Annual report 2013

Within the Guiding movement Guides is a group aimed at girls aged 14 to 16 years old. We meet weekly during term time in the John Newman Centre. There are three leaders leading the unit with a maximum of 24 girls at any time. The unit was reopened in September 2003 to facilitate a group of Brownies who were due to leave and wanted to stay in the Guide family.
The leaders meet prior to the beginning of the term to plan activities for the coming term. We aim to provide a varied program using the Guiding five essentials which include:-

Discovery of new experiences and challenges.
Healthy Lifestyles
Global Awareness
Skills and relationships
Celebrating Diversity.

Guides work together in small groups called Patrols. They complete interest badges and “Go For It” activities. After each year a Guide can gain a Challenge badge that recognises their participation in Guiding. The Baden Powell Challenge is awarded as the Guides prepare to leave after completing a number of challenges, and a Baden Powell Adventure, a residential event with other Guides completing their challenge as they prepare to move on to Senior section.

2012 was an exceptional year as we celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee and the London Olympics. This meant there were new badges and challenges for the Guides. We started the year with the Jubilee badge looking at all aspects of the Queens life. This included activities around the Common Wealth including learning how to tie a sari. We looked at the charities the Queen supports and made a game. The Jewellery section was covered as all the Guides made a bracelet which was used as a mother's day gift. The Guides designed and made a horse for the race night followed by afternoon tea.

Nursing students from LMU came to help the Guides complete their first aid badge. The girls enjoy having visitors to the unit to learn new skills. In February we visited the Ice Cube in Millennium square. On one of our weekly meetings we had a night hike at Temple Newsam. It was just getting dark as we finished but the Guides were kept going with aid of hot chocolate half way round.

Before we finish for Easter we like to do some Easter themed activities. The Guides did chick fishing, and made a flower table decoration to complete their Jubilee badge.

Our summer term was focused on the Olympic badges. There were three badges to collect including Sport, Values and Culture. For the Sport section the Guides tried blind football and made an energy bar. In values badge one of the activities was to make a Promise torch. The Culture badge allowed us to look at different countries by making a Greek pot, cooking and eating fried bannas. As the weather improves we try to do as many activities outdoors. Templenewsam provides the perfect setting so the Guides can practice their skills for tent pitching, making gadgets and camp fires.

For our summer camp we went to Bramhope scout site. The Guides learn how to pitch and strike a tent. They enjoy cooking over wood and campfire singing. Activities included Gladiator challenge and go carting to ensure they are never bored. There is a rota so all Guides take it in turn to cook, wash up, fetch water and clean the toilets.

For our winter term we planned a trip to Sheffield Arena for the Big Gig, a pop concert just for Guides. We started the music zone badge at the beginning of the term which included activities such as designing and decorating a rock T shirt and playing the hand bells.

The Guides completed a "Go For It" which is an activity pack the patrols choose and plan their own activities to complete the challenge. These range from Animal active to Party.

Our winter camp is an indoor residential. We went to Harrogate for a Christmas themed camp which included making and cooking a variety of seasonal crafts including candles, spiced biscuits, no sew cushions and much more. The centre is within walking distance to the swimming pool so the Guides had an afternoon of fun in the Hydro.

To complete a yearly challenge the Guides have to do a community service. This year the Guides joined the other uniform groups to sing carols at the Parish breakfast.

Our year ended with a trip to the Leeds climbing wall. With the aid of instructors all the Guides managed to climb to the top.

Since reopening the Guide unit its success is in part being able to use the parish centre facilities.