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Archives
Author Archives: Girl Guides of Canada Blog
Who’s listening to what girls have to say? Girl Guides is.
National Council – your chance to be heard “Girl Guides really gets it! They care about our voices and they’re ready to listen.” That’s what I was thinking last year when applications opened for Girl Guides of Canada’s first National … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged national volunteer opportunities, National Youth Council, pathfinders, rangers
1 Comment
How girls created the MOST Canadian welcome for newcomers
Sometimes, the best ideas come to you early in the morning. You know, when there’s a crisp quietness in the air and the sun is just starting to warmly say ‘hello’ for the day. This particular idea – knitting a … Continue reading
Posted in Awesome Activities
Tagged immigration, knitting, rangers, refugees, welcome
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Getting real and giving hope when everyone is watching 13 Reasons Why
For National Mental Health Week, we reached out to Kids Help Phone to develop some recommendations on how to talk about some of the serious subjects covered on the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why if they’re brought up in a unit … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged 13 Reasons Why, Mighty Minds, National Mental Health Week, suicide
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Three reasons why volunteering with Girl Guides is awesome
By Katie Dersch There is something for everyone Growing up in Guiding, I was able to try so many different things. From camping to robotics, I got to see for myself what I was interested in. Girl Guides helps you … Continue reading
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Why I Volunteer with Girl Guides
By Christina Roberts I love volunteering with Girl Guides because providing girls with enriching experiences and learning opportunities is tremendously rewarding. For the past two years, I have led a Brownie unit. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting intelligent and … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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Thank you, volunteers!
As National Volunteer Week begins, girls in Guiding are sending a huge shoutout to our amazing volunteers.
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Remembering Beyond Remembrance Day
On April 9, Canadians will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge. Guider Michelle writes how inviting a woman from the Canadian Forces helped her Guides explore their own leadership skills and the achievements of those who … Continue reading
Posted in Awesome Activities
Tagged female role models, leadership, Remembrance Day, Vimy Ridge
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Lost and found in translation
I recently went on a two-week long B.C. Girl Guide trip to Peru. We toured over a dozen towns in Southern Peru as well coastal cities such as Lima and Paracas. We hiked Machu Picchu, explored the floating islands on … Continue reading
Posted in Global Guiding
Tagged Girl Guide story, international, Peru, rangers, travel
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In Guiding, I’m not alone
When I was growing up we didn’t talk about mental health and mental illness. It wasn’t something we talked about at home. It wasn’t something we learned about at school. And it certainly wasn’t something we discussed at Girl Guides. … Continue reading
When the pieces click together
At university, they say the first semester is the hardest. To say I was nervous was a bit of an understatement: on top of delving into my specialization degree in Immunology and Infection at the distinguished (and somewhat menacing) University … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged balance, Edmonton, Girl Guide scholarships, Guider, STEM, university
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Pamela Rice: Why Feminism Is Not a Dirty Word
Nesta Ashworth is the kind of hero that girls today would have no problem relating to. In the early 1900s, she saved her pocket money to buy an axe and build a fort in the woods with her friends. When … Continue reading
The courage to start
Every day across Canada, girls in Guiding are accomplishing great and amazing things: overcoming obstacles, realizing their goals, and contributing in positive ways to their communities. I know this personally because I have seen it first-hand over the 13 years … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged climate change, courage, Girl Greatness Awards, rangers, STEM
2 Comments
We are #STEMinists
As the world celebrates the best in cinematic achievement this weekend, all eyes will be on Hidden Figures, the Oscar-nominated film about female African-American mathematicians who played a vital role at NASA in the 1960s. This film has inspired many … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged engineering and math, Hidden Figures, science, STEM, technology
1 Comment
Opening the Vaults – World Thinking Day and the Intangible Spirit of Guiding
When we look through the collection in our national archives, we’re often inspired by the intangible spirit of Guiding that shines so bright in many of the images. For this World Thinking Day, we have pulled together a selection of quotes … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Global Guiding, Guiding history, Opening the Vaults, World Thinking Day
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A positive egg-sperience in responsibility
Warning: Some eggs may have been cuddled in the making of this post The theme for one of our recent unit meetings was understanding responsibility. The girls brainstormed ways to be responsible in Guides, create kit lists and set goals for … Continue reading
Sparks sparkle – and so do new Guiders!
