Nearly 100 members of the North East Region Irish Girl Guides, including Guides and Leaders from Clogherhead, Knockbridge, Monasterboice, Drogheda, Clones, Ballybay, Dunshaughlin, Navan, Kells and Ashbourne, travelled to Northern Ireland to celebrate the organisation’s 115th anniversary. The group camped at Lorne Estate near Belfast for a weekend of outdoor activities, friendship and fun, marking the milestone in true Guiding spirit.
Over the following two days the Guides aged 10-14 enjoyed Zipline, the Cube, Team Building, Orienteering and the Climbing Wall organised by Lorne Outdoor Pursuits Team, and many fun activities like Music Bingo, Disco, Duck Scavenger Hunt, Quiz organised by the dedicated team of Leaders, as well as cooking and becoming part of camp life and being part of the team.
For their final day, they walked to the train station and ventured into Belfast to the Titanic Quarter. They visited Titanic, enjoyed a few hours of interactive fun in W5 and had Pizza or Burgers and a game of Bowling before returning to camp.
No camp would be the same without a campfire and sing-song, which was organised by the team of Senior Branch aged 14+ and young Leaders. For many this was the highlight, enjoying the simple Guiding traditions that have been enjoyed for 115 years!
Regional Commissioner, Annamarie Lawlor shared “the smiles on their faces, they were singing and dancing like no one was watching, Guiding is a space where you are welcome as you are”.
Irish Girl Guides is an all female volunteer led organisation. Each Unit relies on a team of volunteer Leaders. As well as the fun the youth members have, Leaders make new friends, grow in skills and confidence, and get to experience the outdoors and all the fun Guiding brings.
To get involved please contact www.irishgirlguides.ie 01 668 3898 info@irishgirlguides.ie
You don’t have to be a Parent or know anything about Guiding, training, support and resources are provided. You don’t work alone, you become part of a Leader Team. No experience is necessary, a positive outlook and a sense of responsibility for our youth members. Guiding meetings run from September until June, but you can begin your journey and get involved today. Garda Vetting and References will be required.
