Ontario Girl Guides of Canada

Girl Guides of Canada, Ontario Council recognizes the importance of continuing education. That’s why we offer scholarship programs to encourage further education of our active members. Use the links below to learn more about these programs, including eligibility requirements and how to apply.

• ON Adult Members Awards and Recognition page
• ON Girl Members Awards and Recognition page

You can also learn about National Girl Guides of Canada Scholarships

Meet the 2026 Scholarship recipients

Isabel Kerr Scholarship

Catriona

“I began Girl Guides when I was five years old, following in my mother's footsteps. It has been a constant in my ever-changing life. Not only has Girl Guides helped me become my best self, it has shaped all of my life choices. Without Girl Guides, I would not have found my best friends, my close connection to nature or an understanding of my own identity. Becoming a leader was written in the stars the day that I joined Sparks and I'm so grateful to be able to keep Guiding in my life through my work with the next generation of Guiding. Leading a unit has kept me busy and given me an opportunity to integrate myself into my new community while I am at school. When I go to my hometown, I get to see the people in Guiding who supported me through every chapter of my life. I am so grateful for this scholarship as it will allow me to continue my studies in the city where my new unit is located and develop relationships through Guiding that will last a lifetime!”


Laura

“Before my first tent camp at the beginning of Pathfinders, I was terrified. I had never slept in a tent before or cooked on a portable stove. To add to my distress, the bathrooms were far from our group site. I thought I would be cold, scared and miserable. Yet, it was the best weekend of the school year. I now love camping, and I have become a much more experienced camper. I lead meetings for younger girls where I teach them how to set up tents and start fires safely. Going from being terrified of camping to helping others learn to camp has proven to me that I am capable of anything with dedication and a positive attitude. The Girl Guide slogan "Everything she wants to be" is a constant reminder that I am strong, determined, and capable of achieving my goals. Over the past 13 years, I have made friends, learned new skills, and gained invaluable self-confidence and leadership abilities along the way. As I transition to being an adult member of Girl Guides, I believe that I have a responsibility to give back to this amazing community. I have been very fortunate to have so many wonderful adult mentors who have challenged me, laughed with me, and pushed me to my full potential. It is now my turn to become a mentor and guide the next generation of young women in becoming the strong, kind, and female leaders of the future.”


Azure

“I am very honoured and grateful to receive the Isabelle Kerr Ontario Scholarship. I have been part of Guiding since I was six years old, beginning in Sparks and continuing all the way to Rangers. Over the years, Guiding has become much more than a weekly activity to me. It has been a place of friendship, adventure, service, and belonging. Some of my favourite memories are laughing around campfires, singing loudly with friends, and coming home smelling like smoke and burnt marshmallows after camp. Guiding has helped shape the person I am today. It gave me the confidence to take on new challenges outside of my comfort zone. Through those experiences, I learned to trust myself and keep going even when I feel nervous at first. Most importantly, Guiding has given me a strong sense of community and belonging. It has connected me with people who are adventurous, supportive, and down-to-earth, and it has shown me the importance of service and helping others feel valued. Through opportunities like organizing a book drive, volunteering at camps, and supporting community initiatives, I learned that even small actions can make a meaningful difference. As I move on from high school and begin university, I know I will carry the lessons and values of Guiding with me. I am so thankful for everything Guiding has given me over the past 13 years, and I am proud to continue being part of this community.”


Isla W.

“When I think of Girl Guides and what it means to me, I think of leadership. In fact, this connection is so strong that I even based my final AP Research study on how Girl Guides develop leadership skills! In my eleven years as a youth member, I have been fortunate to hold several leadership roles in Girl Guides, both within my community and at the provincial level. What I love about Girl Guides is how leadership grows with you as you progress in the organization. For example, I have fond memories of being a Patrol leader in Embers, entrusted with organizing my Patrol and ensuring we were ready for whatever activity we had that day. I believe that experience laid the groundwork for my leadership today, both within GGC and outside it.

