We had a busy Autumn/Winter term. We completed our first aid badge and Dick Tracey from South Central Ambulance Service kindly visited to teach us how to safely use the village’s defibrillators. We were delighted that the Chair of the Parish Council came to present our certificates.
Some of our Guides attended the Oxfordshire Guide Get-Together at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, near Banbury, braving the weather to find out about equine health care and behaviour – listening to heart beats, examining poo, discovering the differences between donkeys and horses and watching how the staff gain the trust of their rescued horses.
We also had Guides attend the Oxfordshire Camp Permit Taster Weekend to improve their camping skills and find out more about planning their own camps. They tried out a variety of backwoods cooking recipes, built altar fires and prepared a hearty breakfast with trangia stoves. They risk assessed then completed an assault course challenge, developed their budgeting skills and learned about dealing with emergencies.
We took part in the slightly damp but thoroughly enjoyable Abingdon Division night hike and campfire and the District trip to Christmas at Blenheim to see the lights, try roasted chestnuts and toast marshmallows.
Term finished with a variety of winter-themed activities including looking at Christmas traditions, performing our own mini pantomimes, cooking stuffed potato skins, making peppermint creams and chocolate truffles and our annual festive sleepover with party games, Christmas craft and Rudolph pancakes!
After the festive break, 2017 began with some international activities. Focusing first on African, home to the fifth Girlguiding World Centre, we enjoyed some African drumming and played some traditional board games. We have more international activities planned for the term and are also looking forward to a trip to the KADS pantomime.
Guides is for all girls aged 10-14. If you’d like to join in the fun, visit our website: www.kenningtonguides.org.uk
