Girlguiding

Girlguiding is the operating name of The Guide Association, previously named The Girl Guides Association and is the national guiding organisation of the United Kingdom. It is the UK's largest girl-only youth organisation.[3] Girlguiding is a charitable organisation.[4][5]

"Scouting for girls" redirects here. For the band, see Scouting for Girls.

Girlguiding
HeadquartersLondon, SW1
CountryUnited Kingdom
Founded1910
FounderRobert Baden-Powell; Agnes Baden-Powell
Membership490,022
(2018)[1]
Chief GuideAmanda Medler (22 February 2018 – present)
Chief ExecutiveAngela Salt[2]
PresidentSophie, Countess of Wessex
PatronQueen Elizabeth II
AffiliationWorld Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
Website
www.girlguiding.org.uk

Within Girlguiding, participants take on adventurous activities, such as climbing, canoeing, sailing and orienteering[6][7][8][9] and have the opportunity to get involved in camps and international events, including girl-only festivals[10][11][12] and overseas development projects.[13][14][15] 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.[16]

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.[17] Girlguiding is also a campaigning organisation, having supported the No More Page 3 campaign[18] and lobbied the government on sexual harassment in schools,[19] women's political representation and media sexism.

Guiding began in the UK in 1910, when Robert Baden-Powell, founder of The Scout Association, established a separate organisation for girls.[20] The Guide Association was a founding member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) in 1928.[21]

Girlguiding is supported by around 100,000 volunteers.[22]

History
Girl Guides in camp, 1930

Following the origin of the Boy Scouts in 1907 many girls took up Scouting.[23] In 1909, a number of Girl Scouts attended the Boy Scout Rally in Crystal Palace Park [24] The girls told Robert Baden Powell that they wanted 'to do the same thing as the boys'.[25] Guiding was introduced to respond to the demand.[21]

In 1910 Robert Baden-Powell 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.[26][27]

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.[26]

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).[26]

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.[28]

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.[29]

Programme

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

Rainbow Guides

Rainbow Guides or Rainbows are aged from 5 to 7 year old, except in Northern Ireland where girls can join from age 4. 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 all 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.[30]

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 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 Participant: a Rangers member who has chosen to focus on the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
  • Lone 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 (SSAGO) Member: For members who are studying at higher education (such as a university or college).[31]
  • 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

Uniform

The Girlguiding uniform has evolved over the years, from its first design by Baden-Powell 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, but girls in guiding wear what is appropriate for the activities.

Promise

All members of Girlguiding make a promise upon joining. The current promises for each section are:[32]

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 Queen 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[33] and this has attracted criticism from the National Secular Society.[34]

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.[35] 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.[36]

Brownie Guide Law

A Brownie Guide thinks of others before herself, and does a good turn every day.[37]

Guide Law for Guides, The Rangers and Leaders
  1. A Guide is honest, reliable and can be trusted.
  2. A Guide is helpful and uses her time and abilities wisely.
  3. A Guide faces challenges and learns from her experiences.
  4. A Guide is a good friend and a sister to all Guides.
  5. A Guide is polite and considerate.
  6. A Guide respects all living things and takes care of the world around her.[38]

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:

The Regions are:

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. In nine British overseas territories, 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

More details can be found in The Branch Association Members website.[39]

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 became President of the Association, 1937 saw Princess Elizabeth, who would go on to be Queen Elizabeth II become a Guide, and Princess Margaret 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 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 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.[40]

When Princess Mary died Princess Margaret became the new President in 1965. In turn on the death of Princess Margaret, the Countess of Wessex, wife to Prince Edward became President in 2003.[26] 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.[41] The historic maze at Crystal Palace was re-opened on 5 September, remembering the 1909 Crystal Palace Scout Rally.

The Centenary Camp was held from 31 July–7 August 2010 at Harewood House.

The tall ship 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.[42] She has called at Oban, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Boston, London, Chatham, Portsmouth, Falmouth, Milford Haven and Whitehaven.[43] At each port she took on new crew, many of whom had never sailed before.

  • Floral display in Colchester's Castle Park celebrating 100 years of Girlguiding UK (1910–2010).

