Badges awarded by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburg. Photo: www.girls-brigade.org.co.uk

VI Girls Brigade youth member Ava Thomas, who will be participating in the activities for the International Duke of Edinburg and Queen’s Award. Photo: VINO/ File

On June 26, 2012 at the Road Town Methodist Church, Girls Brigade (GB) International Vice President for the Caribbean Americas, Mrs. Hazel-Ann Hannaway-Boreland, informed the public of the rigorous training and the overnight expedition that the girls will go through, in efforts to meet the criteria of the award.

She explained that the overnight expedition that is mandatory for every girl who wishes to receive the award, instructs the girls to pack one bag and go on a lengthy walk. She added that the girls must stay overnight in the wilderness/forest with everything they have packed, and return safely the next day.

Youth member of the local Girls Brigade Ava Thomas, who will also be participating in the activities for the award, said that she is proud to be working towards the internationally recognised Queen’s Award and the Duke of Edinburg Award programme.

Ms. Thomas added that the award is the highest award in the Girls Brigade ranking, and is recognised internationally, namely by the Brigader’s Broach.

Ms. Thomas informed the public that this is no walk in the park goal that she can achieve easily.

She stated that it is a two-year programme, where many activities require participation.

Due to a recent visit to Malaysia by Ava, she said that, “I sat with the girls in various group sessions at the Malaysia conference which spoke about the award programme and the importance that was placed on the attainment of these badges.”

In agreeing with Ms. Hannaway-Borland she added that, “The expedition is one of the activities to get closer to the badge, where girls will foster survival skills, quenching their thirst for adventure and enhancing our skills, specifically being able to adapt to the environment around us and being able to depend on each other.”

Some other activities to be done to achieve the award are for the participants to, adopt a family programme and conduct fundraisers that are organised by the youth leaders vying for the award.