The Girl Guides Association was formed in 1910, after a group of girls crashed the 1909 Boy Scout rally at Crystal Palace, asking founder Robert Baden-Powell for 'something for the girls'. They were led by his sister, Agnes Baden-Powell. Rosebuds, a junior section for under-11s, was formed in 1914 and renamed as Brownies in 1915. Senior Guides, now The Senior Section, were introduced in 1916. The Association was renamed Girlguiding in 2002, and in 2010 members across the country celebrated the centenary year.
World Thinking Day is celebrated on February 22nd every year - the birthdate of both Robert Baden-Powell and his wife, and the first Chief Guide, Olave. Guides and Girl Scouts around the world mark the occasion by thinking about, and, fundraising for, with advances in technology, communicating with, their foreign counterparts.
World Thinking Day is celebrated on February 22nd every year - the birthdate of both Robert Baden-Powell and his wife, and the first Chief Guide, Olave. Guides and Girl Scouts around the world mark the occasion by thinking about, and, fundraising for, with advances in technology, communicating with, their foreign counterparts.
About the other sections:
Rainbows are the youngest section in Girlguiding. They were founded in 1987 for girls aged 5-7 years old. They can earn Roundabout badges by choosing and completing tasks from a selection of options on topics like seasons, festivals, and global adventures.
Guides are aged 10-14 years. They work in groups called patrols towards 'Go For It!' challenges and interest badges. They can earn a Guide challenge badge each year they are at Guides, and once they have two of these badges, can begin to work towards their Baden Powell Challenge Award. Guides can also be Rainbow or Brownie Helpers, helping with the younger sections as a part of the leadership team.
The Senior Section covers all members aged 14-26, regardless of whether they regularly attend unit meetings (often referred to as Rangers, although that isn't an official term any more). Senior Section members between 14 and 17 can be Young Leaders with Rainbows, Brownies, or Guides, and can work towards their Young Leader Qualification. Members aged 18 or over can work on their Adult Leadership Qualification. There are a variety of other options for The Senior Section - the Look Wider programme and Chief Guide's Challenge for all ages, the Commonwealth Award (which is also available to 13+ Guides), the Queen's Guide Award for 16+ members, Duke of Edinburgh, peer education training, and much more.
The fun isn't just for kids! Adults in Girlguiding can take on a whole range of volunteer roles. Many volunteers are unit leaders and assistant leaders, working as a team to run their units and provide a balanced and varied programme for their girls. Leaders complete the Adult Leadership Qualification, manage finances, and are provided with training and resources to keep them up to date. There are also local, county, and regional roles such as Commissioners and Trainers.
Adults can choose to be Unit Helpers or Occasional Helpers. These roles are available to women and men over 18, and can be invaluable for the running of a unit. They have the flexibility to give whatever time they're able to, be it helping at the occasional meeting or more regularly, accompanying a unit on a trip to fulfil ratio requirements, or helping at a camp or holiday.
Adults can choose to be Unit Helpers or Occasional Helpers. These roles are available to women and men over 18, and can be invaluable for the running of a unit. They have the flexibility to give whatever time they're able to, be it helping at the occasional meeting or more regularly, accompanying a unit on a trip to fulfil ratio requirements, or helping at a camp or holiday.
The Trefoil Guild is open to people aged 18 and over to support Guiding and Scouting and "keep alive among members the spirit of the Guide and Scout Promises and Laws." Members of the Trefoil Guild are often, but not exclusively, retired Leaders and people who no longer have the time or ability to commit to regular Guiding. However, many members are still active in Guiding! They make the same Promise as every other section of Guiding, and decide their own programme and frequency based on the interests and availability of members.