About
What is Guiding?
Girl Guides is a fun, weekly, after-school activity. And for many girls it is much more than that. Guiding becomes a central point for developing social skills and life skills.
At Guides, girls and women are provided with opportunities to
develop new skills- try cool activities
- gain confidence to think and act for themselves
- make new friends
- acquire a greater respect for the environment and
- experience a sense of community while having fun.
That's what Guiding is all about.
All members of Guiding are referred to as Guides.
This encompasses all the age-groups that you may remember as
- Gumnut Guides (aged 5-6 years)
- Brownie Guides (aged 7- 11 years)
- Girl Guides (11-14 years)
- Ranger Guides (14-18 years)
- Rangers (18-25 years).
You may hear them referred to informally as Junior Guides or Senior Guides, but to be correct, they are all Guides.
Girl Guides Ballarat caters for all these age groups.
Girls are members of a Guide Unit of similar aged girls in their community. They help to decide, plan and participate in their own unit programs.
The Guiding program has an integrated approach through
- teamwork
- commitment to the Promise and Law
- exploring the outdoors
- service in the community
- learning by doing and
- progressive self-development.
A World-Wide Organisation
Guides Australia is part of a worldwide network which has more than 10 million members in 140 different countries.
For 100 years, Guiding has been helping many thousands of girls and young women develop strong personal values, self-confidence, responsibility and leadership skills.
Guiding provides activities for girls regardless of racial background or religious beliefs. The Guiding program is flexible, allowing for the varying maturity of each individual girl.
Guiding is an all-female, girl-centred organisation that ensures the girls have the freedom, space, time and support to reach their full potential.
Research has shown that many girls learn more effectively in an all-female environment. Development of self-esteem and confidence is enhanced within secure surroundings, with strong women as positive role models.
All Guides:
- Make a commitment to the Guide Promise
- Develop self-confidence and self-respect in a supportive peer group
- Are heard and have their opinions considered
- Learn and grow in a non-competitive environment
- Experience fun and friendship
- Are challenged and introduced to new adventures
- Participate and grow in a non-formal educational program
- Contribute to the development of the program
- Gain leadership and life skills
- Experience the outdoors
- Develop an understanding and respect for other people, cultures and traditions
- Use their new skills to benefit the wider community