Become a volunteerSo who’d have thought that saying you’d like to be involved in the planning of a county camp would lead to becoming the co-organiser?!
Back in 2016, at the age of 19 and never having attended any events other than with just my own Brownie unit, I saw a session about a County Camp advertised at our County Weekend. Having just opened a Brownie unit in a new county, I hadn’t signed up for the county weekend but sent an email asking if there were spaces at the session. This culminated in me nervously attending a meeting with people I’d never met before throwing ideas around the room. The session flew by and the next thing I remember is joining the core team in the role of co-organiser.
From that point on every day was a learning day having never done anything like it. I met new people and learnt new skills in how to lead and manage people.
Many meetings later, our plans became reality 18 months after starting the planning when hundreds of girls sat at the opening ceremony. This was another first for me, not only being on a stage but speaking to hundreds of young women with such confidence.
The camp itself didn’t go without its challenges, from leaders arriving early to extreme weather conditions including tents blowing away! But the thing I remember most is the constant smiling faces of all those in attendance each and every way I turned.
The hardest part of the camp was saying goodbye in the closing ceremony and knowing that the last 18 months had come to an end.
What I learnt:
- Age is just a number- I thought that I was too young and that no one would take me seriously but how wrong was I?!
- Stepping out of your comfort zone is scary but it is well worth it- I came out of my comfort zone right from the beginning attending a meeting with people I didn’t know which ended with me on stage!
- There is always a plan B and Girl Guides never give up- Despite the extreme weather we didn’t give up and made the event a success
- As long as everyone is smiling you’ve done a good job
I would wholeheartedly recommend those thinking about taking that leap out of their comfort zone and challenging themselves as I did to go for it!
I haven’t looked back once!
