‘Guiding played a pivotal part in my Gaisce journey’

Congratulations to Carol Martin, a member of Charleville Senior Branch and a Leader with Smartie Brownies, who recently received her Gold Gaisce Award!

Here Carol, who joined IGG at the age of six, writes about all that was involved in achieving the Gold Gaisce and how she is currently working towards IGG’s Golden Sun Award:

I started my Gaisce journey in 2015 and since then I have achieved all three Gasice Awards as well as my Bronze Star and Silver Moon. I am currently working towards completing my Golden Sun Award.

I started my Gold Gaisce in 5th year and finished it a week before my Leaving Cert began.* It was tough at times to balance school and completing the award but with the help of my Guide Leader and PAL, Norah Butler, I got through it.

For my Gold Gaisce/Golden Sun, I volunteered with my local Brownie Unit and loved it so much I became a fully warranted Leader. For my personal skill, I learned the cello and was lucky enough to play in the National Concert Hall with my local orchestra. I also did yoga weekly as my physical activity.

Guiding played a pivotal part in my Gaisce journey. I volunteered as staff at IGGNITE for my residential project.  I loved every minute of it, I made so many new friends but also saw people from previous local and international camps.

For my adventure journey, I walked the final 120km of the French Camino with my Senior Branch group. It was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done but I got through it with the support of my Guiding group.

Through Guiding I have made so many memories and made three of my closest friends who I know will always be there for me.

*Carol is now studying Maths and Education at the National University of Ireland Galway