so Helene was safe and secure.  We started off well and got all the way to the top, but when we started to abseil down we were both trembling a bit.  In the end we both had great fun and were very proud of our achievements. -  Thanks Chris

Wednesday 27^th June

Helene joined 1st Bodicote Guides again for their weekly meeting. This week we met at Horley Scout camp to take part in an evening of Archery.

I am enjoying my time with 1^st Bodicote Guides.  Tonight I have been doing Archery and I scored a BULLSEYE ! -  Jazzy, Alice and Hannah

I had a lot of fun tonight doing Archery.  I had a million pictures taken of me posing in different places, whilst waiting for my turn with bow and arrows, it has been exhausting!!    - Emily B

Poor Helene got stuck in a cave with thorns in.  She was terrified - she had her photo taken to prove how brave she was.

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The cave of doom with rabbits. Holly and Deanna.

I am enjoying my adventures with my new friends who include Leah and Sophie. I especially  had a great laugh when Sophie and Me tricked Leah pretending that a rope we found on the ground was a snake....She believed us !!



I went with Leah and Olivia on a bear hunt, we found a cone, a tent, and a trailer – but we didn’t find another bear.  I am loving my hat made in the colours of the Olympic rings –I have found a new hobby ARCHERY its great watching my friends all having turns.  I am really excited.

Alice made me a heart out of grass with her knees and I jumped into the middle. A picture was taken of me wearing my new hat Marie made for me.

Thursday  28^th June

Helene went along with Marie to our Division meeting.  Fiona writes Helene joined us for the meeting and was very well behaved although she made little contribution.  To be fair she was unlikely to be heard over the noisy Leaders here (They know who they are!!)  We all enjoyed meeting Helene and wish her well on her travels.  Bon Voyage Helene from Cherwell Division advisors.

Friday 29^th June

Helene joined Katy, Lucy, Lily and Katie (Guides) and Lisa and Marie (Leaders) at the Malvern Challenge in Gloucestershire.  None of the girls had been to the Malvern Challenge before so they were as new to the experience as Helene -  all of them were very excited.

Saturday 30^th June

Today Helene is going on a seven mile hike with challenges all the way round the route. 

Helene is very excited and is all strapped into Lily’s bag - ready to go. 

Their challenges were -  An animal observation talk and question,  rifle shooting, and the obstacle course.

Helene had a lot of photos taken with us on the obstacle course.

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Cosy in a sleeping bag

In the evening there was a terrible encounter....... Helene got KIDNAPPED!  Yes Helene got kidnapped because Katie introduced her to a Scout.  He ran off with her then asked for money to get her back.  BUT we have her back and we didn’t pay any money.  Phew that was scary.

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Hiking together

  

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Ready to go!

Sunday 1^st July 

Today we are off to the fair and we are all very excited.  We had Malvern currency for Crazy Frog and Mega dance, Helene came on both with us it was great fun.  She also came on the bouncy castle and the inflatable bouncy obstacle course and slide.

All in all the girls had a fun weekend and have asked to come again.  If they get in again next year we will suggest they enter the Cotswold challenge.  Katie has become very attached to Helene and she will be very sad to say Goodbye.

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What a view!

Wednesday 4^th July

Our last evening with Helene before she continues on her travels.  Tonight she joins us again at Horley Scout camp for Rifle shooting. [check out the A-Z of activities for info on this activity if you're a Girlguiding UK member]

Helene loves coming to Horley – Katy

Katie is sooooooo pleased to see Helene again and has been attached to her all night.  It was wet but everyone enjoyed themselves. – Maisie
Helene will miss Katie very much and the girls who spent the weekend with her were very excited to see her again.  Katie has become very close to Helene after the amazing weekend at the Malvern Challenge.  Katie has taken great care of Helene whilst shooting by protecting her in her jumper and only letting Helene have a photo with the gun under strict supervision.
We love Helene - Katie and Lucy
I love Helene so please look after her for me, give her loads more adventures and loads of love.  Katie

It has been great fun hosting Helene and she certainly is a conversation starter!

1^st Bodicote Guides

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