It is -22°C on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 18, but the Clearwater Girls Guides are real die-hards. They are out in the cold, learning how to use a compass under the direction of Jean Nelson and Susan McFarland.
The girls, between the ages of nine and 11, are divided into smaller groups and all have a compass around their neck. They have to follow the directions written on a small piece of paper.
Looking at the instructions, Susan tells the girls: “First, you have to turn the compass house 240 degrees and align the number 240 with the end of the travel-arrow. Then you have to move the compass around to find the north and align the red arrow with it. When you have done that then you need to take 57 steps in the direction of the travel-arrow.”
Once the girls have figured this out and arrive at the spot after taking all these steps, they have to do it again but now for 340 degrees. They need to take another 43 steps in that direction. At the end of the exercise, they find a ski pole with a nice treat hidden underneath. It shows that they have done everything right.
When everyone has completed the exercise and found their reward, they quickly move inside to warm up and learn how to knit.
“Get your wool and two needles,” Jean instructs the girls. “We are going to teach you how to knit a little owl.”
Step-by-step they are walked through setting up their own knitting work and shown how to knit.
The time flies by and after a fun couple of hours, it is time to go home again but not before the girls have been told that they will be going winter camping in mid-February. Clearwater Girls Guides are real die-hards.
– Margot Venema