Throughout the past two years, I have had the privilege of serving on the Ontario-Nunavut Youth Forum. This experience has taught me so much, especially relating to leadership. I have had the opportunity to make friends from across the province and work towards making Guiding in Ontario even better, and this has been an experience I will never forget. I have collaborated with a variety of people to contribute to projects, serve on interview committees, and help develop programming, all of which have strengthened my existing leadership skills. Although my experience on Youth Forum has brought me leadership opportunities I never would have imagined at my age, leadership in Girl Guides is not limited to serving on councils or committees. My experience leading meetings and camps in my Rangers and Trex units is among the most influential experiences in my leadership development, as I believe they pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and fully realize my leadership capabilities. Taking everything into account, I believe Girl Guides and leadership are intrinsically connected. I can confidently say that I would not be the leader I am today without Girl Guides, and for that, I am forever grateful to this organization and all the wonderful people I have met through it. As I go off next year to McMaster University, I know that I am well prepared to be an effective and compassionate leader and community member thanks to my participation in Girl Guides.


Jessie

“I was a stubborn five-year-old who committed to things as if activities were shiny beads on a bracelet. I entered a ballet class, convinced I would make it all the way to pointe; I started French school, confident that I would master it and move on to Spanish - in one year; and I started Guides as a Spark, seeing Rangers in the distance, and the rainbow of coloured branches along the way, determined to complete the journey. Spanish never happened, French did and ballet stopped when the world shut down in 2019. Guiding was the only constant.

As I grew, the Guiding program encouraged me to discover myself and rooted me in my land and my community. It was through Guiding that I discovered my passion for the outdoors and found my chosen field of study. At an environmental camp, we restored native plantlife, and did a stream study. Though I was numb by the end, inundated by the rain and cold, I was also filled with a sense of belonging and curiosity that I can only describe as my true calling. I now plan to pursue an Environmental Pathway that will begin at Niagara College this fall, inspired by my Guiding experiences.

The Guiding Promise challenges us to take action for a better world. I have taken this to heart, proving even now, as Rangers has finished, that Guiding continues to inform my journey.

I find it fitting that we enter into Guiding identifying as Sparks, when fostering passion and finding our spark is the whole reason for the sisterhood. I have made lifelong friendships and had remarkable experiences that have taken me all over the world.

Looking back, I think five-year-old me would be pleased at the shiny bracelet of beads that I have collected along the way. She might be shocked to learn that the Guiding journey connected her to more experiences and new communities than she ever could have dreamed. Or maybe she wouldn’t be that surprised - maybe she knew. Looking forward, this scholarship will enable me to explore my passion more freely and enter into my adult life with the Guiding sisterhood rallying behind me. I am forever grateful for these formative years in Guiding and am excited to see where they will take me in the future.”


Meaghan

“To me, Girl Guides means being a part of something larger than yourself. It means working to improve yourself and being able to do so as you are surrounded by others doing the same and cheering you on. Girl Guides has given me more than I can put into words. I have been given skills, experiences, and a family. Being a part of this organization means you don't have to always get it right, but you need to promise to do your best and remain true to yourself. I will take this with me throughout my life and my future Guiding adventures. I am so thankful for this scholarship and for knowing I am supported in my growth within and outside of Guiding.


Em

“To me, being a member of Girl Guides of Canada means being part of a lifelong community grounded in leadership, service and inclusion. For the past 18 years, Guiding has been a constant in my life, a space where I have been encouraged to grow, take initiative and support others.

Guiding represents more than participating in activities and selling cookies; it is a commitment to empowering girls and young women to develop confidence, independence and a sense of belonging.

I have also developed a deep sense of social responsibility and commitment to community engagement. Having opportunities to participate in service projects and leadership opportunities from a young age has instilled in me the importance of contributing to something larger than myself.

