Giving girls a chance to step up

Each week at Brownies the Patrol Leader's take turns running an organised game while I am talking to their parents. They do a great job but I was beginning to notice the same game (Ice cream) being played week after week after week.

So this term we implemented a new plan. Each Patrol would be in charge of organising a game for the beginning of the night on a rotational basis. The girls were to listen to each others suggestions and then 1 or 2 members of the Patrol would run the game. The hope was that we would have a variety of games being played as well as being a good chance for younger girls to lead while having the support of their Patrol Leader.

Well the first meeting of the term began and the chosen Patrol had only one member in attendance! I asked Miss 8 years if she had a game in mind and she did. "How do you feel about leading the game for everybody?" I asked her. "Sure" she replied and then walked into the storage cupboard. Seconds later she walked into the middle of the hall holding a pen and paper and raised her hand in the air.

"I need everybody to find a partner." she said "We're playing fruit salad."

I watched in amazement as she organised the group of girls some younger, some older than her into the ladder formation and dutifully recorded their team names. She did an amazing job, even more so that most of the girls weren't familiar with the game as I haven't played it with them in about 2 years!

Miss 8 years reminded me just how much teach girl has something to offer, no matter what her age. She just needs to be given the opportunity to shine! I can't wait to see the other girls take their turn as leader. And best of all, no more screams of "ICE CREAM!" each meeting.

ANZAC Day handmade wreath

We march in our local Dawn Service every year and I decided this year it was about time the Brownies lay down their own wreath. I spent ages searching the internet and not finding anything that drew me in.

In past years we have made poppies using the template from the Australian War Memorial. So I used those for inspiration.

Credit: Australian War Memorial

I didn't take any progress photos, but trust me when I say the wreath design was very basic!

Step one: Trace the shape of a dinner plate onto thick cardboard and then cut out. Do this three times.

Step two: Cut a smaller circle (trace a dessert bowl) from the insides of each large circle creating cardboard rings. 

Step three: Hot glue the three rings on top of each other. After this, my rings were about 1cm in depth.

Step four: Wrap green crepe-paper around the entire thing until no cardboard is visible.

After this it was up to the girls. They designed poppies and leaves using red, black and green paper. I didn't provide a template so every flower and leaf was unique. Look how talented these girls are!

Thanks to the work of some talented mother's the whole thing was beautifully arranged and a lovely ribbon with our name added.

Isn't it gorgeous?! I'm so impressed with their hard work. And the Brownies were so proud to lay down a wreath at our local memorial along with all the others.