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The Welly!

The Chief’s Rocks!

Finnish making friends at Roihu, meet the

Senior Branch Committee in our Who’s Who,

IGGNITE Pre-Camp Challenge, Free Being Me

See who was at the National Guide Awards and experience the highs and lows of the plucky Senior Branchers as they took on the Chief’s

S

S

IN THISISSUE

Senior Branch Magazine 2016

g friends at Roihu, meett tthhhee

The National Guide Awards 2016

Front Cover

All done and well done!For this year’s Chief Commissioner’s Award,

Senior Branchers found themselves braving the

elements of the stunning Iveragh Peninsula in Kerry

If you are with us here in Larch Hill, you are in the privileged position to be one of the first Senior Branch members to get their copy of The

Welly!!!!

National Senior Branch weekend is an annual event that traditionally takes place on the last weekend in November. Some felt it was a shame that this takes place the same weekend as the IGG Pantomime. So we asked, and some of you said Oh

no it’s not! And some said Oh yes it

is!

Senior Branch weekend is looked forward to as a time to get together and stay indoors for a change! Our last Senior Branch weekend had a Disney Princess theme when we launched the new Journey Programme at a wonderful Princess Ball in Killarney. This year the organising committee thought

if we host it in Eastern Region in Larch Hill, we could make everyone happy and all go to the Pantomime! Feared by the Bad, loved by the

Good (a bit like a Senior Brancher!)

Robin Hood!

So on Sunday, when Larch Hill is behind you! Don’t forget to be alive, alert, awake and enthusiastic!

Pantomime is always more fun with audience participation, so cheer, boo, laugh and sing along and encourage the Ladybirds, Brownies, Guides and Leaders to join in too!

Let us know if you would like to get involved in organising next year’s National Senior Branch weekend. It’s a great experience and you will have lots of support along the way.

Have a great weekend!!

If ith h i L h Hill if h t it i E t R i i

Welcome to

Senior Branch weekend!

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2017 Calendar

Feb: 18th Birthday

World Thinking Day

April: 30km Regional Hikes

July: Pre-Camp Challenge

July/August: IGGNITE 2017

Sept: Ventact

SafeTALK Training

Oct: The Future is Yours

Oct/Nov: Regional Conferences

Nov: Senior Branch Weekend 2017

Irish Girl Guides

Trefoil House

27 Pembroke Park

Dublin 4

Phone: 01-6683898 Email: info@irishgirlguides.ie

www.irishgirlguides.ie

The mission of the Irish Girl Guides is to enable girls and young women to develop to their fullest potential as

responsible citizens of the world

Contact Senior Branch on Facebook www.facebook.com/senior.branch

Hi Everyone,

It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since I had my coronation ;) in Killarney and became Chair of Senior Branch. It’s been an exciting year for Senior Branch, as we all got to explore the new programme - I hope you have enjoyed it! It has been great to meet lots of you at various events during the year, and each one of you reminds me of why I love Guiding – confident, fun-loving, enthusiastic, motivated, adventurous and determined young women (to name only a few characteristics) who are striving to make the world a better place. What’s not to love?!

As we look forward to the next year, I hope you will continue to be as fantastic as you are now. There is a great buzz around as everyone looks forward to IGGNITE 2017 and I hope each of you will choose to be part of it in some way. I cannot put into words exactly how amazing it is to be part of a huge

Guiding event, only to say that it’s one that will stay with you forever. Don’t let it pass you by!

I’d like to welcome any members who have joined Senior Branch since September. I attended the first National Guide Awards in Croke Park recently and I was blown away by the achievements of every girl.

I hope you enjoy reading this edition of The Welly! thanks to all those who contributed to it. There’s lots of interesting reading between these pages, including information on Gaisce, Free Being Me and upcoming Senior Branch events. I hope you will take on the challenge of earning your Gaisce – The President’s Award while completing your Bronze Star, Silver Moon and Golden Sun over the next year. Life is all about facing new challenges!

Finally, I’d like to say a big thank you to the committee who have been so supportive and patient over the past year. No matter what my request is, they always rise to the challenge and they make being Chair an enjoyable experience.

Yours in Guiding,

Clare

Cashel and Thurles Senior Branchers enjoying CONNECT, despite the inclement weather!

Contents

3 Welcome from Clare, the Senior Branch Chair

4-5 Meet and greet the Senior Branch Committee

6 Important Information for Senior Branchers

E-Vetting for Senior Branch

7 Ventact 2016

8-9 Chief Commissioner’s Award 2016

10-13 Free Being Me

14-15 Roihu 2016

16-17 Roverway 2016 Crumlin Hospital Guide Unit

18-19 Morgenster Youth Exchange 2016

20 Photos from the National Guide Awards

A Welcome from Clarethe Senior Branch Chair

Please refer to our special insert with Q&A on the Gaisce Awards process.

