Culture & Education | Saturday 30 December, 2017 3:57 am |

Adventure was the theme for both junior and senior members of Sharjah Girl Guides (SGG) during the last month of 2017, with the organisation using December to send Brownies and Guides on character building and educational activities designed to equip them with new life skills and broaden their knowledge.

 

Titled ‘Under the Moonlight,’ 40 Guides aged 12-15 years took part in SGG’s third Sleepover Winter Camp, which was held on December 17-19. Activities included in the three-day camp were the learning of outdoor techniques, such as fire building, tent pitching, archery, team exercises, zip-lining, wall climbing and raft building. Other activities on offer included watching movies in an outdoor cinema and capturing memories of the camp at a portable photo booth.

 

The Sleepover Winter Camp aimed to instill within the participants a sense of responsibility and self-confidence, develop leadership and team building skills and strengthen teamwork capabilities through adventurous activities. Designed to promote independence, self-discipline and problem-solving, the camp saw the attendees awarded the ‘Guiding World’ badge in recognition of their newly acquired talents.

 

“SGG held the Sleepover Winter Camp for the third time since 2016, with the event now established as an annual event because of the success and positive feedback we received from previous participants. Attendees come away from the camp more self-reliant than when they first arrive and with heightened levels of confidence after having completed the challenging but enjoyable sleepover programme,” said Shaikha Abdulaziz Al Shamsi, Manager of Sharjah Girl Guides.

 

Titled ‘Adventure in Mleiha,’ SGG’s second programme was designed for its junior Brownie members, who are aged 7-11 years. Taking place on December 28, the activity saw 40 Brownies enjoy a full-day excursion to Mleiha, Sharjah’s renowned archeological site.

 

Aimed at raising awareness of the importance of Emirati culture and history, the activities at the site included a museum tour, a visit to pre-Islamic sites, a trip to the Faya Cave, participation at an archaeology workshop to find out about cave painting and excavation, a fossil molding workshop and a landscape tour that introduced the Brownies to the geology of Mleiha.

 

Al Shamsi added: “For our youngest Brownie members, we chose to organise a visit to Mleiha historical site because of its rich cultural heritage. We wanted our younger members to have a chance to find out more about their roots and to encourage a spirit of adventure and inquisitiveness.”

 

“Both activities were held in line with our vision to enable girls to lead and become confident in their abilities and to have an in-depth respect and understanding for their community and country,” added Al Shamsi.

 

Sharjah Girl Guides was established in 1973 under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs. The organisation aims to inspire and nurture future generations to become progressive global citizens by providing a platform for girls to develop to their fullest potential.