Girlguiding Oxfordshire County Brownie Pack Holiday

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Created on Friday, 16 December 2011 18:21

Written by Claire Williams

Fifty-six Brownies  were lucky enough to attend a county pack hold at Stansfeld outdoor study centre from 25th–27th November 2011. 

The event was the brain child of County Residential Advisor, Fiona Joines. Fiona has many years’ experience as both a leader with Brownies, and in running successful pack holidays, and through her role as Girlguiding Oxfordshire’s residential advisor for Brownies and Rainbows, was aware that there are a number of leaders who do not yet have the experience to take their Brownies away. To address this, Brownie leaders were invited to express an interest in attending a pack holiday which would also double as a training event. Eleven Leaders took up the challenge, with each of them bringing some of their Brownies along. The Leaders split into three teams and each team took on a role for the weekend, including catering, activities and general health and hygiene. 

Arran Babbs, Leader from 2nd Marston Brownies, said she thought it was a great opportunity as she had not thought it was something she would get to do. Laura Marshal, Leader with 1st Benson Brownies, said it was great to see the Brownies having a good time and eventually she hoped to be able to do her own pack holiday.

The Brownies were working towards their Star Gazer Badge. Josie Harris, Natasha King and Kate Tilley, from 16th Abingdon Brownies, said that they were there to have fun on a Brownie Holiday and to learn about space. They had been to visit a black dome (later confirmed as the black hole) to find out about stars and planets and had even been making their own cosmos!

The girls had been excited by the opportunity to sleep in bunk beds and be away from home. However, they were also a little tired (though they would not admit it!) having not got to sleep until 01:30 because of people talking!

The Brownies had been divided into sixes and had to share the chores, but they were always supervised by a leaders. Some had cleaned the bathroom while others had helped with the cooking.

Charlotte Marchington, from 3rd Kennington Brownies, said it had been really good fun, adding that there were loads of adventures and it was good to do them with your friends.