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Hi everyone! I’m Clare - Chair of the Committee. I’m from Lucan and I joined Brownies there when I was 9. I always say that sending me to Brownies was one of the best things my Mum did! Since then I’ve always been involved in some way – as a Guide, a Young Leader, a Leader with Brownies, Guides and Senior Branch (not all at the same time!!) and at the moment I help out with the Unit in Crumlin Hospital. I joined the first Senior Branch Committee and I became Chair last year. I’ve been to numerous camps and events, in Ireland and abroad. My favourite in Ireland

was my Chief’s. Abroad, I have great memories of Roverway 2009 in Iceland. My role on the committee is quite broad, but in a nutshell it’s to oversee and coordinate all things Senior Branch related, work with other committees on projects related to Senior Branch and ensure that Senior Branchers and their Leaders around the country are happy in Guiding! Outside of Guiding, I work as a Primary School Teacher, which I love. Other things I like to do include travelling, shopping, cooking, singing, camping and anything else fun that comes my way!

Katherine RyanHi, My name is Katherine.I previously worked in IGG National Office for eight years as the editor of Trefoil News and other IGG publications. I’ve since changed jobs but I’m delighted to still be involved with Irish Girl Guides. I volunteer with Crumlin Guide Unit and I’m the Treasurer for the Senior Branch Committee. I’ve been on the Senior Branch Committee since 2014. I bring the cheque book and make sure all the great Senior Branch events get paid for. Don’t forget to bring your online banking details and receipts/tickets to events for Travel Refunds and I’ll see you there… I encourage you to get involved in as many Senior Branch events as you can and take up all the opportunities. Last year, I completed the Explorer Belt in Germany and it was a fantastic experience. Aisling ClaffeyHello! I’m Aisling and I am from Cork.I am the International Rep on the Senior Branch Committee. I started Guiding when I was 10 and have never looked back. I currently run a Ladybird Unit, and help run a Guide and Senior Branch Unit in Carrigaline, Cork. I have been very lucky and have travelled a lot with Guiding. I have been to the UK, Spain, Germany, Norway, Serbia, America, Switzerland and India. I have worked in Our Chalet in Adelboden on a number of occasions and it is safe to say international Guiding is one of my favourite parts of Guiding. When not Guiding, I am in my final year of studying Business and Hotel Management, which I really like. I feel I can bring a lot of what I have learned in Guiding to this area. Other things I love are McFlurry’s, stars, flowers and candles! Deirdre HenleyHi, I’m Deirdre.I’m a Senior Branch committee member, which means I get the chance to work with like-minded Leaders from all over the country to ensure that our Senior Branch members can avail of as many opportunities as possible, both at a national and international level. I’m a Leader in MacEgan Senior Branch Unit, Macroom, which has just celebrated its thirty-fifth birthday and continues to be a very vibrant group of young women with a great Guiding ethos. I enjoy being involved in outdoor activities and camping, my favourite Senior Branch activities are the Chief’s and the Explorer Belt. I have had some fantastic times with our Senior Branch members in many places over the years. They never fail to amaze me with their resourcefulness, commitment to each other and sheer determination to aim high.

Anne HylandHi, I’m Anne Hyland.I’m a Guide Leader from Navan since 2008, mature in age but not in nature! I have positive energy and love meeting people. I love seeing the girls (all ages) grow in confidence and was so impressed with Senior Branch after Camp 101’s Rocking Hammers. I have been on the Senior Branch Committee a while now, first as North East Senior Branch rep, and now as Vice Chair. Nationally, I have been a member of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and PR Committees and I’m on the Media Panel. I am involved in Camp IGGNITE 2017 as Daytime Programme Team Leader, and I’m looking forward to creating happy memories for everyone who comes. I have my International Permit and am very proud to have achieved my CO last year, organising a camp for 130, including a group from USA, that I met in Sangam. Through IGG, I now have friends all over the world!

Now that you’ve met Clare the Senior Branch Chair, here’s your

chance to meet the Senior Branch Committee members!

Hi, my name is Clare

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Averil O’ConnorHi, I am Averil the South West Senior Branch Representative.I have been involved in Guiding for almost 20 years in some shape or form, and joined the Senior Branch Committee almost two years ago. Senior Branch gives its members the unique opportunity to explore leadership and independence while making new friends. If I have one piece of advice it would be to go to as many national events as possible. They’re a wonderful way to connect with other Senior Branch members and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Katriona KielyHi, My name is Katriona and I am the Mid West Senior Branch Rep on the Committee.I have just finished my final year at Mary Immaculate College Limerick where I studied primary school teaching. I have been involved in Guiding since I joined Ladybirds in Caherdavin when I was in senior infants. I am now a Guide Leader and also run the Senior Branch Unit in our District. I enjoy the outdoor aspect of Guiding and especially love camping – roll on IGGNITE 2017! On the Committee, I act as rep for the Mid West Region and I also look after the Senior Branch Facebook page. As Rep, I communicate with the Senior Branch Leaders and girls in my Region about our programme and events and also help to organise events within my Region.

