the explosive science of lava lamps! - irish girl guides

Spring 2017 Issue No: 642

WOMEN IN STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHS)

2016 NATIONAL GUIDE AWARD

WINNERS

UNIT PREPARATION FOR IGGNITE

THE NEW 40 AND 50

YEAR SERVICE AWARDS

ROVERWEEK 2017

EXPERIENCE

* * * * *

* * * * *

The Explosive Science of Lava Lamps!

2 Trefoil News | Spring 2017

NEWS FROM EXECUTIVE

EXECUTIVE NEWSThe Executive Committee of the Irish Girl Guides meets to discuss policy issues and to ensure the successful running of the organisation for our members. Below are some of the decisions made at the January 2017 Executive Committee meeting.

Re-appointments and re-electionsCongratulations were expressed to Claire Colfer and Jenna Goodwin who were re-appointed as Assistant Chief Commissioners for a further one-year period and to Anne-Marie Slevin who was re-elected as Regional Commissioner for West and Central Midlands Region.

OGM BookletA booklet on OGM has been published and will be distributed free of charge to new Commissioners, Leaders of new Units, Regional Commissioners, RDOs, OGM Champions and Trainers. It will be available for all others online on OGM, the website or by contacting National Office.

Promotion of warrantsIt was agreed that, in future, a list of those Leaders who receive Assistant Leader and Leader warrants will be published in Trefoil News so that they can be congratulated on their achievement publicly.

Risk Management ReviewThe Executive Committee reviewed IGG’s Risk Management Strategy, as a result of which the likelihood and impact of some risks was increased. A new potential risk was added i.e. overburdening of Leaders with paperwork/compliance work.

Why we are girl-only statementThe wording of a ‘Why we are girl-only’ statement for IGG was approved and will be put on the website.

Equality and Inclusion policyIGG’s policy statement was amended to include a sentence to the effect that “Anyone who lives their life as female is welcome to join” and “male adults are welcome in a supportive role as Unit Helpers”. The Executive Committee agreed that guidelines for Leaders regarding the inclusion of transgender members would be developed and training provided.

IGG Accounts PackageAn Excel-type accounts package has been drawn up to help Units to maintain their accounts on computer. This package is available on OGM and all Committees and Regions need to use it for 2017’s accounts.

IGG’s Trust CorporationThe Companies Registration Office has changed the name of the Irish Girl Guides Trust Corporation Limited to Irish Girl Guides Trust Corporation Company Limited by Guarantee. IGG’s Constitution and the Memorandum and Articles of Association will be amended to reflect this change.

Constitution and Bye LawsProposed amendments to IGG’s Constitution and Bye Laws were approved by the Executive Committee. These proposed amendments will be brought to the General Council meeting on 1 April 2017 for ratification.

Ratios of Senior Branch members/adults to girlsA discussion was held on the ratios of Senior Branch members under 18 years of age to girls in Ladybird and Brownie Branch age groups for meetings, outings or overnight events (Brownies only). Some amendments were also made to the adult ratios, the details of which will be printed in the online Handbook.

Uniform skirtCurrently, Guides are permitted to wear a Guide skirt as part of uniform and Leaders may also wear a skirt. The other Branches do not have this option so it was decided that a plain navy skirt may be worn by members of all Branches.

Annual summary of complaintsThe Safeguarding Membership Officer reported that three formal complaints had been received in 2016 and Reporting Officers assigned to investigate each case, which are now closed.

Warrant form for Leaders and CommissionersA draft new warrant form for Assistant Leader, Leader and Commissioner warrants was approved by the Executive Committee. Checklists for each warrant will be printed on the reverse. The new form will be put on the new IGG website.

Continuity plan for volunteersA draft continuity plan for volunteers was drawn up. Once this is finalised, the document will be added to IGG’s guidelines.

Council of Irish Guiding Associations (CIGA) A presentation was made on the evaluation of CIGA that was carried out at the CIGA AGM in November 2016. The following IGG members are on the current CIGA Committee:• Jessica Byrne, Vice Chairman• Nuala Cooke, Treasurer• Lorna Finnegan, International Commissioner• Margaret Wynne• Lynda Harvey

3Trefoil News | Spring 2017

Contents

Trefoil News | Spring 2017

Published By Irish Girl Guides, Trefoil House, 27 Pembroke Park, Dublin 4.

Printed By Richardson and Watts, 36 Thornville Park, Raheny, Dublin 5.

The Editorial Team of Trefoil News reserves the right to edit material submitted.

ContactsSubmit your articles, photos or queries to [email protected] Advertising queries to [email protected]

Above NEXT STEPS PHOTOSTop: Thérèse Joyce and Caitríona KellyMiddle: Marie Mulhall and Caroline FlanaganBottom: Karen Frazer and Liz Downes

Spring 2017 Issue No: 642

Editor’s Note...Hello everyone,

In this spring, science-themed edition of Trefoil News a number of key articles highlight the link between women and careers in science and the Branch resource pages spill over with fun science experiments and activities. Remember.. the OGM symbol on a page indicates that the featured activities are available in full on OGM.

You’ll also read about Trefoil Guild’s 2017 targets and Gaisce guidance; video skills and cottage holidays; 2016 National Guide Award winners and international opportunities in Denmark and Georgia. Lots to get everyone excited about 2017!

On a personal note, having just taken on the role of Publications Officer, and with very big shoes to fill, I look forward to immersing myself in the world of Trefoil News. I sincerely hope to honour the work and activities that you all undertake with IGG.

Claire de [email protected]

News from Executive Committee..........................Contents and Editor’s Note.......................................Trefoil Guild and Staff Updates................................Message from the Chief Commissioner..............IGG Diary and Notices.................................................Noticeboard......................................................................Video Skills.........................................................................IGG in the Media..............................................................Focus on Mote Park Cottage....................................Focus on Orchard Cottage........................................IGG and Science..............................................................Out and About.................................................................IGGNITE Camp................................................................IGGNITE Products on Sale.........................................Ladybird Resources.......................................................Brownie Resources........................................................Guide News and Resources.......................................Senior Branch News and Resources.....................International News and Notices..............................

2345678910111213-1516-171820-2324-2728-3132-3536-39

On The CoverKinsale Brownies making lava lamps during Science Week

InsertFlyer: Tara’s Palace Childhood Museum, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow


Trefoil Guild in 2017

Spring is the time of year for looking forward and planning.

What are Trefoil Guilds’ new targets for 2017?

First Target To strengthen our place as a fifth Branch where adults can enjoy activities for adults and every adult member can see that there is a place for them in Trefoil Guild. (Hopefully some of this will have happened at Next Steps.)

Second Target Launch our new Handbook and draw up plans for the best way to use this resource.

Third Target Encourage members to take up the Evergreen Challenge by producing some ‘Helpful Hints’.

Fourth Target To produce a suitable programme for the lone members of Trefoil Guild including social and Guiding events.

Fifth Target Continue to maintain contacts with Trefoil Guild in Northern Ireland, Federation of Irish Guides and Scouts (FIGS), and International Scout and Guide Fellowship (ISGF).

For more information, contact Hazel Convery at [email protected]

TREFOIL GUILD AND STAFF

STAFF AT IGG - UPDATENaomi Levins, Accounts AdministratorSome of you will already have been in touch with Naomi, who looks after accounts in National Office. Naomi also supports the National Treasurer and the Grant Secretary. Naomi has worked in the areas of hospitality management, administration and finance including some time working overseas. She loves jogging and cooking family meals. Naomi’s daughter is a keen member of Brownies and Naomi herself enjoys the work and camaraderie at National Office.

Valerie Ennis, Receptionist“I am really enjoying my new role as Receptionist in Trefoil House. There is a lot of variety to the job and always plenty of work to be done, which I find rewarding. I received a really warm welcome at National Office and all the staff have been very supportive during my settling in period. My previous roles have included administration, sales and training.I've been volunteering with IGG since my daughter joined Ladybirds in 2013; I am a Leader with Esker Brownies in Lucan. I am also a keen volunteer with my local Tidy Towns group. Outside of work and volunteering I love to go hiking with friends and I am very fond of watching movies with my husband and two children”.


From the Chief Commissioner

Dear Fellow Leader, On my drive to work this morning, the sun was just rising and sending out rays of deep red across the cold dark sky and I relished the anticipation of a warmer spring approaching and the beginning of the brighter mornings. I love this time of year when every day brings a slightly longer blank canvas of daylight and the list of possibilities for activities with the girls lengthens. It allows us all to look towards the summer and consider the wide array of things we do in Guiding to help the girls (and ourselves!) to grow and develop. I am already looking forward to the summer of 2017 and our International camp IGGNITE!

2017 got off to a great start with our Next Steps event – a weekend of activities to help national committees and staff work together to develop the future of IGG. It included an informative session from Martin Coughlan of Symantec about online safety which helped us learn more both personally and as Leaders. Emma Coogan of Articulate Now helped us develop Elevator Speeches to enable us to explain to people what IGG is about. This had us all vocalising why we love Guiding so much at the end! We were honoured to be joined by Amanda Medler, former vice-Chair of Europe Region who led us to consider why we don’t grow more and helped us realise the barriers that may be preventing us from being

able to offer Guiding to more girls and women.

But it wasn’t all work as we also held the inaugural IGG selfie competition with many entries from the 130 women present and each team had the chance to win the coveted Cube challenge!

Thanks to all volunteers and staff who took part in Next Steps and helped create a buzzing atmosphere where the energy and enthusiasm bubbled over into our own Units and Committees the following week. A special

thanks to the organising team under the leadership of Carina Egan.

This spring has also brought some recent media coverage which has highlighted our continued intention to be inclusive and to be a true representation of the diveristy that is our society. At times like this, I often think that the Baden-Powells had great wisdom in calling Guiding and Scouting ‘movements’, not associations. We do move with the times and we will continue to move forward and to grow.

Best wishes to you and your Unit for the impending springtime and bright evenings.

Yours in Guiding,

Helen Concannon Chief [email protected]

International Postcard Competition Winners

Congratulations to Naran Gillen from St Aideen’s Ladybird Unit, Howth, and Isa Boland from Kenmare Brownies

who are the winners of our International Postcard competition.

We hope both girls enjoy their Lottie dolls. Watch out for a new Brownie Lottie doll set to join the Lottie family soon...

