Training and saying ‘Aloe’ to Vera

28th August to 2nd September

We had a jam packed second weekend of training!

The Friday night programme development focused on the themes we had created, what they mean to the APG and generating activities which fit into the themes. The overarching programme is:

“Through adventure, education and leadership, the APG will develop Health, Community Service, Environmental Awareness and Personal Development.”

From the previous weeks evaluation, it was decided to do Plan, Do, Check, Act Training in relation to Leader and girl recruitment, as this was a theme that members of the APG had requested to cover.

Some creative suggestions came out around the recruitment themes, including a Halloween Ball, the barriers to these were overcome.

Originally, we were going to facilitate the creation of a leaders handbook for the Beysima Leaders, however, we agreed with the APG leaders to broaden this to be a handbook for all leaders, with specific notes for each section. The contents was developed and each section of the handbook expanded, with some elements being written.

Along with some voting on the Scarfs, ‘Giraffe, Elephant, Toaster’ energisers and Bungalow songs, we successfully facilitated the weekend.

Following the training, we went to the Cultural Festival. A great show of the different organisations of Aruba involving some serious dance moves, which we tried to copy ourselves.

Monday, we said ‘Aloe to Vera’ to the Aruba Aloe Farm where we all got free ‘Dream Bar’ soap! Then onto Eagle Beach for some more swimming, before our evening evaluation with the board. We agreed the plan for the remainder of the week, including meeting the Governor of Aruba, a Padvinsters Scavenger Hunt and a Team Building exercise amongst any other things! 

Outside of the training we have also been learning new things

1. A plastic lettuce knife can be used to chop lettuce as metal oxidises with the lettuce.

2. If it’s difficult to open a jar, use a tin opener on the edge to pop the seal.

3. We all have ‘inny’ belly buttons.