Emily YuleHello! My name is Emily Yule and I’m one of the South East Regional reps on the Senior Branch Committee. On the Committee, I suggest ideas for different things. I’m from Carlow and I joined Ladybirds when I was five years old. I’m now 19 and beginning my second year as a full Leader with Brownies and Guides. I’ve had so many opportunities through Guides. Over the years I’ve gone on Regional camps, Senior Branch weekend, Ventact and I took part in Learning Leadership. I’ve gone on international trips to the Czech Republic and Croatia with my Guide and Senior Branch Unit. I’ve made friends from all over the country through different events. I’ll be starting my second year of college in September in Carlow Institute of Further Education where I’ll be studying hairdressing. I’ve recently qualified as a makeup artist.

Katie CoyneHi Everyone! My name is Katie Coyne.I live in Galway city and I am 18 years old. I am the Regional rep for West and Central Midlands. I am in second year of college in Athlone Institute of Technology studying general nursing. I joined Guiding over 10 years ago. I help out with Brownies and Guides whenever I can, even though nursing takes up a lot of my time. My favourite memories in Guiding have to be Camp 101, where I made some amazing friends for life; my trip to Croatia in 2013 with my Guide Unit which was unbelievable, and thirdly, Ventact. If you’re in my Region, and have any questions about anything Guiding related, just send me a message and I will be more than happy to help you out!

Annamarie LawlorHi! My name is Annamarie and I’m the North East Senior Branch rep on the committee.I joined IGG back in 2005. I’m a Ladybird, Guide and Senior Branch Leader and got involved in Senior Branch when my own Guides grew too old, and they wanted to continue their journey in IGG. I love how Guiding is brilliant fun and gives the girls loads of opportunity to grow in confidence and to take part in international travel. I am taking a group to Our Chalet in February 2017 and I attended and enjoyed Ventact this year too.

Gemma McLoughlinI’m Gemma McLoughlin, the North West Senior Branch rep.My role on the committee is to bring back info to the North West. I also of course get roped in for the odd job or two but so far my first year on the committee has been fun and I look forward to the next year. IGG is, for sure, in my blood. I started off on camp as a baby with my Mam, many many years ago, when my Mam was a Guide Leader. Now I am a Ladybird and Senior Branch Leader in Ballina, Co Mayo. If I’m not doing IGG activities I can be found running around after my two busy children. I also enjoy spending time with my friends, family, going to the cinema, walking, reading and swimming. IGG has given me so many experiences but the one I treasure the most is the life long friendships I’ve made.

Ann DoyleAnn is a Leader in Edenderry and is the new Eastern Region rep. She loves all things Guiding.Anyone who knows her will know that she is full of energy and enthusiasm. She successfully completed her Chief Commissioner’s Award this summer and will be one of our QMs at this year’s Senior Branch weekend. She has just joined the committee and is looking forward to getting to know and supporting all the SB’ers in Eastern Region.

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OGM for Senior Branchers

In December 2014 Online Guide Manager (OGM) was introduced as a revolutionary online resource for IGG Units across Ireland. OGM helps reduce administration for the Unit, and helps Leaders to manage their paperwork more efficiently, saving time and energy.

Leaders (over 18) and Unit Helpers are added to OGM in National Office, when the applicable paperwork is received. The girls’ information is added by the Unit Contact Person (UCP) from their

Personal Registration Form. There are a lot of Senior Branch members on OGM with no

addresses. Can you check with your UCP that they have your full postal address and email address on OGM? This will ensure that you get your copies of Trefoil News, The Welly and the weekly IGG email update.

Access Levels and Data ProtectionLeaders under 16 years (members of Senior Branch) are not allowed to access and process data in Ireland through a system such as OGM. Leaders aged 16-18 years can access data on a read-only basis and cannot process the information. Please be aware of this when granting access to under 18 year olds in order to protect both them and yourself.

Senior Branchers who

are Leaders in Units

If you are helping with a Unit, can you

ensure that the UCP has included you

in the Leader Section of her Unit on

OGM. If not, the UCP in your Senior

Branch Unit can copy your record to

the Unit that you help with.

M) cece o ng

Thm

E-Vetting/Screening for Senior Branch MembersE-Vetting was introduced on 1 September, therefore the paper “Garda Vetting Application form” is no longer accepted and a new “Vetting Invitation form” is now required. In addition to completing a “Vetting Invitation form”, Senior Branch members must have their identification (ID) validated in person by their Unit Leader and an “ID Validation Form” signed verifying this. A “Garda Vetting Parent/Guardian Consent form” is also required for those under 18 years of age who are applying.

Senior Branch members changing to adult Leaders i.e. assisting in a Leadership capacity with any IGG Unit must complete the full Leader screening process including Garda Vetting and must ensure they submit all screening forms found in the “Purple Senior Branch Pack” well in advance of their 18th birthday in order to continue assisting with a Unit when they reach 18 years of age. Senior Branch members are allowed to submit their screening forms to IGG for processing from 17 years of age.

