Blog / July 30th, 2024
Uniformed Youth Fund – July update 2
1st Writtle Zodiac Rangers was set up by 2 Guide leaders and 12 Guides who were keen to continue their Girlguiding journey. Their first meeting was on 9 January 1989 and 35 years later the unit is still going strong! They also now have a number of legacy members, being the daughters or nieces of the original 12. Zodiac Rangers received £60 worth of Girlguiding vouchers as part of our project to increase capacity and welcome new members in Guides and Rangers. Hear an update from their unit from guest author and unit leader, Josie.
Our favourite adventures
Across the years the unit has held local camps, residentials and day trips, as well as attending Jamborees, both locally and internationally, including when the world came to Writtle for the 2007 World Scout Jamboree. Girls and leaders have gone to Japan, Australia, Thailand, Switzerland, Austria, America and Gibraltar. We’ve also attended several Wellies & Wristbands at Foxlease and this summer we are heading two miles up the road to attend the Essex International Jamboree. We’ll join 7,500 other Scouts, Guides, Rangers, Explorers and leaders from across the world. Essex International Jamboree is held every four years and has been a firm fixture throughout the history of the unit. We’ve had girls attending, either as participants or staff, at every event since 1992.
Welcoming new members
As with all Ranger units, the numbers go up and down. But following a group of new members joining in the summer term, we are at the largest level ever with 23 members. We have also had a number of Guides visit the unit with a view to join in September. At that point we will also be saying farewell to some of our older members. They head off to universities or take a gap year to work and travel.
What makes us unique
The unit meets fortnightly and the girls plan their own meetings, which are usually a mix of the Girlguiding programme and other activities. We always have tea and hot chocolate along with a supply of biscuits. Standard fixtures in our programme are pancakes in February and a Christmas celebration. We also have more chilled evenings over the exam period with pamper nights or colouring in to give everyone a break from studying. At other times we cover more sensitive subjects such as the peer education sessions or the Coppafeel unit meeting activity. We have discussions around mental health and other health issues. Being an all-girl environment lends itself to these types of evenings, especially with the experiences across the age range, which means the discussions are varied and supportive.
Our wonderful welcome packs
When new girls join, we give them a welcome pack, which is a pink folder containing a Ranger pen and small notebook, a selection of the Ranger badges, including the trefoil and “Welcome to Rangers” badge, the programme record book, our unit guidelines, the “Starting Rangers” form and a copy of the latest programme. Our unit scarf colours are black and pink and the girls are given these when they get make their promise, which can be anywhere they choose! 10 girls made their promise on the ferris wheel at Wellies and Wristbands a couple of years ago. Other standout promise ceremonies were on a bungee run, on a bouncy castle, on the doorstep of No.10 Downing Street, on the London Eye, the top of the O2 and at the Big Gig and other local events.
We have an amazing group of girls at the moment. When asked why they enjoyed Rangers, they said
Zodiac Rangers is the best because of the strong friendships we have throughout the unit
and this is so true. As a past Ranger myself (who never left and became unit leader in 1999), I can honestly say that my closest friends are those I made through Rangers and Girlguiding. I am still in touch with many past members. I love to catch up if I see anyone out and about.
Thank you to Girlguiding Anglia for the vouchers, support and opportunities.
Josie Mullender
Unit Leader – Zodiac Rangers
If you’d like to create a welcome pack for your new Rangers, you could consider things like this:
- Ranger tote bag or folder from your local stationery provider
- Ranger Pen
- Ranger notebook (includes a pencil)
- Welcome to Rangers badge
- Woven trefoil badge
- Ranger handbook or Ranger record book
- Don’t forget to do a starter form and anything that is specific to your unit. This might include where to buy uniform, if you offer cheaper second hand uniform, your unit guidelines or the terms programme. Also include information about trips or events if you can still book on them.
For further gifts and resources for Rangers, take a look at Ranger products in our shop.
Click here for last month’s blog. This is 1 of 2 blogs from the uniformed youth fund project this month. Find blog 1 here. Click here for next month’s blog.