Girl Guides Association
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Girlguiding is the operating name of The Guide Association, previously named The Girl Guides Association and is the national guiding
organisation An organization or organisation (Commonwealth English; see spelling differences), is an entity—such as a company, an institution, or an association—comprising one or more people and having a particular purpose. The word is derived from ...
of the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and ...
. It is the UK's largest girl-only youth organisation. Girlguiding is a charitable organisation. Within Girlguiding, participants take on adventurous activities, such as climbing, canoeing, sailing and orienteering and have the opportunity to get involved in camps and international events, including girl-only festivals and overseas development projects. In local groups – called 'units' – girls complete badges and challenges that cover topics from circus skills, stargazing and scientific investigation, to first aid, camping and community action. Each year, the organisation publishes the Girls' Attitudes Survey, which surveys the views of girls and young women on topics such as body image, career aspirations and mental health. Girlguiding is also a campaigning organisation, having supported the No More Page 3 campaign and lobbied the government on sexual harassment in schools, women's political representation and media sexism. Guiding began in the UK in 1910, when
Robert Baden-Powell Lieutenant-General Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, ( ; (Commonly pronounced by others as ) 22 February 1857 – 8 January 1941) was a British Army officer, writer, founder and first Chief Scout of the wor ...
, founder of
The Scout Association The Scout Association is the largest Scouting organisation in the United Kingdom and is the World Organization of the Scout Movement's recognised member for the United Kingdom. Following the origin of Scouting in 1907, the association was fo ...
, established a separate organisation for girls. The Guide Association was a founding member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) in 1928. Girlguiding is supported by around 100,000 volunteers.


History

Following the origin of the
Boy Scouts Boy Scouts may refer to: * Boy Scout, a participant in the Boy Scout Movement. * Scouting, also known as the Boy Scout Movement. * An organisation in the Scouting Movement, although many of these organizations also have female members. There are t ...
in 1907 many girls took up Scouting. In 1909, a number of Girl Scouts attended the Boy Scout Rally in Crystal Palace Park The girls told Robert Baden Powell that they wanted 'to do the same thing as the boys'. Guiding was introduced to respond to the demand. In 1910
Robert Baden-Powell Lieutenant-General Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, ( ; (Commonly pronounced by others as ) 22 February 1857 – 8 January 1941) was a British Army officer, writer, founder and first Chief Scout of the wor ...
formed the Girl Guides and asked his sister Agnes to look after the Girl Guides organisation. A few years later Baden-Powell's new wife Olave became involved and, in 1918, was appointed Chief Guide. The name Guides was chosen from Baden-Powell's military background, "Guides" had operated in the north-west frontier in India, their main task was to go on hazardous expeditions. These men had particularly influenced Baden-Powell as they continued training minds and body even when off duty. As a result, Baden Powell decided Girl Guides would be a suitable name for the pioneering young women's movement he wished to establish. In 1914 Rosebuds were established for girls aged 8–10, this name was later changed to Brownies. Two years later in 1916 the first Senior Guide groups were formed, in 1920 these groups became Rangers. 1943 saw the establishment of the Trefoil Guild for members over 21 (now 18) who wished to remain a part of the movement but couldn't remain active with a unit. The section for the youngest members of the association, Rainbows, was introduced in 1987 for girls aged 5–7 (4–7 in Ulster). In 1936 the then Girl Guides Association was one of the founding members of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS), which was created with the aim of promoting and supporting youth development work across England. Girlguiding has remained a member of NCVYS ever since. In 1964, a "Working Party" was established to review and update the whole programme of the association; their 195-page report was published in 1966 under the title '' Tomorrow's Guide''. These recommendations were implemented in 1968 and included new uniforms, badges and awards across all the sections of the association. Land, Sea and Air Rangers were merged into a single Ranger Guide Service Section.


Programme

Girls are organised into sections by age. These are Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers.


