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Archives
Category Archives: Girls’ Guides
Six Important Things I Learned from Six-Year Olds
There are so many reasons to volunteer with Girl Guides of Canada. As Sparks marks its 30th anniversary, I thought I’d share a list of what I’ve learned from a group of five- and six-year olds: Lesson 1: Little Girls … Continue reading
Meet the Girl Guide who’s unstoppable when it comes to inclusion of all girls
Alexis Holmgren is a Girl Guide who’s a total goal-getter when it comes to advocating for what she believes in. And what she believes in is making sure all girls and women feel welcome in Guiding. As someone who lives … Continue reading
How gender inequality impacts girls – as early as age 10
Every girl should have an equal start. The chance at a fair race in whatever path she chooses. The opportunity to thrive. This is what we’re all about at Girl Guides – but it’s also what today, International Day of … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged gender equality, girls' voices, International Day of the Girl
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Girl Guides is starting, Girl Guides is starting! Why girls are THIS excited
Another year of Girl Guides is starting up in units all across Canada. And yes, girls and volunteer Guiders are just a little bit excited. And why wouldn’t they be? Guiding really is an all-access pass for girls to explore, … Continue reading
How Guiding Supported Me When I Came Out and How I Helped Make My Unit a Safer Place
It’s been three years since I wrote this blog post and it’s incredible to see how much I’ve grown! Since then, I’ve become a member of the National Youth Council and I’ve witnessed GGC’s incredible journey towards becoming a more … Continue reading
Why we should all be ready, willing and able to let youth lead
There’s no doubt that youth engagement has been getting a lot of attention lately. But youth engagement is nothing new for us – Girl Guides of Canada is all about girls empowering girls as they explore all the ways they … Continue reading
“Girls are ready to change the world and I am so here for it.”
Say ‘Hello!’ to Krysta Coyle, our new Guiding Ambassador. She collaborates with girls and volunteers to make sure we’re offering innovative, inclusive and empowering programming, while also serving as a Girl Guide spokesperson. Krysta has been a girl member, Guider, … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged girl engagement, girl-driven, Girls First, Guiding Ambassador, youth engagement
1 Comment
Let’s hear it for boosting our own confidence, not just our friends’ confidence
As a kid, I always felt like there was something that needed to be changed about me and about the way I look. I felt like the amount of your worth decreased the larger you were. But, as I grow … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged body confidence, confidence, Girl Greatness Awards, self esteem
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Let’s celebrate the impact of girls and women in Guiding
by Krysta Coyle Girl Guides of Canada’s Guiding Ambassador It’s human nature to want to make an impact in this world. To feel like you’re making a difference. To feel like you did something that mattered. Yet sometimes – depending … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides, Uncategorized
Tagged empowering girls, impact of Guiding, World Thinking Day
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How this shy, dinosaur-loving 8-year-old found her strong in Guiding
When girls are a part of Guiding, there are tons of opportunities for them to shine. So let us introduce you to Ellie – she’s all kinds of amazing. She was recognized with a 2017 Girl Greatness Award. We dare you … Continue reading
Acceptance + Compassion: My wish list for teens like me who work a little harder on their mental health
My name is Kate. I’m 17 years old and in my final year of high school. I love science and reading and aspire to be a neuroscience engineer. And my mental health is something I work on. Every. Single. Day. … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides, Uncategorized
Tagged Girl Greatness Awards, mental health, Mighty Minds
3 Comments
How girls are building survival skills to navigate the digital wilderness
Phones. Tablets. Laptops. Snapchat. Instagram. Texting. Fake news. Selfie perfection. Sexting. Yup – it’s a digital minefield out there for girls. With countless options for connecting, sharing and shaping their identity online, there’s a lot for them to navigate. Yet, … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides, Uncategorized
Tagged DeCode, digital literacy, sexting, skills, texting
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We could learn a lot from girls when it comes to supporting mental health
Chill. Relax. Get over it. It’s no big deal. Don’t stress about it. Who hasn’t been given this kind of not-really-helpful-at-all advice when they’re struggling? And we all struggle from time to time – it’s totally normal for some days … Continue reading
Let’s talk about… Violence against girls
Sexual harassment and violence against girls. While this may feel like a grown-up topic, it’s really not. The truth is many girls in Canada are already dealing with harassment. It can start with catcalling in the hallways, creepy comments online … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged 16 Days, gender-based violence, harassment, Say No to Violence
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Smart. Funny. Confident. Why this Girl Guide should be your new role model
