GIRL GUIDE NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 21639, 7 February 1934, Page 3

GIRL GUIDE NOTES

[By UeiDF.K.]

PHOVINCIAL CAMP. The provincial tamp held at Evarisd.ile I rum January go to >eiiniary .1 was most, success! ill in u\ cry way. .s umbers were .smaller, mere being a.together lorty Unities ami Hangers U..e latter im-liuliug several Guulers), turec Uuulcrs as leaders ol groups, a v.i.i'.i., the provincial camp auviscr 1 jiis.-, hi. M. I'.wmg, who was in charge oi the campi, ami the. provincial commissioner UUiss Barron). Miss Blackmore (tlinsionnl commissioner lor Dunedin) spent tlie week-end in camp, and other commissioners who paid visits were .Miss L. White ami Airs W. Al’Leod. Among executive visitors wore Mrs T. C. Boss and Airs IV. K. Cameron. Many friends of Guiders and Umiles also visited the camp, and were greatly interested m all the arrangements* .Not quite halt the eampeis had been under canvas bclore, and it was due to the mllueiiee ol tins section and also to the alertness of campers in general that camp gadgets were really ol a high order and used right from tin; outset. Fortunately there was an abundance of manuka to work on, and in addition to the usual shoe and towel racks there appeared sponge racks and soap dishes, screening ol various kinds, post boxes and notice boards of manuka, and most excellent tables. Twenty Uuiclcs completed the practical work necessary for their pioneer badge, which meant that nearly the whole camp was qualified at the finish, as many were already holders of the badge. There were two groups this year— Ngai-Tahu and Ngati-Mamoc. The five patrols in eaeli group had cadet or ranger leaders, and this arrangement proved very satisfactory. Camp duties were carried out efficiently, and while the camp was one ol the liveliest we have had there was never the slightest difficulty about discipline. Camperatt points were awarded for punctuality, willingness to fall in with arrangements, health (avoidable indisposition due to carelessness) lost points lor the group, but fortunately there was no actual illness), gadgets, museums, camp duties, keeping of silence hours, and various other sections. The trophy was won by the Ngai-Tahu group, with Ngati-lVlamoc \ ery close runners-up. There was really very little to choose between the tw r o groups. Group pets, not two-legged or even four-legged, were quite a feature of camp this year. Two at least arc to have an honoured end in the Cawthron Institute. There will perhaps be more to say about them later. Mention should be made of the weather, which, after being of changeable temper for most of January, chose to smile most approvingly on our camp. We were even provided with an extra lull moon, and what sight is more attractive than a group of tents in the moonlight? Evansclale camp will remain a joy to look back upon. Our sincere thanks are due to Mr Rochfort, who so kindly offered us the use of a site and the conveniences attached. A LITTLE BIT OE CAMP. “ “ Vhy the queue at the boiler last night?” said Sarah to Hessy. “ Oh, the doctor is going to inspect for cleanliness to-day,” was the reply. This conversation took place between Sarah Amelia Alexandre. Deborah Post Box, and Hczekiah Fallapart, at the hazy hour of 4 o’clock in the morning at the Provincial Girl Guide camp at Evansdalo. From various white mounds issued melodious music, while happy campers dreamed of the full day approaching and the glorious day just passed. Many and varied were the activities indulged in during those wonderful ten days of health and happiness. Some of the fairy-minded people worked so hard at country dancing that a certain patch of that paddock will never again be the same, whilst others hammered vigorously at gadgets or hauled in wood for camp fire. In spite of the fact that the cooks clung to pineapple beds breakfast was usually on time, at which hour the camp was visited by our next door neighbours of the fowl species from the domiciliary edifice erected by some unknown criminal. On the .last night Sarah and Hessy were glad to see that all frivolity was hastily put to an cud by the whole camp sallying forth up the hill for miles in order to practise the blowing of rally whistles in unison. But it was a sad and quiet (?) little group that left for the city, and our hearty thanks are due to those who spent so much of their time in order that we might benefit both physically and mentally during those ten days of gorgeous sunshine, and here’s hoping there will be many more provincial camps.—Rangers (Ngai-Tahu group). More articles of this nature will be welcomed. EASTER TRAINING CAMP. There will bo held this year at Easter an outdoor camp lor training and testing for campers license. Miss Ewing will be in charge. As next year there will be no provincial camp, it is hoped that there will be many Guiders with qualifications to take their own Guides to camp. Any warranted Guider over the age of 21 is. eligible to take the test, full details of which may be seen in R.P. and O. Applications should be in the hands of the provincial secretary by the end of this month. Late applications cannot be accepted, as it is intended that part of the test (catering, etc.) should be done by candidates and checked by the O.A. before camp. Rangers who wish to sit for their campcraft badge are also eligible to attend this camp. The fee will probably be Bs. No one who has not camped before is eligible. STIRLING COMPANY. Thursday. December 14, 1933, was a red-letter day in the history rif the Stirling Guide Company. At Totara Park. Inch cl nth a, on that summer afternoon eighteen Guides were enrolled in the presence of committee members and parents. Miss Barron, provincial commissioner. Miss Hay, provincial secretary, from Dunedin, Mrs Pringle, divisional commander for South Otago, from Miltqn, and Miss Stevenson, district commissioner, irom Balclutha. were present at the enrolment, which was taken by the commissioners. Scouting games were played among the trees at intervals during the meeting, and when the enrolment was completed the committee members entertained visitors and Guides at a picnic tea. Campfire songs and rounds were sting, and the meeting "*ts brought to a close by the _ singing of Taps as the sun was sinking m the west.