Girl Guides of Canada

Erin
Calgary, AB
Third Year, Bachelor of Health Science - Bioinformatics Major, Mathematics Minor

“Guiding has imparted in me an understanding of the importance of ’paying it forward’. I love helping instill confidence and curiosity in young girls, as they develop into the next generation of leaders.”

Madison
Yarmouth, NS
Second Year, Mathematics and Statistics

“Being in Guiding I have built skills like public speaking, respect for myself/others, etc. Now I have the confidence to talk in front of a group, a class, and even an auditorium with hundreds of people, because I found my voice through Guiding.”

Emily
Edmonton, AB
First Year, Specialization in Computing Science

“I have flourished through my years in Guiding to become who I am today: a strong, independent woman. Through the women leadership mentality that is central to the organization, I have always had a place where my voice is valued.”

Christina
Comox, BC
First Year, Bachelor of Science (Earth & Ocean)

“Guiding has impacted my life, influencing my decision to pursue a degree in Earth and Ocean Science. If I wasn’t in Girl Guides, I don’t think I would have the same interest in the outdoors and taking care of nature as I do. The activities and programs within Guiding have definitely created my passion for science and the outdoors since a very young age.”

Elena
Calgary, AB
Post Graduate, Doctor of Philosophy

“I take lessons learned through Guiding with me into every situation, in every arena of my life. The bedrock of my personal philosophy has been shaped by the Girl Guide motto “Be Prepared”: be prepared for challenge, to face adversity, to try new things, to support others, to offer your talents, to fail and learn, to succeed and learn, to give back when you are full and to give back when you think you have nothing to offer.”

Nicole
Mount Pearl, NL
Second Year, Bachelor of Nursing

“The confidence and character I have gained from Guiding have done so much to shape me into the woman I am today. I have had the opportunity to meet some of the best women that both Newfoundland and Canada have to offer through Girl Guides and from them I have learned countless immeasurable lessons in life.”

Nerissa
Vancouver, BC
Second Year, Biology

“When I started Rangers I was introduced to wilderness camping, and I was hooked. When I was as a second year Ranger, my life goal became clear: a career in biology, where I can spend time researching and working out in the field. Not only have my countless camping adventures with Guiding inspired me to pursue this goal, I know that once I reach it, they’ll have prepared me as well.”

Sarah
Gander, NL
Second Year, Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science

“Being a member of Girl Guides of Canada has given me a sense of purpose. My many different Guiding activities and experiences helped me realize the benefits of helping others and it has shown me that I can make a difference. My only hope is that one day I will to be able to give back to Girl Guides all that it has given me.”

Rachel
Burlington, ON
First Year, Engineering

“Girl Guides has allowed me to gain a variety of skills over these years; a handful of which have had exceptionally big impacts on my life. In my unit, we have touched on everything from budgeting to cooking to health and how to deal with stress, which has helped prepare me for the real world in ways that my academic school courses simply can't.”

Christina
Port Coquitlam, BC
Third Year, Health Sciences

“I feel a great amount of gratitude towards the Guiding community, as such, I am extremely thankful for the sisters that I have been given and the mentors I have had the privilege of working with all these years. I feel as though in life, there are small decisions that have profound impacts, and joining Girl Guides was one of them.”

Emma
Dayton, NS
First Year, Bachelor of Commerce

“Without question, Girl Guides has provided me with a sense of family in times when I didn’t necessarily feel like I belonged. I have developed lifelong friendships and a strong connection with Guiders. These connections are not something that can be formed without the help of a little campfire magic, and they are something I will cherish for a long time.”

Abigail
Stephenville, NL
First Year, Bachelor of Arts

“Guiding has given me a whole other group of young women who offer unrelenting support to one another. When I look back on the wonderful experiences I had in Guides, not only do I see what I as an individual have taken from the challenges of the past, I also see a group of girls brought together through a common goal and the bridges we built as lifelong friends.”

Amber
Kelowna, BC
First Year, Computer Animation

“Guiding has shown me the importance of having positive mentors. I have been lucky enough to have many leaders and older girls fill that role for me. As a result, I now work tirelessly to be an inspiration to others. The Guiding Promise, especially the line “be true to myself,” will forever be an important part of my life. To be happy, you must discover your true self, and always be that, even if that is not what others think you should be.”

Kianna
Bedford, NS
First Year, Bachelor of Science

“Leaders aren’t inspiring because of their own power, but because of their ability to instill power in others. The biggest gift GGC has provided me with is exactly that: the ability to lead through empowerment. I now feel confident in leading groups of all ages. The ability/confidence to lead groups is something which will benefit me in all my future pursuits.”

Cheyenne
Dartmouth, NS
First Year, Bachelor of Education - Child and Youth Studies

“I am looking forward to the future, not just for myself but for all girls because organizations like the Girl Guides of Canada are teaching young women to be fierce! It is an amazing and exciting time to be a girl if you ask me!”

Leah
St. Paul, AB
Second Year, Bachelor of Arts

“No organization has had more impact on me than GGC because of all it has to offer. I have been encouraged to try new experiences and acquire a wide variety of skills in a safe, nurturing environment. Guiding is a way of life, it has made me who I am today, and I cannot imagine my future without Girl Guides.”

