Members of Sharjah Girl Guides are coming to terms with the beginning of a new school year by immersing themselves in a host of activities that are being held to finish off the summer vacation. Established to imbue its young members with skills in good citizenship, craft work and entrepreneurship, Sharjah Girl Guides has arranged a program for August, designed to make the most of the girls’ last days of summer vacation before they head back to their studies. 

“Sharjah Girl Guides have proved their reputation for being industrious and committed to self-improvement by having an extremely productive vacation, with much of their time in their holidays spent undertaking activities at a dedicated summer camp. We are delighted to be hosting a final programme for our girls that has been designed to help them further their confidence, learn new skills, develop an entrepreneurial mindset and enjoy good teamwork. Holding this programme at the close of the summer vacation ensures that Sharjah Girl Guides are best prepared to meet the challenges of a new school year,” said Shaikha Al Shamsi Assistant Manager at SGG. 

First in the workshop series was the Entrepreneurship Programme, which ran from August 7-11in collaboration with Sheraa Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre. Designed to foster skills in business and innovation, the programme incorporated classroom activities that challenged the Guides to explore starting their own entrepreneurial projects while still young. The activity provided useful, practical concepts to assist students in becoming productive contributing professionals, with one of its key activities being the writing of a business plan. To close the five-day programme, a trip was organised to ‘Hint Hunt’; an interactive murder-mystery event that encourages teamwork and lateral thinking - important elements for business success.

Next up and concluding yesterday (August 18) was the Young Reporter Programme, which taught its participants the skills needed to be an effective broadcast journalist. Running over five days from August 14, the programme was formulated to develop the Guides’ communication skills and explained the most important qualities required for an effective TV report. Placing a focus on effective dialogue, presentation and body language, the workshop encouraged concise speaking and confidence, with the budding television journalists able to practice their skills in front of a recording camera and receive feedback on their efforts.

Also taking place yesterday was a Wire Sculpture Workshop, which revealed to the Guides the skills needed to create jewellery home accessories, sculptures and other art forms using thin metal wire. Throughout the morning programme, the attendees learned the basic techniques of wire twisting and which tool to use for each kind of metal, with the results of their handiwork to be incorporated at a Sharjah Girl Guides art exhibition taking place in November. 

Electronics and its application to art is the focus of the Sharjah Girl Guides’ Future Technology Workshop, which takes place tomorrow (August 20). Those participating in this penultimate activity will be able to find out more about emerging technology, experience the world of Virtual Reality, discover fun ways to make use of electronics and learn about the dynamics of group work. Included in the interactive session will be learning how to create a ‘banana piano’ that uses electrodes attached to fruit to form a keyboard and ‘electrical origami’ which sees the beauty of paper sculptures enhanced with illumination from hidden electric bulbs.

The final activity in the Girl Guides programme for August is a workshop titled ‘Back to School.’  Designed as the last activity to focus the Girls minds on starting the new school year, the workshop revealed effective methods of planning and organising, how to set goals and how to identify factors that prevent them from effectively managing their time. As a fun element, the workshop also showed the participants creative ways they can decorate their stationery.  

The Guiding movement was established in Sharjah in 1973 after which it spread to all seven emirates, giving rise to the Girl Guides Association of the United Arab Emirates in 1979. Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, SGG aims to inspire and nurture future generations to become progressive global citizens by providing a platform for girls to develop to their fullest potential.