INNISFAIL - Fulfilling the Guiding Promise to do their best, to be true to themselves and to respect the Guiding Law, dozens of local girls eagerly stepped up last week to shine and celebrate their annual Advancement Ceremony.
The ceremony held April 25 at the Innisfail United Church marked the end of another rewarding season for the Girl Guides of Innisfail, which is officially recognized at the Golden Poplar District. The event was attended by all 90 girls in the district who range in age from five to 18 in the units of Sparks, Brownies, Guides, Pathfinders and Rangers. The gathering included two Penhold units, Sparks and Brownies.
Amanda Stemmler, co-commissioner of the district, said the event is designed to showcase what the girls have accomplished over the past year, from community service work to their many projects.
"We also showcase every girl on what they earned for badges," said Stemmler. "Other girls win awards when they have completed their programming, and we highlight those girls, and there is a big 'thank you' to everyone who helped out with that."
Stemmler said the event is a huge deal for all the girls, one they look forward to every spring to celebrate the highlights of the past season.
"It's almost like a graduation. You are going to the next level for the next year," she said, adding it's also like a launch for the next big event in September when the district hosts enrolment night.
"It's welcoming the new girls and it's like, 'yay, we are going to start our year kind of party,'" she said, noting there is a $110 registration fee to join the Girl Guides. However, Stemmler is quick to add the organization can help financially challenged families as the program does have a subsidy program.
In the meantime, Stemmler said another big priority for next year will be recruiting additional volunteer help. Like the local Scouts, the Golden Poplar District is struggling in that crucially important area.
Stemmler said they are specifically looking for more unit assistance, noting they already have good volunteer help to do all the planning but are short of help in running the meetings.
"We need more hands, more women who are willing to come on a Wednesday and help where they can," said Stemmler.