Please note that Senior Branch members 18 years and over must successfully complete Garda Vetting before being allowed attend a residential event at which under 18s are in attendance, this includes Senior Branch residential events. Those attending in a leadership capacity must successfully complete the full Leader screening process including Garda Vetting before being allowed attend.

All forms/packs are available from the Safeguarding Membership Officer, IGG National Office at safeguarding@irishgirlguides.ie

Important Information for

Senior Branchers

We love to hear from our members and their Leaders so do get in touch if you have a question or have been up to anything you would like us to know about!

Email:seniorbranch@gmail.com (general)

seniorbranchevents@gmail.com

(National Senior Branch events)

Facebook: Senior Branch

Instagram: seniorbranch

Snapchat: sbweekend

Twitter: @senior_branch

Want to contact Senior Branch?? It couldn’t be easier!!

This September was my first year participating in the famous Ventact outdoor event. For many years, I have listened to the stories from Senior Branchers about how enjoyable it is. Our Unit was camping independently for the weekend, including bringing all our own food. The theme of this year’s camp was a Viking invasion, so we also brought our own themed costumes for the famous disco on Saturday night.

We arrived at camp on Friday pitched our tents, had a snack and went to the famous campfire. I have to say the campfire was thoroughly enjoyable and memorable, due to the atmosphere, the different songs, as well as the large crowd that gathered. Once the campfire ended, we had the traditional activity of ticket swapping, where Niamh and I used our powers of persuasion to get people

r’s

to part with their beloved tickets for Ballyhass Lakes so that all our Unit could be together. To be honest with you I can’t remember what time we went to sleep, let’s just say it was late!

We were woken at an unearthly hour by ‘Good Morning Vietnam!’ We

had our breakfast, packed a delicious lunch and headed on the bus to our activities. It was so hard to keep our eyes open on the bus, but once we arrived at Ballyhass Lakes everyone seemed to be

fully awake. We did various activities here including kayaking, low rope obstacle course and leap of faith. Niamh was the only person in our Unit to successfully complete the leap of faith. That night we dressed up and attended the disco. A great night was had by all and we all slept soundly!

The next morning we were exhausted at the

wake-up call. We had a fry for breakfast - thanks to

VENTACT 2016By Aishling O’ Connor

Mc Egan Senior Branch, Macroom

Danielle for bringing the sausages and rashers. When we went to start our gas cooker it wouldn’t work, but thankfully Christine Cronin come to our rescue (thanks Christine!) and let us use hers. We took down our tent, packed up our equipment then we went on the bouncing castle before leaving. I really enjoyed this event, hope to attend again next year (hopefully with a working gas cooker!).

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yfully

hahad ou

A fundraising event for IGGNITE 2017

IGGNITE BALL Get your glad rags ready for an

evening of dining, and “Be

Prepared” to dance the night away!

Friday 24th of February 2017,

8pm, in the Castletroy Park

Hotel, Limerick

This will be an over 18s event. Tickets

available from IGG Distribution Centre

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Our journey started way back in July with our preliminary hike. After being bullied by some unexpected bulls and taking on the most intense routes our rural locality had to offer in preparation, we had done everything we could do. There was nothing left to do but get on the bus and see where it took us.

Where this bus ended up taking us was ‘The Ring Lyne’ hostel on Valentia Island. When it became apparent on the journey that the Chief’s would be in Kerry, we were thinking along the lines of Dingle and Kenmare, not the beautiful but discreet Iveragh Peninsula. After getting to know the other girls properly on arrival, we all at least had the comfort that, no matter how the award went, we had made new friends; that in itself was unforgettable.

The next morning was where the real work began, we all started to be dropped off at our destinations in groups. Aishling O’Connor, Niamh Mc Sweeney and I, had tried to track where we were being taken. No matter how hard we tried we were still surprised to be dropped off abruptly at Cillín Liath. We spent a good hour making out a plan and briefly spoke to some Canadian cyclists passing by. It was ironic as it was only just after they left that we realised they could’ve assisted us with a project which involved speaking to tourists. Typical.

Starting at Cillín Liath to Waterville, then to Ballinskelligs to Keel and back to Valentia, it was surprising that for

such a long journey, it went as quickly as it did. The week went faster than any of us could have predicted. In my mind, the high points we experienced, such as walking on the beach in Ballinskelligs, to writing our song on the road to Keel, outweighed any lows we encountered. In reality we were blessed, as the only lows we encountered were the mood swings that came with a long day’s walking, which didn’t last long. Five minutes later, we would be laughing as the adrenaline of the amazing time we were having kicked in, and it would be as if nothing had happened.

By the time Day 5 (our final day) came, we had developed a clear cut attitude to finish what we started, and make ourselves and our Leaders proud. It doesn’t surprise me how we walked the last day as determinedly as we did. Our blood was pumping and we were so proud of ourselves, and each other, for getting through the week as level-headed as we did. We had realised something s. Typical.

