GIRL GUIDES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 282, 28 November 1931, Page 17

GIRL GUIDES.

"In the interest of parents and girls . . . only the holder of a campers' license will be given permission to take a company into camp," states P.0.R., the rule book of the Girl Guide Association. And so it is that some twenty company captains and lieutenants are spending 10 days under canvas in a training camp for the campers' licence, and undergoing tests for tho position of camp adviser. Realising that a guider is responsible for the health and happiness of the girls in her camp, the Guide Association has wisely laid down that a high standard of knowledge—both practical and tlieoritical— must be at the command of those who conduct camps. The qualifications for the campers' license ' are enumerated under four headings:—Must be able to choose and lay out a camp site. In regard to health must show a knowledge of: Food (its cooking and storage), protection from cold and wet by day and night, airing and drying, sanitation, water supply, iirst aid, medicine, chest stores, safeguards necessary for bathing in sea, river and lake respectively, fire. She must draw up, with details applicable to the camp she proposes to run: Prospectus suitable for the parents of her guides; a day's programme showing Guide activities; tabulated plan of the orderly work in patrols; list of equipment and approximate statement of accounts. She must do the following in practice: Pitch, trench, strike and pack a bell and ridge tent; erect screening; make a camp fireplace and cook out of doors; hoist colours with ceremony, and have woodcraft.

In a pretty camp eite, bounded by tlie upper reaches of the Manukau, and placed at their disposal by Mr. Hill, of Mahia, Guiders from all parts of the province' are being trained along the lines set out above, and will be tested in the work during the week-end. These examinations are under the supervision of Miss A. M. Burgin, provincial head of training, who will be assisted by Miss K. Mason, a local company captain. As is only to be expected the cooking of the camp is of a high standard, and many palatable meals have been produced from the camp ovens and hay boxes. At night time the silvered waters of the Manukau reflect the bright glow of the camp fire as the surrounding hills echo rollicking choruses or snatches of song. This picturesque spot is the scene of the nightly campfire, where it has been stated is found "the essence, and spirit of guiding."