Rainbow Guides

Rainbow Guides or Rainbows are aged from 4 to 7 year old (5 in some areas). Activities are organised around six core areas: Know myself, Be well, Express myself, Take action, Have adventures, Skills for my future. In the UK the girls used to wear a tabard in one of the colours of the Rainbow, now the newer uniform is worn. There is a baseball cap, cycle shorts, hoodie, jogging bottoms, and polo shirt to choose from. Each girl makes a promise on joining a Rainbow unit and must be able to understand and want to make this promise. This Promise is a simpler version of the one older members make. Rainbows can also receive other badges for activities that they attend (possibly with other units), and other activities they complete within their unit, maybe after a themed half term. During 2008, a special challenge book ''Olivia's Favourites'' was produced to commemorate the 21st Birthday of the section and a badge was produced. At the end of the Rainbow programme, as the girls get ready to move on to the Brownie section, girls undertake the personal ''Pot of Gold'' Challenge.


Brownie Guides

Brownie Guides or Brownies are from seven to ten years old. Brownies work from within six core themes: Know myself, Be well, Express myself, Take action, Have adventures, Skills for my future. Brownies can choose to work on meeting activities, skills builders and Interest badges. Brownies units are no longer called Packs but simply called Units. Units are divided into Sixes, small groups of girls who work together. Sixes are traditionally named after
fairies A fairy (also fay, fae, fey, fair folk, or faerie) is a type of mythical being or legendary creature found in the folklore of multiple European cultures (including Celtic, Slavic, Germanic, English, and French folklore), a form of spirit, ...
e.g. Gnomes, Leprechauns; however, many Units have adopted the new naming style, woodland animals. Each six has a leader called a 'Sixer' and a 'Second'. The adult leader in charge was traditionally called Brown Owl with other leaders being named after different owls. However, these days, some units still stick to the Owls – although the variety of owls has increased much – but most have a variety of themes including flowers, Winnie the Pooh characters, gems or even stars. Brownies have mix and match clothing based around the colours of yellow and brown. Items include baseball caps, gilets, cycle shorts, hoodies, leggings, long-sleeved tops, short sleeved tops, skorts, trousers and a sash. Brownie packs may also wear neckers.


Guides

Guides are from 10 to 14 years old. Guides work with six core themes: Know myself, Be well, Express myself, Take action, Have adventures, Skills for my future. Guides can choose to work on meeting activities, skills builders and Interest badges. They take part in indoor and outdoor activities that challenge them to do their best. Guides choose and plan most of their own activities, which can include themed evenings and trips. Guide units meet regularly, usually once a week during school terms. There are often other opportunities for Guides to take part in special activities and events throughout the year. Many Guide units go away on holiday, to camp or on overnight sleepovers. Guides work in small groups between 4 and 8 called a patrol. Patrol names vary between different units but include flowers, like rose and poppy, animals, like panda and parrot and famous landmarks, like pyramids. Each patrol is run by a patrol leader who is assisted by her patrol seconder. The Patrol Leader can be elected by her patrol, elected by the whole unit or chosen by the leadership team. The Patrol Leader is given extra assistance from the leader team to develop her Leadership skills.


Rangers and Young Leaders (previously known as Senior Section)

For girls between 14 and 18 years old, there are a variety of schemes and groups to choose from. * Young Leaders work with Rainbows, Brownies or Guides. They can work towards the Young Leadership Qualification as well as other Rangers opportunities. * Rangers meet together to plan and carry out activities, they may work towards any opportunities available to Rangers members. *
Duke of Edinburgh's Award The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (commonly abbreviated DofE) is a youth awards programme founded in the United Kingdom in 1956 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, that has since expanded to 144 nations. The awards recognise adolescents and young ...
Participant: a Rangers member who has chosen to focus on the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. *
Lone Lone may refer to: People * Lone (given name), a given name (including a list of people with this name) * Lone (musician), Matt Cutler, an electronic musician from Nottingham, United Kingdom *Lone (surname), a surname (including a list of people ...
Ranger: a Rangers member who is working on part of The Rangers programme, but is not part of a standard unit. She may belong to a Lone Unit with other Lone members with support from Leaders who deliver the programme remotely. * Peer Educator: (Previously known as In4mer) anyone who has undergone the Girl Guiding peer education training and continues to run Peer Education sessions *
Student Scout and Guide Organisation The Student Scout and Guide Organisation (SSAGO) exists to support Scouting, Scouts, Girl Guide and Girl Scout, Guides, and people who have never been members of a Scout or Guide Association, who are students at Colleges and Universities in the U ...
(SSAGO) Member: For members who are studying at higher education (such as a university or college). * Appointment Holder * Innovate – an annual residential event of varying location across the UK which offers Rangers members an opportunity to voice their concerns and brainstorm new ideas for the future of Girlguiding. With the new program Rangers have new badges in the same vein as the younger sections. This group choose to wear a hoodie, jacket, polo shirt, or smart shirt.


