by Karla, Girl Guide Leader
Most people know, at least on a basic level, what it means to be a “Girl Guide”. Sell cookies, go camping, have fun.
But what is it like to be a Girl Guide leader?
I can’t speak for every leader out there, but I can speak from my own personal experience.
Over 20 years ago, I was talked into becoming a Girl Guide leader because there was no space available in any Spark unit for my daughter- they were all full. So, I signed up as a leader to open a brand-new Spark unit.
I will say that because I had zero experience in Girl Guides (I wasn’t a Girl Guide when I was a child, plus I had little experience working with groups of kids), my co-leader really saved me that year; she was a great mentor. She was a kindergarten teacher, and I learned a lot from her. During that first year as a leader, I learned a lot about Girl Guides as an organization as well. The lingo, its policies, and procedures.
Fast forward to the present day, I no longer have a daughter in Girl Guides. She is now an adult. So, why do I still lead a unit without a kid in the program? I continue to work with young girls because I have fun doing it, and I can see their potential. It is great to see them enjoy learning new skills like building a tower out of just paper and tape. Or being able to ask a person they don’t know if they would like to buy a box of girl guide cookies – and they get a yes!
It makes my heart sing to see girls getting along well, having fun together, and learning new skills. I don’t do it “because I have to” anymore. It’s because it makes me feel good inside to see young girls succeeding and having fun.
So, if you have ever thought of becoming a Girl Guide leader, know that it is one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do.
And Girl Guides has a new initiative this year – VolunTry. You can try being a leader for a short time, they’ll fast track your application so that you can try it out for the remainder of this year. For more information, please email me at [email protected].
