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Welcome to Go For It! Take your toothbrush What s this Go For It! about? Planning on going away with Guides or want to find out what it s all about? This is the Go For It! for you! Whether you re having a one-night sleepover, or going on a holiday or camp, there are loads of activities here to help you get ready to have the best time ever, and tons of fun things to do while you re there too. It doesn t matter if you ve never been away with Guides before or if you re an old hand there s something for you. You can do anything from practising your camping skills, to organising a glittering awards ceremony, to making delicious holiday snacks and plenty in between. And after you ve done this Go For It!, your Patrol will be the one that s thought of everything when you are next away. Sound good? Then get going and don t forget your toothbrush! How does it work? Do one activity from the Get started section (pages 2 5), then choose three more sessions worth of activities from the rest of the pack. Depending on the time, you might be able to fit more than one activity into a session. You should spend at least four Patrol sessions (including planning time) on the Go For It! to gain the badge. If you re doing an activity from the Go For It! during your time away, this can still count as a Patrol session talk to your Leader and let her know you want to count it as part of your Go For It!. If you enjoy Go For It! Take your toothbrush, check out the ideas in the Take it further section at the end of the pack. Team work You ll need to work together all the way on this Go For It! there are lots of decisions and plans to be made. How will you make sure everyone s voice is heard? Think about everyone s strengths and how best to use them. Go For It! Take your toothbrush badge When your Patrol has completed Go For It! Take your toothbrush you will each gain this great badge! 1
Get started For every problem there s a solution. Choose one of these activities and see if you can get round some tricky situations to prepare for going away. Absolute agony Help out Agony Aunt Alice and give your advice then you ll be ready to help out any worried Guides in your unit. Pens Paper Read through these letters and come up with your own replies. 20-25 minutes Dear Alice, Last year at camp, some of the Guides I was in a Patrol with seemed to want to spend all their time talking about boys. This time there are Scouts on the camp too, and I think it ll be even worse! What can I do to get them more involved in the fun camp activities instead? From, Concerned Guide Dear Alice, Dear Alice, I m a bit worried about going to our Patrol sleepover. I love sitting up all night chatting, but when I m tired I get massive headaches that ruin the next day. What can I do? From, Sleepy Guide I m going on a Guide holiday soon and I m really looking forward to it. Except for one thing. Last time we went, one member of our Patrol was so untidy I couldn t cope. She left dirty clothes and personal stuff all over the place, as well as dropping litter and food. It looked horrible! Our Patrol got a bad name because of it and everyone was upset. This girl is still in our Patrol. What should I do? From, Tidy Guide Take it further Why not hold a question and answer session in your Patrol for girls who haven t been away before about what it s like to go away with Guides? 2
Food for all Some people have to be really careful about what they eat not because they re fussy eaters, but perhaps because of health reasons or their faith. Plan a delicious menu that everyone is able to enjoy at your holiday or camp, no matter what their needs. Pens Paper Food magazines/cookbooks (optional) Using the table below as a template, plan out meals for a day while you re away, leaving out food from one of these food groups: dairy, such as milk, cheese or butter meat nuts, including nut products such as peanut oil wheat, such as pasta, bread or pastry. 30 minutes Meal Ingredients needed Preparation time How it ll be cooked (eg on a fire, gas, oven etc) Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snacks Ask whether there is anyone in your Patrol or unit who has special dietary requirements why not plan your day s meals to accommodate her needs? Top tip You could use food magazines or cookbooks for ideas, but don t forget you re planning meals for your whole unit don t make it too complicated! 3