Thanks to all the Ladybird and Brownie Units who entered our competition. The committee loved looking at all your colourful designs and had a really difficult time selecting the winners.


IGG DIARY AND NOTICES

FEBRUARY

17A-wear-ness Day on 17 February (or another day around that time). If you haven’t already done it, try it this week! Posters were issued via weekly email Newsletter or can be obtained from

[email protected].

22World Thinking Day on 22 February.

25 NPT meeting on 25 February.

MARCH

10 Deadline for applications for the Georgia Link is 10 March. Applications on the International Application Form must be returned to your District Commissioner. The team is seeking four

members who will be aged 16 - 18 in July this year and two adult Leaders, who must be available for IGGNITE 2017 and will help with the Georgia Camp, which will take place in summer 2018 (date TBC).

26 IGG International Permit Training Course takes place on Sunday 26 March (venue TBC). You must hold this permit to take a group abroad and only warranted Adult Leaders who hold a

Senior Campcraft, an Indoor Licence or a CO Licence can apply to attend. Please contact [email protected] for more details immediately, as booking closes 18 February.

31 Deadline for nominations for WAGGGS Olave Awards on 31 March – see www.wagggs.org

APRIL

01 Executive meeting on 1 April.

02 Irish Girl Guides General Council meeting on 1 April for all Commissioners. Venue in Dublin City to be confirmed.

10 Summer Trefoil News will arrive with you on 10 April.

MAY

06-07 Timpeall an Domhain finals take place on 6 - 7 May.

20 Guide Cookout will take place on 20 May.

JULY

30 IGGNITE Camp dates July 30 to August 6.

AUGUST

04 Don’t forget! Brownies and Ladybirds Day Out at IGGnite Camp on Friday 4 August at a cost of €30 per girl (no cost for Leaders), including travel.

DIARY

Frequently Asked Questions

about Unit Finances

Q1. Some Units don’t have their own bank or post office account – can they share an account with other Units in their District?A. It is not necessary for each individual Unit to open bank accounts. However, it is stressed that each Unit must produce its own individual set of accounts for auditing purposes as

Leaders of each Unit are only responsible for the money they collect/spend.

Q2. Do I have to have a Unit bank account?A. No, each Unit does not need to have an account of its own but it is recommended that Leaders do not have large amounts of cash in their homes or going through their own personal accounts. Therefore having a bank/PO/CU account through which they can lodge census money, camp fees etc. is best practice in order to protect oneself.

Q3. Do I have to fill in account details this year?A. We are asking Units to fill in their account figures on OGM for their 2016 accounts by 31 January 2017. However, it is not compulsory to do so this year but it will be next year due to charity regulation. We need as many Units as possible to do it this year so we can learn from the process and fix any pitfalls in advance of next year when all our financial information will have to be available to the public as per new statutory regulations.


NOTICEBOARD

CENSUS 2017Census Deadlines

The deadline for completing all requirements and submitting your Census 2017

was 31 January. The deadline for receipt of payment in National Office, along

with your Unit Invoice, was 14 February.

If you have not completed your Census or sent in your

membership fees payment, can you please do so immediately.

If you have any issues, please contact the Membership

Administrator at [email protected]

or phone 01-6683898.

The new IGG 40 and 50

Year Service Awards

In Guiding we volunteer our

time and efforts to benefit

others. Many “thank you’s”

and “very well done’s” are

often said, but sometimes

it is nice to formally acknowledge the work that

our volunteers have put in.

Often these formal awards

are seen to be for those who

have put in lots of time over

many years, but this is not

the only case. IGG wishes

to recognise everyone’s

contribution to Guiding.

IGG Long Service Awards

recognise the length of

time someone has volunteered with the organisation as an adult

member and are available

in increments starting with

five years of volunteering.

The number of years counted is the summative

number of years of service

excluding years of absence

such as time away overseas,

childcare or study leave, etc.

For any of the Long Service

Awards, the recipient must

still be an adult member

of IGG and have given

a minimum of 20 hours

service each year. Should a

Leader leave IGG (i.e. break

her service) but re-join at

a later date, then the new

service will be added to her

service history.

We are delighted to introduce a 40 year service

award which is ruby in colour

and will be presented to

volunteers at Regional

Conferences.

And... this year at General

Council we will present

the first 50 year service

awards - what an amazing

commitment to give to

Guiding - 50 years of

volunteering! All those

whose record on OGM

shows 50 years will be

contacted to see if they

would like to receive the

award and will then be

invited to General Council to

be presented with it by the

President of IGG. If you feel

you are due your 50 year

award and haven't been

contacted by us, please

get in touch with National

Office.

International Insurance

International Insurance has increased to €15 per person. For any queriesplease email Laura [email protected]

UNIT FINANCES

The new IGG Unit

accounts package is

available under ‘National

Resources’ on OGM.

International Travel

Don’t forget to send your C4 forms to the Support Officer if you are travelling abroad. Forms must be submitted a minimum of three months prior to departure!

PENPALSWe have lots of Ladybirds, Brownies, Guides and Senior Branch Units all over the world looking for penpals. If you are interested in learning more, please email Laura at [email protected]


VIDEO SKILLS

Have you noticed how the most popular social media posts these

days are ones with videos or pictures?

Videos and photos are a great way to show our friends and followers what IGG members get up to! We’ve given you tips before for taking good photos. This time we thought we’d share some hints for making – and sharing – short videos. We hope lots more of you will make videos and share them on social media – on your own accounts and sharing on IGG social media too.

Given the quality of smartphones these days, it is so easy to make good quality videos! When making a video, aim to capture the fun of

an activity, or what girls are learning from the activity … or both! A video doesn’t have to be long; people’s attention span is short and 8 seconds can be long enough to capture

the essence of an event or activity.

Before filming, ask yourself:• What information do I

want to communicate?• Who is my audience?• What action do I want

people to take afterwards? e.g. visit the IGG website, invite friends/followers to become Leaders etc.

When filming:• Make sure people’s faces

are well lit• Try and keep background

noise to a minimum• Avoid camera shake. Use a

tripod if you don’t have a steady hand. A makeshift ‘tripod’ can be made by cutting a slit in the top of a cardboard coffee cup and inserting your phone into it.

If filming without editing: ask the interviewee a question and then hit record; immediately stop recording when the person has finished answering the question. Upload the video to social media once you’re happy with it and have given it a title and hashtags.

If you are going to edit the video, you might want to take extra footage in order to show

the action from a few different angles.

To edit video:• Create a YouTube channel

(if you don’t already have one)

• Upload video to YouTube (using round red button)

• Give the video a title and description

• Keep video privacy set to ‘Private’

• Click on Creator Studio, then Create and YouTube Video Editor

• Edit video and add text, if you wish

• Once you’re happy with your video, click Upload and share on social media

Film-maker Thady Kavanagh recently delivered a session to members of the IGG Media Panel on making and editing videos using a smartphone. He created a number of videos about editing, which you can see here >> http://www.thadykavanagh.com/iggvideos. They’re really helpful!

Lights, camera, action!By Fiona Murdoch, IGG Communications Officer

Have you seen our professional Free Being Me video yet with Free Being Me ambassador Emer Foley and IGG members from Cork? If not, watch it now >>

http://bit.ly/2id2j4O. Share the video with your friends and help boost the self-esteem and body confidence of a whole generation of girls and young women!


Jenny Giangrande @JennyGiangrande (Programme Manager, WAGGGS) Jan 13Hear from the girls and leaders in Ireland who’ve experienced #FreeBeingMe! great vid https://youtu.be/mZ4WVUxmfjU @IrishGirlGuides

GirlGuidingNZ @GirlGuidingNZ Jan 12GirlGuidingNZ Retweeted Irish Girl GuidesLove hearing about the fabulous #freebeingme programme in NZ & around @wagggs_world Shout out to @IrishGirlGuides #bodyconfidencerevolution

Mary Beare Aust @marybaust Jan 3One of my 1st tasks for 2017 - making sure our @IrishGirlGuides OGM is up-to-date! #censusready

Cllr Karen Furlong @karenffurlong Jan 25So proud. The little one is being enrolled as a ladybird into @IrishGirlGuides today. Fantastic organisation!!

Zeminar @zeminarevent Dec 9Our first talk is ready! It’s Emer Foley of the @IrishGirlGuides #Empowerment #bodyconfidence

Robyn McDonald @RobynLMcDonald Dec 8Guiding = life skills = YES! Cute video too via @IrishGirlGuides @MinifigsMe applies to #girlguidesofcanada & #SistersInGuiding

IGG IN THE MEDIA

IGG in the MediaMaking the Headlines

Bandon girls receive highest Guiding award The Opinion 2 December

Delgany girls help launch Good Turn Week Wicklow Times 6 December

Girl Guides’ goodwill campaign to benefit families across country

Lucan, Ballyfermot and Clondalkin editions of The Echo

8 December

Girl Guides do Good Turns Nationalist and Munster Advertiser

8 December

Guiding Lights lead the way Meath Chronicle 10 December

Lucan Brownies helped launch Good Turn Week Liffey Champion 17 December

Muff Girl Guides’ cheque presentation Inish Times 21 December

Girl Guides help the homeless Wexford People 27 December

Louth Village Girl Guides present a defibrillator Dundalk Democrat 27 December

* * * Don’t forget to check out www.irishgirlguides.blogspot.ie * * *


THINKING OF YOUR PACK HOLIDAY OR CAMP?

HOW ABOUT THE RECENTLY REFURBISHED

IGG COTTAGE, MOTE PARK, CO. ROSCOMMONThe Irish Girl Guides Cottage in Mote Park Demesne, Co. Roscommon, situated approximately three miles from Roscommon Town, was purpose built for groups of Girl Guides, Scouts and other groups to enjoy the amenities of Mote Park either in the cottage accommodation or camping on the 4 acre grounds. The facility is fully wheelchair accessible.

Getting to Mote ParkIrish Rail: Roscommon Station – Athlone; Westport lineDirect Dial Irish Rail Group Booking: Kathy O’Donnell at 091 537539 or [email protected] or Elaine Sheridan at 091 537554 or [email protected] Rail will arrange a group rate as per day/time of travel and reserve seats together.Taxi/Mini-bus: Padraig Healy - 086 2714879 (mini-bus seating up to 15 approx. €20 from train station to Mote Park Cottage)

CottageDorms 1 and 2 (7 bunk beds – sleeps 14; 5 bunk beds – sleeps 10).Bedroom 1 and 2 each with 3 beds and vanity unit.Fully-refurbished kitchen and dining room. Two showers, three toilets, separate toilet and washroom.Games/meeting room - stackable tables and chairs.

