Another weekend over and unusually mine isn't extended as I have to work tomorrow and attend an 'away day'. It's a day away from our usual base, no phones to answer and clients to see. Instead we will be busy working on policies and team matters, sounds exciting!
Tomorrow I would certainly benefit from a day off. Yesterday it was the day of the 'Rainbow 'Sleepover'! Along with the other adult helpers I arrived at midday to get the scout hut ready for the onslaught of the very excited 5-7 year old girls. We decorated for the theme of 'under the sea', put together little camp beds and made the hall home from home!
My responsibility was that of first aider, so I checked the first aid box out, made up the sick bed, perused my St John's manual and prayed that there wouldn't be any more than a scratched knee to tend too. Yes, I have a first aid certificate, but suddenly my skills may be called on at any time during the next 24 hours and I doubt my ability.
The girls arrived at 2.00pm and right away into a frenzied timetabled craft activities which Sunflower and Primrose had arranged between them. A few little girls who for various reasons had chosen not to 'sleep', arrived at 3.00pm for activities and tea. It was an extremely busy afternoon with girls moving on from one themed activity to another. We had visitors who arrived and watched, some joining in, one staying for tea. They were trainers, and testers and county presidents. All very important people who we had to impress for Bluebell who was under scrutiny. Karen aka Bluebell passed her tests with flying colours and is now qualified to take members of the Guiding movement on more sleepovers or pack holidays.
Our cooks were two very experienced Guiders: Bizzie Lizzie who I had only met twice before and on both occasions she'd frightened me to death!!! Her cooking went down well and I was very impressed how the girls tucked into her pasta, chicken and salad. At bedtime BL's other talent came to light, that of a wonderful story teller. I think undoubtedly she missed her vocation and should be in pantomime!
The Rainbows were very excited at the prospect of going to bed and couldn't wait to don their pj's and climb into their assortment of multi coloured sleeping bags. At 8.30 the lights were lowered and then the fun began, excited chatter could be heard from the attached room, torch lights shone and little girls giggled. It was 11.30 before the last little girl had fallen asleep, most of them making endless trips to the loo. Us adults had sat playing cards and taking turns to check the children. We eventually donned our own bed wear and climbed into bed. I inserted my ear plugs and despite my bed being closest to the door I didn't hear a thing until 7.30 when the rainbows began to waken. It wasn't so quiet a night for two of my colleagues who had been woken twice in the early hours by a Rainbow who'd had a little accident!!!!