Take it further Ask your Leader if you can make one of these meals as a Patrol on your next camp or holiday. Why not design a cookbook of your meal ideas to help your unit feed those with dietary needs in the future? What are we going to do? Plan a fun day out in the area you re visiting. Books/magazines about the area or internet access (at home if necessary) Pens Paper 1. Research the area you re visiting and what there is to do there. For example there might be zoos, theme parks or museums to visit, or outdoor adventures on offer like hiking or kayaking. The internet is a great place to start. Type visit and the name of the place you re going to (eg visit Cornwall), into a UK search engine. You could also use the library to find inspiration, or contact the local tourist board. 2. Share what you ve found out and plan your ideal day. Think about the following things. Have you done the activity before? Why not be adventurous and search for something you haven t done? How many people can go? Is there something for everyone to enjoy? What happens if it rains? How will you get there? How much will it cost? 30 minutes in meeting plus research Top tip Do you know anyone who s already been where you re going? If so, ask them for advice. Take it further Why not give all your plans to your Leader to show her what you d love to do while you re away? 4
Survival guides Have fun in an unfamiliar place while being aware of risks and staying safe. Coloured pens Paper Magazines (optional) 1. Think about the place your unit is visiting, whether it s a big city or the remote countryside. Consider the places you re staying, the people you ll meet, how you ll travel and so on, and list the problems you might come across, no matter how silly they may seem. 2. Now come up with solutions and use them to make a survival guide to visiting that place! You could use pictures from magazines to liven up your guide. Take it further When you get back from your trip, can you add more information to your survival guide? 30 minutes What next? Now you have had a chance to think about different aspects of going away. What interests you the most? Check out the activities in the following sections: The great outdoors That s entertainment Nutty for knots! Fabulous food Get creative Choose which ones you want to do for the rest of your sessions on this Go For It!. Over the three sessions you should make sure you do at least one activity from three of the five sections. You can either plan the next three sessions in one go or allow time at the end of each one to plan the following session. Your Leaders will be able to help you with the planning. 5
The great outdoors Thinking of going camping? Or having an outdoor adventure? Try these activities and you ll be a pro in no time! Roly poly Fancy waking up in a soggy, muddy bed? Didn t think so. Once you ve learned to make a good bedding roll, every night at camp will be cosy and warm. A sleeping bag Two blankets A camping mat A groundsheet A small cushion/pillow Thick cord (3 4m should be enough) 1. Layer up your bedding and pyjamas. Then make them into a neat parcel by wrapping them up in your blankets as shown. 2. Lay your parcel on a groundsheet. Fold in the sides and roll the groundsheet edges in as shown, so you get a tight seal. 3. Secure with cord using a Packer s Knot (not sure how to do one? Find out!). Whose bedding roll is the tightest? 30 minutes 1 2 3 6
Top tip While you re practising, throw your bedding rolls around the room (making sure there s nothing in the way). Do they fall to bits? What if this happened to your warm, snuggly bedding while on camp? Take it further Do you dare to chuck your bedding roll in a bath or put it under a shower? It should stay completely dry Get cosy under canvas Find out more about different tents and why they are so much fun to sleep in! Tents Space to put up tents Camping magazines (optional) 1. Do your research. Know your tunnels and domes from your geodesics and ridges. Look at a camping catalogue or go on a trip to your local camping shop and find out the prices of a variety of tents. Discuss which seem good value. 2. Try it out. Ask your Leader to help you borrow some different kinds of tents from other Guide or Scout units and learn how to put them up. Which do you prefer? Lightweight tents are often quicker and easier to put up than old-style patrol tents, but they don t have as much room to get loads of girls in together for a gossip! 3. Look after it. Choose one type of tent (if your unit owns any, use one of those). Find out how to care for it and how to fix it if it breaks or tears. 4. Crawl in a tent once you ve put it up and imagine spending a night there with all your friends, talking by torchlight. Top tip Ask your local Senior Section unit to come and show you how to put up the tents, and chat to them about which they prefer. 1-2 meetings 7
