Use of Themes
 
  • A theme is not just the icing on the cake, but can help to make the training "rememberable" - so it's not just an extra, but an important element. If it is used well it ties the whole training together - a common thread if you will, that runs through everything you are doing.
  • Where can themes be used?
      • name tags
      • icebreaker or climate setter
      • session names
      • fun activities
      • fit breaks
      • evaluations
      • crafts
      • groups (names, dividing into etc.)
      • posters

        • by choosing appropriate readings, poems, music and activities your theme can be  woven into Reflections, Guides' Own and Campfire
         
    Theme Ideas:
      • Guiding, The Gold Medal Challenge - Olympics
      • Shareware - computer theme
      • Golf
      • Winnie the Pooh - Adventures in Guiding - The Winnie the Pooh theme was a little unusual, because of the two parts of it.  Adventure was really the theme, but Pooh carried it.  If you find a character who "typifies" the characteristic, then it can be very successful.  ie who has more perseverance when meeting challenges than Charlie Brown?  and who has more fun than Mickey Mouse?
      • Treasure Chest
      • Teddy Bears
      • Rainbows
      • Spring
      • Music in the Key of G-(uiding)
      • Games Guiders Play
      • It isn't Easy Being Green (Pathfinder Guider Training)
      • Under the Big Top (Circus) Stage One Basic Training

        • Unit level - Sparks “Yellow Night”
         
    Additional Theme Ideas developed at the WRTE session Sept. 15/00:
    • Take the Mystery out of Guiding ­ Stage I
      • Detective Game
      • Magnifying Glass nametags
    • Stars of Guiding ­ Stage II - Session names include:
      • - Celestial Bodies
      • - Star Search ­ Arts
      • - Night Games outside or in a dark room
      • - Star word search ­ star in answer
      • - Star crossed lovers ­ Conflict resolution
      • - ET Call Home ­ Communications
      • - Star resources
    • For the Birds ­ Stage II
      • - What Came First the Chicken or the Egg ­ Problem Solving
      • - Poultry Seasoning ­ Putting the spice back in Guiding
      • - Where’s the Rubber Chicken? ­ Games ( Similar to Inuit Blanket Game but using a rubber chicken)
      • - Your Time to Quack Up ­ Evaluation
    • Harvest ­ Stage I
      • - Receive basket to collect “provisions”
      • - Veggie nametags
    • Training for All Seasons
      • - Friday ­ Winter
      • - Icebreaker Snowballs ­ comments on paper snowball ­ match to person
      • - Saturday AM ­ Spring
      • - Spring Into Action
      • - Saturday PM ­ Summer
      • - Picnic, Beach Party
      • - Sunday ­ Fall
      • - Who you can “fall” back on..
      • - Leaf Hike


    Regina Area held a Stage I  with the theme “Put Your Best Foot Forward” which included these sessions:

      • - “The Sole of Guiding” ­ Our Organization
      • - “Tie in The Promise & Law” ­ Beliefs & Values
      • - “Spit & Polish” ­ Uniform
      • - “Learning the Steps” ­ Program I
      • - “Keep Your Year from Sneaking up on You” ­ Long and Short range planning
      • - “Get out your Dancing Shoes” ­ Music & Dance
      • - “Stepping Through The Past” ­ Guide History
      • - “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes” ­ Understanding the Girls
      • - “Getting the Best Fit” ­ Relationships
      • - “Filling the Shoes” ­ Leadership
      • - “Mastering the Steps” ­ Program II
      • - “Running Shoes to Hiking Boots” ­ Games with a Point
      • - “Custom Fit Just for You” ­ LDP
      • - “Kick Up Your Heels” ­ Thinking Day and other Celebrations
      • - “Mastering the Fancy Footwork” ­ Record Keeping
      • - “Tripping Through The Store” ­ Resources
      • - “Tying it Together” ­ Closing
Sheila Wilson
 Western Region TRAINing Event 
 September 14 -17, 2000