Girlguiding


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. 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.

History

Following the origin of the Boy Scouts in 1907, many girls took up Scouting. In 1909, a number of Girl Scouts attended the Boy Scout Rally in Crystal Palace Park The girls told Robert Baden Powell that they wanted 'to do the same thing as the boys'. Guiding was introduced to respond to the demand.
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 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.
In 1936 it was one of the founding members of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services, 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.
In 2017, Girlguiding introduced a policy explicitly allowing transgender girls to join. In 2025, following the UK Supreme Court decision in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers and a subsequent legal threat, Girlguiding banned transgender girls from joining. The restriction applies only to new transgender girl members and does not affect existing members, staff or adult volunteers. A joint statement by the organisation’s chair of trustees, chief executive and chief guide said they were announcing it with a heavy heart, that this was a difficult decision and that this was a decision they would have preferred not to make. Following this, the organisation said it had no idea how many trans girls were in Girlguiding since that's not information that members are required to divulge.

Programme

Girls are organised into sections by age. These are Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers.

Rainbow Guides

or Rainbows are aged from 4 to 7 years old. Activities are organised around six core areas: Know Myself, Be Well, 'Express Myself, Take Action, Have Adventures, Skills For My Future.' In the 1980s and 1990s, Rainbows wore a tabard in one of the colours of the Rainbow. Nowadays, the red uniform is worn, with Rainbows often referred to as “Little Reds.” There is a baseball cap, cycling shorts, hoodie, joggers, and polo shirt to choose from.
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, 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.

Brownie Guides

or Brownies are aged seven to ten years old. They go along to camps, holidays, day trips and sleepovers. They get together with their friends at regular meetings where they learn new hobbies, get creative, develop skills and have outdoor adventures.
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 fairies 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.

Guides

Guides are aged 10 to 14 years old. Guides work within six core themes: Know Myself, Be Well, 'Express Myself, Take Action, Have Adventures, Skills For My Future.' Guides can choose to work on unit meeting activities, skills builders and interest badges. They take part in indoor and outdoor activities that challenge them to do their best. Guides choose and plan most of their own activities, which can include themed evenings and trips.
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.

Rangers and Young Leaders (previously known as Senior Section)

For girls between 14 and 18 years old, there are a variety of schemes and groups to choose from.
  • Young Leaders work with Rainbows, Brownies or Guides. They can work towards the Young Leadership Qualification as well as other Rangers opportunities.
  • Rangers meet together to plan and carry out activities, they may work towards any opportunities available to Rangers.
  • Duke of Edinburgh's Award Participant: a Rangers who has chosen to focus on the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
  • Lone Ranger: a Rangers who is working on part of The Rangers programme, but is not part of a standard unit. She may belong to a Lone Unit with other lones with support from Leaders who deliver the programme remotely.
  • Peer Educator: anyone who has undergone the Girl Guiding peer education training and continues to run Peer Education sessions
  • Student Scout and Guide Organisation : For participants who are studying at higher education.
With the new program Rangers have new badges in the same vein as the younger sections. This group choose to wear a hoodie, jacket, polo shirt, or smart shirt.

Rangers Awards and Qualifications

Its uniform has evolved over the years, from its first design by Baden-Powell and his sister: long dresses, neckerchiefs and wide hats. The previous uniform was designed by Ally Capellino in 2000. There are no compulsory trousers, for guides and rangers but girls in guiding wear what is appropriate for the activities. Rainbows and Brownies can choose from skorts, cycling shorts, leggings, joggers or trousers.