If you are a member of a Senior Section group, one of the first things you will do each term is to help plan a programme. Senior Section members usually decide as a group which activities they will do. Your Leader is there to assist and give advice to help run the unit.
Your unit programme should be varied and of interest to all members. As a Senior Section member, you are working to challenge and develop yourselves as individuals.
Enjoyment and fun is what the Senior Section should be all about, and if your unit does not have this then, as the unit organisers, it is up to you to change this!
How to plan
Make a list with all of the activities that you enjoy doing inside and outside guiding. Include:
- things you enjoy doing.
- things you would like to do but have not tried yet.
- ideas you have tried before but would like to develop further.
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ideas around a theme, for example the colours of the rainbow or activities involving food.
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skills a member of your group has which she could teach to the rest of the unit.
Fit your ideas into a timetable for the term. For example:
September Activities
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Week 1
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Icebreakers and activities to get to know new Senior Section members.
New members look at Look Wider with Leader and see where they can begin.
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Week 2
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Chance to look at all qualifications and awards to see what we would like to do this year.
30 minutes of hip hop dance with Lisa's friend Susan.
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Week 3
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Ashley's relaxation night. This fits in with an activity for her Look Wider Personal Skills octants -she has challenged herself to relax the whole group, and show them how to do a back massage and nail art.
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Week 4
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Group to look at budget together and decide who will take on certain roles within the unit.
Lucy, Jo and Lisa - Look Wider work. Rachel and Leigh - Queen's Guide work.
Alice and Petra - In4mer activity plan for next week's session with the Brownies.
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You might want to develop this further to include what resources you will need each week and who will be responsible for bringing them along. If you require something that your unit does not have, where can you borrow it from?
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Are there any awards or qualifications you want to work towards, either individually or as a group? Alternatively, you could have a look at the syllabi for the awards to get some activity ideas.
When you have a term's plan, look at it to see if you have a balance of activities.
- Are there nights that will provide a challenge for all members of the Unit?
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If there is a week when you know you will all be busy, why not have a week off, or plan a relaxing evening or maybe ask your Leaders to plan the evening.
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Are there people you know who have particular skills that could come and run an evening for you? Are there organisations you would like to know more about who could run an evening for you?
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Does a member of the unit have particular needs that should be taken into consideration?
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What funds does your unit have? If you need more money where will it come from?
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Is there another Senior Section unit you could run a joint activity with?
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Have you considered holding a meeting outside of your usual meeting place?
You must also think about Girlguiding UK rules and requirements: these can be found in The Guiding Manual. Ask your unit Leader if you can see her copy. This will tell you if there are any forms that need to be completed.
Are there any health and safety considerations for any of the activities? What arrangements will you make?
AFTERWARDS
Do not forget to evaluate what you have done after you have done it.
- Did you all enjoy the activity?
- Would you have done anything differently?
- Did the activity last for long enough?
- Could you develop the activity further for another evening?
This does not need to be a formal evaluation, but it might help you when it comes to planning your ideas for next term.