Gateway and Mahamaya guides hold fun-filled training camp

The Girl Guides of Gateway College, Kandy, took part in their first ever Girl Guide training camp along with their more experienced counterparts from Mahamaya College, Kandy. The camp was held on the grounds of the lower Kotmale Club of Nawalapitiya.

The Girl Guides, mostly from the Year 7,8 and 9 classes were accompanied by the Teacher-in-charge, Mrs. Deepika Gamalath and the assistant teacher, Mrs. Poornima along with the Girl Guide Commissioners Mrs. Gnana Ekanayake and Mrs. K. Hirimbureagama. The theme of the camp being Nature, the guides were divided into three groups, the Waterfalls headed by Charya, Flowers headed by Arshana and Seasons headed by Hasini.

Arriving late evening, the guides quickly had to put up their tents, one for each group and two others for the Mahamaya Guides and supervisors. The fact that it was raining heavily only made these tasks harder. They were exhausted and soaked to the skin but by the time they went to sleep in the wee hours of Saturday morning, the camp site had been prepared. Saturday was perhaps the most tiring day of the camp as the guides went on a hike into the mountains and prepared meals with only the bare necessities. Drains were dug around the camp site and in the evening they engaged in quizzes and games, the only activities not involving strenuous labour.

Meanwhile, camp drills such as Colours and Roll Call were being carried out. On Sunday afternoon, a sportsmeet was held with events such as Javelin throwing and shot putt, group events and obstacle races. Sunday evening was probably the highlight of the camp as parents were invited to the campfire. The Guides presented several entertaining items which included a fashion show, a skit, a variety of camp songs and speeches. Contributing to the evening were the Mahamaya Guides. As evening turned into night, the Guides sitting around the flickering camp fire, took part in a camp fire song and dance.

With the camp fire almost dying out, it was time for the parents to leave and the Guides spent the rest of the night playing football and basketball and singing into the early hours of Monday morning. The last day of the camp, the guides packed up their tents and cleaned the campsite. A last camp routine was carried out with prayers from children of different religions - "Guides Own". With a few minutes to spare, the guides exchanged fond goodbyes and signed each other's log books. A memorable ending to what had been a arduous yet wonderful experience.