Peg bash challenge Show off your tent peg skills. If it s raining when you get to camp, you ll be the first to get your tent up and take cover! Tent pegs Two mallets Open ground 1. Practise bashing in tent pegs. Your pegs should go in at a 45-degree angle to the ground. For wooden pegs use a wooden mallet, and for metal pegs use a rubber mallet. 2. Now take on the challenge! Split into two teams or play with another Patrol. Divide the tent pegs equally and make sure each team has a mallet. The teams have five minutes to bash in as many tent pegs as possible in a neat row do it as a relay race. 3. When the time is up, ask a Leader or a Guide from another Patrol to judge. They should count the number of pegs in the ground and award a point for each, then take away points for pegs not in a straight line or at the wrong angle. The team with the most points wins! The right gear Get to know the right stuff you need when you re out and about. A selection of outdoor clothing (such as waterproof coats, bags, boots etc) 1. As a Patrol, arrange to bring in a selection of outdoor gear. Your Leader could help too. 2. Set up a shop full of equipment. Two of your Patrol should take on the role of shop staff. The rest of you will be playing awkward customers looking for advice on buying equipment for your outdoor holiday. 3. The shop staff must be as knowledgeable as possible when it comes to advising customers on what they need make sure you pay attention to the areas the customers are visiting and think about the conditions they ll be in. Customers could be going jungle trekking, canoeing, potholing 4. Swap roles to give everyone a chance to be an awkward customer. 25-30 minutes 30 minutes Top tip Visit an outdoor shop to get some tips beforehand, and bring back catalogues to help you out. 8
That s entertainment! Sleepovers, holidays and camps are a great chance to get creative try these show-stopping ideas! The award goes to Hold your own awards ceremony. Try this before you go away to get to know each other better or at the end of your time away, once you ve collected some hilarious stories. Materials to make your awards Awards ceremony outfits (optional) 1. Design an award for each person in your Patrol. You could make certificates, badges, or even model mini statuettes from clay. 2. Decide who wins which here are some ideas to get you started: most enthusiastic in the mornings biggest smile most organised funniest jokes stayed awake longest. 3. Hold a glittering awards ceremony in front of the whole unit wearing glamorous outfits if you like! It s show time! Share your fabulous talents by planning a talent show for the last night of your time away. This could be for just your Patrol, or you could organise it for the whole unit. Any equipment required for your performance 1. Find out what everyone s good at it could be anything from magic tricks, to dancing, to making balloon animals. 2. Work out how much time you ll have for your show and divide up the time between your performers. 3. Prepare your outfits and equipment (you might need to plan in advance of your trip if you want specific things). 4. Enjoy your big moment! Top tip Anyone feeling shy? Make sure everyone s included by doing one big act all together. 1 hour 1 hour to plan and practise, plus performing time 9
Theme it It s fun to have an idea that brings everything together while you re away, so come up with a brilliant theme for your trip. Pens Paper 30 minutes 1. Sit down together in your Patrol and think of a theme that everyone in your unit will enjoy. Try to be inventive and use your imagination. Here are a few ideas, just in case you get stuck: festivals this could be religious festivals such as Eid-ul-Fitr or Hanukah, or cultural ones like Burns Night or Chinese New Year a country the area you re going to a book or TV programme a song a colour a season a decade in history sport. 2. Once you have come up with a theme, think about how you will apply it while you re on your trip. Your theme could be used for: the names of your Patrols while you re away activities you do the food you eat the clothes you wear. 3. Now pitch your theme idea to the rest of your unit. Perhaps other Patrols could do the same, and you could take vote. 10
Nutty for knots! Using wooden poles and knotted string or rope to make things is called pioneering. Bring this traditional Guide skill bang up to date by making fabulous and useful accessories. Top tip It s useful to know your knots before going away. These activities involve square lashing, snake lashing, reef knots and clove hitches. But don t be put off! Home comforts A good place to start is by making some things that might come in handy during your time away. Wooden pioneering poles String/rope An expert! Ask your Leader or a local Guiding or Scouting expert to teach you how to make one of these useful items or an invention of their own. 1 hour Rucksack holder Lantern holder Towel rack Perhaps you could practise in miniature using lolly sticks and string. When you get really good, you can make anything from chairs to swings to catapults. 11
