Introducing GOLD 2018 - Episode 6

Caroline

Hi everyone! I’m the written documenter for GOLD team Aruba this year! Basically, this means keeping you up to date with what we have been getting up to – but don’t worry, I’ll make sure you hear from the others too, so the sound of my voice won’t send you to sleep ;)

So, who am I? A question I’m not sure even I can answer, but within Girlguiding I currently split my activities between two regions: in Anglia, with Cambridgeshire East, I have been a member of the Cambridge University Scout and Guide Club since 2011, where I’ve held various committee positions throughout the years and have enjoyed both running and participating in a rather eccentric programme of activities, varying from organising a dinner which the chief guide attended, to punt jousting – maybe best not to ask about that one! At points during my time in Anglia I helped open and run a Rainbow unit and did my Gold Duke of Edinburgh “alternative” expedition – the experiences of which taught me a lot about travelling with a wheelchair!

In LaSER (London and South East Region) I am still attached to my own Brownie unit where I first made my Girlguiding promise at seven years old. Having just turned 26, my Brownies and I have decided that I should “graduate” from my young leader name (Rabbit) to my leader name (Wheely Owl) – it’s taking some getting used to, I still answer to “Hi Rabbit” in meetings, supermarkets and other odd places I come across my girls! I’m the only person in our unit with a “going away with” license and am planning a 4-night pack holiday with a theme of Harry Potter later this year – I’m starting the extra sleep now!

Internationally in Girlguiding I have been to both the Canada World Scout MOOT in 2013 and the Iceland World Scout MOOT in 2017 which increased my interest and enthusiasm. Travelling abroad alone in a wheelchair is not an option (if I’m travelling by air), highly inadvisable (by any other form of transport) and thoroughly boring (if you’re a social bunny like me) so the opportunity to travel within Girlguiding is a unique one for me that allows me the freedom to continue to feed the travel bug that I’ve got and to allow me to be a part of the international community.

In my “other” life, I was a medical student a little while ago and have a degree in Natural Sciences. Since achieving that I have also taken courses in calligraphy and watercolour painting – definitely more challenging than medical school as far as I’m concerned. I play the French Horn, love singing, am getting back into dancing (how many times has tap dancing come up on bios of our team this year?), love spending time with my friends and family and going on adventures, however big or small.

My GOLD story started back in 2012 and I was SO excited to be picked to go to Aruba this year – although not as excited as I was when we all got to know each other at our 1st briefing weekend. I am really interested to see where our project leads us. The 2016 and 2017 teams have done a brilliant job in setting up various aspects of the GOLD journey in Aruba and I’m sure they have left an expectation of high standards behind them! I can’t wait to hear more from Aruba about what they want and am really looking forward to working with and learning from them. I think it will really boost my own confidence too, my Brownies will be talking and doing all things “Aruba” for ages after I come back, and I am hoping to use my Aruban experiences to help me become a Trainer here in the UK.

Introducing GOLD 2018 - Episode 5

Rebecca

Hi! I’m Rebecca and I’m going to be looking after everyone as the First Aider on this year’s GOLD project in Aruba. I’ve been involved in Guiding since I was a Rainbow, and am currently a Guide leader in Hertfordshire and Lincolnshire. GOLD will be my second international trip with Girlguiding – my first was to the USA and Canada as part of the Senior Section Centenary celebrations.
Outside of Girlguiding, I work in the food industry launching new products onto the supermarket shelves. This means I get to try lots of new food before it becomes available to the public! I love music, and much of my free time is spent playing in orchestra or with my band.

I’m really excited about being involved with GOLD! I’m looking forward to working with the Aruban leaders, passing on the skills and techniques we have learnt and seeing how Guiding works in Aruba, and making new friends along the way.

Introducing GOLD 2018 - Episode 4

Nicki

Hi! I'm the Photographer and Videographer for this year’s GOLD project in Aruba. This means I need to get some great photos of the team in action, and of the Aruban Guiding members we meet, to visually document our GOLD journey. My photos will often accompany the written delights from our Written Documenter, which you’ll be able to see on our blog and social media pages, so get following!

I am currently an Occasional Helper at Brownies, and before that I was an Assistant Leader at a Brownie Unit in a different town. I am also the Chair of Marketing and Communications for my County, as well as Webmaster, and used to be part of the County Recruitment team. I was a Brownie briefly when I was younger, but left Guiding until 4 years ago when I joined as an adult leader. 

