Girl Guides

We are Girl Guides, a worldwide movement created for girls and young women. Our story doesn't begin with a detailed plan or a formal meeting, but with the courage and determination of a small group of girls who knew what they wanted. It all started in 1909 at the Crystal Palace in London, England. A very large Boy Scout Rally was being held, an event organized by the founder of the Scouts, Robert Baden-Powell. Amid the thousands of boys, a group of girls appeared, participating in the activities and making their presence known. When Baden-Powell approached them and asked who they were, they didn't hesitate. They proudly announced that they wanted to be 'girl scouts.' Their unexpected arrival and clear enthusiasm sent a powerful message: girls, too, were eager for adventure, wanted to learn valuable new skills, and felt a strong desire to serve their communities.

That simple but powerful request from the girls at the Crystal Palace inspired Robert Baden-Powell to take action. He realized that a separate, dedicated organization was needed, one that could offer girls the same kinds of opportunities for growth and service that the Boy Scouts offered boys. He asked his sister, Agnes Baden-Powell, to help him create this new movement. Together, they worked to establish an organization designed specifically for girls. In 1910, the Girl Guides Association was officially formed in the United Kingdom. We were given our own unique identity, complete with a Promise to uphold and a set of Laws to live by. A handbook was written that outlined activities suited for girls at the time, including practical skills like first aid, cooking, camping, and tracking. The name 'Guides' was carefully chosen. It was meant to reflect our purpose of preparing members to be resourceful, to find their way in the world, and to lead the way in helping others.

The idea of a group dedicated to empowering girls through skills and service was incredibly popular, and it spread far beyond the United Kingdom with remarkable speed. Before long, new Girl Guide groups began to form in other countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. As the movement grew internationally, each national organization adapted our programs and activities to fit the specific needs and cultures of its own communities. However, even with these local differences, we all remained connected by the same core values of friendship, community service, and personal development. As more and more countries established their own Guide organizations, it became clear that a central body was needed to connect our growing international family. To meet this need, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, or WAGGGS, was formed in 1928. This global organization helps us all work together on international projects, share successful ideas across borders, and speak with a united voice on issues affecting girls worldwide.

At the very heart of our movement, connecting every member around the globe, are the Promise and the Law. These two principles are the foundation of everything we do. The Promise is a personal commitment that each of us makes. Although the exact wording can be slightly different from one country to another to reflect local culture and language, its spirit is the same everywhere. It is a pledge to do our best, to serve our community and our country, and to hold true to a set of shared values. The Law is not a list of strict rules, but rather a set of positive principles that guides our behavior and choices. It encourages us to be honest and trustworthy, helpful and considerate, responsible for our actions, and a friend to all. These guiding ideas are woven into all our activities, whether we are earning badges for mastering new skills, organizing a food drive, or participating in a large-scale environmental project.

For more than a century, we have made it a priority to change and adapt along with the world around us. Our history shows a long record of responding to the needs of the times. During major global events like World War I and World War II, our members made significant contributions to the war effort on the home front. They served as messengers, planted and tended 'victory gardens' to grow food for their communities, and provided essential aid where it was needed most. As society continued to evolve throughout the 20th and into the 21st century, so did we. We have regularly updated our uniforms, activities, and badge programs to ensure they remain engaging and relevant for modern girls. In recent years, we have introduced new programs focused on important contemporary subjects like science and technology, financial literacy, and environmental advocacy. Our goal has always been to provide girls with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the future.

As you learn about our movement, you might hear two different names used: 'Girl Guides' and 'Girl Scouts.' This is because our story took a slightly different path in the United States. In 1912, an American woman named Juliette Gordon Low met Robert Baden-Powell and was deeply inspired by the Girl Guide movement she saw in England. She decided to bring the idea back to her home country and founded the Girl Scouts of the USA. Today, the name 'Girl Guides' is used in many countries, like the United Kingdom and Canada, while 'Girl Scouts' is used in the United States and several other nations. Despite the different names, it is important to remember that we are all part of the same global family. Whether a member is called a Guide or a Scout, we all belong to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and are united by a common mission to empower girls.

Today, we are a thriving global movement that includes millions of girls and young women in more than 150 countries. Our fundamental mission remains the same as it has always been: to empower girls so they can reach their fullest potential and grow into responsible, active citizens of the world. We achieve this by providing a safe, all-girl space where our members can build self-confidence, form lasting friendships, go on exciting adventures, and develop crucial leadership skills. From neighborhood clean-ups to international advocacy campaigns, we work to make a positive and lasting difference in our local communities. By doing so, we also contribute to solving some of the world's most pressing challenges, ensuring that the voices, ideas, and potential of girls are recognized and heard everywhere.