A few months ago, an email arrived announcing that the national office would be hosting our own Girl Guide units. It read: “Are you looking for a little more glitter in your life? Looking to connect with nature and possibly … Continue reading
Lost: One camp blanket
My camp blanket is gone. I’d feel better if I’d left it behind at camp, or accidentally swapped it with another Guide, or if it had been the victim of a flooded tent (kidding! I don’t actually wish that). The … Continue reading
It’s more than OK to be myself
I like being a Pathfinder. I’ve made so many new friends and they’re really inclusive and accepting. They make sure I always know that it’s ok to be myself. Through Pathfinders, I also get to do a lot of things … Continue reading
Shining a Light on Mental Health on Parliament Hill
Girl Guides in Ottawa came to Parliament Hill to celebrate the launch of Mighty Minds, our new mental health program. Girls had the chance to try some of the activities from the program, while meeting Members of Parliament, Senators and … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged Maryam Monsef, Mighty Minds, Parliament Hill, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau
3 Comments
What girls have to say about mental health
“I think mental health is more normal than people think. If more people talked about it, it would become normal.” – 10-year old Guide Girls have a lot to say about mental health, and we’re giving them the space to … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged girls' mental health, Guides, mental health, Mighty Minds, pathfinders
3 Comments
Experts in the house!
This week, Girl Guides of Canada staff returned to the office after the holiday break to start work again on all things awesome and amazing for Guiding. And a few staff members brought their personal ‘in house experts’ with them … Continue reading
When Girl Greatness spreads to the office
“It is better to do good than be good.” – Lord Baden-Powell Every day we challenge girls to go out and make a difference, to go over-and-above to make their communities a better place to live. And every time, they … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Action on Poverty, National Service Project, service, Shoe Box Project
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Full STEM ahead
The overwhelming theme for our unit’s activities this fall has been science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). With Girl Guides of Canada–Guides du Canada programming like Girls Count, and instant meetings like International Day of the Girl 2016, it’s been … Continue reading
All in the family – sisters and role models
Daring. Courageous. Risk-taker. These are all words that can be used to describe Viola Desmond, who’ll be featured on the new Canadian $10 bank note. In 1946, the Nova Scotia business woman refused to leave a whites-only area of a … Continue reading
Posted in Opening the Vaults
Tagged $10 bill, Guiding history, Viola Desmond, Wanda Robson, women's history
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Ending violence: The power of girls
Geneviève Bergeron, 21 Nathalie Croteau, 23 Anne-Marie Edward, 21 Maryse Laganière, 25 Anne-Marie Lemay, 22 Michèle Richard, 21 Annie Turcotte, 20 Hélène Colgan, 23 Barbara Daigneault, 22 Maud Haviernick, 29 Maryse Leclair, 23 Sonia Pelletier, 28 Annie St-Arneault, 23 … Continue reading
Feeling Safe
I’ve been thinking a lot more about safety and inclusivity lately. Just the other day, at work, in a room full of peers, superiors, and contractors, I was forced to justify some very personal choices and reveal a part of … Continue reading
How low ropes taught me how to be a better Guider
Earlier this fall, I attended a large fall camp for 500 Guides and Pathfinders at Camp Wyoka, a phenomenal Girl Guide property near Minto, Ontario. I was an assistant for the first session of low ropes, an obstacle course that … Continue reading
Posted in Camping & Outdoors, Girls' Guides
Tagged camping, girl empowerment, girl engagement, low ropes
1 Comment
Say No to Violence – end of discussion
16 Days of Action to Eliminate Violence Against Women started on Friday, Nov. 25. We’re highlighting girls’ voices on social media throughout the 16 Days. Check out what Rishi has to say: Living in Canada, we often believe ourselves to be … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides, Uncategorized
Tagged 16 Days of Action, gender-based violence, rangers, Say No to Violence
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Work hard. Be kind. That is all.
“You’re not good enough.” “You don’t try hard enough.” “You don’t fit in.” These are messages that girls hear not only from society, but often from each other and themselves as well. I volunteer with a Guide and Pathfinder unit … Continue reading
Posted in Awesome Activities, Girls' Guides
Tagged Be You, body image, Guides, pathfinders, Quebec, self esteem
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Spicing up the program
At a recent unit meeting, we tapped into our Guides’ creativity by having them design and market their own potato chip flavours. I made a trip to the store to buy all the spices and flavourings and went a little … Continue reading
Empowering girls – today and always
Over the past two days, there has been an incredible shift in the conversation about female role models and females in the lead – a conversation that has shifted from one of hope to one of despair. As the CEO … Continue reading
Posted in Global Guiding
Tagged 2016 election, girl empowerment, girl engagement, Hillary Clinton, leadership, U.S. election
1 Comment
The rewards of volunteering are real
In my role as District Commissioner, I often take advantage of the incredible opportunity to visit units. So when I walked into a unit meeting with the 2nd Dartmouth Guides, several of the girls yelled, “Hi, Giggles!” I smiled as … Continue reading
So many Pokémon, so many ways
Pokémon GO became available in Canada just as Guiding Mosaic 2016 was ending, and I’ve been playing ever since I got home from camp in Alberta. Here are 10 ways to incorporate Pokémon GO into your unit’s activities: Map reading/orienteering. … Continue reading
Sometimes, we all need a life preserver thrown our way (literally!)
