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Continue reading →: How Guiding helps girls tip the balance of equality
by Jill ZelmanovitsGirl Guides of Canada – CEO – Keynote Listener When it comes to creating a more equitable world for girls and women, lately it feels like we’re always taking one step forward, and two giant steps back. As equality has our attention on International Women’s Day, I’m incredibly…
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Continue reading →: How girls in Guiding are busting stereotypes about girls
Our Guiders help girls challenge stereotypes about what girls can and can’t do
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Continue reading →: How a simple sleepover can be a chance for girls to step up and lead together
In a judgement-free zone like Girl Guides, it’s a whole lot easier for girls to step up, speak up and take the lead. It’s the perfect place for girls to lead the agenda for what they want to do – and experience a whole lot of confidence-building moments along the…
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Continue reading →: Meet the Girl Guides who celebrate Black history all year long
February is Black History Month, a month dedicated to honouring the legacy of Black Canadians, past and present. We got in touch with Gabrielle Grant, a Guider with a unit in a predominantly Black community in Nova Scotia, to ask how they celebrate Black History Month. Her answer was beautiful…
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Continue reading →: Everything I learned about leadership from Girl GuidesAs a teen I remember hearing that leadership was a skill to be developed for adulthood – that youth are in training to be leaders tomorrow. My years of experience with Girl Guides of Canada has proven this wrong: leadership is a skill that girls have today. Every day, girls…
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Continue reading →: How Guiding can be an incubator for girls exploring STEM
Scientific innovation – it’s what propels the world forward and leads to the discoveries that make our lives healthier and better. On International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11), ideas for how to balance the gender equation in the scientific world will be under the microscope. Here’s…
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Continue reading →: Giving girls a space to try, fail, try again – and succeed
There’s a lot of judgment in today’s world but Guiding is a different kind of place for girls. In an accepting and judgement-free zone like Girl Guides, girls can seek challenges, try new things even if they might fail, learn from their set-backs and feel confident to dust themselves off…
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Continue reading →: How one girl found her voice through Guiding
Girls need a safe space where they feel supported, respected and valued for exactly who they are. A safe space where they can use their voice. Fortunately, Guiding offers just such a space. And our volunteer Guiders play a huge role in creating the ultimate supportive and safe space for girls. As…
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Continue reading →: Confidence + independence: How Guiding sparked success for these Sparks alumni
“Sparks made me feel confident and independent. I loved that it gave me a chance to be the silliest, truest version of myself with a group of other girls.” Yes! For 30 totally amazing years, our Sparks program has sparked amazing experiences for younger girls in Guiding. We catch up…
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Continue reading →: 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 Walk the Walk Don’t underestimate younger girls. Our Sparks start…
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Continue reading →: Here’s what happens when girls feel safe to spread their wings
Girls are under a lot of social pressure these days. They’re asked to be everything at once: smart, pretty, nice, athletic, ambitious and successful. And when they don’t meet the world’s expectations (because they’re impossible!), the judgments are often swift and harsh. Girls need a safe space where they feel…
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Continue reading →: How these women in policing busted stereotypes for girls
When one of our Sparks dressed as a police officer for our Halloween party, another girl told her ‘That’s a boy’s job.’ Our response? We invited six local women police officers to our meeting the following week to show what girls CAN do. Here’s how it all went down: After…
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Continue reading →: I volunteer to give girls their light bulb moment
My favourite part of volunteering with Guiding is that light bulb moment – when you see a girl’s face light up with understanding, pride, or a feeling of accomplishment. One such moment happened early this Guiding year with a Brownie named Callie. It was just one of those moments that…
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Continue reading →: These Girl Guides show you’re never too young to stand up for human rights
