Tuesday 22 February 2011

Happy Thinking Day

A day of coincidences!

Lord and Lady Baden Powell (founders of Scouting and Girlguiding) shared a birthday - today! Now celebrated by members of Girlguiding, throughout the world, as Thinking Day.

I was not a member of Girlguiding as a child, but with a birthday of 22nd February, I was unlikely to remain uninvolved, particularly when my daughter joined Brownies.

Most often falling during half term, when many packs and groups do not meet, it can be difficult to convey the significance to the younger ones. My Brownies next meet on 1st March, when we shall celebrate both Thinking Day and St David's Day. We tend to pick a region in the world which has Brownies. Learn what they are called, what their uniform looks like, learn to say a few simple words in their language and, if possible sample their food. A few years ago we picked Australia and, in an attempt to convey distance, and time difference, we spent the evening in pyjamas, with our teddies, and ate breakfast. We always re-new our promise - adults and children alike. The older ones still remember our pyjama party, but struggle to remember why we did it - we did our best!

A few years ago, one of my Brownies emigrated to New Zealand. Girlguiding will be in my thoughts today, with particular time spent in thinking of those in New Zealand, in the light of this morning's news.

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