History of Guiding

Give each person in each circle, or patrol a name or names from the list below. They will run when they hear their name

Robert Baden-Powell (8)
Agnes Baden-Powell (3)
Olave Baden-Powell (4)
Boy Scouts (4)
Girl Scouts (5)
Girl Guides (5)
Thinking Day (3) (everybody runs)

The (numbers) indicate how many times that person runs. On the word "Thinking Day" the whole patrol (group) joins hands and run together.

Read the story aloud, giving the girls time to run down the room around a chair and back to their Patrol (group) before proceeding. This game can be scored if desired.

In 1907, ROBERT BADEN-POWELL, who had returned from the Boer War with ideas for the training of boys, ran an experimental camp on Brownsea island. The followin year, he published "Scouting for Boys", and all over the coutnry boys began meeting together and calling themselves BOY SCOUTS. In September 1909 Scouts attended the Rally at Crystal Palace. At the march pass, ROBERT BADEN-POWELL noticed at the back a group of girls. "Who are you?" he asked. "We are GIRL SCOUTS", they replied. "But there aren't any GIRL SCOUTS", Robert said. "Yes there are, for we are they", the girls replied.

ROBERT BADEN-POWELL realized that something would have to be done for the girls, so he asked his sister, AGNES BADEN-POWELL to organize them as GIRL GUIDES; in 190 the first companies were registered, the first being Miss AGENS BADEN-POWELL'S own.

In 1912, ROBERT BADEN-POWELL, began an eight month tour, visiting BOY SCOUTS in West Indies, Australia and new Zealand. On baord ship, he met Olave St. Clair Soames, and by the end of the journey they were engaged. They married on october 30, 1912 and their wedding gift from the BOY SCOUTS was a motor car, for which each Scout gave one penny.

OLAVE BADEN-POWELL quickly became involved in her husband's Scouting Activities.

By this time the country was at war and ROBERT BADEN-POWELL had offered his services, although he was close to sixty years of age. The King told him that his work with the BOY SCOUTS was more important. In 1920 he was proclaimed Chief Scout fo the World. OLAVE BADEN-POWELL had been acclaimed Chief Guide in 1918.

In 1926, a French Guider made a suggestion that, since ROBERT BADEN-POWELL and OLAVE BADEN-POWELL shared the same birthday, February 22nd, this day was a special day to all GIRL GUIDES and GIRL SCOUTS around the world. In 1927, THINKING DAY began to celebrated. Following an idean of a Belgian Guider in 1931 , everyone was encouraged to give one penny on that day towards the THINKING DAY fund.

So - now you know that Guiding began in 1910, founded by ROBERT BADEN-POWELL and AGNES BADEN-POWELL, and that every year GIRL GUIDES and GIRL SCOUTS throughout the world celebrate the joint birthday of ROBERT BADEN-POWELL and his wife OLAVE BADEN-POWELL, on the 22nd of February, THINKING DAY.

Vision : Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada, the organization of choice for girls and women, makes a positive difference in the life of every girl and woman who experiences Guiding so she can contribute responsibly to her communities.

Mission : Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada enables girls to be confident, resourceful and courageous, and to make a difference in the world.

Promise : I promise to do my best, To be true to myself, my beliefs and Canada. I will take action for a better world And respect the Guiding Law.

Law : The Guiding Law challenges me to: be honest and trustworthy use my resources wisely respect myself and others recognize and use my talents and abilities protect our common environment live with courage and strength share in the sisterhood of Guiding.