Gabby's Wild Birthday!
Saturday 29th Oct
1pm - 4pm
Braemar Hill Road, North Point
We are so excited to share and celebrate Gabby's Birthday with you!
Our day will be spent out in the arms of Mother Nature, learning bushcraft skills such as weaving bracelets & necklaces from plants, making a fire (without matches or lighters), we'll discover our Spirit Animal guides, and hold a special birthday Tea ceremony with wild herbs we forage for!
This page is to serve as your go-to page for all the information you should need about the afternoon. In addition to this page, you will be added to a whatsapp group for the duration of the programme so we can communicate any last-minute information and share any updates with you in a timely manner.
LOCATION
We will be exploring a river gorge, with plenty of options for peaceful crafting, and adventurous bouldering! The drop off & pick up locations are different spots, on either end of Braemar Hill Road. The google pin is provided above, and please do get in touch if you have trouble finding the drop off point!
WHAT TO BRING & WEAR
Depending on the weather in the weeks before we gather, there may be opportunities for the girls to hop in rockpools along the way (entirely optional) to cool off. It is entirely possible to walk the length of the gorge without getting our feet wet, however - to avoid getting soggy socks if we have a little slip, we would recommend the girls wear sturdy sandals, or light booties
STANDARD PACKING LIST
Light backpack (2 straps)
Suggest wearing sports shorts with a rashvest for the option of getting wet
Water bottle
Sunscreen (already applied at home)
Snacks (optional)
Mosquito repellent
Comfortable outdoor clothing
Comfortable walking shoes (sandals are good)
Rain poncho (weather dependent)
Spare face mask
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE DO IT.....
THE ROLE OF THE MENTOR
I am not the only Mentor in the group
As their guide, I am there to support when support is needed or requested.
They may recognize me as their human guide, but as their mentor, I will also be constantly pointing out how Mother Earth is also mentoring us all the time, as well as each individual in the group.
I will be sharing practices on how to listen and observe what the Earth might be sharing, so even after they walk away from the programme with me, they feel they are constantly being guided.
Independence
A large part of my role is also to open their eyes to their own limitless potential and power. I do this by not doing everything for them. Literally!
A strong element of this programme is independence as well as community, so we will be drawing on the collective wisdom of the group, especially when there is an individual who is needing support.
Transforming self-doubt
I am familiar with self-doubt (I have been friends with self-doubt for a long time), and because of that, I can see when it is coming up for the girls. There will be plenty of opportunities where we will stretch our boundaries to do things we didn't think we could, make things we didn't think we could make, go places we wouldn't have attempted to go before and to know that we are capable and deserving of feeling powerful!
Celebrating Diversity
Each girl and each day will be different, and so the level of support and guidance I will offer to each one depending on the environment will vary.
The most important part? Reflecting back to them their own unique gifts they bring to the group.
RISK
There is always an element of risk in everything that we do. The risks we may encounter during the programme while spending time along River gorges and Forest walks can be more physical in nature.
Part of my role is not to point out every single potential danger there is to the girls, but to create a container that supports them in identifying, and assessing the risk themselves. Pointing out any and all risk to our young ones would be doing them a disservice. Sheltering them from potential danger means we rob them of the opportunity to learn for themselves what feels safe, and right.
By building and strengthening this skill in risk assessment, we allow them to gain experience and confidence in listening to their own bodies and trust their intuition so that this can be applied in any and all environments.
(But of course, I will do everything in my power to make sure they come back with all of their fingers and toes!)
COMMUNICATION
(With parents)
You will be added to the Whatsapp communication group 1 week before the camp begins. The primary purpose of the group is to share all the photos taken from our time during the programme, as well as to communicate any changes or updates to the programme in a timely manner.
The Whatsapp group will be closed 1 week after the programme has completed, and you can feel free to exit at any point before that.
Please keep personal inquiries to direct emails to connect@kembali.org
WEATHER
Our programme will continue even in the rain! If weather forecasts unsafe weather to continue, we will postpone the programme date. You will be informed by 6.30am that morning if the programme needs to be cancelled.
A programme will be cancelled if:
- T3 or above is hoisted
- Red Rain or above is hoisted
In the event of a Thunderstorm, amber rain, or T1 signal, our programme activities will be adjusted as well as our location to ensure we have safe and accessible passage out to main roads, and that we have access to sheltered spaces to work on skills-based learning.
If a Red Rain or a T3 signal is hoisted during the programme, the group will travel to the nearest safe space or exit site, and parents will be contacted about arranging an earlier pick-up.
Benefits of continuing in the rain and 'imperfect' conditions
- Teaches the girls to adapt to different environments and situations
- Offers an opportunity to problem solve, improvise and think on our feet
- Allows them to listen to their bodies response to the environment, and learn how to dress accordingly
- Invites a new relationship with the rain, learning to see the beauty in that element, rather than a hindrance
- Can offer ideal bonding time, sharing experiences that stretch our comfort zones
HEALTH & SAFETY
We will continue to practice safe hygiene during all Kembali gatherings and programmes.
What we will do:
- Each child will be invited to use their own personal hygiene belongings whenever they choose to, but especially after any physical contact.
- Physical contact - we encourage the group to practice asking for, and setting physical boundaries based on what they feel comfortable with.
- We will be observing our food hygiene very consciously as we prepare the food, ensuring all utentils, pots & food that are used have been cleaned thoroughly.
What we ask you to do:
- Bring a spare face mask in case yours gets lost
FAQ
Does my child have to wear a face mask during the programme?
The girls and the guides will be required to follow the Covid19 regulations at the time of the programme. Current regulations state that during physical activity and exercise, a mask is not required, as well as in the country-parks. However, a mask is required to be worn at the agreed meeting spots. If you and your daughter decide they wish to wear a mask for the duration of the programme, that would also be welcome. We encourage all to do what they need to feel comfortable and safe.
Aside from preventative measures and keeping good hygiene, the girl's guide will carry a comprehensive first aid kit at all times. Our aim is to prevent any major injuries and incidents from taking place, but rest assured we have our wilderness first aid training up to date, and have an ability to communicate our location via GPS as well as a map and compass should the unlikely event of an emergency occur.
Connect with us if you have any further questions and inquiries - connect@kembali.org