Guiding FAQs
Q. How can my daughter join Girl Guides?
A. Its easy! Just click Join Now or call 1-800-565-8111 for more information on joining one of 6,000 Guiding Units across Canada.
Q. What are the different levels of Guiding?
A. All girls from 5 – 17+ are welcome to join Guiding. The age ranges for each branch are as follows:
- Sparks – 5-6 years old
- Brownies – 7-8 years old
- Guides – 9-12 years old
- Pathfinders – 12-14 years old
- Rangers – 15-17+
Q. What do girls do in Girl Guides?
A. When girls join Guiding, they have the chance to experience dynamic programming and activities that truly reflect the needs and interests of today’s girls. From community service projects and international trips to camps and badges such as Streetwise, Eating Local, Fashion and Career Awareness, we’re offering girls more of what they want.
Q. How can I become an adult member of Girl Guides?
A. Our adult Members play a vital role in our organization. Join now online or by calling 1-800-565-8111 for more information. There are lots of different ways to volunteer – become a Unit Guider, join a council or committee, help out at special events, share a talent with the girls – whatever suits your skills and schedule.
Q. What kind of a time commitment is involved to be an adult Member?
A. The time commitment depends on you, your schedule and what type of work you would like to do. You’ll have the support of other Guiders and together you can figure out what you would like to do and what time commitment you would like to make. It could be weekly, monthly, special events – whatever works best for you. More than anything else, we want to ensure that your involvement in Guiding will be a fun and rewarding experience.
Q. Do I need to have a daughter in Guiding to get involved?
A. Absolutely not – all you need is a passion to work with girls and young women. We’ll show you what you need to know.
Q. Do I need previous Guiding experience?
A. Everyone is welcome. If you were not involved as a girl it really does not matter. We’d like you to help us bring Guiding to more girls and women.
Q. Are there ways to volunteer other than working directly with the girls?
A. Absolutely! Here are some of the options available to you:
Leadership:
- Become a Unit Guider and work directly with girls
- Participate on a committee or task group
- Become a board member at the national level
Public Relations/Fundraising:
- Plan a special event
- Help make Guiding more visible in your community by working with a membership committee
- Organize a cookie drive in your neighbourhood
Administration:
- Take minutes at a meeting
- Become a council treasurer
- Develop and edit newsletters
Other Opportunities Include:
- Using your financial and risk management skills on a committee or task force
- Coordinating volunteer activities or helping to train new volunteers
- Cookie campaigns
- Public relations and communications
Q. What are the benefits to women gained from volunteering with Girl Guides of Canada?
A. Our members tell us that volunteering with Girl Guides of Canada is one of their most personally rewarding experiences. Guiding represents an incredible opportunity to make a difference in the lives of girls and young women. When you volunteer with Girl Guides of Canada you help girls and young women develop the best within themselves and discover how to connect with people in their community and around the world. Girl Guides of Canada offers opportunities for personal growth, leadership and travel. Girl Guides of Canada also provides access to organized training, activity ideas, program resources, pre-planned events, greater community involvement as well as an opportunity to learn how to plan events.
Q. What kinds of programs are offered at Girl Guides of Canada?
A. Girl Guides of Canada has been at the forefront of offering innovative programming for girls for a century. Our current cutting edge programming includes:
Young Advocates Fund: Encourages girls to become active members of their community and the wider world by developing leadership and advocacy skills while planning and implementing their own social change initiatives.
Girls United Challenge: Gives girls tips and strategies to stand up against bullying, support each other and create a safe and caring environment for their peers.
Canadian Girls Say…: Is a groundbreaking project that helps girls identify the issues they care about in their communities through photography.
Girl EmPower Challenge: Offers age-specific activities to help girls learn more about healthy, equal, non-violent relationships.
Love Yourself Challenge: Builds and encourages healthy self-esteem and positive body image. Girls explore aspects of body image, self-esteem and health and nutrition.
Girls for Safer Communities: Project aims to increase awareness about safety concerns of girls and women while mobilizing girls to become leaders in their communities.
Perspectives on a Girl Online Film Festival: A number of talented Canadian artists delve into the issues young girls face today through a series of dynamic short films. Visit perspectivesonagirl.ca
Q. Can I support Girl Guides of Canada with a donation?
A. Your support makes it possible for us to deliver leading edge, effective and relevant programming for girls and women across Canada. Please click here for information on ways of giving.
Q. When are Girl Guide Cookies available?
A. Girl Guide Cookies are available twice a year. The chocolatey mint cookies are available every fall (October to December) and the classic chocolate and vanilla sandwich cookies are available every spring (March to June).
Q. When I buy Girl Guide Cookies, where does my money go?
A. Proceeds from the sale of Girl Guide Cookies support Guiding activities in your community and across the country. The money raised through cookie sales:
- Helps Girl Guides of Canada to provide varied and exciting programs and activities
- Allows girls the chance to discover new interests, learn valuable leadership skills and form lasting friendships
- Assists girls and leaders with attending camps and events.
Q. I have more questions about Guiding – how can I contact Girl Guides of Canada?
A. Please call 1-800-565-8111. It is a free call. We’ve set it up so that you’ll be able to speak to someone in your own community about Guiding.
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