Now, as a Spark Unit Guider, my commitment has deepened even further. Being a Guider is genuinely the highlight of my week. I value the opportunity to build relationships with the Sparks, to laugh with them and create a space that fosters excitement, support and confidence.

One of the most meaningful aspects of Guiding for me is seeing my own experiences reflected in theirs, especially remembering what it felt like to be a Spark. I love watching their excitement as they participate in activities, strengthen friendships and celebrate their achievements. Seeing them light up when they receive badges after working toward them over time is incredibly rewarding.

These experiences have had a lasting influence on my personal and professional path. Guiding instilled confidence and leadership in me, and allowed me to take charge of large projects and apply my lived experiences to younger generations. These lessons directly inform my academic focus in psychology and my goal of working in the child and youth mental health sector.

Overall, Guiding has influenced not only the skills I have developed but also the values I carry forward. It has shaped how I lead, how I engage with others and how I approach my future career with a focus on equity, inclusion and impact.”


Brooke

“Being a member of Girl Guides for the past thirteen years has been a major part of my identity and connection to my community. It started as a simple suggestion from my mother when I was four years old. Little did I know that it would become a 13-year journey, meeting so many amazing people and forming a lifelong commitment to this sisterhood.

To me, Guiding means being part of a supportive, non-judgmental environment where girls are encouraged to take risks and grow. I have learned the importance of empathy, not just for all those within the Guiding community as we learn together despite our different backgrounds, but in the wider world. Teaching me true service does not require repayment, but simply the willingness to act selflessly.

Perhaps the most transformative lesson I have taken away from Guiding is the discovery of my own voice. As a naturally quiet person, the supportive sisterhood helped me learn who I was. Today, I am able to confidently speak in front of others, run meetings and put myself out there, even though it is still scary sometimes! Guiding taught me that leadership doesn't mean being the loudest person in the room. It means having the empathy to listen and the confidence to act.

As I graduate as a youth member, my journey has come full circle. I see the excitement in the eyes of the Sparks I am a junior leader with, knowing that it is the exact same feeling I shared thirteen years ago.

One thing about Girl Guides is our massive, shared history. Many times, while out in the community, I have met women many years older than me who used to be in Guiding. Even though I have never met them before and might not ever see them again, we instantly share a piece of our lives in common. A sisterhood. I am so grateful to have learned from the inspirational women who came before me and carry this with me as I move into the next chapter of my life.

Girl Guides has been a big part of my life and I strongly believe it has shaped the person I am today and the person I hope to become. It is hard to sum up everything thirteen years of experience has given me, but I can only hope that I have modelled some of these skills to the Sparks I work with now and everyone I meet in the future.”

Eve

“I have been a part of the Guiding community since I was a little Spark, and I honestly can't imagine my life without it. From going sledding at winter camps to canoeing during the summer and every weekly meeting in between, Girl Guides has always been my home away from home. At a very young age, Guiding taught me resilience, leadership, and community—skills that have completely shaped the person I am today.

I couldn't begin to count the number of lifelong friends I’ve made from all across Canada, or the countless campfires I have sung along to—and eventually led. Guiding gave me a place to have fun, to lead, and to figure out who I was going to grow up to be.

As I prepare to take my next steps into university and begin a new chapter, I carry those Guiding values with me. That is why I am incredibly grateful to have been selected as a recipient of the Isabel Kerr Ontario Council Scholarship. It is such an honour, and I am so grateful that the Girl Guide community still has my back, as it always has during this transition into a new chapter of my life. More than anything, I am just so glad that my time in Guiding can serve as an inspiration to the younger girls who are just beginning their own Guiding journeys.”


Natalie

“Thank you Guiding for giving me opportunities I never could have imagined. Since the days of singing Purple Stew at my weekly Sparks meetings, meetings have always been something I looked forward to. It was a place where I knew I would have fun, try new things and make memories with people who quickly became friends. Whether it was crafts at meetings, learning skills, camping, or all the little adventures my Guiders planned for us, Guiding always gave me something to be excited about.

