Story: Derrick Okrah
Girls involved in hiking and camping? It didn’t seem possible in the early 1900s, when skirts were ankle length and young ladies never ran. It was all about scouting for boys in 1907 until a small group of girls turned the situation around by insisting on a group of their own and the Girl Guides were born.
The Messenger paid a visit to the Burngreave-based Guides group to find out what it is like. Marjorie Thorpe, leader of the group, explained, “Helping girls acquiring self-awareness, selfrespect and self-confidence gives me a feeling I can’t explain.”
Activities include educational trips, fundraising, craft learning, team working and much more.
Oh, and also taking international trips! Several of them will be going to Switzerland for 10 days in the summer.
Marjorie is trying to encourage girls aged 10 – 14 to join the Guides and meet once a week for an hour at Roe Lane Social Centre. I asked Marjorie what her biggest challenge was:
“We only have a few members from ethnic minority groups, but reaching out to more girls is a big challenge. I appeal to parents for support. The Girl Guides are about having fun and learning new skills, about the world about us and about the different groups in our multicultural community.”
This year the Guides will be celebrating different religious festivals, the Hindu festival of Holi, the Muslim festival of Eid and others, with guides working towards a badge in ‘Celebrations’.
The Guiders would appreciate members of the community coming to a meeting to share a little bit about their culture with the girls.
“Come let’s share our culture so we can understand each other and have fun.”
With about 16 children and 3 staff already involved, it seems the Girl Guides are going places, and with a little encouragement and support from parents, more girls could be having fun at Guides.
If you want to join the Guides, you can find out more from Marjorie Thorpe 242 4673 or Doreen Rushforth 243 6902