WELLINGTON COUNTY – A new season for Girl Guides will start up in September, but some kids may not get to take part unless more volunteers step up to lead the troops.
“We’re working on trying to recruit leaders for Girl Guide groups of all ages in Wellington County,” said Suzanne Wiley, administrative community leader for the Ontario Council of Girl Guides of Canada.
Wiley said the organization currently has 38 groups in the county, with members aged five to 18, but eight of those groups already have waiting lists.
“Our greatest need right now is probably in Rockwood and in Guelph,” she said.
Drayton needs leaders, too, she added.
There are also communities within the county that have no groups at all. In Wellington North, the only group is the First Mount Forest Guide Unit, which meets Monday nights at St. Mary Catholic School, although there are programs that operate in Durham on Tuesday nights for girls of various ages.
“We would love to open more groups,” Wiley said. But she noted that a minimum of two leaders is needed to start a group, and the organization will try to have at least one of the two in place before it can be open to youth.
On its website, the Girl Guides organization describes itself as “a catalyst for girls empowering girls.”
Programming is offered across five age groups: Sparks are aged five and six; Embers are seven and eight; Guides are ages nine to 11; Pathfinders are 12 to 14, and Rangers are ages 15 to 17.
The organization provides girls with opportunities “to try new experiences, challenge themselves and build their confidence, all within a safe environment,” the website states.
Wiley said the greatest need for leaders is for the youngest age group.
Those groups tend to be led by moms who volunteered because they had a daughter who was just starting out, she said. When the child moves up to the next age group, often the parent goes with them.
“Every year we have some people that have to leave, and then we’re also trying to grow,” Wiley said, speaking of why the organization is trying to recruit more volunteers.
“We have lots of families that are interested in the programming, but all of the programming is done by volunteers,” she said.
Groups typically run from mid-September through May or into June, and take part in weekly meetings – often at schools or community centres – that are between one and two hours long.
“We have different program areas of focus where they complete activities and earn badges,” explained Wiley. “Groups can decide what they want their focus to be each year.”
Lots of leaders are parents, but you don’t have to be.
“In Guelph we have a number of leaders who are students, all the way up to women who are grandmother age,” said Wiley.
Volunteers must provide references and a vulnerable sector police check, and they also go through an interview process.
Then, there is some initial training provided, including training on the Girl Guides organization, and some safety training.
“Part of being a Girl Guide leader is planning and week-to-week meetings and communicating with parents,” Wiley said.
She noted it typically takes about a month to become a leader, so the organization is trying to get the word out now in order to have volunteers prepared for September.
She said volunteering with the Guides is a good way to meet other like-minded women and even make new friends.
“It’s really something you feel you are part of,” she said. “I’ve been a leader for a long time, and I say I’m going to hang out with my friends on Wednesday night.”
Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to visit girlguides.ca.