As I got older, I realized Guiding was giving me so much more than just fun experiences. It gave me opportunities like meeting people from across the country, taking part in meaningful projects, building leadership skills, and gaining confidence in myself. But most importantly, earning badges!

One of the things I appreciate most about Guiding is that it gives me a space where I feel comfortable being myself. It was okay to make mistakes, learn as I went, and grow into the person I wanted to become. Guiding helped me believe in myself more, step outside of my comfort zone, and realize I was capable of more than I thought.

Now, as I step into this next chapter of my life, I know Guiding will always be something I can carry with me. The lessons, friendships, and memories I’ve made here are things I’ll never forget. I also know I want to continue giving back to Guiding in any way I can, whether that's becoming a Guider or any kind of volunteer role.

I hope that in the future, I can help create the same kind of experiences for the next group of Sparks that Guiding created for me, experiences that are fun, meaningful and empowering, and leave them with memories and confidence they’ll carry for years to come. Because to me, Guiding is more than just meetings; it’s a community that helps youth grow into confident people who believe in themselves and feel supported every step of the way. So thank you, Guiding, for all the opportunities, friendships, memories and lessons. Thank you for helping me grow into the person I am today and for reminding me that I really can be "everything she wants to be.”

Isla E.

“When I tell people I am part of Girl Guides, most of them assume I go there to learn to tie knots and start a fire with my bare hands. Although I’ve acquired quite the skillset of survival tactics over the years, the parts of Guiding that have proved the most meaningful are the experiences that I've lived and having a welcoming place to go each week where I can take a break from everything else.

Guiding has opened up many new experiences and interests, which have, in turn, developed my sociability. During canoe training, I had fun learning how to paddle while also learning to communicate orally with my canoeing partner. Likewise, when my Ranger unit hosted a poetry meeting, it helped me come out of my shell and overcome my hesitation to share my creative work with others.

My weekly Ranger meetings ended up becoming something I relied on more than I expected. In high school, when schoolwork became heavier, Wednesday evenings were a time to step away from all those tasks and return to them with a clearer mind. Overall, Guiding has inspired me to seek out new opportunities and to step up to challenges, but it has also made me appreciate that it is equally important to find a little time for pleasure.”

Barb Ishibashi Scholarship

Sophie

“I want to start off by saying thank you very much for the honour of being granted this award. More than that, I want to thank the Girl Guides of Canada for the incredible experiences that 11 years of Guiding has provided me. When it comes to Guiding, I’ve always been met with a strong sense of sisterhood, community, and a security to try new things. My experiences in Guiding have, without a doubt, helped me to become a better leader in my school, my community, and the world around me. I have made lasting friendships for which I will forever be grateful. Guiding has taken a large part in shaping who I am today. I have had the opportunity to develop so many new soft and hard skills, to develop my confidence, and to develop my advocacy for all girls around the world. I want to thank all of my incredible leaders who have provided so much knowledge, support, and love for me and my entire unit. Most importantly, thank you to all of my fellow Rangers in my current unit or in units past. Thank you for providing me with a space to feel comfortable expressing who I am. Thank you for all of the laughs and fun, but also the support in all of my endeavours. I will never forget the core values and responsibilities of a Girl Guide as I head towards university and into adulthood. Thank you to Guiding for pushing me to become the woman I am today. ”

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2025 Isabel Kerr Scholarship winners

Ainsley M. – community 13
Emelia A. – community 5
Evie O. – community 18
Asma R. – community 1
Ella S.. – community 18
Serina D.S. – community 16
Moumita D. – community 27
Abbi N. – community 24
Natalie F. – community 18
Rachel G. – community 24

2025 Barb Ishibashi Scholarship

Mika T. – community 5
Jordyn P. – community 17