No matter who you are or where you live, we’re all entitled to human rights. That’s what Girl Guides in Winnipeg would tell you on Human Rights Day (December 10) and every day. With a trip to the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, they discovered the very real power they…
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Continue reading →: Space scientist? It’s now on these girls’ dream job list
What happens when girls meet women with awe-inspiring career trajectories? Well, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see how inspiring women role models can help girls reach for the stars. That’s what happened when Girl Guides in Paradise, NL, met Bethany Downer, the first scientist-astronaut candidate from Newfoundland and…
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Continue reading →: Canada’s new $10 bill – this is for all the girls breaking barriers
Daring. Courageous. Risk-taker. These are all words that describe Viola Desmond, who’s featured on a the new Canadian $10 bank note. In 1946, the Nova Scotia business woman refused to leave a whites-only area of a movie theater. When it would’ve been easier to sit down and stay quiet, Desmond stood…
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Continue reading →: The torch of remembrance and the desire for peace burns bright for girls in Canada
Remembrance of wars past. Fear of conflict today. These simple but powerful concepts are on the minds of girls across Canada as we mark Remembrance Day 2018. Somehow, we often forget that war and violent conflict – whether 100 years ago or today – affects and involves young people. Yet…
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Continue reading →: Our new Girls First Guiding program calls for a BIG celebration
The launch of Guiding’s brand new Girls First program is a pretty big deal. Innovative science and tech activities. Outdoor adventures. The chance for girls to talk about what really matters to them. And. So. Much. More. The new Girl Guide program was totally designed to fit with what girls…
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Continue reading →: How girls in Guiding are going full STEAM ahead as they experiment, design and create
Guiding has always been a place where girls can experiment, design, create and imagine as they explore the infinite possibilities of science and technology. (After all, Aeronautics was one of the first badges ever in Canadian Guiding.) Now, Guiding’s new Girls First program takes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)…
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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 with multiple rare medical conditions, Alexis has been a strong…
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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 the Girl, is about, too! We live in an awesome…
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Continue reading →: 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, experiment, design and create their own adventures – and the…
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Continue reading →: Reality check: What girls are saying about gender inequality
“I think it was early elementary [school] when I was told that I could not be as good at math as the boys.” – Emily, Girl Guide National Youth Council member Whether they’re in elementary school or high school, gender inequality is definitely a very real part of girls’ lives.…
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Continue reading →: Girl Guides taught me how to be a girl in charge of my own life
I never used to be the person to speak up in class. To randomly talk to someone I didn’t know very well in the school hallway. I feel I’ve come a long way in the past few years – thanks to Guiding. Girl Guides of Canada has taught me not…
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Continue reading →: 5 reasons why a Girl Guide trip should be on your bucket list
Empowering. Challenging. Inspiring. And just plain awesome. Travelling with Girl Guides has it all. Whether it’s exploring the hidden corners of London where Guiding began, seeing the out-of-this-world vistas of Newfoundland and Labrador, or high-fiving your fellow Girl Guides as you finish your hike through the Swiss Alps, there’s nothing…
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Continue reading →: Why soaking up summer in the great outdoors is the BEST
Making memories, making friends, making s’mores. It’s all possible through the kinds of outdoor experiences Guiding offers girls. Whether exploring the hidden beauty of an urban park or experiencing their first overnight canoe trip, girls in Guiding are kind of famous for soaking up every ounce of adventure the summer…
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Continue reading →: Sparks sparkle – and so do new Guiders!
It’s been almost two years since I shared my story of being a new Girl Guide volunteer, and while I’ve finally gotten the glitter out of my hair, the sparkle of Guiding still remains. Everyday spent with Sparks is a new adventure. We’ve planted trees, gone ice skating, explored outer…
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Continue reading →: How I jumped into a waterfall with Girl Guides – and you can, too!
