BROWNIES THE GUIDES RANGERS

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19765, 21 December 1935, Page 20 (Supplement)

BROWNIES THE GUIDES RANGERS

CHRISTMAB WISHES. Dear Ranger?, Guides and Brownies, — The Christmas holidays are very near now, and what a lovely time Is ahead or you all. I must say, I think you all deserve it, from what I have seen? of you. tou lucky ones who are going to camp—what unknown pleasures are ahead or you. How you will be able to revel In. nature, and bring back all sorts or things to share with the others who have not been quite so lucky to go Into camp. And then there is all the fun you will have together, and all the hundred and one ways you will be able to help your busy captains. Good luck to you all, and a merry Christmas to each one of yon Individually. I shall be looking forward to meeting you all again next year and bearing all about the lovely holidays you have had. Yours sincerely, ZAIDIE HORTON, District Commissioner, Hamilton. CAPTAIN’S LETTER. Dear Guide Family,—There isn't much space for me this time In our column, but 1 cannot let our last Notes for this year go in without my greetings. For those who go camping, 1 hopo you will thoroughly enjov the experience; and Tor those not so lucky, I wish you a really happy time wherever you may be? I ant giving you to-day an Ideal to keep In mind; it Is a verse called “Bridge Building.” Tills verse was written by a Gulder I know who was at Matal-roa camp. There some of the groups were keen on bridge-build-ing, an'd some of the bridges were better than others. These building attempts on the part or the Guides gave her an Inspiration, and after the Guides were In bed one night the following verses found birth. I pass them on to you, and feel sure you will enjoy them. So with heartiest Christmas wishes to you all, yours In festive mood, CAPTAIN. BRIDGE BUILDING. What kind of a bridge are you building, One that is straight and strong? Or are you building a careless bridge Where all the foundations are wrong? Do you care If your timber is rotten? Do you care if your bridge should fall? Are you building a wide white structure? Or arc you not building at all? Have you friendship for your arches? Beauty in every plank? Have you love Tor God beneath it all? And just where the bridgo meets each bank Have you “Service Tor Others” Tor password? , Do you pay your toll with a smile? Are your handrails of truth and courago? Arc you building a bridge worth while?

For swift storm waters will wash It, Cruelty in their train: The winds or the world will surround It, And yet your life bridge must remain. IT you want the long bridge you are building • To be straight and splendid and fine, Ask tlie Great Bridge Builder to help you, 0 Little Bridge Builder o’ mine. COMPANY NEWS. Hello, Everybody! Here It Is Christmas time once again, and the St. Peter’s First Hamilton Guide Company and Brownie Pack send to all Brownies, Guides and Rangers—and Scouts too —heartiest wishes for a very happy Christmas and Good Guiding and Scouting for 1036. We had arranged a happy breaktng-up party for our ltrownies and Guides in the form of a bike, tea and campfire—but the weather man had other Ideas for that day, and while the gardens benefited, our party was spoiled. However, those who did come. In spite or the rain, had a great time—first a swim, then back to the ball for tea and some games. Campfire was out or the question, arid some brainy Guide suggested a “picture party,” so we pooled our nnances an'd found sufficient funds to take us in. So our well arranged party ended up In an entirely different style, but the Christmas spirit was In everyone, and afterwards It was generally declared even' better than the real party might have been, because there was a spirit of adventure about It all—and what Guide does not like adventure! And really our luck was In, because In a-Gazette we saw our beloved Chief Guide smiling at us as she came down the steps or St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, arter attending the Scout Parade there on St. George’s Day. PATROL DUTIES IN CAMP. Share the Jobs In camp—each member of the Patrol must do her bit of the Patrol work. Perhaps the great thing that you. as a Patrol Leader, have to guard against In organising the patrol duties In camp, Is that you and the two or three capable members or the patrol do not do all the work. It means, or course, taking time to show' the younger Guides how to roast a Joint, or mix a pudding, but It Is worth while for the sake or the enthusiasm and keenness it fosters In the patrol. At the outset of camp you will, or course, get a list from Captain of tho dutc les included under each beading, as these vary In every camp, being regulated by tho number or patrols. Discuss, and allot, the duties the night berorc with tho patrol. This saves so much time when you are hurrying to get things done.

Cooks. Suppose, for instance, your patrol are cooks to-morrow. Obtain a list to-ntglit of to-morrow’3 meals from O.M. Then call a patrol meeting and detail two or three Guides to don coats (and gum hoots If you have them) Immediately they are awakened, light the fire and put on the porridge and the tea water whilst the others dress. The latter then take over arid finish the cooking or the breakrast whilst the fire-lighters dress. Take a look vourself at the fireplace and wood stack last thing at night—see that both are covered with ground sheets,' or In the case or the fire, with buckets or dixies to keep them dry in the event or rain. See, too, that there Is sufficient wood for the breakrast lire. Finally, bear In mind those In the patrol who hold the Cook’s badge and give them a chance to use their knowledge Wood and Watar. Your Job as wood and water patrol will be considerably lightened tr you see thal all your Guides can recognise the good burning woods before they come to camp. A hike is probably the best way of teaching them. As water patrol you should see that the small Guides are not overladen—do not let them struggle with a full bucket. Tell her It Is much quicker In the long run to make two journeys with a half-filled bucket. \ IT you have to carry water Tar, call a halt hair-way and give your patrol a few minutes’ rest. Time la often wasted ir the Guides are sent off in twos ail’d threes to fetch wood and water. Take the whole patrol and organise the work systematically. When wooding, a competition can be had to see who can collect the largest bundle In the shortest time. A leader mav find It useful to run a system of marks In the patrol for dutlea performed, the vvlrmer each day being allowed to choose her task In the next dav’s duties. Tho objective Is to get the orderly duties done quickly, as Guides have come Tor a holiday as well as training, and do not want to be working aU day. Orderlies. As orderly patrol your duties are usually very varied, so make It clear that each Guide will be held responsible for the duty allotted her. You are going to have a difficult time If, having made someone postmistress Tor the day, you still have to see that she remembers to clear the box and fetch the letters. Responsibility makes people responsible, so even the smallest should be entrusted with some Job. On mess days, ir yours Is a large patrol and there is not a great deal of waiting to be done, you will probably divide the patrol, detailing hair to wait at one meal and hair at the next. It usually helps to explain to the Guides the reason - Tor the job you give them to do. Let them, for In-, stance, understand how much the health of the camp Is dependent on their doing their work as sanitary patrol efficiently. As regards your own particular job as leader, looking arter the tent your patrol occupies, sufficient gadgets will assist you considerably in keeping things tidy. Each Guide should have somewhere to put her coat, hat and shoes. Then, before camp, explain to new campers the early morning routine and the reason for putting beds out to air. See that each Guide has a rope or strap to tie round bedding after it has been aired and rolled up In ground sheet. Why not, too, make each Guide responsible In turn for a day Tor the care of the guy-lines, an'd the letting down of hralllng ir It rains? It Is the best way to teach now campers tent lore.