CampingThe camping area around the centre comprises four acres with toilet block, showers and two altar fires. Outside sheds available for wet gear or secure storage. Covered area for outdoor games.

What to doForest Trails can be downloaded from:www.coillteoutdoors.ieComprehensive details of activities and events in the area: www.visitroscommon.com

***New to Roscommon town – Local Link Route 570***A regular bus service from Roscommon to Boyle and on to Lough Key Forest Park - best known to the IGG for hosting CAMP101! The route stops at other tourist destinations including Strokestown House and Cruachan Aí.

BOOK YOUR PACK HOLIDAY/CAMP/MEETING/EVENTTELEPHONE JOANNA ON 086 237 2616.

Visit our website www.iggcottageroscommon.com or ‘like’ our Facebook pageto keep up with news.

FOCUS ON MOTE PARK COTTAGE

RECENTLY

REFURBISHED !!!


FOCUS ON ORCHARD COTTAGE

The North East Region is certainly well worth considering if you

are planning a trip away with your girls. There is an abundance of places to visit, whether it’s for a day trip, a holiday or a camp.

Orchard Cottage

Our beautiful Guide Cottage is Orchard Cottage. Orchard

Cottage is situated only a few minutes from Oldcastle in Co Meath (6km) and Mountnugent in Co Cavan.

The cottage has: sleeping accommodation for 14 on bunk-beds (large bunks can sleep 2 Brownies) and a separate Leaders’ room that sleeps 4; a day/dining room that seats 40; 2 inside toilets, 3 outside toilets, 1 washroom and 2 showers; a gas cooker, toaster, and fridge/freezer; and space for outdoor activities.

A campsite adjoins the cottage. There are separate

campsite toilets (3) but no separate washrooms or showers. A kitchen is not available to campers.

For bookings contact: Adrienne Denning, Tandra Lane, Edenbert, Virginia, Co. CavanTel: 087 4117527Email: [email protected]

Places of Interest near

Orchard Cottage

Loughcrew Adventure Centre is just minutes from Oldcastle, Co Meath and only an hours’ drive from Dublin. Activities include

team building, zip lining, archery, climbing walls, and witches ropes. Full and half day activity packages are available. Sliabh na CaillaighClusters of Megalithic Cairns are dotted around the Sliabh na Caillaigh hills at Loughcrew. The main concentrations are on Carnbane East where Cairn T is the centrepiece and Carnbane West where Cairn L is located.Visit www.knowth.com

Trim Castle, where the wonderful Braveheart movie with Mel Gibson was filmed, is situated beside the Boyne river in Co Meath.Tel: 046 943 8619Email: [email protected]

Causey Farm is a fun-based venue for a variety of entertainment, tourism and educational programmes. They provide interactive cultural experiences in a friendly atmosphere for Irish and international groups, as well as fantastic seasonal events for families and individuals. Visit www.causey.ie

For walking or hiking in the area there is Virginia Forest Park,

Mullaghmeen Mountain, Loughcrew Estate, Cuilcagh Mountain and Marble Arch Caves.

Focus on Orchard Cottage


Women in STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)

Lack of awareness and role models is often a barrier to participation

in many areas of life. This is crucially apparent in the lower amounts of Irish women involved in STEM careers (that’s Science, Technology Engineering and Maths). It is important to encourage young girls to explore all their interests in possible careers and to avoid them shutting off areas completely.

Science is a vital part of all our lives. Ladybirds are learning science at school so give simple experiments a whirl! Brownies and Guides can earn their Science Investigator badge and Senior Branch have a world of engineering and science competitions open to them.

In fact, we in Irish Girl Guides are lucky to have as a member

the 2013 BT Young Scientist, European Union Young

Scientist and 2014 Google Science Fair Award Winner,

Emer Hickey, to show that Guiding and science are a

terrific combination.

When exploring famous scientists with Guides, learn

about Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock (who happens to have dyslexia along with

her PhDs and presents the BBCs’ The Sky at Night),

Rosalind Franklin, Margaret Hamilton, Aoibhinn Ní

Shuilleabhain, Marie Curie, Grace Hopper and many

more.

A final suggestion to really get your budding

mathematicians, engineers and scientists buzzing: why

not take a trip to Dublin’s Science Gallery or

Belfast’s W5?

Brownie Activity: Invite a science teacher or someone interested in science to your meeting and find out more about science from them.Badge Link: Brownie Interest Badge, Science Investigator No. 15

Guide Activities: 1) Ask a scientist, engineer or medical professional to talk to you about their work.2) Find out more about two famous scientists.Badge Link: Guide Interest Badge, Science Investigator No. 15, 2b and 2c

Sources/Useful links:Women In Technology and Science Ireland (WITS) - http://witsireland.com/cms/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/life-society/science-technology/irish-scientists/http://primaryscience.ie/http://www.irishgirlguides.ie/index.php/igg-news/279-young-scientist-emer-encourages-girls-to-give-guiding-a-gohttp://dyslexia.yale.edu/aderinpocock.html

IGG AND SCIENCE


OUT AND ABOUT

KINSALE BROWNIES

Kinsale Brownies

enjoying their Olympic-themed

holiday at Leigh Dale Cottage.


OUT AND ABOUT

KENMARE GUIDES AND SENIOR

BRANCH

Enrolment in November 2016 on Bere Island. “Cracking day, fab

hike and picnic, and we enrolled our new Guides and the first,

new Senior Branch girls. Very happy girls and

Leaders. Our Units are thriving down here in

the South West!”

Lauren is the eldest of five sisters who have all been Ladybirds, Brownies

and Guides. Her four sisters are currently members of Ballybay Guides.

BALLYBAY ENROLMENT

Ballybay Guides recently enrolled their only Senior Brancher, Lauren Mooney. Lauren was enrolled

during the Guides’ Christmas outing to the local bowling alley. Members of the Unit can be seen

doing the mannequin challenge in the background.

Good quality, clear photos, with all girls and Leaders in full uniform, make for the

best IGG photos!!!


OUT AND ABOUT

We also have girls with allergies to dairy and nuts, so we tried dairy-free and alternative chocolates

too. It was a tasty and informative time, and we all agreed to carry on with the Guide Chocolate Badge.

Since then, the girls have also become aware of the packaging of products and have found Fair

Trade skincare products, coffee, bananas and other products and have committed to buying them!”

CARRICK-ON-SHANNON GUIDES – FAIR TRADE CHOCOLATE TESTING

Carrick-on-Shannon Guides have been working on the

Global Awareness portion of their Voyager Journey. They

were interested and concerned to learn about Fair Trade and found the breakdown of profit

to be so surprising. “When we pursued Fair Trade

chocolate for our taste-test, we expected to find only expensive

dark chocolates, but we were surprised when we found that some of the big mainstream companies, such as KitKat and Dairy Milk, now make

inexpensive Fair Trade bars.

BRAY LADYBIRDS AND GINGERBREAD

Bray Ladybirds rolled dough, cut out gingerbread people with cutters and baked

them. They added the final touches by decorating them.

BALLYBAY ENROLMENT

Ballybay Brownies who were enrolledon 1 Dec with Leaders Eleanor Wilson

and Paula McQuillan.

LOUTH AND MEATH EDUCATION AND TRAINING BOARD- GRANT CEREMONY

Millmount Guides, Cuchulainn, Monasterboice and Tullyallen Guides

from Drogheda, Loughcrew Guides and Drogheda and Monasterboice Senior

Branches with Mayor of Drogheda, Oliver Tully, and Louth and Meath ETB Youth

Officer, Ian Walker.


THE COUNTDOWN TO

CAMP IS ON!!!

All of us here on the IGGNITE 2017 team are working hard behind the scenes to make sure that camp will

be an amazing experience for all of you. We appreciate all of your help so far, and we encourage you to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We post lots of updates there and in the run up to camp we’ll be running fun competitions. You can find us by searching for IGGNITE 2017. We’ll be posting updates during camp too, so feel free to share the Facebook page with the families of your girls attending camp.

To those of you who are doing their own fundraising over the next few months, we wish you good luck. Keep sending your pictures in to us, we love seeing them and all of the brilliant, innovative ways that you have been raising funds. We are delighted to announce our partnerships with a number of charities and

organisations. We wanted to collaborate with groups that have an ethos close to our own, and that shared our vision. We will be working with the following groups throughout IGGNITE 2017.

► Trócaire is an Irish charity that works with partners in over 20 countries in the developing world to empower communities in developing their lives, meet their basic needs and ensure their human dignity. In Ireland, Trócaire raises awareness about the root causes of poverty and injustice, and advocates for change. This is where our partnership comes into play. We feel that at IGGNITE 2017, we can promote the aims of Trócaire in a fun and interesting way.

► Concern is an international humanitarian organisation, dedicated to tackling poverty and suffering in the world’s poorest countries. At IGGNITE 2017, we aim to run activities on the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) which match with the aims of Concern. In many ways, what Concern is trying to do, lines up with our Guiding Laws and we are looking forward to the girls at camp participating in activities to prove this.


► UNICEF is an international organisation which has teams of people working hard to provide nutritious food, safe clean drinking water, vaccines, education and protection to more and more children around the world. UNICEF will be coming to camp on our Festival day, which means that not only the girls, but you Leaders too, will get to participate in activities run by UNICEF.

► In addition to working with these charities, we also received funding from WAGGGS to plan and run Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities during camp. We were delighted and honoured to have been named one of the winners of the WAGGGS Stay Connected competition. We are going to be working very hard over the next few months to make sure that every girl gets the chance to explore the STEM activities at IGGNITE 2017.

Unit Preparation ► Have you held/made plans to hold

a parents’ evening? Some girls may never have been away for this long before and parents can sometimes be apprehensive, so it is a good idea to give them as much information as possible to allay any fears they may have.

► Have you agreed who will do what jobs on site? Have you a CO (Camp Officer); QM (Quarter Master); MO (Medical Officer)? For larger groups some of these jobs may need two people to take care of them. If these things are decided far enough in advance, then there is plenty of time to prepare.

► If you are sharing a site/camping with another group, then invest some time in letting the girls from both Units mix.

