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– 11,000 Girl Guides from age five-plus will camp with their families this weekend –
Dublin, 17/04/2020 – The 11,000 members of Irish Girl Guides (IGG) are preparing to Camp At Home tomorrow [Saturday 18 April 2020] night and they are encouraging members of the public to join them in this fun activity.
The girls from age five upwards will be camping with their families in tents or makeshift shelters either in their gardens or indoors.
Camping and overnight events are an integral part of the Guiding experience and at this time of year Girl Guides (age 10-14) and Senior Branch members (age 14-30) would usually be busy planning and preparing for camping both in Ireland and overseas.
Brownies (age 7-10) would also be planning for their weekend trips while sleepovers were introduced for Ladybirds (age 5-7) earlier this year.
To quell the inevitable disappointment felt by girls with the cancellation of this summer’s camping activities due to the coronavirus pandemic, IGG’s Regional Development Officers (RDOs) came up with the plan for a national IGG Camp At Home in which all members – and their families – could take part.
“When I was first introduced to this idea I felt it was a fantastic way to boost people’s spirits at this time,” says IGG Chief Commissioner Amanda O’Sullivan. “It is a worrying time for everyone and children and young people are feeling the stress and anxiety of the current situation.
“Since the introduction of social distancing and other restrictions, we have been promoting activities that boost the physical and mental well-being of our youth members and volunteers and we believe our Camp At Home will be a good diversion for everyone.”
Ms O’Sullivan said members of the public are encouraged to join in too. “You don’t have to own a tent,” she says, “Because all you need is a few rugs, blankets or duvets to make a shelter in your home. Children will love it!”
IGG has compiled a Camp At Home booklet with lots of ideas for fun activities and challenges to do during the camp. The booklet, which is free to download from the news section of the IGG website – www.irishgirlguides.ie – includes a link on how to make a s’mores (toasted marshmallows), which is a favourite with Girl Guides around the world!
“We hope this fun initiative will help people find healthy and positive ways to keep themselves active and busy, both physically and mentally, while at home at this time,” says Ms O’Sullivan. “We would encourage people to share their Camp At Home photos and videos on social media using the hashtag #IGGCamptAtHome.”
Over the course of the weekend IGG’s Senior Branch members will be especially busy as they will also be participating in an online 24 Badges in 48 Hours Challenge. The aim is to complete all 24 Ladybird Interest Badges in 48 hours. The badges include STEM, Cultural Diversity, Active Body, Disability Awareness, Healthy Mind, Performing Arts and Safety in the Home. Anyone who succeeds in completing 20 badges or more will earn a Ladybird Badge Diva Pin!
Irish Girl Guides welcomes youth members from age five-plus and adult volunteers from age 18+. No previous Guiding experience is necessary and ongoing training and support is provided. For further information, see www.irishgirlguides.ie or tel: 01 6683898.
Contact:
Fiona Murdoch, Communications Officer, Irish Girl Guides
Email: communications@irishgirlguides.ie
Tel: 085 8570565
Notes for editors:
Irish Girl Guides (IGG) has around 11,000 members throughout the 26 counties. Its 1,600 volunteer Leaders provide an informal educational programme of fun and challenging activities that foster confidence, independence and leadership skills in girls and young women, enabling them to develop to their full potential and to become responsible citizens. Youth members from age five to 30 can choose to earn a wide range of badges, including Aviation, Climate Action, Community Action, Cultural Diversity, Global Traveller, Engineering, Europe, Responsible Consumerism, Science Investigator and STEM.