Cillín then Keel ia, it t for

We had realised something

The Chief Commissioner’s Award 2016:

‘An Experience of a Lifetime’Emma Barry, MacEgan Senior Branch Unit, Macroom

From 7 to 14 August, 13 other girls and I took on one of

Guiding’s hardest challenges. None of us knew what to

expect. However, with a box that says ‘An Experience

of a Lifetime’ on the label, who isn’t going to at least

try and see how it goes?

Well done to the 14 girls who achieved the

Chief Commissioner’s Award silver pin!

important throughout the week. The Chief’s wasn’t just a physical challenge but a psychological one too. When we handed in our logs and projects at our pick up point at ‘The Ring Lyne’ hostel where we were first taken, we really felt that we had fully taken on the challenge. Although we were back where we started, the communication and perseverance skills we had learned along the way, meant that we were not the same people who left the hostel on that very first day.

On the day of our award ceremony, emotions ran high and the question on every contender’s mind, was the same: ‘Had we done enough?’ The time came and, team by team, we received the news we were ALL successful. After achieving and seeing our friends achieve what we know they worked so hard for, the atmosphere was indescribable; we could genuinely say we weren’t just happy for ourselves.

I never knew feeling true happiness for someone else’s achievements

could feel as enriching as it did. I think it was receiving kindness from strangers during the week that made us appreciate people in general. More especially, an appreciation of each other and the friends we made led to us feeling this way. This is something I, or any of us, wouldn’t have fully experienced if it wasn’t for the Chief’s.

The Chief’s wasn’t just ‘the Experience of a Lifetime’. It was the experience that made us better people, which will last a lifetime.

W

C

ne to tthhe 1144 giirllss wwhhoo aacchhhiiiieevveedd the

Congratulations to the 14 IGG members who achieved

Guiding’s highest accolade after hiking 60 kilometres on the

Iveragh peninsula, Co Kerry, while carrying all their camping

and cooking equipment, food and clothes, and surviving on

€3.50 a day!

The young women also had to complete eight projects and keep a log-book of their experiences. As per custom, the location of the challenge remained a secret until the last minute, which meant there was no chance of preparing for the projects in advance! A hugh thank you to all the Leaders who made this event

possible.

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What to do?

Don’t forget to start your session with your last pledge!This reinforces your enthusiasm and willingness to complete the Free Being Me programme – shout it out!

Next Stages …See the Change: We will understand the difference we’re trying to make, and what it can mean for the people we reach.Plan the Change: We’ll work out exactly what message we want to give, and what our action will look like. We need to spend at least an hour with the people we reach. Make the Change: We’ll put the plan into action!Share the Change: We won’t stop there – we will think about what we can do to keep our action going, and share what we’ve been doing with other Girl Guides around the world.

See the Change: 20 minutesThis is our chance to think BIG! What if every person in Ireland, or the world, had better body confidence because they understood that the Image Myth is impossible.

Break into small groups, and discuss these questions together:

What would it mean to each individual to have more body confidence?

What would it mean to our community or society as a whole if everyone had more body confidence?

Groups spend 10 minutes creating a large mind-map or thought cloud to represent their ideas.Then, each group is to take a minute to explain their ideas to the rest of the group. Make sure each participant has a chance to say an idea.

FREE BEING ME Empowering girls through improving

body confidence and self-esteem

Plan Your Take Action ProjectThis is the last element of the Free Bring Me Programme, and the outcome is to use all that you

have learnt during this programme to challenge the Image Myth and share it with others to start

a body confidence revolution. In order to earn your badge, each participant should reach at

least two other people aged 7-14, and in doing that, spend at least 1 hour with the people being

reached.

ns

e

a

or

as a

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Plan the Change:

Our Message – 5 minutes

Use a large sheet of paper or flipchart with coloured markers or post its for everyone to contribute. First of all, work together to answer, as a group, the following questions, as you think back over each Free Being Me Session completed:1. What did we do? 2. What did we discover or find out more about?

Write your answers down, using one colour marker/ post it for what you did and another for what you learnt.What is the message that we want to share with other people?

T-shirt Message – 10 minutes

A great way to start to share your message and start a conversation with other people is to put the message on a T-Shirt.

… What would your T-shirt say?

Put the T-shirt messages on the wall for everyone to see. They can be used to help create the group’s action plan.

Make the Change:

Action Plan – 30 minutes

Now you have your vision of a world free of worries about looks, you know the messages you want to convey, and you’ve thought about how you might start the conversation. It’s time to work out what your Take Action project will look like and who you would like to reach out to … let your imaginations run wild!

r

with

e and o put

Get Planning:

If small groups want to work on their own, start planning now. If you’re planning on a whole-group Take Action project, small groups could come up with different ideas and then vote to decide on the final project.

Use or adapt the planning template ‘Take Action Planner’, on Sheet 5.1 of the Free Being Me workbook for 11-14 years olds, available on www.free-being-me.com under the ‘download resources’ link.