► Make out Patrols/duties nice and early. Again, this will make everything easier for you.

► Check all your equipment in advance and devote some meetings to making the girls really, really familiar with putting up and taking down the tents you will be using. The more familiar they are with them then the easier it will all be on the 30 July.

IGGNITE 2017

Q & AWe often get questions sent to us via the Facebook page, or via email, so we thought we’d publish the most common ones here!

So, what are the dates for IGGNITE 2017 again?IGGNITE 2017 is from Sunday 30 July to Sunday 6 August.

When are final payments due to be paid? Final payments are due by 4 April.

Are tents being provided for us to stay in? If you are a member of the Irish Girl Guides, you have to bring your own tent to IGGNITE 2017. If you have international guests, you will need to provide a tent for them too.

I have a Guide coming who has medical equipment that will need to be charged overnight. Are there facilities for this?Yes, there are. Please email the IGGNITE team at [email protected] to let them know before you arrive at camp.

Are there showers for staff to use?Yes, there will be showers for all IGGNITE 2017 campers to use during the week.

I’ve seen people wearing IGGNITE 2017 clothes and carrying an IGGNITE 2017 bag. Where can I get them?The National Office Distribution Centre has supplies of all IGGNITE 2017 merchandise which will also be available to buy at IGGNITE 2017. Please see overleaf.


IGGNITE 2017

IGGNITE Clothes and Accessories

Check out the cool IGGNITE gear and accessories on sale at the IGG Distribution Centres. They are for sale for a limited time only so ...

... when they are gone, they are gone!!!

Check out our websitefor many more items!!!

TO PLACE AN ORDER:PHONE: 01 660 5503EMAIL: [email protected]: http://irishgirlguides.buy.ie/catalog/index.php

Note: Items are subject to availability.

Specially designed projects for secondary school and university students!

Volunteers will have the opportunity to spend 1-2 weeks building safe and decent

homes alongside families in need. If you are interested in applying, email

[email protected] or call 01 531 0033. For more info see www.whabitatireland.ie

build withHabitat for Humanity

travel to Zambia or Romania with students from around Ireland!

www.habitatireland.ie #buildwithhabitat


IGG IN THE MEDIASpecially designed projects for secondary

school and university students!Volunteers will have the opportunity to

spend 1-2 weeks building safe and decent homes alongside families in need.

If you are interested in applying, email [email protected] or call 01 531 0033. For more info see www.whabitatireland.ie

build withHabitat for Humanity

travel to Zambia or Romania with students from around Ireland!

www.habitatireland.ie #buildwithhabitat


LADYBIRDS

PHYSICAL PROCESSESForces in Action Earth, Sun and Moon

Have fun experimenting with science while at the same time completing some of the compulsory and choice challenges. There

are lots of experiments to choose from!

Energy Transfer(Kinetic energy)

Materials needed: A football; a tennis ball

Hold the tennis ball on top of the football, with one hand on top of the tennis ball and the other hand on the bottom of the football. Drop the two balls at the same time. The tennis ball should bounce high in the air.

Note: This is kinetic energy where the energy from the football is being transferred to the tennis ball. Energy is never lost, just transferred into different kinds of energy.

Badge Link: Discover No. 4

Wind Energy – Make Air Bubbles

Materials needed for each Ladybird: Small cup of drinking

water (half-filled); a straw

Ask the Ladybirds to dip the straw into the cup of water and blow into the

straw. Watch for the bubbles. The air is being forced into the liquid

but can’t stay in the liquid and comes back to the top as a

bubble.

Creating ShadowsMaterials needed: A torch;

an object (e.g. a box)

Stand a good distance away from the object placed in the middle of the

room. Shine the torch on the object and look for the shadow.Now stand closer to the object and shine

the torch on it. The closer you get to it the bigger the shadow becomes.

Try different objects and look at the shapes of the shadows.

Badge Link: Fly No. 10

Movement of the EarthAround the Sun

Materials needed: A small yellow ball or balloon (for the sun); another small ball (blue/green for the earth); a hula hoop (the path the earth follows around the sun); a bauble with a long string (about 12in/30cm)

1. Place the yellow ball in the middle of the hula hoop on the floor.2. Ask each girl to try to roll the blue ball around the inside edge of the hula hoop. (Note: It takes one year for the earth to travel around the sun)3. As each girl moves the blue ball around the hula hoop, a second girl can try to swing the bauble around the blue ball 12 times. (Note: The moon moves around the earth in almost 28 days)

Badge Link: Discover No. 4


Human BodyKeeping Yourself Healthy: Make an

Irish flag with fruit

Materials needed: Green grapes, banana (sliced) or melon (cubed) and segments of mandarin oranges; cocktail sticks

Each girl gets a cocktail stick and picks pieces of fruit in the order of green, white and orange. Explain the colours of the flag.

Badge Links: Fly No. 6 and Choice Challenge No. 5

LADYBIRDS

HEADBANDMaterials needed for each Ladybird: A green rectangular piece of card to fit the Ladybird as a headband; three paper shamrocks in white card; colours; and glue

Each Ladybird gets three shamrocks. Colour one side of one shamrock green; colour one side of the second shamrock orange; leave the third shamrock white. Now the Ladybirds can glue their shamrocks onto the green card (headband). The headband can be glued or stapled to fit the Ladybird.

WANDMaterials needed for each Ladybird: one Jumbo straw; two green paper shamrocks; glue and glitter; one green pipe cleaner

Glue the two shamrocks together leaving a gap at the stem to insert the straw. Sprinkle some glitter onto the shamrocks. Insert the straw. Wrap the pipe cleaner around the straw. Alternatively wrap green, white and orange pipe cleaners around the straw.

WRISTBANDMaterials needed for each Ladybird: A green length of card to fit a Ladybird’s wrist; a paper shamrock in white card; colours and glue

Each Ladybird gets a shamrock to colour in green, white and orange. Now the Ladybird can glue it on to her green piece of card (wristband).The wristband can be glued or stapled to fit the Ladybird’s wrist.

FOR SAINT PATRICK’S DAY MAKE A.......

SAINT PATRICK’S DAY GAME

SAINT PATRICK’S DAY ACTIVITESLIVING THINGS

Game: ‘Green, White, Orange’ or, in Irish, ‘Glas, Bán, Oráiste’When the Leader shouts green, the Ladybirds practice their one, two, three Irish dance.When the Leader shouts orange, the Ladybirds practice a dance from another country e.g. ballet which is French. For example, a ‘piquet’ is standing on your toes and doing a twirl.When the Leader shouts white, the Ladybirds shake hands.Note: This game introduces a more international cultural theme to the Irish flag and proposes the idea of making friends between countries.

Badge Links: Interest Badges, Ladybird Irish Culture and Traditions (options 1 & 2) and Ladybird World Guiding (option 1)

Plants and AnimalsHow Plants Grow: Plant something and watch it grow

Materials needed: Green, white and orange bottle tops (one for each Ladybird); plastic lids from Pringles tins (one for each Ladybird); cotton wool balls; glue; and shamrock seed

Each girl should glue a green, white and orange lid (to reflect colours of Irish flag upright) to a Pringles tin lid. Put some dampened cotton wool balls into each of the green, white and orange lids together with the shamrock seed. In addition to this, the pringle tin lid could be glued to a green shamrock. Bring it home and watch it grow.

Badge Link: Grow No. 1


SOLIDSSolidity of Paper

Materials needed: A5 sheet of paper; a metal or plastic 6in/15cm ruler; shallow plate of water

1. Immerse the ruler in the water. Remove it from the water, dry it and see if it is still in one piece.2. Immerse the piece of paper in the water. What happens?

The paper absorbs the water losing its solidity whereas the metal or plastic is waterproof allowing the ruler to stay solid.

Badge Link: Fly No. 10

Solidity of WaterMaterials needed: Ice cubes in a cup

1. Bring along a bag of ice-cubes in a freezer bag to your meeting.2. At the start of the meeting, let the girls see

the ice cubes in their solid state. 3. Ask some of the Ladybirds to help put some ice cubes in a cup.

By the end of the meeting, the ice cubes will have melted into their liquid state of water!

LIQUIDSFloating Egg

Materials needed: 1 egg; water; salt (6 tablespoons); a tall drinking glass

1. Pour water into the glass until it’s about half full.2. Stir in the salt.3. Carefully pour in plain water until the glass is nearly full. Be careful not to disturb or mix the plain water with the salty water.4. Gently lower the egg into the water and watch the egg float into the middle.Why? Because the salty water in the bottom of the glass is denser than the water at the top of the glass.

Floating OrangeMaterials needed: An orange; a deep bowl; water

1. Fill the bowl with water.2. Put the orange in the water and it will float.Note: The tiny air-holes in the rind of the orange give the orange a lower density than the water. Now peel the rind off the orange and watch the orange sink when it’s placed in the water.

GASESVolcano

To create a volcano, check out the Brownie activity on page 25. Watch how baking soda and vinegar react with each other. Carbonic acid splits into water and carbon dioxide causing an eruption.

Try adding some colour to the vinegar to create a more colourful explosion!

Important Notefor Leaders:

Care should be taken when doing these experiments. Make sure to avail of some extra helpers to help prepare the experiments and tidy up afterwards. Make sure to explain the experiment and the materials being used. It’s important that the Ladybirds listen to the instructions as health and safety of the girls is a priority. Baking soda and vinegar are not for eating! Always be careful when doing games or experiments with water and ensure that the Ladybirds are supervised.

LADYBIRDS

Mother’s Day Arts and CraftsIn Poland, Mother’s Day is celebrated on 26 May, the same day every year. Traditionally, a card is made with paper flowers (known as Laurka) with a verse inside.

Materials needed: A5 blank card, sheet of petals/flowers, scissors, colours, glue

Draw out a sheet of petals/flowers for Ladybirds to cut out and decorate on one side only. Ladybirds can then glue the flowers to the front or the inside of the card to make a posy of flowers. Write “Happy Mother’s Day” on the front or inside of the card depending on where the flowers are glued.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!


LADYBIRDS

Eyes:Place a straw into

a glass of water and notice the crooked

straw when you look at it through the

glass.Nose and

Mouth:Try eating a piece of

banana while pinching your nose. If you can’t smell

it, you can’t taste it! Now try eating another piece of banana without pinching

your nose and enjoy the banana taste.

