To commemorate 100 years since the formation of the Brownie section of Girlguiding, Brownies around the UK have been invited to Big Brownie Birthday Stay Aways.
In partnership with PGL girls and their leaders have undertaken stays in locations where, in many cases, they have not visited before and this has formed part of their Brownie Adventure.
Nearly 600 Brownies and leaders chose to visit the Island’s PGL at Little Canada, Wootton over the first weekend of the school’s Easter holiday.
All the girls undertook the many activities that PGL has on offer. On Saturday evening a special camp-fire and sing song was organised but due to the weather conditions this had to be undertaken indoors. There is nothing more that brownies like than a traditional camp-fire sing song and it was some of the Island’s leaders together with a Brownie who made the camp-fire something to remember.
There were special rates for the stays with Girlguiding and PGL forming a partnership and the Island venue included free ferry travel.
However not needing this part of the deal were two local Brownie Units- 11th Newport and 1st Binstead who with over 40 girls and leaders joined in the fun of the weekend.
Emily Kirby (8) from 11th Newport said “The quad bikes are awesome- I really enjoyed my ride.” Three Brownies from Beckenham, Kent agreed that the Isle of Wight was fun- “We especially enjoyed the trip on the ferry.” Brownies from Fulham experienced mud for the first time-dirty socks and trousers were a bit of a surprise.
Clare Langley, leader of 11th Newport said” It’s great for the local girls to join in with the wider Brownie family. One of the best aspects of Girlguiding is meeting new friends as well as learning new skills.”
It was Clare with another 11th Newport leader Kay Burnley-Smith who got up on stage at the sing-song. Brownie Zara Mills (10) a member of 11th Newport Brownies led the last song, the Funky Chicken. Following on from the singing the 11th Newport leaders led the Promise renewal. A 30 minutes disco rounded off the evening.
One Binstead Brownie Phoebe Walls had a special day whilst at the stay away as she celebrated her 8th Birthday.