How did this activity begin

Towards the end of 1999 the moe Old Gipps town would host a Saturday where the young children would take there teddy bear to a Teddy Bears Picnic. Most of the Guides in Churchill did not have transport to attend. Public transport finished through Churchill by 1pm on a Saturday afternoon. So if the Leaders could get the Guides there there was not transport back.

Rather than not be included the Guides were encouraged to think of ways to be included. The older Guides helping in the younger units suggested holding their own Teddy Bear Picnic at the Hazelwood South Hall during the meeting time. Some of these older guides had attended the Teddy Bear overnight stay at the hall a few years before.

Weeks before the chosen meeting time 'things' were created to include the others to participate. The activty usually netted some interest from girls outside the Unit. Guides that had moved from this Unit wanted to be included too. The meeting was opened to the sisters of the younger Guides. Over the years they brought friends --usually from the otlder unit!

The day then became a Saturday activity. Open to all Guides, family and friends.
Then the leaders became so externally busy that the weekends for the Teddy Bears Picnic evaporated. By the end of 2008 the Units had planned to have a Teddy Bears Picnic included in with the Rac Wac in first term 2009. The fires that are now named 'Black Saturday' threw all planning out of the window.

So by the end of 2009 fouth term the planning for 2010 teddy bears picnic had already begun.. Several changes have occured. people have offered to assist. These same people are interested in getting the Guides active, with more people knowing just what Guides actually is involved with. Now the Hazelwood and Churchill Guide District team are now organising the event. A Gipp's Guide is overseeing the Teddy Bears Picnic. As part of Clean up Australia the Teddy Bears will be assisting in Cleaning up the Glendonald Park. Since Clean Up Australia in Glendonald Park is a family and friend event everyone is invited. Activities and games will be included.as part of the 'entertainment factors' for the youngest children. Games in the Park will be aimed at the older ones. The District catering team is resonsible for the BBQ.

Old Fashioned Games 2007

World Thinking Day was celebrated with old fashioned games at the Hazelwood South Reserve and Hall. (Churchill, Victoria, Australia)

Often games are played or similar activities are done through out the world. One game may have developed one way, another branched out some other and the original changed beyond recognition. Usually because games and activities spread as people spread, played in may different countries, across class and culture and with anything that is on hand.

The Churchill Guide Unit has up to 6 different primary schools making up the membership. Being a flexiable Guide Unit, with an age range of five to seventeen at different times a simple game or activity needs very clear rules. So now advacacy and self government help in keeping the rules clear to all. These rules are remade several different times over the years.

At different times various camp rules , games [ kick ball, skipping, sack races, craft activities, clean up duties] all come under scrutiny. Discussion is keped cool as the process of determining the rules is decided.

Do we all have an equal input around the discussion circle, in the patrols, patrol leaders meeting, at a committee meeting.