Ears:Tap a blown up

balloon and listen to the louder tapping sound it creates when

holding the balloon up to your ear.

Hands*:Mix some play

sand and warm water. Let the Ladybirds feel the

gritty mixture. They can make some ‘mud’ handprints*. When the Ladybirds wash their hands

afterwards, let them feel the cold water on their hands and then the warm water. Which

is better for washing away the dirt?Badge

Links: Fly No. 10*Interest Badge: Camp Cape, No. 5

Easter CraftDecorate an Easter Egg with Fruit

Materials needed: Small paper/plastic plates, coloured sheets of A5 size paper, selection of fruit (washed), plastic forks or cocktail sticks

Cut out oval shapes (Easter eggs) from the A5 sheets to fit on the plate. Each girl gets a plate and an oval shape. Explain to the girls that they are going to decorate their Easter egg with fruit. The girls then select their fruit using plastic forks or cocktail sticks and decorate their eggs.

Badge Links: Fly No. 6 andChoice Challenge No. 5

Make a Bird FeederMaterials needed: An orange or an apple per Ladybird, wool/twine, chocolate or peanut spread, hole punch, small butter knife or glue spreader

Each girl should peel an orange. The peel of the orange is required for the bird feeder. If using apples, peel the skins of the apples for the girls. Punch the peel and assist the girls to tie a piece of twine big enough so that it can be placed on the branch of a tree. Each girl should spread chocolate or peanut spread onto the peel.

Explain to the girls that birds need to store up lots of energy by eating fat to help them survive the winter.

Badge Link: Interest Badge, LB Bird Watcher

Easter GameEaster Bunny Hops

Ladybirds line up at one end of the room facing the Leader at the other end. The Leader calls out: “Bunny says, ‘take 2 hops’. The Ladybirds jump 2 hops towards the Leader. The Leader should vary the number of hops given. A bit like Simon Says, Ladybirds can only hop the number of hops that “Bunny says”. Any Ladybird who jumps without “Bunny says” must go back to the start. When all the Ladybirds make it up to the Leader, consider sharing out some mini-Easter eggs. Remember, “Caring is sharing”. Happy Easter!

NOTE FOR LEADERS:

Be careful of any allergies that the girls may have. Explain the purpose of eating fruit, to keep you healthy, and explain that it’s important to wash your hands to keep them clean of bacteria.

EXPERIMENTS: THE FIVE SENSES


BROWNIES

Easter Egg 3D Paper CraftMaterials needed: Printer for template; paper; scissors; string/thread/ribbon/wool; crayons (or paint, markers, etc.)

Print template and colour as desired.Cut out the template pieces (may require adult assistance and can be done beforehand). Cut on one of the dotted lines right up to the centre. Pick out the two matching eggs.

Assemble craft. Slide the eggs together, top to bottom. Glue a ribbon or thread onto the top (or hole punch a small hole and tie a ribbon through).

Source: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/

Easter Bunny BowlsMaterials needed: Cardboard egg carton (jumbo works best); pom poms (mini and regular size); googly eyes; glue; black card stock; white bumpy pipe cleaners; plastic/sweet egg; scissors1. Neatly cut out one of the centre points of the cardboard egg carton and one of the egg ‘bowls’. Trim around the

edges of the ‘bowl’ so it’s even.2. Cut off two bumpy parts of the pipe cleaner, leaving a bit of the stem.3. Twist the two stem parts of the pipe cleaners together.4. Place the twisted stem into the hole on top of the centre point of the cardboard egg carton. If there isn’t a hole, make one with your scissors.5. Cut three 0.5cm x 2.5cm long strips of black card.6. Glue the strips to the cardboard egg carton so they make a fan shape.7. Glue a mini pom pom in the centre of the fan shape for the nose.

8. Glue googly eyes above the pom pom nose.9. Glue two pom poms on the bottom of the egg carton holder for the bunny’s feet.10. Place a painted/sweet Easter egg in the ‘bowl’.Source: www.parenting.com

EASTER CRAFTS FOR FUN

Dear Brownie Leaders,In this edition of Trefoil News we have some great ideas to help with your science badge. We are also celebrating Easter and Earth Day soon. We hope we have given you some ideas to help you. Why not do your Brownie Environmental Awareness Badge to fit in with Earth Day. We hope you have fun planning and doing the activities.

Brownie Branch


Make a Balloon RocketMaterials needed: 1 balloon (round ones will work, but the longer “airship” balloons work best), 1 long piece of kite string (about 10-15 feet long), 1 plastic straw, tape.

Tie one end of the string to a chair, door knob, or other support. Put the other end of the string through the straw. Pull the string tight and tie it to another support in the room.Blow up the balloon (but don’t tie it.) Pinch the end of the balloon and tape the balloon to the straw. You’re ready for launch. Let go and watch the rocket fly!

So, how does it work? It’s all about the air…and thrust. As the air rushes out of the balloon, it creates a forward motion called THRUST. Thrust is a pushing force created by energy. In the balloon experiment, our thrust comes from the energy of the balloon forcing the air out. Different sizes and shapes of balloon will create more or less thrust. In a real rocket,

thrust is created by the force of burning rocket fuel as it blasts from the rocket’s engine – as the engines blast down, the rocket goes up!

Make it an experimentThe project above is a DEMONSTRATION. To make it a true experiment, you can try to answer these questions:1. Does the shape of the balloon affect how far (or fast) the rocket travels?2. Does the length of the straw affect how far (or fast) the rocket travels?3. Does the type of string affect how far (or fast) the rocket travels? (try fishing line, nylon string, cotton string, etc.)4. Does the angle of the string affect how far (or fast) the rocket travels?

Badge Link: Interest Badge, Brownie Science Investigator, Option 10Source: https://sciencebob.com/make-a-balloon-rocket/

BROWNIES

“It’s not rocket science.

Oh wait.....it IS rocket science!!”

Baking Soda and Vinegar VolcanoUse baking soda and vinegar to create an awesome chemical reaction! Watch as it rapidly fizzes over the container and make sure you've got some towels ready to clean up.

Materials needed: Baking Soda (make sure it's not baking powder), Vinegar, a container to hold everything and to avoid a big mess, paper towels or a cloth (just in case)

Place some of the baking soda into your container. Pour in some of the vinegar. Watch as the reaction takes place!

What's happening? The baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a base while the vinegar (acetic acid) is an acid. When they react together they form carbonic acid which is very unstable. It instantly breaks apart into water and carbon dioxide, which creates all the fizzing as it escapes the solution.

For extra effect you can make a realistic looking volcano. It takes some craft skills but it will make your vinegar and baking soda eruptions look even more impressive!

Badge Link: Interest Badge, Brownie Science Investigator, Option 8Source: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/vinegarvolcano.html


BROWNIES

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Make an Easy Lava LampMaterials needed: Water; a clear plastic bottle; vegetable oil; food colouring; effervescent tablets

Pour water into the plastic bottle until it is around one quarter full (you might want to use a funnel when filling the bottle so you don’t spill anything). Pour in vegetable oil until the bottle is nearly full. Wait until the oil and water have separated.Add around a dozen drops of food colouring to the bottle (choose any colour you like). Watch as the food colouring falls through the oil and mixes with the water.

Cut an effervescent tablet into smaller pieces (around 5 or 6) and drop one of them into the bottle, things should start getting a little crazy, just like a real lava lamp! When the bubbling stops, add another piece of tablet and enjoy the show!

Adding more pieces of tablet to the bottle keeps the reaction going so you can enjoy your funky lava lamp for longer. If you want to show someone later, you can simply screw on a bottle cap and add more tablet pieces when you need to. When you’ve finished all your tablets, you can take the experiment a step further by tightly screwing on a bottle cap and tipping the bottle back and forth. What happens then?

Badge Link: Interest Badge, Brownie Science Investigator, Option 12Source: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/easylavalamp.html

The Awesome Rainbow Milk Science ExperimentMaterials needed: Whole milk; shallow dish; food colouring; washing-up liquid; cotton buds

1. To set up for this activity, assemble food colouring, a small bowl of washing-up liquid and some cotton buds. Pour a thin layer of milk in a shallow dish.2. To begin, squeeze droplets of food colouring

on the surface of the milk (one colour or several colours).3. Next, dip a cotton bud in the washing-up liquid and then in the milk, preferably in the centre of a spot of food colouring.

Watch the colours explode all over as the detergent interacts with the fat molecules in the whole milk! Repeat steps 2 and 3 as often as you like until you end up with muddy milk.

Badge Link: Interest Badge, Brownie Science Investigator, Option 11Source: http://artfulparent.com/2014/07/awesome-rainbow-milk-science-experiment.html

How to Make Butter Materials needed: 1 carton of double or single cream (250ml); 1 jam jar with a lid or a plastic container for younger children; 1 glass; 1 plate; a strong pair of arms

Introduction: Cream is a mixture. Let’s see how we can separate cream into two parts, a solid and a liquid.

What to do: Pour the cream into the jar until it is about half full. Screw the lid on tight. Take the jar and start shaking it up and down. Play some music and have fun dancing as you shake.

Stop and look at the cream in your jar every few minutes. What do you notice? What happens? After about 15 minutes you’ll feel something solid in the jar. Keep going until you see a solid lump. Take the lid off the jam jar. What do you see? The solid yellow lump is butter and the whitish liquid is buttermilk.

Why did this happen? Cream is a mixture. It is made of tiny drops of water mixed with fat droplets and protein. Shaking the cream in the jar makes the fat droplets stick together, forming butter. The liquid part has the protein and that is the buttermilk.

Badge Link: Interest Badge, Brownie Science Investigator, Option 9Source: http://www.primaryscience.ie/media/pdfs/col/sci_at_home_make_butter.pdf

NOTE FOR LEADERS:The above activity requires supervision and care around the use of effervescent tablets. Be sure to empty the bottle at the end of the experiment.


BROWNIES

Planet Earth Coffee Filter CraftMaterials: Coffee filter; blue and green washable markers; squirt bottle or small glass of water; black construction paper; glueOptional: White paint; old toothbrush; lollipop stick

1. Flatten out a coffee filter on a plate. Scribble the filter with blue and green washable markers.

2. Use a squirt bottle to spray the coffee filter 2 or 3 times.Squirt right in the centre of the filter and then sit and

watch the water spread the colours over the filter (this takes 4 or 5 minutes).

