35 years after first saying ‘yes of course I’ll become a leader’, having been a Brownie, Guide and Ranger, I can’t seem to kick the habit of saying yes.
My most recent ‘yes’ was in response to a plea in January from our county team asking for additional adults to take a group of Guides and Rangers for a Breakaway to Belgium as they’d received more than 100 applications. I also agreed to lead our sub-group of 12 members and 4 Leaders and work towards the international module of my Going Away With licence.
Risk assessments, get-togethers, permission forms, accident forms, payments, budgets, travel insurance, activity and meal bookings, checking passport dates, and countless emails and Zoom calls kept me busy most evenings and weekends in my spare time.
I work at IAG Cargo. My company launched the ‘day to make a difference’ scheme recently, which allows employees to take a paid volunteer day every year. I applied for a day to do just that – make a difference and provide a fantastic opportunity for young members to travel and experience a Girlguiding international trip. The day was approved, and I added it to my annual leave days already booked for the trip.  I also booked the day off before the trip to pack all the snacks and finalise all the paperwork to take with me.
There were 51 of us from our county group in Brussels. We took lots of mascots with us, including the Belgium Chickens (our group name) which were Ron, Eggatha, Dave and Nugget. I also took my Brownies’ mascots Phileas and Ozzy for lots of photo opportunities during the trip (#ItsAGirlguidingThing!). After completing the Trivial Pursuit challenge, we spent our time buying chocolates, tenpin bowling, riding trams and trains, and visiting the Illusion Museum and Bubble World. We also went on a waffle making experience before packing up to head back on the Eurostar.  Dancing and singing to Abba while making waffles in Brussels is a bit surreal, but great fun!
Lots of walking (54,648 steps), new friendships made, more badges for my camp blanket, and several Guides and Rangers who are keen to sign up for the next international opportunity. My ‘mountain top’ moment was on the Eurostar home when 2 of the Rangers announced that they want to become leaders when they turn 18 as one of them is my own daughter.