See also

References
  1. Being Our Best: Girlguiding's Annual Report and Financial Statements (2018) (PDF) (Report). Girlguiding. 2019. p. 10. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 July 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  2. Preston, Rob (9 January 2019). "Girlguiding appoints Angela Salt as chief executive". www.civilsociety.co.uk.
  3. "Information for our UK member organization". World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  4. "Charitable status". Girlguiding UK. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  5. "Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2013" (PDF). girlguiding.org.uk. The Guide Association. p. 7. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  6. Fullarton, Clair (30 September 2016). "Ayrshire North Girlguiding members transform site into adventure centre". Daily Record. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  7. "'The Fastnet Divas' given great support from the Isle of Wight". On the Wight. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  8. "Girl Guides return from intrepid adventure weekend". Chester Chronicle. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  9. "Guides from Petersfield area enjoy the great outdoors". Petersfield Post. 18 July 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  10. Wild, James (26 August 2016). "Wellies and Wristbands will provide action-packed girl-only New Forest festival". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  11. "Guides delighted to meet popular bands". Worthing Herald. 2 September 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  12. "Clitheroe hosts UK's youngest girl-only festival". Clitheroe Advertiser and Times. 19 June 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  13. Vincent, David (12 March 2016). "Girlguiding members are heading out to help people in Haiti". Ipswich Star. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  14. Hughes, Sam (16 October 2016). "Tavistock's Charlotte Mellor goes on trip of a lifetime". Tavistock Times Gazette. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  15. Mason, Vivien (4 May 2016). "Trip of a lifetime to the Maldives awaits a Chipping Campden Girl Guide assistant". Cotswold Journal. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  16. "Our programme and activities". Girlguiding UK. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  17. Topping, Alexandra (3 October 2016). "Girls as young as 7 feel pressure to be pretty – body confidence study". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  18. Barnett, Emma (9 April 2013). "Girl guides sign 'No More Page 3' campaign". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  19. Burns, Judith (13 September 2016). "MPs seek better plan to fight school sexual harassment". BBC News Online. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  20. http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4280000/newsid_4284600/4284663.stm
  21. "Our history". World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  22. Wilson, Michaela (15 October 2016). "Girl Guides: From gender stereotyping to becoming the 'ultimate feminist organisation'". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  23. Hampton, Janie (2011). How the Girl Guides Won the War. HarperPress. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-00735-632-4.
  24. "CBBC Newsround – Girl Guides – History". BBC News. 21 February 2005. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  25. Summerskill, Ben (30 July 2000). "The day mere girls subdued Baden-Powell". The Observer. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  26. "History of Guiding". Girlguiding UK. Archived from the original on 9 January 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  27. "Olave Baden-Powell". The World Chief Guide. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  28. "Full list of NCVYS members". National Council for Voluntary Youth Services. Archived from the original on 12 May 2013.
  29. "Timeline". Leslie's Guiding History Site. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  30. "Brownies: Guiding for girls aged seven to ten". Girlguiding UK. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  31. "SSAGO – About". Student Scout and Guide Organisation. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  32. "The Promise". Girlguiding UK. 21 February 2005. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  33. "Atheist family upset over Brownie Promise claim". East Grinstead Courier and Observer. 11 August 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2017 – via This is Sussex.
  34. "Non-religious girl may have to leave Brownies because of religious oath". National Secular Society. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  35. "Chief Guide announces Promise consultation". Girlguiding UK. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  36. "God and country ditched in Guides and Brownies' promise". Christian Institute. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  37. "Brownies". CBBC News. 21 February 2005. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  38. "Guides". CBBC News. 21 February 2005. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  39. "Home". Branch Associations. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  40. "Representatives of the Brownies and Guides of Windsor wish HM The Queen a happy birthday on behalf of Girlguiding UK". Girlguiding UK. Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  41. "Centenary". Girlguiding UK. Archived from the original on 18 June 2008.
  42. "Girlguides set off on first of 100 Day tall ship adventure". Jubilee Sailing Trust. 7 June 2010. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011.
  43. Barwise, Jenny (7 September 2010). "Youngsters help Guide Tall Ship into Cumbrian Harbour". News and Star. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012.
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