GIRL GUIDES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3033, 8 May 1926, Page 2

GIRL GUIDES.

EXPLANATION OF THE MOVEMENT. Everyone knows that Sir Robert Baden Powell was the originator of the Boy. Scout movement. After people saw what a splendid thing this was for boys, Sir R. Baden Powell was approached on behalf of the girls for something of the same sort. He said that it would he quite a good thing to devise courses for girls on similar linen and that they might he called “Guides.” This was started and gradually spread through Britain, and is now being followed in practically the greater part of the British Empire. Girl Guiding has a double meaning. It not only means the fun of playing the games of the Girl Guides, hut also of “playing the game” of guiding girls. The aim of this present day movement of both Girl Guides and Boy Scouts, is to offer help to parents and others in the training of children, and is supplementary to the trailing received at school. The courses of trailing include healthy and enjoyable activities under the four following heads: (1) Character and intelligence, through games, practices and activities and tests for promotion. (2) Skill and handcraft encouraged through badges for proficiency. (3) Physical health and liygene through development up to standard by games and exercises designed for the purpose. (4) Service for others and fellowship through daily good turns and organised public service. The guides are divided into four grades according to ages, viz., Brownes, under 11 years; Guides 11 to 14 years; Rangers, to 1C years and Guiders over 18 years. In each grade the training is on the lines of the four headings mentioned above, but of a higher standard according to the ages and understanding of the girls. The above may sound almost uninteresting as hare statements, but the work is organised in an attractive way so that the girls are learning while enjoying themselves. The games and practices, selected for the purpose, can be made to teach through the enthusiasm of youth, such characteristics as good temper, self-restraint, unselfishness, pluck, fairness and obedience to leaders and rules, as well as good health and first aid. Such training also teaches modesty in success, good humour in defeat, and repression of showing-off.

A local association has been formed to assist Miss Browning and Miss Dent (who have, organised a company and are making good progress) by raising funds for equipment. This committee hopes to raise sufficient money by local efforts and by enrolling members at the modest sum of 2/6 membership fee per year, to also help defray expenses in cases of girls whose parents cannot help, so that no girl will be kept out if she cannot afford the necessary outfit. The first effort will be a shop day on Saturday next, when tho committee solicit gifts for'sale.