Gaia Girls Immersion - Easter 2021
Mon 29th March & 1st April
9am - 2pm
Thank you for placing your trust with us in guiding your girls!
This page is to serve as your go-to page for all the information you should need about the holiday programme you have signed up for. 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.
LOGISTICS
WHAT TO BRING & WEAR
This will vary greatly depending on the weather, season and location we will be heading to. During the warmer months, it will be safe to say that we will stay close to watercourses so we can dip in to cool down. On these days, it will be important to pack swimsuits and associated gear.
The list below is the standard packing list for any programme, with an additional list for water-based programmes
STANDARD PACKING LIST
Light backpack (2 straps)
Water bottle (1litre in cool weather, 1.5litres in summer)
Hat
Sunscreen
Snacks & packed lunch (Preferably in reusable containers)
Mosquito repellent
Comfortable outdoor clothing
Comfortable walking shoes
Rain poncho (weather dependent)
Face Mask
Hand Sanitizer
WATERBASED GEAR
Rashguard and swim shorts
Drybag (waterproof bag to replace backpack)
Towel
Change of clothes
Booties (or any closed-toed water-based shoes)
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
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)
The primary mode of communication with parents and guardians will be through email.
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 these programmes in light of the escalation of Coronavirus cases in Hong Kong.
When signing up for this programme, guardians agree to the following terms below:
- Temperature checks for their child the morning before the programme begins. Temperatures above 37.5 may require the child to abstain from joining the programme.
- Each child to carry their own personal hygiene belongings of their choosing (Hand sanitizers, face masks etc).
- Disclose if they or their children have been abroad in the last 21 days.
What we will do:
- We will bring organic soap that can be used if and when we are near a river to wash our hands. If we are not in a water-based environment, each child will be invited to use their own personal hygiene belongings whenever they choose to, but especially after any physical contact.
- We will reduce physical contact where possible, and encourage the group to practice asking for, and setting physical boundaries
- We will continue to serve tea ceremony with wild tea, however, we will not be sharing the tea to drink ourselves, but to serve the tea as a practice of gratitude to the natural environment, offering the tea to the soil.
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