For work, my job is in Online Marketing at a global, well-known home-electronics company. I’m a bit of a geek, so I really enjoy finding out about new technology and new products. 

In my spare time I like to spend time with my family and friends, go for walks, photography, as well as playing video games. I also really like wildlife and love watching the birds that visit the feeders in our garden – I have my own wildlife blog that I try to update when I can.

I am really looking forward to the whole experience in Aruba. I have never been on an international trip with Girlguiding before, so I can’t wait to see what is in store. My plan is to become a Trainer once I return from Aruba, so I’m really looking forward to training the Aruban Guiding members and meeting some awesome people.

Introducing GOLD 2018 - Episode 3

Emma

Hi! I’m 28 and I’m from Haslemere, Surrey. I’m the trip treasurer, so I have to keep track of our spending while we’re in Aruba, and make sure we’re not eating too many ice creams!

I’m the Leader-in-charge of 2nd Shottermill Brownies and an Assistant Leader at Haslefold Rangers. I’ve been in Guiding since I joined Rainbows shortly after my 5th birthday - I even volunteered with Girl Scouts when I lived in the USA on an exchange year during university! I’ve been on a few international trips with Girlguiding, including leading a Girlguiding LaSER trip to South Korea, but I’m really looking forward to the new and different challenges that a GOLD trip entails, particularly in my role as treasurer. 

Outside of my Guiding life, I’m a teacher in a special school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It’s a very demanding job, where I’m always on the go, but it is incredibly rewarding and no day is the same! I also enjoy tap dancing and singing in Haslemere Rock Choir. In the little spare time I have left, I’m planning my wedding in 2019.

I am really excited to be taking part in GOLD. I’m looking forward to meeting members of Aruba’s Guiding organisation and helping them to develop. I’m also hoping to make some fantastic friends for life in my GOLD Aruba 2018 teammates.

Introducing GOLD 2018 - Episode 2

Sophie

Hello everyone!

I am a 26 years old Children’s Nurse from South West London. I have been involved in Guiding since I was 5, being a Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and young leader and currently am a unit helper with Brownies. I call myself a ‘freelance’ guider as I currently volunteer between 2 different Brownie units, including day trips and residentials, shift work dependent! I have been lucky enough to enjoy several different international opportunities with Guiding before, and recently have been on the staff team for a couple of different UK based international Jamborees. I love exploring new cultures and making friends around the world!

I am very excited to have been selected to be part of GOLD Aruba 2018! I am most looking forward to being able to share my passion and enthusiasm for international Guiding and teaching/training, from my career and experience with Aruban Guides and leaders (Padvinsters) while making new friends along the way.

I am generally a very organised person who likes planning and co – ordinating and so am looking forward to my role as ‘resources co – ordinator’. This will involve making sure we have all the appropriate resources, including materials and plans before delivering trainings in Aruba.

When not working on the ward or Guiding, I enjoy exploring the outdoors, tap dancing, singing and going to the theatre with friends. I love musical theatre and all things performing arts weather watching or getting up on stage! I have recently taking up running in preparation for participating in the 10K London Vitality Run as part of my ARUBA challenge.

Introducing GOLD 2018 - Episode 1

Hello and welcome to the journey of GOLD Aruba 2018!

Before we start, the team would like to say thank you so much to the 2016 and 2017 teams for all of their wonderful stories and excellent advice and guidance so far - we really appreciate it!  

So, to 2018... let's meet the first team member! 

Emily

Hello! I’m the leader for this years GOLD Aruba team. This basically means I am trying to be extra organised to make sure everyone knows what’s going on!

I’ve been a member of Girlguiding since I was a Brownie and currently I’m a relatively new leader at a fab guide unit in Abingdon and I’m really enjoying the challenge of adapting my Guiding skills to guides (this is my first time helping with a guide unit as I’ve previously volunteered with rainbows and brownies!). I also volunteer as part of the Girlguiding international team where I support members of Girlguiding who attend WAGGGS events and seminars (amongst other things!).

In my work life, I’m a chemist and I spend my time in a lab making chemicals, wearing a white lab coat and funky purple safety specs! I have also really nearly finished my PhD… Just a couple more corrections to go!

In my free time (of which there is not so much) I enjoy going on walks, spending time with my family and friends, playing board games and trying out new food to both eat and cook :)

I am really excited about participating in GOLD again this year and can’t wait to meet the members in Aruba and learn all about Guiding in their country. I’m also really looking forward to being a part of our wonderful team of UK Guiding members who are already working so hard to make sure the project is a great success :)