Try to complete this by the end of this session, and have a practical ‘To Do’ list that needs working out.

If you have small groups working together, ensure that they have enough support, and encourage them to share with the rest of the group before they leave.

If you have a whole-group project, encourage as many participants to practice their leadership skills by taking responsibility for different parts of the project.

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By Orna Sexton, MacEgan Rangers, South West Region

We arrived in Finland very late on 16 July, arriving in Aura at about two in the

morning - the adventure had begun. Before Roihu we attended home hospitality,

where we stayed with Finnish families for three days. Isabelle and I stayed with a

family in Aura who had four children, a dog and two cats.

Roihu 2016Finland

The next morning we were introduced to Finnish culture. After breakfast of a rice cake wrapped in pastry with scrambled egg (nicer than it sounds), we went for a long walk in the forest, which was literally across the road, and along the way we picked berries and mushrooms. There was a place to have fires so we cooked sausages and s’mores. In Finland, they have a law that anyone may camp anywhere for up to three days. Returning home, I experienced my first sauna; every Finnish household has at least one. I really liked the sauna and felt so refreshed and healthy afterwards. We smoked our own salmon and ate it for dinner; afterwards we played a game of Dixit and finished the day with pancakes on the campfire.

Next morning after stocking up on porridge, we went to Turku and had a picnic on the banks of the Aura River. We met others in our contingent and I had my photo taken by the local newspaper. After a visit to IKEA we went to the national park where we enjoyed the

public sauna and lake before a short stroll through the park.

Camp began on 20 July. It was a bit of a shock going to the campsite with 17,000 people! It was situated in the beautiful Evo forest. Our campsite was called Paddington and we were staying in the sub camp of 4,000 called Syke. Soon we were well acquainted with our Finnish hosts who were from KiMe (Kirkkonummi). We stayed in a big circular tent with one middle pole in the centre to support it. The food was very different and I really didn’t like the Finnish dishes. The main street was called Lerisuora with all the shops and some activities, two cafés, the Explorers’ corner, Scout museum and front stage. Also on the campsite were the main stage and a disco - Club Encore. The campsite was truly massive. There were separate areas for different age groups Trackers, Explorers (including me) and Rovers. It was very disorientating initially as everything was in Finnish - though, more and more English was introduced, and I had a translator buddy anyway.

threw him in a wheelbarrow and dropped him off at his Camp. That evening we had an activity with the KiMe explorers. My partner was Leo-Pauli for a scavenger hunt of taking selfies, including: in a Portaloo, in the camp hotel, caravan tent, with a four tier hammock, with väiskis, just to name a few.

On the last day we had the closing ceremony. The Great Blaze played, as did a very popular Finnish singer – with all the Finns going crazy. It was capped off with songs from the Seconds to Paradise. This was the last night so we went crazy in Club Encore and, as tradition, it was prank night.

I really enjoyed the camp and saw how it is important for Senior Branchers to get the freedom to mix and make friends at international camps and I learned that communication and understanding is important between us all when representing IGG abroad.

Thank you IGG for

giving me this wonderful

opportunity.

visited the pet farm, doing some rodeo and petting some cats. That night we went to Club Encore and I partied with my new Finnish friends. It was a 90s night and we all had a great time (me wearing a jersey and GAA shorts).

I was volunteered by the Irish girls and a few of my Finnish friends to take part in a challenge – to eat a rye cracker as quickly as possible and then whistle! We performed a few songs and so did KiMe, followed by a funny sketch by Eero and Jacho. We all got cake as it was KiMe’s birthday, and the

The opening ceremony started with a fire display as well as a military band, Seconds in Paradise as well as entertainment provided by The Great Blaze.

The next day, activities began in the Explorers’ area about a half an hour hike across the campsite. I felt very sick and attended the Camp hospital overnight. The next day I felt a bit better and I was released the following morning in time for the mid-camp ceremony.

After recovering, I felt a hundred times better and began my activities. We made leather wallets and

IGGNITE 2017 Pre-Camp ChallengeAre you a Senior Brancher going to camp???

Would you like to have some extra fun

before the main event??? Are you up for

an adventure and a challenge??? Then

the IGGNITE 2017 Pre-Camp Challenge

is for you!! Come and join the fun in the

days leading up to camp! The adventure

will include challenges for the body and

the brain as we make our way towards

Rockwell.

When: Tuesday 25 to Friday 28 July 2017

(you will be based in Rockwell fromFriday until the start of camp on Sunday)

Where: The area surrounding Rockwell College

Who: SBers Age 16+

How much: €75

Check out the Senior Camp and IGGNITE Camp

Facebook pages for details on

Senior Branch pre-Camp Challenge

Finnish troop did their initiation ceremony at 2am. This involved getting changed into swimming togs and running through the forest blindfolded. Water is thrown at them, then they have to cut a tree with an axe (still blindfolded) and get oil markings - in conclusion they say their Promise.

