Category Archives: Girls’ Guides

Our bilingual unit adventure

When I moved two years ago from Mississauga to Barrie, Ontario to do a year of post-graduate studies at Georgian College, I wanted to continue my volunteer work in Guiding so I joined a French language unit near campus. This … Continue reading

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What Girl Greatness means to me

Nominations for our Girl Greatness Awards are now open! Find out what Girl Greatness means to member Maryna, and why she nominated one of her Sparks.   Before the Girl Greatness Awards, the term ‘Girl Greatness’ wasn’t really something I … Continue reading

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The Perks of Being a Sparks Guider

There are times that being a grown up can be kind of hard. In my case, I’ve been hobbling around my normal life with increased difficulty due to the big awkward cast on my left leg. It has compounded my … Continue reading

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Small actions for inclusion

One of the things I really try to do as a Guider is foster a sense of safety and inclusion for all the members of our multi-branch unit. I think it’s a constant process and to be truly successful, needs … Continue reading

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Managing Friend Drama

Some years are better than others, but for every year I’ve been involved with our Brownies, it happens. There are inseparable friends who stubbornly cling to one another, in spite of our efforts to mix up groups and facilitate new … Continue reading

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Finding my courage

As Girl Guides of Canada–Guides du Canada marks 16 Days of Action to Eliminate Violence Against Women, we’re giving voice to our members’ perspective on gender-based violence. Today, we’re sharing Morgan’s personal story of how she found the confidence and courage … Continue reading

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My BFF is a Girl Guide too

Have you seen the new Girl Guides of Canada–Guides du Canada ad floating around social media or public transit? The one about finding your BFF in Girl Guides? Seeing that ad activates a wave of memories for me. I may … Continue reading

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Transitioning into a new Guiding role

As someone who has always aspired to be a lifelong member of Girl Guides of Canada, I struggled to find a place for myself as a transitioning member (TMBR). During Rangers, I completed the program and earned my Chief Commissioner’s … Continue reading

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A girl, her Guiders and a special awards ceremony

Earlier this year, Girl Guides of Canada–Guides du Canada received a great email from one of our previous Girl Greatness Awards recipients, Cheyenne: Hi there! My name is Cheyenne. I received a Girl Greatness Award in 2014 and I must … Continue reading

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The Mystery of Alice the Camel

‘Alice the camel has…two humps’ is a common refrain at any Girl Guide camp fire or sing song. But what happens when Alice has no humps? Guider Nicki from Girlguiding UK delves into this mystery for us…. Camels are part of … Continue reading

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This is why I volunteer with Girl Guides: How one girl changed my unit

This story all began when Girl Guides of Canada reached out to me to say that a parent had called looking for a unit for her Guide-aged daughter. Her daughter has Asperger’s and some other disabilities and wanted to make … Continue reading

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In her own words…. Brownies recruiting Brownies

Meet Devon – a Girl Greatness Award recipient who took it upon herself to recruit more Brownies for her unit! During my first year of Brownies, we only had three girls, but it was still fun! After the advancement, my … Continue reading

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Being Gay in Guiding: How Guiding Supported Me When I Came Out, and How I Helped Make My Unit a Safer Place

In the beginning of my second year as a Pathfinder, I figured out that I was gay. Being in the closet was really hard for me. I felt like I was hiding such a big part of myself from everyone … Continue reading

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How am I resourceful?

At this spring’s National Conference: Guiding Girl Greatness, four girl members spoke to delegates about their own personal experiences with our Mission keys –  confidence, courage, resourcefulness and making a difference – and how they have incorporated them into their … Continue reading

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Finding your courage

At this spring’s National Conference: Guiding Girl Greatness, four girl members spoke to delegates about their own personal experiences with our Mission keys –  confidence, courage, resourcefulness and making a difference – and how they have incorporated them into their … Continue reading

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A Billion Brownies

After another crazy-busy year as a Brownie Guider in our multi-branch unit (72 girls!), by the time our last meeting rolled around, I was pretty much done. As in, I’m ready for summer, shut the door on the craft closet … Continue reading

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17 things that I would tell my future 17-year-old daughter