Candle raft Try this fun idea. Lolly sticks String Tea lights Matches 1. Use a clove hitch to attach a long piece of string to one of the lolly sticks. 2. Use square lashing to make a flat square frame from four lolly sticks. 3. Tie off with a reef knot after each lashing. 4. Use snake lashing to attach more lolly sticks on top of the frame to make a platform. 5. Test your rafts out. You could use a padding pool, bucket, pond or stream be careful that they don t float too far out! Do they float? Do they carry a tea light? Whose stays afloat the longest? Whose goes the furthest? Take care Never, ever light candles or any other naked flames in a tent. Be extra careful around hot wax too! Take it further Why not try this after dark and use a fleet of rafts to create a beautiful light show? Take your toothbrush game Get together for 20 minutes of fun, whether you re impatiently waiting to go on your trip, have time to chill with your Patrol while you re away, or want to relive the best bits afterwards! Use the board overleaf. A die Counters Take it in turns to roll the die and move your counter round the board. Whoever makes it to the toothpaste at the centre of the board first wins! 30 minutes 20 minutes 12
13. 11. Relax until your next go 9. You ve washed up your dishes move on 1 space 8. 12. You don t help your Patrol clear up. G O BACK TO THE START! 10. 24. Nearly there, yo u just need a 2 23. You forget your swimming costume go back 2 spaces 22. You organise a campfire get everyone to sing a song 7. You forget your costume for the talent show go back 4 spaces 21. Chill out until Take your toothbrush your next g o 6. 14. You drop litter on your dorm next to you thinks of a forfeit room floor the person 20. 26. Well done, you made it! 25. Your Patrol is sad that camp s almost over tell a joke to make the girls giggle Now it s time to go home 19. You tell your Leader about a bully. Well done move on 2 spaces 15. Your tent blew down go back 4 spaces 16. You re off on a hike take a walk twice round the circle 1. Throw a six to move on 17. m 18. You ate too much id night feast miss a turn 5. Everyone else has gone to sleep early take another go while they re napping! 4. You re kind to START 2. You oversleep. GO BACK TO THE START! 3. your homesick friend move on 2 spaces 13
Fabulous food Going away with Guides is a great chance to try new food and enjoy some old favourites while getting everyone together round a table to swap tales of what you ve been up to. Chocs away Sweet and tasty fun for a holiday treat. A variety of ingredients, depending on which ideas are chosen (chocolate, hot chocolate, rose leaves, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, marshmallows etc) A fridge, kettle, saucepan, hob, wooden spoon (depending on which ideas are chosen) Try one or more of these ideas. Get everyone to bring along their favourite chocolate bar try and make sure everyone brings something different and have a blind taste testing. Has anyone changed their mind about which is their favourite? Try out lots of different kinds of hot chocolate. Use sachets so you can try more varieties without the cost. Create your own hot chocolate recipe you could use milk, grated chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg or marshmallows. Make some chocolate leaves to impress the rest of the unit you could decorate a cake with them! Collect some rose leaves. Wash them first and then coat them on the veined side with a thick layer of melted chocolate. Put them in the fridge to set, then carefully peel away the leaves. Campfire breakfast If you re on camp or are able to make a fire where you re staying, this is an unusual way to start the day. All ingredients are per person: 2 sausages 2 rashers of bacon 1 egg 1 orange 1 tomato Fire that has died down to hot embers Fire bucket with water (just in case) Soaking wet, green sticks Thick roasting foil Orange squeezer Sharp knife Tongs 30 minutes 30 minutes 14