Rangers Awards and Qualifications

* Young Leader Qualification * Chief Guide's Challenge * Commonwealth Award * Queen's Guide Award * Residential permits * Adult Leadership Qualification *
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (commonly abbreviated DofE) is a youth awards programme founded in the United Kingdom in 1956 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, that has since expanded to 144 nations. The awards recognise adolescents and young ...


Uniform

The Girlguiding uniform has evolved over the years, from its first design by
Baden-Powell Lieutenant-General Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, ( ; (Commonly pronounced by others as ) 22 February 1857 – 8 January 1941) was a British Army officer, writer, founder and first Chief Scout of the worl ...
and his sister: long dresses, neckerchiefs (like the Scouts) and wide hats. The previous uniform was designed by Ally Capellino in 2000. There are no compulsory trousers, for guides and rangers but girls in guiding wear what is appropriate for the activities. Rainbows and Brownies can chose from skirts, shorts, leggings or sweatpants.


Promise

All adult members of Girlguiding make a
promise A promise is a commitment by someone to do or not do something. As a noun ''promise'' means a declaration assuring that one will or will not do something. As a verb it means to commit oneself by a promise to do or give. It can also mean a capacity ...
upon joining but young members only have to do so before achieving section awards. The current promises for each section are: Rainbows: I promise that I will do my best, to think about my beliefs, and to be kind and helpful. Brownies, Guides, members of The Senior Section and Leaders: I promise that I will do my best; To be true to myself and develop my beliefs, To serve the King and my community, To help other people and To keep the (Brownie) Guide Law.


History of the Promise

In 1994, the promise was changed from 'To do my duty to God' to 'To love my God', in order to accommodate different faiths, and the word 'God' was allowed to be replaced with a faith's own word for their god (e.g. Allah). Some do not feel they are able to make a promise that mentions god, particularly atheists and this has attracted criticism from the
National Secular Society The National Secular Society (NSS) is a British campaigning organisation that promotes secularism and the separation of church and state. It holds that no one should gain advantage or disadvantage because of their religion or lack of it. It was ...
. In 2013 a nationwide consultation of the promise was carried out by Girlguiding. This took the form of a questionnaire with 44,000 respondents being asked for opinions on each line of the promise (not just 'Love my God'), and gave a number of options of different wordings. Effective from 1 September 2013, the words 'to be true to myself and develop my beliefs' replaced 'to love my God', and the words 'to serve the Queen and my community' replaced 'to serve the Queen and my country'. The rewording has been criticised by some Christian organisations.


Brownie Guide Law

A Brownie Guide thinks of others before herself, and does a good turn every day.


Guide Law for Guides, The Rangers and Leaders

# A Guide is honest, reliable and can be trusted. # A Guide is helpful and uses her time and abilities wisely. # A Guide faces challenges and learns from her experiences. # A Guide is a good friend and a sister to all Guides. # A Guide is polite and considerate. # A Guide respects all living things and takes care of the world around her.