At the 2015 National Conference: Guiding Girl Greatness, four girl members spoke to delegates about their own personal experiences with our Mission keys –  confidence, courage, resourcefulness and making a difference – and how they have incorporated them into their … Continue reading

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Welcome to my world: How I made my unit more accessible

To me, Girl Guides is having a safe, fun place where everyone is included and everyone fits in no matter how different they might be or the limitations they might face. When I was 9 I was diagnosed with a … Continue reading

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Small things really do make a difference

At this spring’s National Conference – Guiding Girl Greatness, four girl members spoke to delegates about their own personal experiences with our Mission keys –  confidence, courage, resourcefulness and making a difference – and how they have incorporated them into … Continue reading

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Every girl should be able to…

Earlier this spring, our Guide unit found ourselves with extra time at the end of our meeting, so girls were allowed to do extra badge presentations for the group. Enter S.T., a girl who has been in Guiding from the … Continue reading

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Rangers, loud and clear

Earlier this month, I had one of the most amazing opportunities that Girl Guides has ever offered me. I was selected as one of 56 girl delegates from across Canada to attend the 2015 National Conference: Guiding Girl Greatness. It … Continue reading

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Opening the Vaults – Warning! Cute animal alert!

In honour of Archives Awareness Week we are once again opening the vaults to share some of our favorite pictures. Back in the day, the Guiding Law included “A Guide is a friend to animals.” In the same way that we … Continue reading

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Guide friends, Girl friends, Mom friends

Writing about friendship is tricky. The first time I took a crack at writing this blog post, I started writing about my daughter Karley’s transition through Brownies, with the end paragraph talking about how she made this new awesome best … Continue reading

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Girl Greatness Awards – Put Yourself Out There

This post first appeared on our blog on July 2, 2014. I’ve been in Girl Guides of Canada for about four years. So far, it’s been an amazing experience. This was my first time applying for a Girl Greatness Award. … Continue reading

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What I learned as a girl, stays with me as a Guider

I Promise to share and be a friend. It’s the fundamental principle we teach our youngest girls, Sparks. The ability to share items, tasks and feelings with each other can be a scary thought for any member in Guiding no … Continue reading

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The Hair Petition

The World Centres are something you talk about in Guiding from a young age. You learn where they are, what they’re called, what kind of food they eat and what games they play in the countries where they are located. … Continue reading

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One girl – and the difference Guiding made for her

When GirlGuidesCANBlog received this email from Guider Jeannette Thompson, we just had to share it with you:  My daughter is a Guide, and she has written about her experience in Guiding. This was an assignment that was given to her by … Continue reading

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Girl Greatness Awards – Put Yourself Out There

I’ve been in Girl Guides of Canada for about four years. So far, it’s been an amazing experience. This was my first time applying for a Girl Greatness Award. I was not expecting to win as I thought that so … Continue reading

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National Day of Honour

May 9, 2014, is the National Day of Honour, a day to honour the sacrifices of all who served in Afghanistan. Over the years, members of Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada have shown their support and appreciation for our … Continue reading

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Check Your Problems at the Door

It’s not easy for me to admit, but I’ve been going through some bad times lately. I am lucky to have a few good friends who I feel comfortable sharing my very personal issues with. I am also lucky to … Continue reading

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Your Role Model – Your Choice

Between YouTube videos, commercials, TV shows, books and movies, we are shown a lot of different ways to act in the world – some good and some bad. It’s okay to enjoy a variety of media, even some of the … Continue reading

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Taking the Reins: My First Experience being In Charge

This Guiding year I got a promotion! My two co-Guiders of four years decided to move on to other things and suddenly I became the one “in charge” of our unit. It was a bit of a scary moment knowing … Continue reading

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New Guider: New Fun

I have never been involved in Guiding. I was never a Girl Guide when I was young. I have never sold a box of cookies. Yet, on November 7, 2013, I found myself as a new Guider with the 12th … Continue reading

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From Girl Guides to Girl Scouts