1. Light a small fire and leave it to reach the hot ember stage. 2. Wrap the sausages and tomato in a double thickness of foil. Place the foil package in the embers using tongs. 3. Drape the bacon over the wet, green sticks, so that it hangs over the embers and starts to cook. 4. Cut the top off the orange and squeeze (or cut) out the flesh. You can drink the juice! 5. Break the egg into the scooped out orange. Put the top back on as a lid and carefully place the orange in the embers with tongs. 6. The cooking times for all your ingredients will vary depending on how hot the fire is, so keep a careful eye on your breakfast and make sure that everything is thoroughly cooked before you eat it (get a Leader to check if you need help making sure). Take care Be aware of any food allergies in your Patrol. Follow good food hygiene practice, eg washing hands, tying back hair. Be careful when using sharp knives and when around the fire. Edible energy When you re on a Guide holiday, you re likely to be busy for most of the day. You could be hiking the hills, paddling a canoe, rock climbing For all of this you need energy. Make these bars beforehand to keep you going. Dried fruit, cereals and honey are all good sources of energy. 100g butter 75g demerara sugar 75ml clear honey 225g porridge oats 75g no soak dried apricots 75g seedless raisins 50g shelled, split almonds 20cm square baking tin Greaseproof paper Large saucepan Oven with hob Metal spoon Oven gloves Sharp knife 1.5 hours 15
1. Line your baking tin with greaseproof paper. 2. Preheat the oven to 160 C/Gas Mark 3. 3. Place the butter, sugar and honey in a large saucepan. Stir over a gentle heat until the sugar has dissolved. 4. Stir the porridge oats, apricots, raisins and almonds into the melted butter, sugar and honey. Mix it well so that everything sticks together. 5. Put the mixture into the lined baking tin. Press it down with the back of a metal spoon. 6. Place the baking tin on a shelf in the centre of the oven. 7. After 40 45 minutes the mixture will be baked. Carefully remove from the oven using oven gloves and use a sharp knife to mark out squares. 8. Leave in the tin to cool, then carefully remove and cut along the marks to separate into squares. Take care This recipe contains nuts. If you know someone with a nut allergy, be aware that they must not come into contact with nuts or nut products at all. So it s no use picking the nuts out the person could still be badly affected. Just don t put them in! 16
Get creative Being away overnight gives you time to make something that takes a bit longer than just one meeting. And you all get something to take home that will remind you of the fun you ve had. Personalised pillows Create a gorgeous design and make your pillow unique! Paper Pens Plain pillowcase Fabric paints Brushes Newspaper An iron 1. Begin by sketching out your design on paper first, so you can get it just right before you do the real thing. Think about a theme how about nature, films or music? Or could you link it to the theme of your sleepover or holiday? Look at magazines or even pictures of existing bedding ranges for ideas. Make it fun and pretty. Perhaps you could design a matching set! 2. When you re ready to paint, spread newspaper on your working surface. 3. To stop the fabric paint seeping through to the other side of the pillowcase, put a wad of newspaper inside. Then get painting. 4. Let your design dry. Most fabric paints need ironing to set them read the instructions on the paint carefully. 5. Once you ve finished, compare your dazzling designs. Top tip Look out for cheap pillowcases in sales and cut-price bedding shops. 1 hour Take it further Make your pillowcase into a drawstring plate bag instead! 1. Fold over the open edge at the top of the pillowcase by about 2 3cm. 2. Thread through the string and sew up your fold, leaving one end at each edge open for the string to stick out. Make sure there is about 5 10cm of string either side. 3. Pull the strings to close your bag! 17
You ve been framed Display your favourite holiday photos in a beautiful natural frame. 12 thin twigs (you can also use canes, dowels or even straws) Low-temperature glue gun String Stiff card Photo of your Guide holiday 1. Look around for long, thin twigs. If you haven t got any trees in your immediate area, use dowels or canes instead. 2. Remove any leaves from the twigs and break six of them so they are about 27cm long. The remaining six should be slightly shorter and should fit the photo you are framing. 3. Arrange the twigs into a frame shape. The picture on this page will help. 4. Secure the twigs with a little bit of glue while you wrap the corners with string. Can you find out how to square lash? 5. Glue the ends of the string down to keep the frame together. 6. Glue the twig frame on to the card. 7. Trim your photo to fit in the middle and stick it on. 8. To finish off, stick a loop of string to the back of the card. The frame is now ready to hang up. 40 minutes Top tip For a summery touch, add a fabric flower or two. 18