Emma
Huntsville, ON
Third Year, Bachelor of Arts and Sciences

“It is such a wonderful feeling to know that I am part of a movement that spans generations in my family, and spans continents and ethnicities worldwide, with girl greatness at its core. Girl Guides has allowed me to make valuable connections and lasting friendships, and I don’t think I would be who I am today without this organization that I call home.”

Elizabeth
Mount Pearl, NL
Fourth Year, Bachelor of Arts

“Guiding has taught me the importance of having non-binary and women only spaces. This has allowed me to positively impact those around me as I am a feminist and advocate openly and consistently for the rights of women, both cisgender and gender diverse. The international sisterhood provided by GGC and WAGGGS makes me strive for the bettering of conditions for my sisters on a local, provincial, national, and international level.”

Angela
Coquitlam, BC
Postgraduate, Law

“The experience of being a Guider to pre-teen and teenage girls helped me recognize the importance of positive role models at that crucial stage of development. They approached me for advice and information that they were otherwise not comfortable asking their parents about, and many referred to me as the ’big sister’ they never had. Despite my incredibly busy schedule, I continue to give back to Guiding as it was an essential precursor to the successes in my life.”

Casey
Edmonton, AB
Part-time studies, Bachelor of Technology - Technology Management

“Guiding has taught me to be a mentor. Many of my Guiders were remarkable mentors, and I strive to live up to their excellent example. In my Pathfinder unit, I do my very best to set a good example and help the girls achieve their goals. Today, at only 25 I feel I have conquered so much, and I believe that the confidence and support that I received from Guiding have contributed immensely to my success.”

Stephanie
Stephenville, NL
First Year, Bachelor of Commerce

“Guiding is what sent me on the path to earning everything I could ever want. Friendship, opportunity, and success are what I found while walking it. The impact this program has had on my life is irreversible and I would not change my involvement in it for anything in the world. Guiding has given me essential life skills, empowerment, and another family. I believe this program holds something for everyone, you just have to choose to walk the path.”

Paige
Kingston, ON
Third Year, Creative Industries

“The way that Guiding has had an impact on my life is demonstrated through my interests to this day. I am an avid camper who enjoys exploring new places and travelling, and without the exposure of Girl Guides I wouldn't have that opportunity. My love of hiking, canoeing, and various other outdoor activities have directly stemmed from my experience in Guiding.”

Olivia
Mississauga, ON
First Year, Applied Human Nutrition

“Guiding itself has turned me into a well-rounded young woman. Guiding has taught me respect, leadership and responsibility; three things that have made me a mature person of my age. I truly believe I would not be the same person I am right now, if it weren’t for what Guiding has given me.”

Marlina
Toronto, ON
First Year, Concurrent Education - Primary/Junior

“Ever since I was a Spark, I was accepted for who I am, without needing to change who I am. The Guiding community is one without judgement which is what has helped become a strong, confident, loving and responsible young woman! I am not afraid to be myself as I know there will always be amazing friends out there to accept me for me.”

Michelle
Hamilton, ON
First Year, Humanities

“Being a part of Guiding, and more specifically becoming a Junior Leader, has allowed me the opportunity to work with children. For the past six years, I have been a Junior Leader for both Sparks and Embers. Because of this, I have discovered my passion for helping others and my dream of becoming a teacher.”

Meaghan
Brampton, ON
First Year, Honours Science Program - Science and Forensics

“Guiding has changed my life in more ways than I could have ever imagined. What started off as just a way to spend time with my best friend outside of school has turned into my whole world. Through Guiding I have found a family and learned more than I ever have in a classroom.”

Kaitlyn,
Kitchener, ON
First Year, Child and Youth Studies

“As I head off to University, I will take what I have learned and experienced with me because to me Guiding is not just something you do, it’s a way of life, one so prosperous and rewarding that my life would never be the same without it!”

Kyrie
Richmond Hill, ON
First Year, English studies

“The sisterhood of Guiding provides an incredible support system. Its focus on mental health has helped me personally and helped me to understand not just how to take care of my own mental health but to help others around me. My Guiders and my peers in Guiding have supported me throughout my years and I have built lifelong friendships that I cherish.”

Lauryn
Richmond Hill, ON
First Year, Bachelor of Arts – Psychology

“I feel fortunate to always have access to positive, supportive female role models. I know I will take these experiences with me to future endeavors and will never forget my promise to share and be a friend.”

Aletta
Prince George, BC
Post-graduate, Masters of Public Health – Environmental Stream

“Through meeting and working with my Co-Guider, I discovered that each person gets what they need out of Girl Guides. For me, Guiding is all about getting out in nature, camping and outdoor activities. For my Co-Guider, Girl Guides was a larger community of global friendships instantly made over a common bond. Finally, for many of those we led, it was an opportunity to learn things they would not have had a chance to do at home or to learn about topics they aren't familiar with.”

Amy
Halifax, NS
First Year, Bachelor of Education – Elementary

“Guiding has also helped me to outline the friendships and types of people I want in my life. These women who I have met, who are willing to babysit each other’s children, who can work a full week, and still put on a smile at camp, they are the women who have inspired and shaped me.”

Shelan
Winnipeg, MB
First Year, Education