First Briefing

This weekend, we had our first briefing. The first time that everyone who has been selected to undertake a GOLD project in 2014 got together since INTOPs. There are 8 teams: Cambodia, Sri Lanka, The Gambia, Malawi, Guyana, Peru, Ukraine and, obviously, Latvia. There are participants from all over the UK, ranging from Bognor Regis and Plymouth (and possibly beyond) in the South, to Aberdeen in the North, with everywhere in between covered too. 

Map of UK showing where we all came from

With the support of Anna, the National GOLD Co-ordinator; Carly, one of the Events Co-ordinators for Girlguiding; and the two fabulous cooks, Cara and Marie; we dived head first into the tasks of getting to know each other (does anyone snore? who's accident prone? and what's your favourite gummy bear flavour?), making the first decisions for our projects (what colour hoodies should we have?), laying out our expectations for ourselves (shower) and our Team Leader, Alice (be Switzerland, and provide gummy bears...), as well as having so many other important discussions. 

The sun came out and so did we! Team Latvia 2014

Interspersed with these discussions, the Team Leaders of the various projects lead us through sessions on fundraising, culture shock, health and well being, the GOLD journey, PR, kit and packing, and group roles. Whilst some of it I knew from previous travels, it was all interesting and useful, and allowed both leaders and participants the chance to dispense knowledge, hints and tips from the wide experiences we've all had. 

It was great to learn so much, and for me, I learnt two main things. Firstly, the session on culture shock allowed me to put some theory behind what I've felt so many times before. I've felt it, I've experienced it, I've dealt with it, but I don't think I've ever really understood it, so it was awesome to be able to reflect on past experiences and put words to how I was feeling at those times. 

Secondly, I came to realise that, whilst GOLD is a guiding project, when it all comes down to it, it is a Community Action Project. It's developing youth organisations overseas, and I think when it comes down to me talking to the general public about what I'm doing, that's a clear way of explaining that this is not just another one of my guiding jaunts. It's through guiding, and it's developing guiding, but strip away all of that, and I'm going out to Latvia to help young people over there to have an organisation that they can be proud of. Like I'm proud of Girlguiding. 

Oh, and we also had a chance to have fun, with our first night of acting under duvets, and our second night of Winter Olympic themed chaos (including an appearance from Clare Balding - and a tweet from the ACTUAL Clare Balding!), it was great to be having so much fun with new (and old) friends! 

OMGosh - It's Clare Balding!!! 

(Photos taken by Anna - sorry I stole them!)