This summer my family and I moved from Vancouver, British Columbia to Hanover, New Hampshire. I was fortunate enough to go on the Arctic Adventure trip to Churchill, Manitoba with Girl Guides of Canada over the summer, and I was … Continue reading

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Violence against Women and the Role Guiders Play

During the 16 Days Campaign for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we decided to ask our members some tough but equally important questions about the role Guiders play (or can play) in stopping the violence. Below are some of … Continue reading

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Unexpected Things I Learned From Tae Kwon Do

When I started tae kwon do a few years ago, I wanted to become stronger, to learn some self-defense, and maybe learn to do some of the fancy kicks you see on TV. I have done all of those things, … Continue reading

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The Importance of Self-Respect

Pat runs a Girl Guides of Canada unit in a penitentiary. She shares some thoughts about the unique issues that arise for the girls and young women in her unit. This is an important blog post to share during the … Continue reading

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Canada’s Dirty Secret and What You Can Do about It

It’s something no one wants to think about – violence against girls and women. But it’s all more common than you might think. Half of all women in Canada have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence … Continue reading

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Giving Back with Sparks and Sparkles!

This post originally appeared on the blog Everything But the Kid. Thank you Amy for allowing us to share this with our audience! —————————————————————– For years I have volunteered in some capacity or another with various groups and I love … Continue reading

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Seven Going on Seventeen

November 4-8, 2013 is National Media Literacy Week and this year’s theme is “What’s Being Sold: Helping Kids Make Sense of Marketing Messages”.  Media Smarts has developed material to help open conversation with young people across Canada to talk about … Continue reading

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Why Train?

A few weekends ago, I had a fabulous time at a Guider training weekend. Many have asked me why I attend training weekends when I have a family, work full-time, run a direct sales business and volunteer my time with … Continue reading

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Happy International Day of the Girl 2013!

Happy International Day of the Girl from Girl Guides of Canada -Guides du Canada! How are YOU celebrating? Here are many ways that our girl members have celebrated! I. Several units did Girl Guides’ International Day of the Girl Instant … Continue reading

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Calgary Floods and Girl Guides

On June 20, 2013 a life changing flood hit High River, Calgary and many other Southern Alberta areas. The next day and for weeks later, the Okotoks Girl Guides were drawn to help. Compassion overwhelmed us and we immediately jumped into … Continue reading

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Training Benefits

There’s no better time than the present for Brownie Guiders in Ontario.  Ontario Council in partnership with the Disney Institute presents SUPER PROGRAM, a training exclusively for Brownie Guiders.  For complete details visit https://guidesontario.org/index.php/adult/unit-guider/brownies/26-adult-members/779-super-program —————————————————————- I have been a member … Continue reading

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Celebrating Girl Guide Camp Bonita Glen

In late August, the usually busy Girl Guide Camp of Bonita Glen wasn’t filled with its usual campers. Instead of girls attending summer camp, a group of former campers from as far back as the 1940’s, were there to celebrate … Continue reading

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Lifelong Guiding Friendships

My neighbour and best friend Ally got me involved me in Girl Guides.  I was shy and would not do anything without Ally that involved Guides. We advanced up to Pathfinders together then she decided that she did not want … Continue reading

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Why Every Day Girl is a Star Girl

A friend of mine recently donated to Malala’s charity as the organization of choice for her annual giving. Then she asked me if I’d follow suit. Love the idea but no can do. I’m not of the same mind, the … Continue reading

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A “Little Hero” from Girl Guides

I have always thought my daughter Haley to be special. She truly represents a Girl Guide: she always does the right thing, and last weekend she proved to me how special she is. Below is the story as it was told … Continue reading

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Long Time Guider, First Time Parent

This post is part of our Flashback Friday blog post series for the 2013 summer months. Enjoy! ———————————- I was a Guide leader for years before my daughter Claire came along.  I have confidently taken other people’s daughters camping, taught … Continue reading

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What it Means (to me) to Be an Owl

This post originally appeared on Guider Cara’s blog Brownie Meeting ideas ——————————- If you were a Brownie as a girl, you likely have fond memories and impressions of your Brown Owl, Tawny Owl, and Snowy Owl.  I sure do.  But … Continue reading

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