Don’t overwet the filter... the project still works, but it won't turn out quite as pretty (the colours tend to blend too much if you soak the filter). To help prevent this, encourage the Brownies to squirt it just once in the middle and watch for a bit so they can see the process unfold. You can always add more water later if it doesn't get wet all the way to the edge after 5 minutes or so.

3. Let it dry (this takes about half an hour, but will take longer if the filter has been soaked by an over-zealous crafter!).

4. After it dries, colour some more dark blue in the centre and squirt it once with water.

Badge Links: Detect No. 4 and Explore No. 3; Interest Badge, Brownie Environmental AwarenessSource: http://www.dltk-kids.com/

Optional: Splatter paint on a piece of black construction paper.

a) Cover your work area with newspaper. Dip a toothbrush into white paint and tap it off to get rid of the excess.

b) Hold the brush over the black paper and lightly rub the edge of the lollipop stick against the toothbrush to splatter dots of white paint onto the paper.

c) Repeat until your black paper looks like a star filled universe and set aside to dry.

Earth Day CraftsEarth Day is an event observed annually on 22 April. It is a day marked to demonstrate and

promote environmental awareness and calls for the protection of our planet. Today Earth Day is celebrated in more than 193 countries each year.

BEFORE AFTEREarth Day Handprint WreathMaterials: Glue; scissors; blue, brown and green paint or construction paper; thread; ribbon or string

There are two ways to do this craft. One is to trace the Brownie’s hand onto paper and cut out the prints. The second is to make paint handprints on the paper, let them dry and cut those out.

The project can be done in teams of two or three Brownies. This is especially helpful if you are tracing the hands instead of making paint prints. The girls can trace each other’s handprints.

Make twelve handprints (4 of each colour). Cut out the prints and glue to form a wreath. You can decorate the wreath further with stickers (like flowers, birds, butterflies - anything nature related).

Print one of the templates (see below - available on OGM) for the centre of the wreath. Colour the template piece, if necessary and cut it out. If using this 'message' template, finish the sentence: 'The earth is worth protecting because…'

Use a piece of thread to hang the template piece in the centre of the wreath.

Source: http://www.dltk-kids.com/


GUIDES

NATIONAL GUIDE AWARDS 2017

Application Process 2017For 2017 the National Guide Award will be presented to Guides who have completed Copper Beech, Silver Birch, Innovator and Trail Blazer awards. The Guide should be a minimum of 13 years and 9 months and the work should be completed before her 15th birthday.

In order to apply for the Award each Guide must:

► complete the ‘Checklist for Trail Blazer Journey Badge’ in My Guide Travel Folder with the required amount of compulsory challenges, choice challenges and interest badges including dates of completion.

► complete the Copper Beech, Silver Birch and Innovator awards on OGM and submit this printout.

► complete the ‘National Guide Award Application Form’ in My Guide Travel Folder.

► send the forms to your Regional Commissioner for signing.

► submit to Guide Branch c/o Irish Girl Guides National Office, 27 Pembroke Park, Dublin 4 before 30 June 2017.

We would ask that Leaders take and submit photos of your Guides completing the challenges as these will be used on the day of the ceremony.

Dear Guide Leaders,This edition has a focus on the Science Investigator badge which has so many different exciting elements, it makes it really interesting and doable for the Guides. From exciting experiments, exploring the night sky to getting out for a day, there are many things to try.

We are busy planning the next National Guide Awards and have given details here of how to apply. We have brought forward the date for application to help us with the planning. Keep taking photos of your Guides doing the activities, this is a favourite part of the ceremony.

Enjoy the longer days and the signs of spring.

Yours in Guiding,Guide Branch

Fun Activity: Magic BootsChoose an outdoor space or an open area and mark a starting point (A) and finishing point (B) (approximately 3 metres apart).

Materials: a pair of shoes or boots - large size so they fit everyone

The goal is to transfer the entire group from points A to B using one pair of magic boots. It’s not as easy as it sounds, so we suggest you follow these rules:

1. No body part can touch the ground except for the feet wearing the magic boots.

2. The boots cannot be thrown across the field between points A to B, but they can be carried.

3. Each foot on each person can only wear a boot safely for one trip across from points A to B.

4. After that foot is used, it cannot be used for any more trips.

If necessary, you can appoint one member of the group to be the magic boots ‘guardian’ making sure that no rules are broken. Good luck!

If the group is big you can split them into smaller teams which will compete. The first team that moves all its members from point A to point B, wins!

SAVE THE DATE:

National Guide Cookout Day

When: 20 May 2017

Where: Held at Regional level

Style: Ready Steady Cook and

Outdoor Cook Badge

Prizes will be sponsored by Guide

Branch for participation and m

ore

details and sample recipes will be

published later.


GUIDES

National Guide AwardsGuides awarded their National Guide Award in October 2016:

EASTERN REGION

Anna O’Farrell BallyroanMorgan Good Leader: Anne McPartland Saidhbh Greene Lucan Leader: Amanda O’Sullivan

Sophie Dochrell Naas Leader: Stephanie Jones

Chloe Hughes Rivervalley Aoibhe Conway Leader: Breda Cunningham

Siofra Egan Tivoli Lara Johnston Leader: Gill BuckleyMaria Puzone

Caitriona Brennan RathfarnhamInshiya Kagalwala Leader: Heather BowenRosita Jackson Rosie Gillis Laura Tuite Louise Dunleavy

Megan Lawlor Griffeen ValleyKatie Redmond Leader: Maresa ConnollyChloe Sheehan Abigail Byrne Zara McGee Kellie Flannery Howth Leader: Mary Clarke

Anna Martin EdenderryEllen McDermott Leader: Ann DoyleJessica Lennon

Emily White Newbridge Leader: Fiona Leamy SOUTH EAST REGION

Emma Moran St Killian’sChloe Doyle Leader: Adele Mealey(awarded posthumously) MID WEST REGION

Leona Coll Blackberry Eimear Hehir Leader: Tracey KeaysSophie Kendrick

Aoife Guinan Slieve Bloom Leader: Linda Dowling

NORTH EAST REGION

Derbhla Treanor Ballybay Laura Wylie Leader: Sheila LindenLauren Mooney

Jodi Sheridan CeallaKayleigh Flood Leader: Maureen Dillon

Megan Reid Cú Chulainn Leader: Jessica Woods

Hannah Horan MillmountCelestine Feeney Leader: Sinéad CrillyCiara Clinch-FaganGrace Sheerin

Niamh Rogers Monasterboice Leader: Marie Taylor NORTH WEST REGION

Grainne McElchar ConvoyMolly Browne Leader: Anne McElchar

Elaine Magee RaphoeAlison Alexander Leader: Doris MageeIrene KeeErica McClintock SOUTH WEST REGION

Darcy Howard ArbutusLauren Kearney Leader: Elaine PatrickMelina Neilson Sarah Brady

Emily Gleave Kinsale Leader: Carol-Anne O’Reilly

Andrea Cotter Ardilaun Leader: Ann-Marie O’Leary

Freya Lehane Barnagore (living in Australia) Leader: Eithne DowneyAisling GeaneySinéad DoubleNiamh HegartyNiamh Allison Caoimhe Langford CarrigdhounEimear Hurley Leader: Aisling ClaffeyDannii Claffey Ciara Aherne St Peter’sClodagh Perrott Leader: Caroline Moriarty

Faye Mulvihill St Dominick’s Fiona Kelly Leader: Lorraine O’ConnorAnnya Mulvihill Tori O’Connor Mary Kate Reidy

CONGRATULATIONS

TO ALL !!!


GUIDES

Roll a Can with Static Electricity

Materials: An empty soda can; blown-up balloon; a head of hair

Time: 30 minutes

1. Place the can on its side on a flat smooth surface like a table or a smooth floor.2. Rub the blown up balloon back and forth through your hair really fast.3. Now the fun part – hold the balloon close to the can without actually touching the can. The can will start to roll towards the balloon without you even touching it!

Try This Too: While you’ve got the balloon out, tear up part of a tissue into tiny pieces about a 0.5cm big. Rub the balloon in your hair again and bring it close to the tissue pieces. They will be attracted to the balloon and then

jump away.

How does it work?When you rub the balloon through your hair, invisible electrons (with a negative

charge) build up on the surface of the balloon. This is called static electricity, which means ‘non-moving electricity’. The electrons have the power to pull very light objects (with a positive charge) toward them – like the soda can.

Make it an experimentThe project above is a DEMONSTRATION. To make it a true experiment, you can try to answer these questions:1. Does the size of the balloon change the power of the pull?2. Does the length of the person’s hair affect the power of the static electricity?3. How much water can you put in the can until the balloon can’t pull it anymore?

Link: Interest Badge, Guide

Science Investigator, Option 1(d)

Build a Tabletop Hovercraft

Materials: An old CD or DVD disc; a 20cm balloon; a pop-top cap from a liquid soap bottle or a water bottle; tape; hot glue gun

Time: 30 minutes

1. If you are using the cap from a water bottle, cover the centre hole of the CD with a piece of tape and poke about six holes in the tape with a push-pin or small nail. This will slow down the flow of air and allow your hovercraft to hover longer.2. Use the hot glue gun to glue the cap to the centre of the CD or DVD disc. Create a good seal to keep air from escaping.3. Blow up the balloon all the way and pinch the neck of it (don’t tie it.)Make sure the pop-top is closed and fit the neck of the balloon over the pop-up portion of the cap (this is usually easier with two people).

That’s it! When you are ready to commence hovering, simply put the craft on a smooth surface and pop the top open.HAPPY HOVERING!

How does it work?The air flow created by the balloon causes a cushion of moving air between the disc and the surface. This lifts the CD and reduces the friction which allows the disc to hover freely. Large scale hovercraft are capable of travelling over land, snow and water.

Make it an experimentThe project above is a DEMONSTRATION. To make it a true experiment, you can try to answer these questions:1. Does the size of the balloon affect the CD’s ability to hover?2. Does a helium balloon work better than an air-filled balloon?3. Do larger discs make better hovercrafts (plastic picnic plates, old record albums)?

Link: Interest Badge, Guide Science Investigator, Option 1(d)

Crime Scene Investigation

Materials: Ink pad; white index cards; glasses; cocoa powder; boiled sweets; small brush; clear tape e.g. sellotape

Time: 30-40 minutes

Give each Guide the chance to take fingerprints and have her fingerprints taken.Get each Guide to examine each other’s card of prints to look at the difference in the shapes.Discuss how difficult it is to get clear prints.

