New term for Longford Girl Guides

The new term will see the return to clubs and activities for all communities and Girl Guides is no exception.
Annaly Area is a stronghold of Irish Girl Guides in Co. Longford for over 50 years, with units for age 5 upwards in North Longford, Longford town, Ardagh and South Longford.
Guiding gives girls the opportunity to be the best that they can be, giving girls confidence, to make friends, go out and face the world's adventures and challenges.

Over the past year, Annaly Area has seen groups of girls travel to Wales and to Switzerland, as well as camping in Portlick and Mote Park, Roscommon. North Longford Sr Brancher, Maire Lillis, spent the Summer as volunteer staff in Our Chalet, Switzerland, a familiar face for the girls who travelled to visit during the Summer.
Meeting up with other units the girls have made friends and had amazing adventures, at the top of the world in Switzerland, facing Storm Kathleen on Irish Sea, camping, cook-outs, crate stacking in Portlick, Rooskey day-out and Longford Ladybirds (age 5-7) even had overnight LEGO fun in Mote Park Cottage! N. Longford Sr Branch traveled to the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium and are looking forward to seeing Mama Mia in Dublin.

Annaly Area had Guide and Sr Branch teams entered into the First LEGO League so there was plenty of pizza and trips to DCU. Brownies, Guides and Sr Branchers availed of kayaking courtesy of Longford Sports Partnership and Annaly Area was well represented at Regional Branch Days out, Guides at Emerald Park, and Brownies and Ladybirds at Turoe Pet Farm. Community involvement has included supporting local Tidy Towns and the Vodafone Hi-Digital programme has been a huge success with all our Sr Branchers available to deliver Hi-Digital to over 55s, contact below to find out more.
A big congratulations to Senior Branchers, Niamh Grier, Niamh Lillis and Lorraine Mcnabola who achieved their Silver Gaisce Awards and Niamh Cummins, Chloe and Kayla Reilly and Liliana Kurzelewska who achieved their Bronze Gaisce Awards through Irish Girl Guides.

September will see girls moving up through the branches; Ladybirds - aged 5 to 7 years; Brownies - aged 7 to 10 years; Guides - ages 10 to 14 years; Sr Branch - ages 14 up; and planning for the coming year, with the first trip most likely being a trip to Dublin for a Panto - oh yes it will - and plenty excitement for our first in-person International Camp since Covid where girls from all over the world will gather in Clongowes Wood School for Orbit 2025 - lots to look forward to.
September will also see a call out to the community for volunteers to be a part of making all these adventures possible. From age 18 you can become a Leader with the Irish Girl Guides.
With a strong emphasis on the outdoors, environment, community responsibility and teamwork, being part of a Leadership team means it is not all up to you, but working together and giving your time and commitment is what enables Guiding.

As a Leader you are part of developing the girls' self-esteem, confidence and leadership skills, as well as your own, journey through Guiding. Irish Girls Guides actively promotes diversity and inclusion and welcomes girls and women from all walks of life.
TY students are welcome to join one of the units as part of the Gaisce community service, volunteering challenge. The Journey Programme provides structured ceremonies, songs, games, crafts and s'mores - all sorts of fun activities - full training, materials and ongoing support is given to all our volunteers.

To find out more email: LongfordGirlGuides@gmail.com, text 086 237 2616, or find us on Facebook.