Cultural creations Dip into the culture of another country and be inspired to create something fantastic. This is an especially good activity to do if you ve chosen to give your trip an international theme. Access to the internet or a library (optional) Craft materials as required 1. Make a list of the countries you re interested in. A map might help! 2. Now list things that are associated with those countries. For example, Japan chopsticks, sushi, kimonos, origami, karaoke, rock gardens, miniature trees. If you do some research, you might find out something new about the country. 3. Use this list to decide on something you could make for yourself. What about a new item of clothing or an accessory, a work of art, an ornament or a mini garden? 4. Grab your craft materials and get making! Quick ideas If you re stuck for creative ideas, have a go at learning a brand-new skill on your holiday, camp or sleepover. Craft materials/ingredients as required Pick one of the following arty activities, or think of something else you d like to try. Glass etching decorate glass with permanent frosted patterns. Decoupage update an object by coating it with pretty paper and varnish. Wirework jewellery make eye-catching jewellery using wire. Manicures and pedicures give each other a makeover with some arty designs. Body art use face paints to try mehndi patterns or create your own designs. Art with food making dinner or dessert? Think about the colours you use and where you place food on the plate to make it look beautiful. Can your Leader or Guide friends help you find an expert from your community who could come and teach you how to do these? This depends on the creation you choose to make This depends on the activity 19
Further info Where to go Find out more about areas of the UK you could go to at www.visitbritain.com. Fancy going to the seaside? Discover the best places to go here: www.goodbeachguide.co.uk. Looking for a trip that s full of adventure? Girlguiding Training and Activity Centres (TACs) and PGL both offer action-packed holidays in locations across the UK and overseas. Visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/activity_centres.aspx and www.pgl.co.uk/ guiding to find out more. Enjoy your stay come rain or shine find out what the weather holds for you at www.metoffice.gov.uk. Places to stay Girlguiding Training and Activity Centres for more information visit www. girlguiding.org.uk/activity_centres.aspx. Your local Girlguiding campsite or building check out your County s website. Youth hostels for a list of locations use http://hostelfinder.org.uk/. Getting there Why not take public transport? It s good for the environment and can be lots of fun. Trains start at the National Rail enquiries site: www.nationalrail.co.uk. Buses search for the local bus company in the area you re going (eg Newcastle bus ) for timetables and routes. Ferries are you going somewhere with a river? Find out whether you can travel on the water. Go by bike get help and advice from Sustrans, including maps of the National Cycle Network: www.sustrans.org.uk. Resources and ideas Great for campfires get musical while you re away with Let s Hear it for Music!. Ask your Leader if she has a copy you can look at. Icebreakers or activities check out the ideas on the Guides website: www.girlguiding.org.uk/guides/activities/index.html. Games prepare for camp with this fab online game: www.girlguiding.org.uk/ Guides/games/campsite.htm. Take it further If you enjoyed this Go For It!, why not try Go For It! Camp out Guide Camp Permit badge Camper badge Camper advanced badge Holiday badge Outdoor cook badge 20
Notes for Leaders A balanced programme One of your responsibilities is to ensure that your Guides experience a balanced and varied programme. Chat to the Patrol and find out what their plans are encourage them to choose a variety of different activities. Remember you can ensure a balance by doing unit activities, games and so on in addition to Go For Its!. Safety Ensure the Guides are safe. You should always adhere to the rules within The Guiding Manual and, depending on the girls ages and abilities, you may need to give extra support with: staying away from home in unfamiliar surroundings the use of specialist equipment such as tents the use of knives and fire personal and food hygiene allegies and what to do in the event of an allegic reaction. The Guide Association 2013 Project Coordinator: Jennifer Giangrande Project Editor: Jessica Feehan Series Designer: Yuan Zhuang Girlguiding is an operating name of The Guide Association. Registered charity number 306016. Incorporated by Royal Charter. 21