Administrative structure in the UK

For effective administration of Girlguiding, the UK is split into smaller areas. At the top level there are ten Countries and Regions. The Countries are: * Girlguiding Scotland * Girlguiding Ulster *
Girlguiding Cymru Girlguiding Cymru ( Welsh: ''Bysowch Barod Cymru'') is one of the nine regions of Girlguiding UK. It serves the approximate area of Wales, although the boundaries are not exact. In 2004, there were 6,964 youth participant groups. Until 1938 Wal ...
* Girlguiding BGIFC = British Guides in Foreign Countries The Regions are: * Girlguiding Anglia *
Girlguiding London and South East England Girlguiding London and South East England is one of the nine Regions and Countries of Girlguiding. Region HQ is in Wandsworth Common, London. The Chief Commissioner is currently Sally Christmas. Counties Girlguiding London and South East Englan ...
(known as LaSER) * Girlguiding Midlands *
Girlguiding North East England Girlguiding North East England is one of the nine Regions and Countries of Girlguiding UK. The regional office is in Huntington, near York. Counties Girlguiding North East England is subdivided into 17 Girlguiding UK Counties. These do not corres ...
* Girlguiding North West England * Girlguiding South West England (includes the Channel Islands, etc.) Countries and Regions are split into Counties. These in turn are split into Divisions. Divisions are split into Districts. In some areas with few members, County, Division or District level may be omitted because effective communication occurs without it. Each area is led by a Commissioner.


Girlguiding outside the United Kingdom

Girlguiding is also active outside the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and ...
. In nine
British overseas territories The British Overseas Territories (BOTs), also known as the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs), are fourteen territories with a constitutional and historical link with the United Kingdom. They are the last remnants of the former Bri ...
, there are branch associations with slightly different Guiding programmes adapted to the local conditions. Most of the branch associations use different uniforms or lighter textiles. Branch Associations are active in *
Anguilla Anguilla ( ) is a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, lying east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and directly north of Saint Martin. The terr ...
*
Bermuda ) , anthem = "God Save the King" , song_type = National song , song = "Hail to Bermuda" , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , mapsize2 = , map_caption2 = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = , es ...
* The British Virgin Islands *
The Cayman Islands The Cayman Islands () is a self-governing British Overseas Territory—the largest by population in the western Caribbean Sea. The territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are located to the s ...
*
The Falkland Islands The Falkland Islands (; es, Islas Malvinas, link=no ) is an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf. The principal islands are about east of South America's southern Patagonian coast and about from Cape Dubouz ...
*
Gibraltar ) , anthem = " God Save the King" , song = "Gibraltar Anthem" , image_map = Gibraltar location in Europe.svg , map_alt = Location of Gibraltar in Europe , map_caption = United Kingdom shown in pale green , mapsize = , image_map2 = Gibr ...
*
Montserrat Montserrat ( ) is a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. It is part of the Leeward Islands, the northern portion of the Lesser Antilles chain of the West Indies. Montserrat is about long and wide, with roughly of coastline. It is n ...
*
St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha is a British Overseas Territory located in the South Atlantic and consisting of the island of Saint Helena, Ascension Island and the archipelago of Tristan da Cunha including Gough Island. Its name wa ...
* The Turks and Caicos Islands More details can be found in The Branch Association Members website.


