GIRL GUIDE NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22890, 23 February 1938, Page 17

GIRL GUIDE NOTES

[By Guider.]

FOUNDER’S DAY SERVICE. Over 350 Guides, Scouts, and Cuba with their friends gathered at (Robin Hood Park on Sunday last at 2.30. Beautiful surroundings they say create within us beautiful thoughts, and this saying can be heartily endorsed by all who attend Sunday afternoon’s special service. The site was a pleasant one away up on the heights overlooking the Otago Harbour. The silence and peace of the country came to us within the bounds of the city, creating within us the quiet and reverence which has come to bo associated with this, our founder’s day and its service. The singing, led by the Salvation Army Band, added to the tone of the service and brought to us afresh the spirit and ideals of our founder. The most impressive part of the service was the renewing together of our Guide and Scout promise. Founder’s Day is a day specially set aside when Guides and Scouts in their thoughts travel the world, thinking of their brothers and sisters in other lands, and in the address entitled 4 Bridgebuilding,’ which was given us by the Rev, C. M. Sullivan, we_ were shown how our movement in spite of national differences is slowly but surely bridging the gap and how we can in a practical manner do our part to bring about what was in the mind of our founder when he instituted our great world wide movement.

DOMINION CAMP FIRE,

On December 11 last, Guides all oyer New Zealand met either as a division or in companies at the samo_ time_ to light their camp fire, the occasion being the remembrance of our sister Guides and non-Guides in distress in the Far East. Every Guide sacrificed herself and brought along something which could bo used for medical comfort. Owing to the unfavourable weather, the Dunedin Guides could nob have a real fire as had been arranged, but wo met in Wilson Hall. It was unfortunate that our provincial commissioner, Miss V. M. Barron, could not be with us, but we were pleased to have our divisional commissioner, Mrs M'Nab, and she gave a very appropriate talk. Our senior district captain, Miss K. M‘Leod, conducted the singing and hymns, and led the ceremony, which was as follows;

Fire ready to light, with Guides surrounding it:—

Guider: From north, south, east, and west sparks appear to light the beacon of friendship, kindliness, and peace. Guider: To those now far across the water who are under the shadow of misfortune we offer our tokens of goodwill and peace. Camp Fire Circle in unison: Speed on your way and bring comfort and relief. Guider; From this beacon may the spirit of goodfellowsfcip between people of different races spread bis wings and soar to, the four corners of the earth. , This ceremony was followed by the singing of the hymn, ‘These things shall be.’ The Central District Guides ,gave ft very interesting sketch showing us that however small our job in this world may.,seem to us, if ,wc. do it well it is worthwhile.

A NEW CAMPER’S LOG. At Mount Stuart ye went to camp, soon after Christmastide; The sun it shone to welcome all, to welcome every Guide. We all strove hard to pitch our tents.

a horseshoe soon sprang up. , The cooks prepared a cold, cold drink-up quickly came each cup.

That night we lay on hard straw, beds, but although really tired. We could not sleep, but tossed and turned—Can “ Li-Uo’s ” not be hired? Next morn we rose and heard some boast how they had slept all night, They ' all cried out, “ Ton 11 soon ‘like straw! Oh how can they , be right.

Next day we had much work to do; but camping makes that fun, Somehow that day it simpiy new, our second day was done. Next night we had a big camp fire with jumping flames; We all sang songs till taps rang out, bed called us from our games.

The days soon flew, our week was done, a happy dreamlike week; Oh, camp’s the inlace to learn those things which Guiding bids us seek. And now one more long year must pass until we camp again. Our camping days were full of fun, in sunshine apd in rain. —M.L.N. TRAINING YOUR (RECRUIT. Now is the time when your leaders should think of that big responsibility of yours, training a recruit, for it is a leader’s job to train her. and to send her to your captain when she is ready to pass her tests, and not before. First von must teach her the Tenderfoot tests, then yon must develop Hat interest in Guiding which she brings to her first meeting, so that she is soon a reallv keen Guide, and a useful member of her patrol. 'Avoid asking your recruit to learn long lists of things, but teach everything as practically as possible. It’s

so much more fun to do things, than to learh. For instance your young recruit is sure to remember more about the composition of the Union Jack if she has made it with coloured papers, or drawn and coloured the flags, instead of just memorising it. If you have more than one recruit in your patrol they can have lots of competitions and races; but if there is only one why not time them as they do knots, etc., then she can try to beat the record put up by the last recruit, or even try to beat her own record each time she does it. Do not try to rush your recruit, or you may destroy her interest, don’t expect each recruit to be capable of learning at the same speed. Find out what attracted her to Guiding, and the things that she is most interested in; in fact, get to know her, don’t just see bow quickly you can thrust the tests down her throat. Yet be ready to give the girl who comes to her second meeting with all her tests learnt as much to interest her as possible, making sure that she really understands all that she has learnt. Do remember that you are not only teaching a girl & few tests, but that you are starting her on her Guide life, and those first impressions are very lasting, so see that she understands something of the ideals of Guiding, and show her that she is not learning without a purpose, but to use her knowledge in the service of others. It is your job to inspire her by your example. A Guide who has become a patrol leader mupt _ set an example of usefulness and service in the company, show that she can win or lose a game in the right spirit, and is ready to sink any personal wishes for the good of the company as a whole.