What are the costs involved in Guiding?
Guiding provides a space where girls and youth can explore their curiosity, build confidence and just be themselves, giving them a unique opportunity to share in new experiences, make new friends, discover the world and contribute to meaningful community projects.
Membership fees
The membership fee is paid annually and covers the full Guiding year (September 1 to August 31).
The fee supports:
- Development of engaging girl programming
- Insurance coverage for all activities
- Rental costs for meeting spaces
- Screening and training for the volunteers who deliver our programs
The membership fee varies by region, typically ranging from $125 to $205. To find the exact fee for your child’s membership, please visit our unit finder.
Uniform
Girls wear uniforms to weekly meetings and when representing Girl Guides in their community or at events. Families can choose between two official uniform options: a fitted T-shirt or a relaxed-fit, long-sleeved tunic. Uniform pieces, along with optional items such as the Guiding sash and scarf, can be purchased through the Girl Guide store.
Other costs
Additional fees or dues may apply depending on the activities your child’s unit chooses to take part in. These could include outings, events with other Guiding units, sleepovers, or camps. Speak with your child’s unit Guider to learn more about planned activities, related costs and how to submit payments.
Membership fee subsidy
We want every girl to have the opportunity to be part of Guiding. Girl Guides of Canada offers a membership fee subsidy to help make Guiding accessible to more families.
It’s easy to apply for financial assistance with membership fees during registration:
How to apply
- Start your child’s registration
- On the payment page, select the “Apply for Subsidy” button
- Provide your estimated annual family income before taxes
- Answer a few short questions to complete your application
Once you submit your application, the system will instantly let you know if it has been approved. You can then choose the amount of subsidy you require. Any approved amount will be automatically deducted from the membership fee at checkout.
You will be prompted to pay any remaining balance by credit card, debit card or PayPal to complete the registration.
Requesting a reassessment
You may request a reassessment of your application if you need more financial assistance, even if your first application wasn’t approved. Simply select the “Request Reassessment” button at the end of your subsidy application.
Note: The GGC Membership Fee Subsidy Program applies to the membership fee only. For more information about the subsidy program, please contact info@girlguides.ca.
Alternative support with Guiding costs
There are third-party agencies that may help you access financial assistance for costs related to your child’s participation in Girl Guides – including membership fee support, camp or activity costs, uniform fees and more.
Some examples of third-party agencies include:
- Jumpstart
- ProKids
- KidSport
- Local community, youth services, and recreation funds
Note: Available third-party agencies may vary by community and by province.
If you are receiving financial assistance from a third-party agency to cover membership fees, please contact us at info@girlguides.ca or 1-877-564-6188 for registration support. We will require proof of funding.
Frequently Asked Questions about Subsidy
I was approved for subsidy last year – do I need to apply again?
Yes. Subsidy approval does not carry over from the previous year. If you wish to receive a subsidy, you will need to submit a new application each Guiding year.
Do I have to apply for a subsidy separately for each girl I am registering?
No. Only one subsidy application is required per family per Guiding year. The approved amount will be applied to all girls in the same family, even if they are registered on different days.
Note: If a girl is already registered and you later apply for subsidy, the subsidy is not applied retroactively. If you need support for a girl who is already registered, please contact our Customer Care team at info@girlguides.ca.
Can I apply for subsidy if my child is already registered?
Subsidy applications should be completed during registration. If you want to apply, click “Apply for Subsidy” on the payment page before completing your payment.
If approved, the subsidy will be automatically applied to your final balance, and you will only need to pay the remaining amount for any girl on your account who is not already registered.
Subsidy is not applied retroactively. If your child is already registered and you would like to request subsidy, please contact info@girlguides.ca.
What if I already registered one girl without subsidy, but I want to apply for subsidy for my second child?
You can still apply for subsidy when registering your second child.
Any approved amount will be automatically applied to all unregistered girls on your account. You will see the subsidy reflected on the payment page after selecting a unit.
My subsidy application was not approved but I still need financial assistance – what should I do?
If your subsidy application is not approved, you can request a reassessment of your application. Click “Request Reassessment” after you complete your online subsidy application and follow the prompts. You will receive an email with instructions on next steps. If you request a reassessment after selecting a group for your child, the system will hold your child’s space for five business days while our team reviews your application.
Reassessment can only be completed before payment.
I was approved for subsidy, but I need more financial help – how do I request additional support?
You can request a reassessment online (see instructions above). You may also contact us at info@girlguides.ca or 1-877-564-6188 to discuss other payment options.
I don’t have a credit card or a PayPal account. Is there another way to pay the membership fee online?
The girl registration system accepts payment by credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
If you need assistance, please contact our Customer Care team at info@girlguides.ca or 1-877-564-6188.
Note: We are unable to hold a space in a group until you’ve spoken with a member of our Customer Care team and arranged payment.