Self Reflection Outdoor challenges Indoors inset 3

Just goes to show how easily the audience changes and the impact this can have on the whole training. This time there were 17 leaders and a big percentage were new leaders and it felt like they were a bit stunned really! The village hall was brilliant what a wonderful place to do Brownies. I think this Division gets the award for being the most able to adapt and reflect on activities!

I remembered the origami fish instructions but forgot the tea, coffee, sugar and milk! Truth to tell I'm bored with this training now and time to move onto something new!   

Self Reflection Adventure Indoors training inset 2

Lovely appreciative Division - they might be the furthest away from me but they are such a lovely lot to train! You just have to look out for the wild boars on the drive home. 10 leaders were booked in and 23 ish turned up. They weren't shy at joining in, and used the small corridor in the school for the snow ball fight. They also proved that leaders can be as messy as the girls (glue all down the outside of the bottle) - well they were doing a challenge from the messy challenge! I forgot the origami fish instructions so in true guiding style leaders taught themselves and each other.

The questions during the formal bit focused in on data protection of the starting section forms and how long they could realistically be retained. We were fortunate to have the County GO! expert in attendance. There were very interested in the educational framework which I think is good because most of the audience were experienced leaders. They helped clear away and were so complimentary one said it was one of the best trainings they had been too.

I'm always willing to go back to this Division to train!

Self reflection on Adventure indoors training inset 1

We tried a new format for Inset week to be taken around all of the Divisions within the County - the formal training part was only 30 minutes long in section groups and the remainder of the evening there were challenges to try, with the objective of getting a challenge badge and including a café with food activities and the opportunity to network. I think the Leaders thought they were going to hear about the new programme so there was a fantastic turnout (22)!

The café format went really well and there was lots of talk going on about adapting the activities on offer to suit the girls.  I was amazed at the lack of knowledge of the 5 Essentials to start with but the dedication of Good Guiding is ..... shone though. Feels like we have gone full circle now when I first started training leaders were saying "we don't want to play games and do activities" but this time they came in saying "wow this looks good" and I think we got approached for more section questions because it was quite informal. The resource pack of the challenges, tied with a guiding blue ribbon, was won by a brand new leader who was really excited to take it away and the other leaders were pleased for her. Everyone was given a handout with URL's for the resources and stating the source of the activities on offer on the night including several from Rustle, Bustle.

The biggest surprise for me was the enthusiasm with which the challenges to get the whatever the weather challenge badge were received. As a county we had previously decided not to have a training badge but I hope that gets re-visited after this training.   

At the start of the session we had nobody booked in and I only did 12 handouts thinking that they would use at the next 2 trainings. Luckily the DC was able to photocopy at the venue but we really need leaders to let us know they are coming - I assumed it had been cancelled so nearly didn't attend! The format was a lot of work for the trainers in making examples, laying out and clearing away but I think the Leaders appreciated it. We also got off to a good start promoting the messages from the Trainers conference  -  less on programme and more on methods and participation by the girls.