When the phone rings before the morning alarm, panic sets in… “Hello?” “Mom…” I could sense my daughter’s tears before she said the next words, “I’m in trouble.” As a parent, with a university student living 1,400 km away, nothing … Continue reading
Boo! Cooking for a cause
Iron Chef is West Coast Area’s annual Halloween-themed outdoor cooking competition for Pathfinders, Rangers and adults. The 1st Burnaby Lakes Pathfinders have been attending the competition for the past five years and every year they have a blast! The girls … Continue reading
Posted in Awesome Activities
Tagged Burnaby, Iron Chef, outdoor cooking, pathfinders, service, West Coast Area
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Campfire on the Hill
Imagine 500 of your closest Guiding friends, one big campfire, an unbeatable location, and surprise guests who are truly living the Guiding Promise to “take action for a better world.” That’s pretty much what happened at this year’s Girl Guide … Continue reading
Posted in Camping & Outdoors
Tagged campfire, GGC alumni, Members of Parliament, Ottawa, Parliament Hill
1 Comment
100 Years Strong – GGC Receives Heritage Plaque
Today, Girl Guides of Canada–Guides du Canada (GGC) received an incredible historic honour – we were presented with a Heritage Plaque from the Government of Canada recognizing our impact on girls and women over the past century. To celebrate this … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides, Opening the Vaults
Tagged Girl Guide history, Opening the Vaults
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The chance to make a change: Are you ready!?
In reading this blog post, be prepared to be very excited! Girl Guides of Canada is currently recruiting for our first ever National Youth Council! Let me repeat that: First. Ever. National. Youth. Council. Applications are now open for girls in … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides, Uncategorized
Tagged national volunteer opportunities, National Youth Council, rangers
1 Comment
Be prepared… for bears
Over the past few years I’ve heard from many friends, family and members of the community that they’re always wondering when Girl Guides will come to their door selling Girl Guide cookies. So when cookie delivery day in Sudbury landed … Continue reading
An investment in girls is an investment in our future
This summer I took my nine-year-old daughter, Helen, to Kenya for the African Regional Conference of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). While in the capital of Nairobi, Helen met Brownies and Guides and young leaders … Continue reading
STEM and the gender gap: Let’s balance the equation
STEM – science, technology engineering and math. When we think of these things, we still typically picture men doing these jobs. While many women do in fact have careers in these fields, it still for some reason seems like a … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged chemistry, engineering, International Day of the Girl, math, rangers, science, STEM, technology
2 Comments
Opening the Vaults: Before there was Instagram…
Long before Instagram and eons before selfies, Girl Guides captured their forever memories by printing and developing photos and carefully preserving them in photo albums. Among the favourite items in our national archives collection are two black photo albums titled, … Continue reading
My Guiding Journey
When I think of my journey through Guiding, I can’t help but reflect upon the inspirational leaders who have played such a major role in my life. These amazing women are always there for me in both the highs and … Continue reading
Welcome to Canada – we hope you like it here!
At the recent Burnaby Mountain District camp, girls had a great time all weekend with the theme “Camp Flower Power.” Activities were designed, where possible, to fit around the concepts of peace and love. This didn’t only involve tie dye … Continue reading
All-access pass to Guiding
It’s time to kick-start another awesome Guiding year – and to introduce or re-introduce girls to what Guiding is all about and the kinds of activities your unit will participate in. There are lots of simple tricks you can employ … Continue reading
Posted in Volunteering
Tagged accessibility, communication, Guider tips, inclusivity, start of the Guiding year
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Guiding Our Way Through A Wedding
Midnight. The night before camp. My fiance is sitting on the couch cutting out tiny white felt circles with child-size scissors. He loads the vehicle for camp, videotapes our enrollment, and has his own special name-tag that says “Mr. Sparkles” … Continue reading
Marching with pride
Being a member of Girl Guides of Canada–Guides du Canada has always been an influential and positive experience for me. But I never realized just how proud I was to be a member of such an incredible organization until I … Continue reading
Special Delivery
It’s that time of year again: it’s time to unpack the toadstool, get everything in order and invite the girls back for another exciting year of Guiding. For some of the units in Newmarket, Ontario, that means sending out welcome … Continue reading
Posted in Awesome Activities
Tagged girl engagement, start of the Guiding year, unit ideas, welcome letters
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Summer Guiding projects
I am a crafter. In the various areas of Girl Guide programming (and life in general), I have always excelled in the area of crafts, art and nifty things you can make. While this is a great skill to have, … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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