The Guiders are Tired!
Thanks to Wendy Baker, who sent me this game. She's adapted the story a bit from the original story which was written by Helen DeBruyn. This story is meant to be used at a meeting with other Guiders - not necessarily with the girls!
Parts and Actions:
The Story:
All of the Guiders are tired! It has been a very busy year! We've gone to camp, sold cookies, presented badge work, gone on trips, and dealt with parents. No wonder we're tired! And everything went wrong! When we went to camp, the mosquitoes were enormous! And it rained! And our first years cried all night. And the tents fell down. And our third years didn't believe all the warnings about poison ivy! And that was just a weekend camp! Oh, yes, all of the Guiders are tired! Our cookie sales were down, which made our advisors cranky. We made cookie smoothies, cookie brownies, cookie cheesecake, and cookie s'mores. Oh wait, that reminds us about camp again! Didn't it feel like we sold cookies all year round? Oh, yes, all of the Guiders are tired! Our trips were stressful! Whether it was to the Fire Station, or to the Mall, or to England, we dealt with tired girls, pain-in-the-neck parents, missing health forms, and transportation nightmares. Oh, yes, all of the Guiders are tired! Our parents were even worse this year! Maybe it was a full moon every night? They never got the girls to the meeting on time, but were always late picking them up. Parents complained about badges, and the fact that little Susie had not earned all of the badges by the end of September. The parents certainly know the program book, and woe betide the Guider that did not award their daughter for every single badge portion! Parents conveniently forgot to tell us about darling daughter's food allergy, behavioural issue, and always promised to pay dues "next time"! Oh, yes, all of the Guiders are tired! So why on earth do we do this?
Maybe it's the girl who has never been away from home, yet had a ball at camp! Maybe it's the look in the eye of the girl when she visits Pax Lodge and realizes the enormity of the Guiding sisterhood. Maybe it's the Spark who can't wait to go to Brownies! Maybe it's the parent who says thanks. Maybe it's the meeting you held that the girls had "so much fun!" Maybe it's the old friend you reconnected with at Area Day, or the new friend you made at Stage 1. Maybe it's the girl who cries because she doesn't want to break for the summer. Maybe it's the Senior Branch member who will become the "best" leader! Maybe it's the energy and enthusiasm demonstrated by Trefoil. Maybe it's a hug, a smile, a phone call, or a tea and cookie. Maybe it's knowing that you are a valuable part of the Guiding community, and that maybe you have made a difference in the life of at least one child and one other adult member.
At least one other!
So yes, all of the Guiders are tired! But what a wonderful tired! Maybe the parents will be better next year. Maybe camp will be better next year. Maybe cookie sales will be better next year. Maybe you won't be as tired next year. Rest over the summer, catch your breath, refresh, renew, and rejuvenate. And don't forget to do at least one silly thing just for the sake of being silly!
We'll see you in the Fall!
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