A Bitterne Park Girlguiding group could be forced to close if more adults don’t volunteer to help run sessions.
The 1st Bitterne Park Guides, which celebrated its 100th year in 2017, meets at Moorlands Community Centre in Townhill Way.
According to the group’s leader Delga Kavulok, it “now boasts 27 girls, a little bit more money in the bank and one patrol tent”.
But she said that although there are “on paper enough leaders”, in reality people often have other commitments, so it can be difficult to sustain volunteer numbers to run the sessions within safety guidelines.
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So who could become a leader and what should they expect?
”Anyone over 18 (ladies only I am afraid) with or without experience of Guiding is welcome.”
“They need to be able to clear the criminal background check and need to like teenage girls, be up for anything and expect the unexpected.
“Most of all they need to be prepared to be part of shaping a young girl’s life, and of making a safe environment where the girls can be given opportunities for adventure and challenge, while encouraging them to think for themselves and make their own decisions.
“It is rewarding and humbling, as you watch the timid 10-year-old join, and leave as a confident 16-year-old, and you know you have helped them on that journey.”
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can email Delga Kavulok for more details.
Girls wishing to join can also find out more from Delga, or be registered on the Guiding website which will show the nearest unit. All units apparently do slightly different things, but activities range from camping and residentials to cooking, rock climbing, archery, craft, circus skills and more.
Age groups:
Rainbow Guides are 5 to 7
Brownies are 7 to 10
Guides 10 to 16
Rangers 16 to 20
Young Leaders 16 plus
Adult leaders 18 plus
Most units charge about £2.50 a session, and there’s an annual sub that goes to Guiding HQ to cover insurance etc of around £38.
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