Some recent activities:
In October we visited Cinderford Fire Station and we are very grateful to the retained fire fighters for giving up their evening to
instruct and entertain us. The girls wore fluorescent clothing (where possible) over their Brownie uniforms to earn 5 points towards their challenge
"In the Dark - Stay Safe". They also learnt about fire safety towards their Fire safety badge. We all had a great time, dressing up, riding in a
fire engine and using the high pressure hose. Thank you Cinderford.
Our hosts for the evening
Fluorescent clothing
Searching for people in asmoke filled room
Inspecting the uniforms
Latest recruits!
And some more
Wye Dance? We were also very fortunate to have Nicky from
Wyedance visit us and teach us some "Funky Fit" dance routines.
the girls had great fun and notched up another 5 points in "What a Performance! - Learn a Dance" Well done girls and Thank you Nicky.
Funky Fit Fun
In June/July, we completed our Changing the World project by learning about deafness and ways in which we could make it easier for a deaf person
with us. We learnt some sign language, had a loud evening, a silent olympics, made purple hands and used the listening bus shape for some coin art. We have donated £30 to NDCS.
We had a FAB pack holiday, with some of our friends from Coaley Brownies, at Cranham at the end of May. The theme was taken from the Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton. The weather was glorious.
On the Saturday we visited the land of Adventures with a hike and quiz in Cranham Woods. Archery, Traverse wall and a lovely cooling Water Challenge.
Then on Sunday we heard the land of Birthdays was coming to the top of the tree. There were birthday cakes with candles and even a circus!
That was really lovely because Alicia, Holly, Sue and Rachel all had birthdays.
We tried juggling with the balls we made from balloons and rice, walking on stilts and plate spinning.
These pics are of our somewhat wetter, enrollment and campfire evening at the end of April
The first three girls salute after making their Brownie Promise. Thank you to the families that stood in the rain to watch this special event.
and the second group making their promise. This is the first time that we've performed an enrolment outside and the weather was not kind to us. But it didn't dampen
our spirits
Kathy Histed then led the singing for a good old fashioned campfire evening finishing off with hotdogs. Thanks Kathy.
Rebecca has completed her cooks badge, here is a delicious salad that she made.
On Easter Saturday we held our second, annual cake stall by the library in Mitcheldean. Thanks to all who supported us, we raised £112.
At the end of April we had a Chocolate Party! Jasmine and Kimberley started the evening by organising a game of chocolate fishes. Then we played a new game
transporting smarties on a teaspoon whilst crawling under the legs of their six. Next the chocolate fountain - mmm. We dipped strawberries, grapes and marsh mallows
into the warm chocolate. This was definitely enjoyed by all (including the adults who found the bananas and dipped those during their pack holiday planning
meeting, that followed Brownies. Finally a game involving maltessers, chop sticks and dice. Moving the maltessers from bowl A to bowl B with the chop sticks.
Nine girls were awarded their Wildlife Explorer badge last week, Well Done girls. That means that there are still eight who need to finish off the observation tasks
to get their badge.
We had a very enjoyable Thinking Day hike to The Wilderness Centre where we met with Guides from Coaley and Cam and joined in with their craft activities
and games. Thank you Jenny for inviting us and thanks too, to the girls and other leaders for making us so welcome.
Mitcheldean Carnival
Was on 19th July 2008 the weather could have been better but that didn't stop the crowds turning out as usual.
The Brownies walked in the parade as usual and were delighted to be awarded first prize in the groups of 3 and over section.
Brownies and Guide leaders also ran a "Children's Corner" on Mitcheldean Playing fields with lots of pocket money games and events.
Money raised goes to the fund for Jubilee Lodge.
We also had fun with:-
Forest North Division Camp/Sleepover
We have just returned from a fab weekend at Holly Barn. Sixty six Brownies, thirty Guides, Young Leaders/Senior Section and Guiders. It was a very cold weekend but that didn't stop anyone having fun.
Guides and Brownies learnt some of the basic skills of Guiding and its history. It brought back a few memories for some of the older guiders who actually remembered
the days we were talking about - for example making a reef knot behind your neck to tie your Brownie tie.
Brownie Traditions
Dr Who comes to Guide camp!
Camp Fire
Thinking Day Postcard Exchange: We have 36 contacts around the world with whom we have exchanged postcards and learnt about what they do.
We'll post a copy of the card here in a week or two. We are very pleased with the cards which came from VistaPrint. Click on the link at the bottom of the page to take you to their web site
and if you order through the link Mitcheldean Brownies will get funds towards our freehold purchase and you'll get a 25% discount.
We've received cards from Guides from Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex, Brownies from Baumholder in Germany, Scouts from Solberg in Norway and Brownies and Cubs from Aarhus in Denmark, Brownies from Abergaveny and Brownies from Pensylvania in USA - Thank you
Fiftieth Birthday: We had a great party on 16th June 2007, at Vantage Point. Entertainment - a Circus Skills Workshop
Camp fire and singing and hot dogs in Trisha's garden
Oh you'll never get to heaven,
on a boy scout's knee,
'cos a boy scout's knee's,
***** TOO KNOBBLY! *****
Cheeky Monkey's and Mr Men Marathon Challenges
Hundreds of people have run the London Marathon (all 26 miles)
but we're not going to be quite that energentic. Our sponsored challenge will helped to raise money for 'Children with Leukaemia', our hut fund
and towards our 50th Birthday Bash.
We raised a total of £163 and have sent £83 to 'Children with Leukaemia'
The challenge set was to "Fill a jam jar with 26 small items, one for each letter of the alphabet. No perishable items. The lid must close. As its our 50th birthday, could anyone get 50 items in there (26 letters + 24 more)?"
Yes, Sophie did - well done Sophie!
Mitcheldean Carnival
We continued with the clown theme and took part in the Carnival as clowns this year. Sadly we don't have any photos and would be very pleased is anyone has some to share with us.
Pack Holiday
With 50th birthday celebrations to organise, carnival and fund raising for our meeting place repairs we were not sure we could manage a pack holiday this year.
BUT ... we went to PGL Court Farm, Ross-on-Wye from 13th to 15th April
The theme was Pirates (of the Caribean).The activities were: Abseiling, Archery, Challenge Course, Climbing, Fencing, Jacob's Ladder and Raft Building.
Each girl did all seven activities and I don't think we had time to draw breath all weekend.
Craft Day
A Division event for the older girls was held on the 31st March at Westbury
