I know it’s been quiet on my blog. It’s been quiet with all things Craftyguider recently too.
At the beginning of the school holidays, I was working flat out to get Guide camp organised. There’s obviously lots to do if you are feeding and looking after other people’s kids and keeping them safe and entertained.
We all got to camp and had a great time. The Craftyguidelets camped too which made things a lot different to all the previous camps I’ve done in my 17 years as a Guider. I had three Guider friends from my former Division (area) to help me as I had no Guiders from my unit who could camp. As the site was quiet, the Guides and other leaders got to watch the TV coverage of the opening of the Olympics on the first night with the site crew while I watched the Craftyguidelets sleep. This was unplanned and was a fantastic opportunity for them. The Guides then re-enacted it for me the next day using our art and craft box, some union flag plastic tablecloths, and lots of over-acting! That evening, we held a campfire, shared songs, jumped around like silly things, and then headed back for soup and bed.
The next morning things changed. The Guides served breakfast themselves as three of the Guiders had to deal with a tragedy. An ambulance was called. A paramedic confirmed what the three Guiders had already realised. The parents were called to collect their daughters early. The police and a coroner had to attend. Our extended Guiding family came to support. Only three Guiders went home that day.
Our friend had died in her sleep. There was nothing we could have done although we still tried. She was only in her early 50’s. She had given up her weekend to help me at camp and was having a great camp like the rest of us. Such a lovely person taken too soon.
It’s still strange. This doesn’t happen at Guide camp. This just doesn’t happen. This shouldn’t happen. Even after 2 weeks away on holiday, it’s still unbelievable. This is why it’s not been ‘business as usual’. This is why it’s been quiet.
Louise, I really hope you can find some peace in this terrible tragedy. Been thinking of you lots.
I hope the break allowed you to take some time out x
Thank you x
So sorry to hear your news. It must have been a real shock. Will take a while to get over I’m sure. xx
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. What an absolutely terrible thing to happen – my thoughts are with you and the other guiders who had to face that situation. I hope you can take solace from the fact that she was having a great time on camp and died doing something she enjoyed. Lots of guidey love to you xx
Oh Louise I’m so so sorry to hear you’ve lost a good friend and guider. Don’t worry about things being quiet, you need to give yourself time. We will all be here for you whenever you need us 🙂 hugs xxxx
How awful for you all! I’m so sorry you lost your friend like that. I just can’t imagine such a thing happening, but I can imagine your camp and your guides being capable and well trained to serve their breakfast!
Thinking of you. X
So sorry to hear this Louise.
My heart goes out to everyone of you involved, it must have been a huge shock, and you need time to heal.
Sending you huge love, prayers & support xxx
Oh Louise, I’ve only just caught up with my blogs – I’m so sorry to hear this, what a terrible way for camp to end. I hope you’re holding up ok – my thoughts are with you, your friend’s family and the other Guiders. Quiet is necessary to come to terms with such a tragedy, but we are here if you need us. Sending love xxxx
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time xxx