Girl Guides: Much more than just cookies

Girl Guides might be synonymous with their cookies, but Guiding is about so much more for the girls and women who join the organization. For more than 100 years, Girl Guides has been a safe, all-female environment that encourages girls and young women to challenge themselves, gain self-confidence, meet new friends and make a difference in the world.

PHOTO CREDIT - Anita Gerlinsky

Edmonton - September 1, 2012 - Girl Guides might be synonymous with their cookies, but Guiding is about so much more for the girls and women who join the organization. For more than 100 years, Girl Guides has been a safe, all-female environment that encourages girls and young women to challenge themselves, gain self-confidence, meet new friends and make a difference in the world. Guiding provides diverse programs and activities for their girls, building new interests, leadership skills and lifelong friendships. Weekly activities can range from learning life skills such as cooking, using tools or pet care to discussing body image, exploring careers or learning to pitch a tent. Combining activities in domestic know-how with outdoor adventures and technical skills, Girl Guides aims to teach girls they can do anything.

The program is divided into age categories:

• Sparks 5 and 6
• Brownies 7 and 8
• Guides 9 to 11
• Pathfinders 12 to 14
• Rangers 15 to 17+

Girls can join any time, without completing prior levels. Registration for Girl Guides can be done online at www.girlguides.ca. For more information about Girl Guides in Edmonton, call the Area office at 780-451-2263