Jumping into a waterfall – sounds both exciting and scary all at the same time, right? But not when you’ve got your Guiding sisters to cheer you on. As Mackenzie writes, you never know what kind of adventure and amazing friends you’ll find when you take part in a Girl Guide…
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Continue reading →: Why an urban field trip should be on your summer bucket list
There is something truly awesome about the way Guiding can open doors to new adventures while supporting girls and Guiders in a safe space. It really shouldn’t have, but it kind of surprised me recently – when our little unit from the ‘country’ found new experiences, tons of fun, and…
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Continue reading →: How Girl Guides showed their true colours – by painting a rainbow
When the rainbow crosswalk in Smithers, B.C., needed a re-fresh, Girl Guide members in the northern B.C. community came to the rescue. Armed with paint brushes and a kaleidoscope of colours, local Girl Guide volunteers set to work in painting the colours of inclusion on Smithers’ Main Street. Guiding member…
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Continue reading →: 5 things I learned organizing a sleepover for Sparks
Girls empowering girls is a powerful part of the Guiding experience. Whether they’re cheering each other on as they try a challenging new activity or sharing a special skill, girls in Guiding can stretch their limits as they mentor one another. Pathfinder Ursa shares what she discovered when she organized…
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Continue reading →: In Guiding, we have Pride in being inclusive
Who doesn’t love a parade? Even better – when the parade is all about positivity and inclusivity. Now that’s the kind of parade that Girl Guides will totally join in. During Pride month, Girl Guides across the country participated in community celebrations big and small. At Toronto Pride, staff from Girl…
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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 inclusive organization. I just finished my second term on the…
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Continue reading →: Oh the places she’ll go… with Guiding
New friends. The most fun. The best adventures. Girl Guides is pretty much an all-access pass to the ultimate in everything girls want. And this Guiding year was no exception. Think of this as our mini-digital yearbook celebrating the wrap-up of another out-of-this-world year of adventures and accomplishments for girls in…
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Continue reading →: 5 Ways Guiding’s Youth Council is giving girls like me an edge
Being a member of the Girl Guides National Youth Council has truly been one of the most enriching experiences of my life so far. I’ve had the opportunity to travel, meet new people, share my ideas, gain tangible skills and most of all had loads of fun along the way.…
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Continue reading →: How Guiding is building a network of champions for girls and women
I have met some of my best friends through Guiding. There’s something so perfect about weathering a storm in tents together, exploring a new location, or even just creating something new. And how cool is it to see girls helping each other, or teaching their friends something fun and exciting,…
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Continue reading →: How girls in Guiding are creating #abetterworldbygirls
At Girl Guides of Canada, we’re working towards a pretty important Vision – A better world, by girls. Through innovative and empowering activities, girls in Guiding are making their mark and shaping their world. Here’s a round-up of what Girl Guides across Canada are doing to create #abetterworldbygirls. View this…
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Continue reading →: This girl-designed T-shirt is EVERYTHING
Amazing. Incredible. And so very styling. We were blown away by the 550+ entries we received for our Girl Designed T-shirt contest. Girls put their design savviness to work in creating T-shirt concepts that girls in Guiding can wear at Guiding events or just hanging with their squad. After 5,300+ votes,…
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Continue reading →: Helping her change the world means #abetterworldbygirls
Here at Girl Guides, we’re working towards a pretty important Vision – A better world, by girls. We do this by offering programs and activities that support girls in empowering themselves and one another. What does #abetterworldbygirls look like for Girl Guides in Winnipeg? Connecting with female role models and…
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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 can amplify their voices on the social issues that matter…
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Continue reading →: Why I keep coming back to Guiding as a volunteer
I was a first-year university student when I signed up for a course that included a requirement of 10 hours of community service. “What a great time to get back to Guiding!” I thought to myself. I had been a Spark, Brownie, Guide, Pathfinder and Junior Leader, but having taken…
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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, District Commissioner and represented Guiding at the United Nations. (Oh,…
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Continue reading →: How Girl Guides helped me shape an awesome future for myself
Girls in Guiding do amazing things – in their communities and in their own lives. Girl Guides of Canada scholarship recipient Safira shares how Guiding has been a huge spark in her life. My involvement with Guiding began at the age of five, as a Spark. In fact, some of…
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Continue reading →: 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 older, I realize that there is no size limit on…
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Continue reading →: 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 on the current news cycle or the social media whirlpool…
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Continue reading →: 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 not to feel all the feels after reading her story:…
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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. I am a regular high school student. I’m highly involved…
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Continue reading →: 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, girls are digital trailblazers. They know their stuff, they’re early…
Girl Guides is a catalyst for girls empowering girls. We provide a safe environment that invites girls to challenge themselves, to find their voice, meet new friends, have fun and make a difference in the world. Together, we’re building a better world, by girls.
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