“Kinley is smart, funny, and kind. She also happens to have Down’s syndrome.” That’s how we were first introduced to 11-year-old Kinley in her 2017 Girl Greatness Award nomination. Kinley received an award in the Confidence category after being nominated … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged confidence, Girl Greatness Awards, Girl Guides, inclusive, inclusivity
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Wonder how much pressure teenage girls face? Just ask them
Too girly. Not girly enough. Too smart, too dumb. Too skinny, too curvy. Too anything. For girls, the mixed messages they get about how they should act, look, and think are confusing and demoralizing. The sad reality is that girls … Continue reading
The Guiding year is starting and the excitement is REAL
Excited. Like really excited. That’s how girls, parents and volunteer Guiders are feeling about the start of the Guiding year. But don’t take our word for it (even though you can always trust a Girl Guide). Check out all the feels … Continue reading
The moment this Guide learned to ride a bike will give you all the feels
Have you ever had a fear of trying something new? Not this Girl Guide, who tackled learning how to ride a bike. Continue reading
Six Important Things I Learned from Six-Year Olds
There are so many reasons to volunteer with Girl Guides of Canada. And now that my second year of volunteering with Guiding is about to come to a close, here’s a list of what I’ve learned from a group of … Continue reading
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
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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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
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
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
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
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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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
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
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
Meet Charlie
Want to meet someone inspiring? We’d like to introduce you to Charlie Lowthian-Rickert. As a first-year Girl Guide, she’s had the chance to explore and speak out about the issues she cares about while making a difference in her community. … Continue reading
Until September…
The Guiding year is coming to an end – insert sad face emoji here. For girls and Guiders alike, it’s a time to celebrate – the good times, the fun times, and all of their achievements together as a unit. … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
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2,000 pictures
I have a thing about taking pictures. A lot of pictures. It started the first year I joined our unit, the 12th Ottawa Guiding group. First, I used photos to make personalized enrollment certificates. And then, collages of the photos … Continue reading
In Guiding, I know my daughter is accepted
Most of the time, being a mother to Ella, who is six and has down syndrome, is just like being a mother to my son or younger daughter. That being said, every child is different. Every child progresses at their … Continue reading
What has Guiding taught me? Where do I begin!?
A few weeks ago, I was at a community breakfast for volunteers when a woman across the table spoke of how her organization had recently partnered with a local youth organization. I immediately mentioned my involvement in Girl Guiding and … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged gender equality, Girl Guides, leadership, rangers, skills, STEM
1 Comment
Guiding isn’t just for girls
Around this time last year, I decided to apply for a Girl Guides of Canada scholarship. (This year’s application deadline is April 1.) I did not know if I had any chance but I decided that it was worth a … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged scholarships, university, volunteering, young Guiders
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Women are scientists, too
Girl Guides of Canada–Guides du Canada is bursting with pride to mark International Women’s Day today. It’s a powerful opportunity to to celebrate the trailblazing difference girls and women around the world are making. Most of my friends will tell … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged International Women's Day, STEM, UN CSW, women and science
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What girls are saying about Girl Greatness
When I was part of the Girl Greatness Awards selection committee in 2015, I was blown away by all the positive words girls have about each other and about themselves. In our Guide unit, we decided to talk about girl … Continue reading
Posted in Girls' Guides
Tagged confident, courage, Girl Greatness Awards, making a difference, resourceful
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Big ‘mistakes’ make good memories
Ever notice that when people start telling stories about their Guiding memories that there are a lot of tales of that time when something went wrong? Mine’s the time when I was at Guide camp and it rained so hard … Continue reading
Posted in Camping & Outdoors, Girls' Guides
Tagged camp, rainy camp, unit activities
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Saturday morning Guiding
As busy Guiders, we all spend occasional weekends doing Guiding activities, sleepovers, camps, cookie sales and outings. But what about having your weekly unit meeting on a Saturday? Could this be a way to engage girls and families who aren’t … Continue reading