World Thinking Day the Girl Guide Way!
Girlguiding members from Boughton Vale Division have come together to celebrate World Thinking Day, the annual celebration of the birthday of the first Chief Guide Lady Olave Baden-Powell (born in 1889).
On World Thinking Day Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and members of the Senior Section speak out about issues which affect them and their local community, fundraise for causes they care about and learn about other countries.
On Saturday 16 February, over 180 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Senior Section and Leaders from Coxheath, East Farleigh, Loose, Shepway, Headcorn and Boughton Monchelsea came together to take part in a day of activities based around the five World Guide Centres.
Working in small groups, the girls made the most of the anniversary by decorating wild animal masks from Africa, making the ‘alps’ from sweets and cocktail sticks in Switzerland, learnt a Mexican dance, completed an A-Z of activities from London and finally made sari’s from plastic bags and sequins in India.
The theme for this year’s World Thinking Day is leadership, inspired by the girls who kickstarted the Girl Guides when they took action 110 years ago. Frustrated by the lack of a girl-only organisation, a group of girls visited a Boy Scout Rally at Crystal Palace in London and asked Lord Baden-Powell, the husband of Lady Olave Baden-Powell, to create a girl-led space for them.
Amy, 10 from 2nd Coxheath Guides, said: “I loved making the alps and bridges in Switzerland, it was so much fun. The best bit was eating the sweets afterwards!”
The girls also raised money for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girls Scouts by donating shiny pennies at the start of the event. The coins were made into a beautiful trefoil throughout the day with a total of £57.41 being donated. WAGGGS represent 10 million girls in 150 countries and work with organisations such as Unicef to deliver high quality educational programmes across the World that provide girls and young women dynamic, flexible and values-based training in life skills, leadership and citizenship.
Hilary Carter, Division Commissioner and event lead said: “It was fantastic to get all sections working together. The Guides were brilliant at helping the Rainbows and Brownies to complete the activities. The teamwork, leadership and co-operation skills learnt throughout the day were as important as having fun.
We must thank Maidstone Leisure Centre who generously gave their support to the event by providing the hall free of charge as part of their support to local charities.”
Girlguiding helps girls aged 5 to 25 reach their potential while building their skills and confidence in a supportive, girl-only and girl-led environment. From designing apps to tracking animals to concocting mocktail recipes, there is something to challenge and inspire every girl.
For further information about Girlguiding and how to get involved call 0800 169 5901 or visit www.girlguiding.org.uk
