Sometimes it can feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Work commitments, family commitments, time for yourself, time for your community – it’s tricky to squeeze it all in. Here’s a guest post on the invigorating power of working with girls in Guiding.
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How hectic is your life? If you are an urban dweller you are likely finding life busy, crowded, expensive and often tiring. If you live in a rural area, your life is also likely busy, expensive and often tiring. For the most part we all have the same complaints.
We come home tired every night and our weekends are sacred times for sleep, family and catching up on everything we didn’t complete last weekend.
Then, isn’t it remarkable that Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada has thousands of women, right across the county, who willing give a group of girls a few hours a week? These same women also commit to using a couple of weekends a year to engage these girls in a simple event that might be a craft day or weekend camp that quickly turns into a fabulous time for everyone.
When I became a Guide Leader I wasn’t sure how I could do it. What would I have to give up? More importantly what did I have to offer a group of girls? What I found out was that I had the right stuff! I could engage with, and be engaged by, a dynamic group of tomorrow’s women. And I didn’t have to give up anything.
We did individual environmental goals for our lunches; we danced the Macarena; we did a mid-winter walk to find all the colours in pack of crayons (found them all); we danced the Macarena; we had a geologist drop in; we danced the Macarena; we played with feral kittens at an animal shelter (some got adopted); we danced the Macarena; we sold cookies to everyone we saw by creating the ‘Five Great Reasons to Buy Girl Guide Cookies’ campaign; we held a carnival for the Districts Brownies; we camped; we went to a play; we had a health nurse visit to talk about the perils of smoking; we did badge work; built a snowmen; we sang ‘Black Socks’ on the subway and got smiles out everyone, and did I mention we danced the Macarena?
At times, I might have dragged myself into a Unit meeting, but I always came home invigorated. The dynamic of girls can charge you. As a parent, I learned a great deal about interaction with kids, their parents and how a group can stay positive and supportive by using simple tools such as your ears for always listening and good words.
Girl Guides of Canada is always looking for new Guiders. Women with the ‘right stuff.’ Women from all walks of life, education levels and knowledge can participate with girls in a safe environment to enable girls to be confident, resourceful and courageous, and to make a difference in the world.
What are you waiting for?
By guest blogger Virginia, former “Happy Guider”
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