Extra Curricular Activities - Part Two; Girl Guides

When Riley started Cubs I decided I wanted to get Abbey into Girl Guides. I knew that girls could join the Scouts but I wanted Riley and Abbey to have their own activities.  They are at home together, they go to the same school they do most things together so it was important for me to let them have something that was individual and apart from each other. Something to call their own.

When I was a little girl I remember being a Brownie.  I remember going on Brownie Camp and doing lots of fun activities. I remembered how much fun I had as a kid at Brownies and thought that Abbey would enjoy it too.  She was too young to be a Brownie so she joined the next group down, The Pippins.

Showing off her sash full of badges

Abbey LOVES going to Pippins.  She has made a bunch of new friends, done lots of crafty things, gone on camp, got involved in ANZAC Day, visited the SPCA, the Pools and even Lazer Maze.  She has so much fun there.

Pippins & Brownies at Waitangi

Girl Guides is so empowering for young girls. It shows them they can do anything. They do so much cool stuff! Like Scouts they earn badges, go on camps and do outdoorsey things. They do crafts and have fun. They encourage and support each other. It is a wonderful place to be.

Toasting Marshmallows at the camp fire

Abbey's last Pippins meeting for the year is going to be similar to Riley's last Cubs one. It will be all the groups together lots of different aged girls from all over Northland. We are heading out to the beach for loads of end of year fun.

Since the last meeting is at the beach I thought I'd give the Pippins leaders their thank you gifts tonight at the last meeting at the Clubrooms.

They were thrilled and I also got a lovely picture of them with Abbey.

Abbey & her Pippins Leaders

Abbey has only 3 more terms as a Pippin then she will move up to be a Brownie. I can't wait for more camps and activities to be parent help with!! I think I am having as much fun as the kids are!

So what kind of extra curricular activities do your kids get involved in? And do you enjoy it as much as they do?!

Extra Curricular Activities - Part One; Scouts

My kids don't play sports. I am secretly pleased about that. I'm really not a sporty person. I never played sports and I'm not a big fan of watching it. Don't get me wrong, if my kids showed an interest in playing sport I'd give them all the encouragement and do the driving to sports practices and games etc and shout from the sidelines. In fact Riley did play Cricket for a season and I was at every single Friday night game cheering him on. Thankfully But he decided to not play the next season. Sports isn't something I would actively encourage my kids to get involved in unless they showed an interest.

My Kids are Scouting and Guiding kids instead.

I first got Riley involved in Cub Scouts because I thought it would be a great way for him to get some really good positive boy time. Living in a house with two girls the poor guy hasn't got much of a chance! Jason was a Scout as a boy and I know he would have been so encouraging and supportive of Riley becoming involved. (Jase also would have encouraged sports eekk bad me!!)

First night in his uniform as an invested Cub Scout

Scouts Salute

Riley has LOVED cubs. He has a really cool troop with 3 awesome leaders.  He has had 100% attendance (apart from one camp that he was ill for) He won a prize for awesome Fundraising and he marched in the Santa Parade this year.  He has grown confidence and has developed a great relationship with all 3 leaders and the bunch of boys (and the couple of girls) that go every week. 

Marching in the Kamo Santa Parade

I like the idea of scouting as it encompasses so many different things. They encourage outdoor activities and getting rough, tough and down right dirty.  All the things that Riley misses out on living with two girls.

ANZAC Day Dawn Parade 2013 Hastings

 Riley also learns many positive and important life skills. He learns discipline, respect & honour.  He learns if he works hard he can get rewards for his work. He learns how to work as a member of a team.

Riley's first Personal Challenge badge - Collector.

Through Scouting Riley will have the opportunity to go to lots of places and do lots of things that I wouldn't ever take him to or do with him.

I am a great believer of letting people know they are appreciated.  I have always given gifts to the kids Pre-school/Kindergarten and school teachers so I decided I needed to let the Cub & Pippin's Leaders know how much I appreciate the time and effort they put into the kids.

Riley has 3 awesome Cub leaders. Akela, Kaa and Chil.  All three of these men take time out of their personal time to be involved. They spend time each week and on many weekend events making programmes and doing activities with the kids.  These men don't get paid, they volunteer their time.

So like the school teachers I decided to put together an end of the year thank you gift for the Guys.

Using THIS nifty little idea from Pinterest I decided to make the guys their own personal Cub Leader mugs filled with goodies.  I really hope they enjoy their gifts!!

We have one more Cub night this year which is a combined Shared Dinner/Party with all the Scouting troops from Kamo. It should be a fun evening.

I really look forward to seeing what Riley's troop gets up to next year and since I am now on the Scout committee I can get more involved in everything that happens.

Stay tuned for Part Two .... Girl Guides!!