I was working the next morning in the sauna, which was fun. On returning, it appeared our Finnish troop got a hostage. In Finish camps

they have a tradition of putting ‘no tank can drive through campsite’ signs and the thing is to try and steal other campsites’ signs and put a little model tank in its stead. KiMe had a particular nemesis its ‘big brother’ troop that it always competed against.

We had a Paddington bear as we were Paddington. So this unlucky fella was caught returning the Paddington bear and he confessed to stealing our ‘no tank’ sign. The hostage was treated according to Finnish tradition. We then

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lots of room for other activities!

We got to visit the farm and see all the different animals (and the indoor

toilet), we hiked to a water park that was nearby and spent the day there in the sun, made bread using honey harvested from the beehives on site and explored the local village. While these organised activities were fun, the best parts of the road were the times the Rovers took the lead. We spent afternoons getting to know each other, playing UNO with the Italians, spontaneous games of Gaelic football and trying to wrap our heads around the Spanish games, which all seemed to involve either hitting people or kissing people! Each day, one patrol would cook a meal from their country for dinner and another would run the evening activities, and for me, this was the highlight of my Roverway experience. It gave

us the opportunity to really experience the cultures of all our fellow campers (it also meant we got to eat something that wasn’t

bread). We tasted their food, played their games, watched their skits and tried to sing their songs. We heard familiar songs, sung in

Once the tents were up we got to show off our gadget making skills, we made long tables, a wash stand, showers and a cooking table to make our stay a little more comfortable. Our road was called Eco Farm and it was in the Île-de-France region. We were joined by patrols from Italy, Spain, Portugal and France. Each road was based around a community project: our project was about creating a path to make the fields of animals more accessible for the families visiting the farm. We spent two mornings clearing brambles and weeds to create our path, our main task for the week, which we finished in no time leaving

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different languages and got an insight into the ways the others spent their time on camp back home.

When it came to our night of activities we decided to teach the group a bit of Irish dancing, before taking them over to the campfire where we recreated Ireland (with the help of a few water bottles and some “sheep”) before introducing them to some of our favourite songs. Once we’d finished singing we broke out the marshmallows and biscuits and showed them how to make S’mores which seemed to really blow their minds.

Spending time sharing and experiencing the cultures of others on the road was definitely my favourite part of the Roverway experience.

After a week on the road, it was time for us to travel to the main camp in Jambville where we got to meet up for the first time as a full contingent in France. The main camp was full of things to do, with hundreds of workshop options during

Sophie Cassidy,

Drogheda Senior Branch

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to really blow their minds.

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This year I travelled to France as part of a joint contingent from IGG and CGI to join 5,000 Rovers and Rangers from across Europe and the wider world, in taking part in Roverway 2016, France. The joint contingent was made up of 3 patrols from all across Ireland with each patrol going to a different part of France to take part in a different road.

My patrol’s journey began in Paris where our opening ceremony took place. Once the ceremony finished, our real adventure began as we made the short trip to where we’d be spending the week and set up camp. Camp set up was a little different to how we do it back home.

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Are you a Senior Brancher in Dublin looking for a

new Guiding experience? Are you free one Thursday

night a month? Would you like to help bring a smile

to the faces of girls in hospital? If so, we’d love if you

joined us in Crumlin Guide Unit!

Crumlin Hospital Guide Unit has been going for over 8 years now. We meet every Thursday in the hospital from 6.30-8.15pm, all year round, except August and December. Each week we bring girls aged 8 upwards, who are patients in the hospital, away from their wards for an hour of fun. We give them a chance to try Guides for an evening, to meet girls from other wards, to try out some new activities with a Guiding twist and to offer them a brief distraction during their stay in hospital.

The weekly programme is varied as we never know how many girls will be available, the age range, or their limitations due to illness. So it is both fun and challenging for Leaders.

We select weekly themes, for

example Halloween, Mother’s Day, or maybe camping, a pyjama party, road safety, winter fun, friendship or summer holidays. Crafts are always popular as well as simple activity games.

Each week, four rostered Leaders explain about Guiding in Ireland and internationally and each girl is given a special pink neckerchief to wear and bring back to the ward with her, and if she stays in hospital for any length of time she will wear it to Guides each week. We love to see the smiles on their faces, having had a chance to forget for a short while about why they are in hospital. Some of the girls come for a number of weeks; others join for just one night.

If you want to know more about Crumlin Guide Unit, please give me a call:

Róisín Fitzgerald

e: roisinnicgearailt@gmail.com

t: 087 9925312.

the day and, once the sun went down, we were treated to a whole different range of activities, including a silent disco, a different themed party in the Moulin Orange (the Dutch house), karaoke and movies in the Rainbow cafe (the LGBTQ space)

each night. We were also lucky enough to experience some very interesting French humour through different, very elaborate, skits at both the opening and closing ceremonies and got to interact with people from thousands of different

cultures, exchanging stories of our time on the road in the blue, white and red lights of the wooden Eiffel tower. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent at Roverway 2016, and would really recommend that everyone who can, should travel to

the Netherlands in 2018 for the next Roverway because without a doubt you will meet some amazing people and have a fantastic, once in a lifetime, experience.