How to Take FingerprintsUse a standard ink pad to practice taking your fingerprints. Utilise ink that washes off with soap for easier clean up. Gently roll your index finger across the top of the ink pad, and then gently roll the inked finger across a white index card. The ridges and whorls on the finger should be clear to read. If they are not, then keep practicing until you can make your own fingerprint clearly.

Practice lifting fingerprints from glass with the use of cocoa powder, a boiled sweet and a drinking glass. Put the sweet in your mouth until it is sticky. Remove the sweet from your mouth using the index finger and thumb. Once both fingers are sticky grasp the glass so the index fingerprint is on the outside

of the glass. Dust the outside of the glass with the cocoa powder and gently

brush away the excess powder. Place the sticky side of clear tape over the fingerprint and pull away. Place the tape onto a white index card so the fingerprint is clearly visible. Repeat as necessary to master the skill.

Link: Interest Badge, Guide Science Investigator, Option 1(b)

GUIDE SCIENCE ACTIVITIES


GUIDES

Comparing Height and Foot SizeDo this experiment to find out how a person’s foot size compares to their height.

Materials: A number of Guides; chalk or masking tape; measuring tape; paper and pen or pencil; height estimation chart (see below); calculator

Working in Patrols...1. Ask the Guides to remove their shoes and stand against a wall, with their heels firmly against the wall. 2. Mark each Guides’ height by placing a chalk mark or a piece of masking tape on the wall at the top of the head. Note: Be sure to clear the marks off the wall before leaving the hall!3. Mark the length of each Guide’s left foot by placing a chalk mark or a piece of masking tape on the floor at the tip of the longest toe on the left foot. 4. Ask each Guide to step away from the wall, then measure along the floor from the wall to the mark you made on the floor. It doesn’t matter whether you use centimetres or inches, as long as you use the same for everyone. Record this measurement in the ‘Foot Length’ column of the Height Estimation Chart. 5. Measure up the wall from the floor to the mark you made on the wall. Record this measurement in the ‘Height’ column of the Height Estimation Chart. 6. Divide the length of each Guide’s foot by her height. Multiply that answer by 100. Write the final number on your chart. 7. The final number should be about 15 for each Guide you’ve measured. This indicates that the length of a Guide’s foot is about 15% of her height. (This ratio doesn’t always hold for children though, since the proportion of body parts in growing children is different depending on their age.)

Height Estimation Chart:

Guide Name Foot Length Height (Foot Length ÷ Height) x 100

Height of a Crime Scene SuspectA follow-on activity to the above is to guess the height of a suspect at a crime scene.

What you need: footprint from the crime scene (see ‘Advance Preparation’ below), measuring tape or ruler, calculator

Advance preparation: Make a footprint. There are several ways to do this.1. Draw a simple outline of your foot on a sheet of paper. 2. Step into poster paint then onto a sheet of paper. 3. Step into a container of soft dirt and then onto surface.

What to do: 1. Measure the footprint from the crime scene. 2. Divide the measurement by 15. 3. Multiply the answer from step 2 by 100. The answer is the approximate height of the person who left the footprint behind. This calculation is more accurate if the suspect was barefoot; if he or she was wearing shoes, it should still be pretty close as long as the shoes fit properly.

Badge Link: Interest Badge, Guide Science Investigator, Option 1(b)

Source: BC Girl Guides CSI challenge


SENIOR BRANCH

FemSTEM“Engineering is a dark and lonely place for women’’ - these were the memorable words I was greeted with on my first day of 3rd level education as an undergraduate engineer in UCC (University College Cork), a university that prides itself on being progressive and fostering independent thinking. Surprisingly, these words didn’t

come from one of the 120 lads I was sitting alongside, nor the 25 girls that were scattered amongst the mix, but from the (then) Head of the School of Engineering, Prof. Nabeel Riza. Well, one year on, I can tell you from personal experience, that that observation is completely untrue!

A society aimed to encourage gender diversity in the fields of Science, Technology,Engineering and Mathematics

Hi everyone,

Time is flying by and we are in spring already! I hope you have been enjoying your Guiding activities so far in 2017 and if things have been quiet, why not choose an activity from this edition of Trefoil News and give it a go! It could be as small as a craft, or as big as applying for an international opportunity!

Our annual Senior Branch 18th Birthday Party is happening this week and we’re very excited! If this is your year to attend, then make sure you let us know you’re coming. Click on the link on our Facebook page to register. We look forward to being able to read about your day in one of the next editions of Trefoil News.

As we’re sure you noticed, this edition of Trefoil News is highlighting the Science Investigator badges, so there’s a fun science craft in this SB section. The other Branches have included some activities that link to these badges so if you are adding to your badge collection, be sure and have a look through those. The other activity is to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss…he has lots of inspirational quotes that are great for a pick-me-up so we’ve incorporated those into our second activity. If you need anything, email us at [email protected]

SB

REGIONAL LIGHTWEIGHTSKeep your eyes peeled for information in your Regions about this years regional

hiking weekends. For those of you completing your Bronze Star, this will

cover the Adventure part of theoutdoors section!


SENIOR BRANCH

FemSTEM Cont’d...With a lovely tight-knit group of girl-friends and plenty of vibrant and sociable guy friends (the anti-social computer nerd stereotype is completely unfounded here in Cork anyway!), I’m never short of a study buddy … or a handsome single to bring as a plus-one to a wedding.

However, the problem still remains that the proportion of women studying STEM-based courses is quite low. Considering that able graduates in the STEM fields are in ever-increasing demand in Ireland and worldwide, it’s pretty devastating that only approximately 20% of those studying computer science are women. In my current course, Energy Engineering, which focuses on the very relevant issue of energy production, efficiency, policy modelling and consumption, I account for 50% of the females in the class.

It could be argued that there is huge gender imbalance in the nursing and teaching sectors in favour of majority women, and being completely honest that too serves its own issues. However the fact that there are so few women studying in the fields of science and information technology is particularly disturbing because the world is heading towards a more technologically diverse and intricate future. For example, currently women make up the majority of low level workers in the retail industry (66% in Ireland – CSO, 2014) – i.e. shopkeepers, and general customer services. Now, our friends studying Business Information Systems (yet another emerging IT-based course with a dismally low proportion of women) will be quick to tell us that these types of roles will be, and already are being, replaced en masse by automated and cleverly integrated systems created by professionals in the area of computer science, information systems, and process engineering.

This realisation along with the general observation that none of my engineering

professors, tutors OR lecturers are female has led me and other peers to come up with an idea for a new society, FemSTEM. Aimed at encouraging women into the fields of STEM - FemSTEM would provide a platform for women in UCC (pending UCC Societies Guild’s approval) to work on projects, attend

hackathons, enter competitions and visit the primary schools.

The opportunities for women in the area of STEM are endless and the supply of these women is not enough. Large multi-national tech and engineering companies are desperate to have a more gender -diverse workforce, as more diverse teams offer a variety of perspectives and in turn, produce more robust solutions, and products that appeal to all sections of the market. My classmate and I have been fortunate enough to be in receipt of Intel’s Women In Technology Scholarship scheme. Inspirefest, an event which is held in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin annually, is organised by Silicon Republic’s CEO Ann O’Dea, which has a particular focus on women in STEM and women in leadership.

I attended my sister’s graduation in UL (University of Limerick) recently and the gender imbalance was extremely obvious in the IT sector. As a graduate in Digital Media Design, she was one of a small handful of females in receipt of a Degree in the area of engineering and computer science. The future lies in technology. Future products, future small businesses, future multi-nationals will all rely hugely on capable leaders with an ability to create and manipulate smart digital systems and read data, using skills grounded in the areas of science and technology. With such a small proportion of women believing they have the confidence and ability to work in this field, we are counting ourselves out of having an equal say in this future. The technology era is calling – (ask any Leader using OGM!) and what FemSTEM and all those multinational companies

with their fantastic initiatives are aiming to do is to mobilise females to PICK UP THE DAMN (i)PHONE! Vera O’Riordan MacEgan Senior Branch - Macroom


SENIOR BRANCH

SCIENCE ACTIVITYCatapults

These catapults are surprisingly simple to make. Have fun!

Materials needed: 7 lollipop sticks (jumbo sized works best but regular old sticks will do too),4 rubber bands, a small bottle top, hot glue gun, peas or small sweets for catapulting

Stack 5 sticks on top of each other and tightly bind both ends with a rubber band. Next, place 2 sticks on top of each other and wrap a rubber band around one end to squeeze them together. Pry apart the unwrapped end and slide the bundle of 5 sticks as close to the hinged end as they will go. Wrap the final band criss-cross around them to secure the two parts in place. With the hot glue gun, squeeze a pea-sized amount on the end of the top lollypop stick and press the bottle top in place to make the launch pad.

3, 2, 1 LAUNCH!

A few safety rules:• It is best to use the catapult in a large open

space, preferably outdoors. • Always aim the catapult away from people.• All peas/sweets must be cleaned up at the end

of the activity.

You can experiment with the catapult to see what design changes might affect the height and distance of the peas/sweets. Testing the effect of one change at a time, move the bundle of sticks closer to the launching pad, loosen the rubber band on the hinged sticks, and experiment with pressing harder and softer on the launching pad. Notice the changes!

The science behind itThe catapult is a simple machine – a mechanical device used to change the direction or magnitude

of a force. The catapult is an example of a lever type simple machine in which a beam or arm pivots at a fixed point called the fulcrum.

In the catapult above, we press down on the arm, tension builds and energy is stored. Energy that is stored when a material is compressed (think of a spring) or stretched (a slingshot) is called elastic energy. When you release the arm of the catapult,

the elastic energy is converted into kinetic energy – the energy of motion.

When you place an object like a sweet in the bottle top, the sweet will move at the same speed as the arm and the bottle top. When the arm stops, the sweet projectile continues to move forward due to Newton’s first law, which states that an object in motion, stays in motion. The sweet becomes airborne.

Gravity pulls the sweet back toward the ground, giving it its trajectory, or path.

Crumlin Hospital Guide Unit needs volunteers!Can you spare one Thursday evening a month? Help us to give patients a break from the routine of hospital and teach them about Guiding! Leaders work on a rota so you only do one Thursday night in a month. The Unit meeting, including collecting the girls from the ward and tidying up afterwards, never takes more than 2 hours (6.30-8.30pm).

