Guiding lights embrace Era 2000

By Stacey Bodger and NZPA

ROTORUA - Girl Guides are celebrating a new era at their national jamboree near Rotorua this week.

The Era 2000 camp is focused on promoting independence and self-confidence in the 1500 Guides from throughout the North Island.

Spokeswoman Cath Ford said that for the first time since national camps began in 1914, 9-year-old Brownies, who join Guides when they turn 10, had been allowed to join their older "sisters."

Yesterday, girls aged 9 to 13 were taught how to build rafts with tyres, bamboo and rope. After sailing their craft on a lake at Tui Ridge Park, northwest of Rotorua, the girls entertained themselves for hours wallowing in mud created by a slip.

Mrs Ford said the squealing girls were an example of how Guiding had modernised.

"It's not all skirts and gardening and handicrafts any more - we recognise that this is the stuff many girls love doing and give them a chance to go for it.

"They are away from their families for a week and, at the end of it, will have tried activities they were initially hesitant about doing."

The camp is one of three. Nearly 750 Guides are also attending a jamboree at Carterton in the Wairarapa, while others have gathered at Waimate, in South Canterbury.

Jamborees are held every four years and coordinator Nanette Davenport said the girls had come prepared, having been required to camp two nights under canvas to condition them.

Mrs Davenport has been associated with Guides for 27 years, and has seen activity programmes become more action-packed.

Rafting and abseiling are also featured this year.

Yesterday, the girls completed community service work, which included clearing weeds from a cemetery, cleaning shop windows and singing for Masterton rest-home residents.

Guides chose which of the jamborees they wanted to attend.

Some travelled great distances to go to the Carterton event. But for 13-year-old Sarah Lett, of nearby Featherston, the sites further afield were never considered.

"I don't want to be without mum," she said, with the satisfaction of knowing her mother was an on-site volunteer.

Others weren't so lucky. Event spokeswoman Margaret Millar said homesickness was common.

"Once they get a couple of good nights' sleep, they get over it."