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We boarded the ship in Cobh on 12 June this year. First we practised going up the masts and jibs as it was easier to do it now than if the ship was out on the water. We spent the rest of the day sorting our rooms and organising the watches. The rooms were about 5ft by 5ft and in each were four people on two bunk beds. By the end of the trip we were so close it no longer bothered us.

My watch was the blauw watch - the rain watch; it ran from 4am to 8am and 4pm to 8pm. During every watch you helmed (steered the ship) for an hour and every hour you had to plot the ship’s location on the map. Each day consisted of putting up sails and putting them down - meaning you had to go out on the bowsprit in all conditions and even up the masts and onto the yards and jiving (turning sails to catch the wind). Whenever we were docking or anchoring we furled (tied up) all the sails, which was good fun

and a terrifying experience at the beginning. For example, being on the bowsprit trying to furl the jibs as the boat is bouncing all over the place and you are balancing on a wire over the water is scary, but towards the end it was nothing major. Every day we had Happy Hour where we had to clean the ship to loud background music.

The second day we raised all the sails, sailing from Cork Harbour escorted by dolphins and several Navy ships with watch ending at 4am.

We arrived at Abersoch in Wales, on 15 June. Once anchored, we had great craic jumping off the boat before taking a rib trip to the shore for a bit of shopping and, of course, a visit to the chipper in the pretty little town. After a night playing cards and telling stories, we departed Abersoch the next day bound for Waterford. With good winds, the pace was fast and we keeled heavily on the way. It was hard to move around the ship without sliding to the opposite side (it was still fun though)! We stayed overnight out at sea because of the tide.

On 18 June, we had an open ship and we showed off our climbing skills, dressed as pirates. We sailed out into a very rough, choppy sea and passed the Scilly Islands.

Morgenster Youth Exchange 12 to 27 June 2016

Orna Sexton, MacEgan Rangers, SW Region

Sailing the Morgenster was one of the best experiences of my life so far. There is

nothing like being on the open sea on a calm day, the sun beating down on you

and the waves gently splashing against the hull. On the flip side there is no better

adventure than the brig being tossed about on the water, or the waves washing up

over the sides and bow. Keeling was a new practice I adapted to but another aspect

of the ship I missed was being slowly rocked to sleep by the waves.

On 20 June, we reached the Channel Islands and went ashore to Sark, an island without cars. In recognition of Refugee Day, every watch had a project to do. We made small video clips on the island of Sark that were comic but also serious. On to Alderney (St. Anne's), where we enjoyed exploring the beach and old fort and celebrated Jack's birthday. One thing you get used to while sailing is going to sleep in the place where you have anchored and waking up somewhere completely different by the next morning. As I woke on 22 June, we ended up anchored outside pretty Le Treport in France.

Morning watch on 23 June was the worst: we got completely soaked, but did witness a really cool lightning storm. The rest of the day was full of glorious sunshine, and filled with songs from Captain Harry with his wife Mary-Ann.

On 24 June, we reached Den Helder, The Netherlands, home port of the Morgenster. I had a great day assisting Michele piloting through the locks. Ashore, we visited the Dutch Navy museum where we toured the inside of a nuclear submarine, as well as a steam-powered navy boat. We even found a painting of the Morgenster in a gallery.

Moving on from Den Helder, we arrived at a small Dutch island by the name of Texel, and then to Terschelling, with its cobbled streets.

Jacob, our German shipmate, was eager to show us an island in Germany called Borkum, where we arrived on 27 June. The sea was very choppy so I, and a few others, decided to mess about and have a sea spray shower, which consisted of us standing on the bow and waiting for waves to come and wash up over the bow. There was a little ‘pirate ship’ docked there, about a quarter the size of the Morgenster. We also wrote letters to everyone on the ship, to be sent at Christmas time. A tradition for the ship was that each watch had to write a

song to perform for the talent show on the last night.

Next day I sat on the rigging and videoed the Morgenster sailing out of Borkum and helmed to Eemshaven were we took our place in the tall ship festival. We entertained a few guests before we got a new neighbour - the Mercedes - she was a massive three-masted day tourer. We partied and had our talent show, which was quite hilarious. I also got a Morgenster crew hoodie. No one wanted to go home the next day and the goodbyes were sad.

I really enjoyed my time on the ship and would recommend it to anyone and if it worries you, I’d just like to quote Mark Twain: ‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.’

I would also like to thank the crew Captain Harry and his wife Mary-Ann, first mate Jacob, Michele and chef Mirjam as well, of course, to the Irish Girl Guides and Sail Training Ireland for the opportunity. Hopefully I will return someday.

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Senior Branchers of the future

at the National Guide Awards

Congratulations and well done, well done, very well done to all the Guides who received awards at the National Guide Awards!

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