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Girlguiding is the operating name of The Guide Association in the United Kingdom, previously named The Girl Guides Association, which was formed in 1910. It is the original Girl Guides organisation in the world and, in 1928, became a founding member organisation of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). It is a registered charity and operates the largest girl-only youth organisation in the UK.
Participants take on adventurous activities, such as climbing, canoeing, sailing and orienteering and have the opportunity to get involved in camps and international events, including girl-only festivals and overseas development projects. In local groups – called 'units' – girls complete badges and challenges that cover topics from circus skills, stargazing and scientific investigation, to first aid, camping and community action.
Each year, it publishes the Girls' Attitudes Survey, which surveys the views of girls and young women on topics such as body image, career aspirations and mental health. It also undertakes campaigning, having supported the No More Page 3 Campaign and lobbied the government on sexual harassment in schools, women's political representation and media sexism.
It is supported by around 100,000 volunteers.
In 1910, Robert Baden-Powell formed, the Girl Guides, as a separate organisation for girls, and asked his sister Agnes to look after the organisation. A few years later Baden-Powell's new wife Olave became involved and, in 1918, the organisation appointed her as its Chief Guide.
The name Guides was chosen from Baden-Powell's military background, "Guides" had operated in the north-west frontier in India, their main task was to go on hazardous expeditions. These men had particularly influenced Baden-Powell as they continued training minds and body even when off duty. As a result, Baden Powell decided Girl Guides would be a suitable name for the pioneering young women's movement he wished to establish.
In 1914 Rosebuds were established for girls aged 8–10, this name was later changed to Brownies. Two years later in 1916 the first Senior Guide groups were formed, in 1920 these groups became Rangers. 1943 saw the establishment of the Trefoil Guild for those over 21 (now 18) who wished to remain connected with the organisation but couldn't remain active with a unit. The section for the youngest participants, Rainbows, was introduced in 1987 for girls aged 5–7 (4–7 in Ulster).
In 1936 it was one of the founding members of NCVYS, which was created with the aim of promoting and supporting youth development work across England. It has remained a member of NCVYS ever since.
In 1964, it established a working party to review and update all programmes. Its 195-page report, Tomorrow's Guide, was published in 1966, with recommendations implemented in 1968, which included new uniforms, badges and awards across all its training sections. Rangers, Sea Rangers and Air Rangers were merged into a single Ranger Guide Service Section.
Each girl makes a promise on their enrolment in a Rainbow unit and must be able to understand and carry out the promise. This Promise is a simplified version of the promise that older participants make.
Rainbows can also receive other badges for activities that they attend (possibly with other units), and other activities they complete within their unit, maybe after a themed half term. During 2008, a special challenge book Olivia's Favourites was produced to commemorate the 21st Birthday of the section and a badge was produced.
At the end of the Rainbow programme, as the girls get ready to move on to Brownies, girls undertake the personal Pot of Gold Challenge.
Brownies work within six themes: Know Myself, Be Well, Express Myself, Take Action, Have Adventures, Skills For My Future. Brownies can choose to work on unit meeting activities, skills builders and interest badges.
Brownies units are divided into Sixes, small groups of girls who work together. Sixes are traditionally named after fairy e.g., Gnomes, Elves, Leprechauns; however, many Units have adopted the newer six naming style of woodland animals. Each six has a leader named a 'Sixer' and a deputy leader, a 'Second'. The adult leader in charge was traditionally called Brown Owl with other leaders being named after other owls, such as Snowy, Tawny, and Barn. However, these days, only some units still use owl naming – although the variety of owls has increased much, e.g., Wise, Little, Rainbow. But most units have a variety of themes including flowers, Winnie the Pooh characters, gems or even stars.
Brownies have mix and match clothing based around the colours of yellow, brown and blue. Items include baseball caps, gilets, cycle shorts, hoodies, leggings, long-sleeved tops, short sleeved tops, skorts, trousers and a sash. Brownie units may also wear neckers.
Guide units meet regularly, usually once a week during school terms. There are often other opportunities for Guides to take part in special activities and events throughout the year. Many Guide units go away on holiday, to camp or on overnight sleepovers.
Guides work in small groups between 4 and 8 called a patrol. Patrol names vary between different units but include flowers, like rose and poppy, animals, like panda and parrot and famous landmarks, like pyramids. Each patrol is run by a patrol leader who is assisted by her patrol seconder. The Patrol Leader can be elected by her patrol, elected by the whole unit or chosen by the leadership team. The Patrol Leader is given extra assistance from the leader team to develop her Leadership skills.
Rainbows:
Brownies, Guides, Senior Section and Leaders:
In 2013, it carried out an organisation-wide consultation on the promise. This took the form of a questionnaire with 44,000 respondents being asked for opinions on each line of the promise (not just 'Love my God') and gave a number of options of different wordings. Effective from 1 September 2013, the words 'to be true to myself and develop my beliefs' replaced 'to love my God', and the words 'to serve the Queen and my community' replaced 'to serve the Queen and my country'. The rewording has been criticised by some Christian organisations. Upon the royal death in September 2022, it was changed to 'to serve the King and my community'.
Countries:
Regions:
Countries and regions are divided into counties, which are divided into divisions which are divided into Districts. In some areas with few participants, county, division or district level may be omitted because effective communication occurs without it. Each area is led by a commissioner.
Branches are active in
After Princess Mary died, Princess Margaret became the organisation's president, in 1965. In turn, on the death of Princess Margaret, the Duchess of Edinburgh (then the Countess of Wessex), wife to Prince Edward became the organisation's president in 2003. Following the Queen's death in 2022, the Duchess of Edinburgh became patron of the organisation, in 2024. The organisation's highest award is its Queen's Guide award, created in 1946.
The Centenary Camp was held from 31 July–7 August 2010 at Harewood House.
The tall ship Lord Nelson made a 100-day voyage around the coast of the UK to celebrate the centenary. The Lord Nelson set sail from Glasgow on 7 June 2010. She has called at Oban, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Boston, London, Chatham, Portsmouth, Falmouth, Milford Haven and Whitehaven. At each port she took on new crew, many of whom had never sailed before.
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