Heather Latter
The Girl Guides of Canada programs remain strong locally—and even are seeing increased enrolment as the new season began earlier this week.
“The Pathfinder unit is going to be the largest we’ve had,” enthused Trisha Law, who has led the Pathfinders (ages 12-15) for the past four years and Guides (ages nine-11) for six years.
“We have 10 this year,” Law said about the Pathfinders. “And that is very good for that age group.”
Law noted several of the girls have been together in the program since they were in Brownies (ages seven-eight).
“And they like it enough to come back year after year,” she remarked.
The Girl Guides of Canada website indicates that “Guiding offers the widest range of activities of any extra-curricular activity for girls and young women.”
It adds that Guiding allows girls aged five-18 to develop friendships while exploring the arts, sciences, cultural awareness, and so much more.
They get to try their hand at “enriching experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime.”
That’s exactly why Law continues to be a leader.
“I enjoy working with the girls and teaching them things they don’t know,” she said, noting both the Pathfinder and Guides units participate in an array of challenges that earn them badges.
“The chocolate challenge is a lot of fun,” enthused Pathfinder Maren Scott, adding they get to try different kinds of chocolate and guess which one is which.
They also learn about the history of chocolate, as well as participate in other games and activities focused on chocolate.
Other fun activities planned for this year include a Rachael Ray cooking challenge, where the girls are given six-10 ingredients to make a dish, and a Harry Potter challenge, where they’ll play “Quidditch,” as well as other games with a Harry Potter theme.
“There are lots of different challenges,” said Law, noting they are more contemporary themes that keep up with the interest of girls in that age group.
She added the girls also participated in the “Faceless Doll” project last year and likely will do so again this year.
The Girl Guides programs aim to make a positive difference in the life of the girls by making new friends, learning new things, discovering their skills and talents, and gaining confidence and experience.
“You get to be yourself when you come here,” said Piper Caldwell, 11.
“You don’t have to hide who you are.”
Morgan Gagne, 12, said she enjoys getting to know girls who go to other schools in the area.
“You meet a lot of new people, and you get to do a lot of fun activities and challenges,” echoed Scott.
“Plus you learn a lot,” added Rya Hawrylak.
Pathfinders and Guides meet Mondays at Knox United Church from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m., respectively.
But starting in late October, the two units will run alternate weeks.
Law said the reason is because they just don’t have enough adults to help out to keep the two groups together.
“The Guides unit is definitely seeking leaders to take over,” she stressed, adding they also could use assistants to help out whenever they can.
Meanwhile, the Sparks (ages five-six) and Brownies units also meet Mondays from 6:15-7:30 p.m. at J.W. Walker School.
And although they also saw a strong turnout this week, they’re not lacking for leaders.
But they always can use more help.
“We try to do different theme days, exploring such things as woodworking, science, and outdoor activities,” explained leader Sherree Denby.
She noted they do this through crafts, snacks, games, and songs.
“We try to keep it light and fun,” she remarked, noting they don’t want the girls to feel like they are in school for the evening.
“We want to do things that the girls are interested in,” she reasoned.
For example, Denby explained they do something called two stars and a wish, meaning the girls share two things they enjoyed and one thing they would like to do.
“And then we try to incorporate those,” she said, adding they can earn badges for the different themes that they can put on their sash.
Denby said they also do some community outreach and are planning to visit Rainycrest again this year, as well as create care packages for the Rainy River District Women’s Shelter of Hope.
They even are having a “bring a friend” night next week so Denby suggested anyone who is interested in joining might want to come and give it a try.
Girls can join at anytime by visiting www.girlguides.ca
The cost to join is $160.
Meanwhile, be on the lookout for all four units selling Girl Guide cookies.
They’ll be doing that on Sept. 28 this year, and it will be the chocolate mint cookies that will be available for $5 a box.
For more information, call Law at 274-2434 (Pathfinder/Guides) or Monica Armour at 275-7441 (Sparks/Brownies).