British Royal Family in Guiding

Guiding in the UK has had a long association with the British Royal Family, in 1920 Princess Mary, daughter of
George V George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936. Born during the reign of his grandmother ...
became President of the Association, 1937 saw Princess Elizabeth, who would go on to be
Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during ...
become a Guide, and
Princess Margaret Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, (Margaret Rose; 21 August 1930 – 9 February 2002) was the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and the younger sister and only sibling of Queen Elizabeth  ...
become a Brownie. Princess Elizabeth joined the 1st Buckingham Palace Unit, whose first meeting was held on 9 June. She became the Second of Kingfisher Patrol, and was enrolled by her Aunt Princess Mary, Association President, on 13 December. At the start of
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
the company was closed, and the Queen and Princess Margaret were attached to a Balmoral Company. In 1942 the Buckingham Palace company reopened at Windsor, the Queen became Patrol Leader of Swallow Patrol. In 1943 the Queen became a Sea Ranger undertaking usual activities including gaining her boating permit and taking out the
Queen Mother A queen mother is a former queen, often a queen dowager, who is the mother of the reigning monarch. The term has been used in English since the early 1560s. It arises in hereditary monarchies in Europe and is also used to describe a number of ...
in a dinghy. She became Chief Ranger of the British Empire in 1946. When she married Lieutenant Mountbatten two of her bridesmaids were former members of the Buckingham Palace company. In 1952 when she ascended the throne she became the association patron. When Princess Mary died Princess Margaret became the new President in 1965. In turn on the death of Princess Margaret, the
Countess of Wessex Earl of Wessex is a title that has been created twice in British history – once in the pre-Conquest Anglo-Saxon nobility of England, and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. In the 6th century AD the region of Wessex (the lands of the ...
, wife to Prince Edward became President in 2003. The highest award in Guiding, the Queen's Guide award was created in 1946, this is now presented by the Association President.


Centenary celebrations

Girlguiding celebrated its centenary in 2009. The historic maze at Crystal Palace was re-opened on 5 September, remembering the
1909 Crystal Palace Scout Rally The Crystal Palace Rally was a gathering of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts at the Crystal Palace in London on Saturday, 4 September 1909. The rally demonstrated the rapid popularization of Scouting with an estimated 11,000 boys attending with the pr ...
. The Centenary Camp was held from 31 July–7 August 2010 at
Harewood House Harewood House ( , ) is a country house in Harewood, West Yorkshire, England. Designed by architects John Carr and Robert Adam, it was built, between 1759 and 1771, for Edwin Lascelles, 1st Baron Harewood, a wealthy West Indian plantation ...
. The
tall ship A tall ship is a large, traditionally- rigged sailing vessel. Popular modern tall ship rigs include topsail schooners, brigantines, brigs and barques. "Tall ship" can also be defined more specifically by an organization, such as for a race or f ...
''Lord Nelson'' made a 100-day voyage around the coast of the UK to celebrate the centenary. The ''Lord Nelson'' set sail from Glasgow on 7 June 2010. She has called at Oban, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Boston, London, Chatham, Portsmouth, Falmouth, Milford Haven and Whitehaven. At each port she took on new crew, many of whom had never sailed before. File:100 years of Girl Guiding (4825886481).jpg, Floral display in Colchester's Castle Park celebrating 100 years of Girlguiding UK (1910–2010).


See also

*
The Scout Association The Scout Association is the largest Scouting organisation in the United Kingdom and is the World Organization of the Scout Movement's recognised member for the United Kingdom. Following the origin of Scouting in 1907, the association was fo ...
* National Scout and Guide Symphony Orchestra * The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS) *
Verily Anderson Verily Anderson (12 January 1915 – 16 July 2010) was a British author, best known for writing the screenplay of the 1960 film '' No Kidding'',Eloise Miller"Verily Anderson obituary" ''The Guardian'' (London), 29 July 2010. based on her 1958 book ...
*
Girl Guides Girl Guides (known as Girl Scouts in the United States and some other countries) is a worldwide movement, originally and largely still designed for girls and women only. The movement began in 1909 when girls requested to join the then-grassroot ...
*
Foxlease Foxlease is a training and activity centre of Girlguiding near Lyndhurst, Hampshire, UK. The Foxlease estate has been owned and managed by the Guides since 1922. The estate is and the main house is known as The Princess Mary House, in honour o ...
* Anstice Gibbs *
Silver Fish Award The Silver Fish Award is the highest adult award in Girlguiding. It is awarded for outstanding service to Girlguiding combined with service to world Guiding. The award has changed greatly since it first appeared in 1911, initially being awarded ...


References


External links


Girlguiding

British Guides in Foreign Countries

Branch Association Members
{{DEFAULTSORT:Girlguiding Uk Organisations based in the City of Westminster Youth organizations established in 1910 World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts member organizations Youth organisations based in the United Kingdom 1910 establishments in the United Kingdom