Brownies learn life skills thanks to de Gruchy

In an exciting ‘mass’ Brownie Badge Challenge, de Gruchy has teamed up with the 14^th First Tower Brownies to see if all 16 members can pass their Brownie Skills Badge in one night.  The challenge, which will take place next Monday 17^th September, will see the Brownies being taught five key life skills by de Gruchy staff, over the course of an hour and a half period.  Having been tested on the skills, the evening will conclude with the presentation of badges to all those that have successfully passed.

In order to complete the Brownie Skills Badge, the Brownies, aged between seven and ten, must complete at least five tasks from a list, each demonstrating a practical, relevant life skill.  On the night, the skills covered will be:

Planning and making a healthy packed lunch – de Gruchy’s chefs will demonstrate healthy foods and non-healthy foods and give the Brownies the chance to pack their own healthy lunch box.

Show how to wash and iron your clothes – Brownies will bring hankies and simple items they have washed at home and the Homeware team will show them how to safely iron their item, giving them a chance to have a go.

Help at an event where you have to collect money and give change – in the coffee shop, the Brownies and de Gruchy will supply a selection of cakes for the evening and sell them to the waiting families, raising money for de Gruchy’s 2012 charity of choice, Durrell.

Show how you would pack a bag for a weekend away from home – the team in the luggage department will demonstrate how to pack a small suitcase, with the Brownies tested on their skills.

Show that you can address an envelope correctly – the Stationery department team, along with a friendly postman from Jersey Post, will explain why postcodes are important and invite the Brownies to address and post their own cards on the night.

Store Manager, John Marquis said: ‘At de Gruchy, we are very much a part of the Jersey community and we feel strongly about building relationships with local people and organizations. Our range of departments and our staff expertise means we are perfectly equipped to help the Brownies with this exciting Brownie Badge Challenge.  It promises to be a fun evening too.  If all goes well, we are hoping this event will provide the foundation for future Brownie Badge Challenges in store as we expand the concept to other Brownie Units from across the Island.’

Jayne Hutchings, the 14^th First Tower Brownie Leader adds: ‘The Brownies are really excited to be doing this Badge Challenge at de Gruchy and we’d like to thank the staff at the store, firstly for making it possible and secondly for going above and beyond the call of duty to make it possible in one evening! The skills learnt as part of the badge are important, relevant skills that the Brownies will need for life and it’s fantastic that the whole unit is able to learn them together like this.’

Tags: Brownie Badge Challenge, de Gruchy

Category: Community, Events