GIRL GUIDE NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22451, 23 September 1936, Page 6

GIRL GUIDE NOTES

[By Guides.] RESIGNATION OF MISS BLACKMORE. It is with great regret that the resignation of Miss Blnckmore has been received. Appointed division commissioner in 1933, she brought to the work the benefit of experience in Guiding in England, and her interest and counsel have been of the greatest help. It was she who began the cadet company that has proved of such service in supplying young Guiders. We know that her interest in the movement is as keen as ever, and that we shall still have "the benefit of it in other ways in Dunedin. And so, as she says good-bye in the meantime to the uniform, we thank her for all she has done and hope that we shall often see her at Guide functions in the future, when she will always bo assured of a welcome. BROWNIE TRAINING. Last week was a memorable one for the Owls, who took advantage of the Eagle Owls’ training. It must have been difficult for Miss Aspinall to have to deal with a different group of people every night, but she gave one the impression of being capable of dealing with all kinds of difficult situatipns. There was no doubt about the enjoyment of the different groups, whether they were Owls or captains who took part. We are under a deep debt_ of gratitude to Miss Aspinall for coming these, thousands of miles to help us, and also to Dominion headquarters, which made the visit possible. Miss Aspinall will take a short training in Nelson and in Gisborne, and leave again for Sydney about the middle of next month. HANDCRAFT CUP. Companies are reminded that the closing date for sending in entries for the Handcraft Cup is September 30. TRADITION, This word “ tradition,” so lightly used, in reality covers something of tremendous importance in the company. The tradition of a school is a recognised thing, but do Guiders think of their companies as having a tradition to create and to which they miist live up? Tradition is a seed that grows, whether consciously tended or left to struggle alone, and it is the Guider’s responsibility to see that the growth is food. A bad tradition is terribly difcult to eradicate, and handicaps a company for ever. So, Guiders, apply yourself at once and with all your energy to create good habits and the right spirit in your company. The habits which should be acquired at once are those of punctuality, obedience, alertness, tidiness, and order in the meeting. See that the Guider sets the standard. Later, once the tradition is created and accepted, the reins can be slackened and more liberty allowed without the discipline of the company suffering. Each year should mark a fresh growth in Guide spirit; certain rules should become second nature to the Guides, without the need of repetition. Thus it is possible after several years to do away with many restricting “rules”; they have become so part of the company spirit that even the recruit picks them up without feeling them restrictions. Such things as coming late, lante excuses, no uniform, dirty badges, and so on, are just not done in the company and that is all—their tradition is good and must bo respected. ADAPTING GAMES. It is in choosing and adapting games for the needs of her own particular company that the imagination and ingenuity of the Guider is put to the test. What suits one company probably is not at all what another wants, and for this reason Guiders will find it very much worth while to keep a company games book. Do not pad it with games of which you have read or heard; include only those you have actually tried and found good, and index it under suitable headings, Your collection will then be worth a dozen bought books to your company. The Guider will find that many of the old, well-known games can be readily adapted to Guide uses. Here are a few examples;— “ Rats and Rabbits.”—This wellknown game lends itself to many uses. The Guides are in two lines facing each other, and a letter is whispered to each Guide. The lender, instead of calling out “ Rats ” or “ Rabbits,” signals a letter—say, A—and the Guide whose letter it is immediately calls A, and her rank chases the other, endeavouring to catch them before they reach the wall. The beauty of this gome is that even recruits can join in and learn to read their own letter. “ First Aid.”—One rank of Guides is the “ Ayes ” and the other the “ Noes.” First aid remedies are called out. If they are correct the Ayes will call out “ Yes ” and chase the others; if wrong, the Noes will call out “ No ” and chase the Ayes—e.g., Put iodine on a cut—-Yes; expose burns to the air —No. This can also be used as a general knowledge game in which the answers are yes or no.

“Running a Maze.” —This is excellent for a warming-up game and can also be adapted as a Morse game. The company divides into two or three groups in line behind a leader and hold on to each others’ belts. A letter is signalled, and the line first running into the form of the letter scores a point. The Guider will find that she can use many games thus with a little thought and imagination ,and Guidos always enjoy old favourites. Before trying a new game, however, be perfectly sure that you know it thoroughly right through to the end. Many a game is spoilt by the finish not being thought out, or perhaps the scoring is haphazard and unsatisfactory. Games are organised play, and during play a child’s character is being formed. To look on games as recreation only, and to think that one game is just as good ns another is to miss many opportunities. T3e as thorough in preparing games as in any other part of the programme.