Second Briefing: Top Seven Things We Learnt

Pippa here, sharing an update after our second team briefing weekend (though with lots of input from my fellow team members). During the weekend we did some role-specific training and I heard about the blog which our team leader Helen contributed to during her trip to Cambodia last year (you can read it here). Taking inspiration from some of their formats, here's a 'Top Seven Things We Learnt at Second Briefing".

1. We can run a successful training activity together. 

First thing on Saturday morning we ran a training activity on Girlguiding's programme renewal for three other GOLD project teams. And it went really well. We thought about the feedback we received and will use this in the next trainings we run.

2. Glue guns and safety pins are excellent tools for fancy dress assembly. 

Our team leader, Helen, came prepared with all the tools we needed to assemble our costumes for the Best of British themed evening entertainments. We had the 'Adult Literature' category and a guest appearances from Gandalf the Grey, Arthur Dent, Lord of the Flies, 39 Steps, Frankenstein and Guiding Magazine.

3. WAGGGS have some pretty useful resources. 

WAGGGS stands for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Three representatives from their programme department ran a session for us and introduced us to resources we could use on our project. Have you heard about the Climate Change Challenge Badge or Prepared to Learn, Prepared to Lead?

4. And cute mascots can make any subject engaging.

During one of the activities in the WAGGGS session we were tasked with summarising Fit for Work, Fit for Life. We liked how it helped young women work out what skills they had and what they needed for their career, but also the cute mascots for each module. So much so that we have created our own to use in Aruba!

5. Mental Health is as important as physical health. 

On Sunday we had the opportunity to choose which of 3 training sessions we attended. Three of Team Aruba attended a training session on mental health. After learning about what mental health is and the importance of mental wellbeing before, during and after project we came up with a plan of how we can look after ourselves and each other on project. Our favourites were beach yoga, 30 second dance party and "trash and treasure".

6. It was the last time all the 2017 GOLD Teams would be together.

Second briefing was the last time where all the GOLD participants for 2017 will be in the same place at the same time! The next time some of us will meet is at debrief as our third and fourth briefings are just our teams. Team Aruba will be at second debrief in November (with teams going to Ghana, Estonia and Rwanda).

7. We have lots of reading to do!

At the weekend we were introduced to so many wonderful resources by Girlguiding UK, as well as WAGGGS. We're going to be using these as some inspiration for delivering our own training on Aruba. Following Saturday night's quiz on adult literature created by Bridget it would seem most of us need to get reading up on our British literature too!

Until next time.

GOLD Team Aruba