For more information contact the Unitco-ordinator Róisín Fitzgerald byemailing [email protected] by phoning her on 087 9925312.

Source: http://thestemlaboratory.com/conversation-heart-catapults/


Gaisce - the President’s AwardWriting your diary entriesYou have the option of keeping notes as your weekly record of the challenges as you complete them or you can use the online diary entries attached to your application on the Gaisce site.

For Bronze and Silver level, these can be brief descriptions of your activities that give an indication of the progress you are making each week. Each entry should have:• Name of activity• Date - day, month and year• Time spent on the activity – this can be a full hour or done over a few days in the same week. If

your activity takes longer, only 1 hour will be counted by Gaisce for your records.• Description of exactly what you did – e.g. I went to the Brownie meeting and was responsible

for the Green Fingers badge activities. We planted some lettuce seeds and begonia tubers. I prepared a fun game to identify garden tools and we discussed the safety aspect of keeping tools tidy. An entry of ‘Brownie meeting’ does not give an indication of your activity.

The Gold level includes a log book of all your activities which is submitted when you have completed all your challenges. Some suggestions for this are:• Introductory page to include an introduction of yourself

e.g. where you were born/grew up, went to school etc.• If you hold a previous award – which ones and when• Why you decided to go for Gold• A page on each section of the Award; the highs and lows (if any); photographs, copies of

certificates, maps or other relevant additions• Conclusion including what you personally gained from completing the challengesThis is your personal record of your journey.

From time to time you will receive an email from Deirdre Henley, IGG Gaisce Coordinator, via the Gaisce site. If you have not received one, let Deirdre know at [email protected] and don’t forget to...

Dream big and fulfil your potential!

SENIOR BRANCH

Print your favourite quotes onto card and get colouring. When you’re

finished, stick it in a frame and prepare to be inspired!

The quotes in the picture can be found here: http://www.

thecountrychiccottage.net/dr-seuss-coloring-pages-free-printables/

Celebrating Dr Seuss’ Birthday

on 2 March

“It is better to know

how to learn

than to know.”


INTERNATIONAL

International Permit TrainingOnce a year the International Committee runs the International Permit training to provide Leaders with the experience necessary to bring their girls on an international experience. If you are considering taking your girls abroad in the future, you will need to attend this training.Leaders attending must hold a Campers Licence or an Indoor Licence or a Senior Campcraft.

When: Sunday 26 March Where: A central venue will be selected once Leaders have registered Cost: €10

A light lunch will be provided and travel will be refunded at the most economical rate.

Your International Committee Regional Reps spent some time

recently helping to plan the Regional level of Timpeall an Domhain and they are looking forward to welcoming all participating Units to their event. Please ensure you contact your Regional Reps or Area Commissioners to confirm when and where your Regional event is being held.

Remember you can cover a number of different parts of the Guide programme

by taking part in the activities for this event, for example:

► Pathfinder 1: Know 12 things that we share with Guides around the world.

► Global Awareness Adventure, Choice Challenge 8:

Take part in an activity/cultural evening to find out about different cultures and religious festivals around the world.

► Guide Global Traveller, Option 3: In a language other than your own , make a collection of useful words and phrases that would help you communicate while travelling.

► Guide Performing Arts, Theatre Skills, Option 5: Give a performance of not less than three minutes

duration including one or more of the following: reciting, miming and telling a story.

► Guide World Guiding, Option 3: Know 12 things that we share with Guides

around the world; Option 6: With your Patrol, organise an activity for your Unit's International evening; Option 7: Learn about

Guides from two other countries, what they are called, what Promise they make and what their badge is. Locate the countries on a map and know something of what

it might be like to live in these countries - climate, food, flag etc.

I am sure there are many others if we look!

We look forward to meeting all of the winning Patrols in Killarney on 6 and 7 May.

Timpeall an Domhain Update


INTERNATIONAL

Georgia Calling...

During the 1990s IGG had established a link with Dia, the Association of the Girl Scouts of Georgia, to help re-establish

Guiding in the former Soviet country after they declared their independence. This year

we are re-igniting that link and are looking for you to get involved!

We are looking to recruit two Leaders and four girls who will be aged 16 - 18 this summer and are attending IGGNITE 2017. These girls will work with the Georgians at camp and undertake training in how to run large events.

This team of four girls and two Leaders will also have the opportunity to return to Georgia during the summer of 2018 to help the Georgians run their first International Camp! What an amazing opportunity and, best of all, we have received funding to reduce the costs involved!

Application forms are available on http://www.irishgirlguides.ie/index.php/forms

Completed forms must be returned to your Regional Commissioner before 10 March.Please ensure you give as much detail as possible on your application as it may be used to shortlist candidates.

Selections will take place on 26 March - venue to be confirmed.

Denmark LinkLeaders - we need you!

The Irish Girl Guides have forged a link with the Green Girl Guides of Denmark and we are looking to put together a

team of Leaders who will bring a group of girls aged 13 - 14 to Denmark in the summer of 2018.

Who: Interested and no qualification - still apply!Only one of the Leaders will need to hold a CO Licence and International Permit. Additional Leaders do not require camping qualifications - just a willingness to learn and ensure the girls have a positive experience.

Commitment: The planning team will need to meet in the autumn to plan the recruitment of the girls. This may involve a weekend trip to Denmark to meet their Leaders and see the proposed project sites. The leadership team will run the selection event for the girls with support from the International Committee and organise a minimum of one other training weekend before taking the group to Denmark.

Support: The International Committee will support the leadership team through the process.

Funding: We intend to apply for Erasmus funding to reduce the costs for both girls and Leaders. Should this be unsuccessful, the International Committee will contribute towards the costs of the Leaders.

Apply: Fill in the International Application Form available here http://www.irishgirlguides.ie/index.php/forms and return to your Regional Commissioner by Friday 28 April. Selection is provisionally scheduled for 6 May.


INTERNATIONAL

ROVERWEEK 2017Bags crammed to capacity, and flights booked - we began our mad

adventure at the crack of dawn, New Year’s Day. The hungover party animals from the night before could eat their hearts out now, because us three ladies were off on a week in the heart of the Alps - in the beautiful Our Chalet - the pride and joy of Adelboden, Switzerland.

Despite having only had brief chats via email and Whats app in the weeks before swooning over shared pictures of the snow-capped Chalet courtesy of Google Pics (look it up if you’re still unconvinced about Our Chalet by the end of this!!) when we all reunited in the airport in Geneva we knew we’d be lifelong friends within Guiding.

After a few quick train hops, which were entirely funded by the wonderful International Committee, we managed to journey through the soul of an entire country in the matter of an evening and arrive at our beautiful destination. Adelboden is a small Swiss town bustling with adorable cafés, the finest of bakeries, the sweetest of chapels and a gorgeous wood carvers which prides itself on its strong links to both the Scouting and Guiding communities. As we strolled from shop to shop, the owners acknowledged us and one or two spoke about their fondness of the Chalet. It wasn’t long before we realised it’s significance - not just to Guides but also to this community. It was Their

Chalet as much as it was Our Chalet.

Arriving at Our Chalet we had a warm greeting from staff and volunteers, we then went straight to a lovely

cosy dinner and met the other Roverweek participants. There were two girls from the United Kingdom and one from Malawi, each with their own great personalities. We all quickly bonded. Our adventures started along with our

new friendships.

Our itinerary was jam packed with activities. These included a Hike to the Engstligenalp where we got to witness the second largest waterfall in the world which happened to be partially frozen. At the Alp we got to sled down some slopes (not as well as the younger locals). We were blessed with a once in a lifetime opportunity as we got to ice skate on the frozen Oeschinensee lake in the Bernese Oberland Alp.

The locals advised us that it was the first time in 20 years that this lake had frozen over enough to be able to ice skate. As well as the outdoor activities we also had an International night where we learnt about Guiding in the other Regions. We had a WAGGGS session where we discussed in detail the Stop the Violence campaign and then a Swiss night where we learnt more about the culture of Switzerland. Each day and adventure was a blast. We ended our amazing week with an incredible snowy campfire. It was the perfect ending to a perfect week.

Our Chalet is a stunning building steeped in history. Each bit of wood on the grounds contains its own story. This includes gifts sent from all over the world to celebrate the opening, the tea set used on the day Helen Storrow and Falk welcomed the first guests to Our Chalet, to the colourful pillows Juliette Lowe hand embroidered in the America room. Past welcoming the future with warmth and grace.

A piece of us will always remain in Our Chalet and the town of Adelboden. It’s true what they say that Our Chalet is “Our home in the Alps”. We have taken an abundance of confidence and skills from this experience, along with new life long friends. Thank you to WAGGGS and IGG for this amazing opportunity to explore and meet other sisters in Guiding/Scouting from various places around the world.

Vera O’Riordan, South West Region; Hazel Skerritt, Eastern Region; Katie McDonnell, North East Region.


INTERNATIONAL

So, this October I got the chance to tag along with four IGG Leaders as they attended the 50th birthday celebrations

of the WAGGGS World Centre in India, Sangam!

I had such a great time, chilled out by the pool, relaxed in the garden, even did some

exploring. I met so many people and have made great

friends.

Oh, and the best part, I did a bit of yoga with the Manager

of Sangam, Jen!!

MINI-FIG VISIT TO SANGAM, INDIAOCTOBER 2016

To read Mary Lee’s account of the trip to Sangam, see http://bit.ly/2ixe0Ub

Irish Girl GuidesNational OfficeTrefoil House 27 Pembroke Park Dublin 4Ireland

Tel: 01 668 3898 / 01 668 9035 Fax: 01 660 2779Email: [email protected]

Registered Charity No. 20006327

Spring 2017

Our youngest Trefoil News Reader

Olivia, aged 1 year, daughter of IGG staff member Egle Kaloudis.

Mission StatementThe mission of the Irish Girl Guides is to

enable girls and young women to develop to their fullest potential as responsible

citizens of the world.

Our youngest Trefoil News Packers

Shane (11) and Keeva (9) Pedlow helping out at Trefoil News packing day in January. Their

Granny, Sue Pedlow, is one of our regular packers. We really needed their help this

month and they did trojan work. Thank you!

the explosive science of lava lamps! - irish girl guides

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