INNISFAIL - It's all new, fun, progressive, and yes, loud.
Close to 150 young Innisfail and area girls and their family members pumped up the volume for this month's community launch party to bring in the new Girls First Program.
"It is very loud in here, obviously. I think the energy level speaks for itself," said Marissa Wilson, co-commissioner of the local Girl Guides' Golden Poplar District. "It is exciting. It kind of breathes new air into the leaders with having that level of excitement and seeing the girls bring friends and wanting to share guiding in the community.
"It kind of recharges all of us," she added.
The brand new Girls First program, considered a modernized progressive step forward for the 108-year-old Girl Guides of Canada, was launched nationwide earlier this month with the local district, which serves young Girl Guides in Innisfail, Penhold and area, hosting its own party and registration night on Oct. 10 at Innisfail United Church.
The Girls First program is for girls between the ages of five and 17 who are currently with or joining the current levels of guiding, including the youngest in Sparks, or with Brownies, Guides, Pathfinders and Rangers.
The new program aims to put every girl in the driver's seat for their experiences and learning by allowing them to customize guiding experiences with topics relevant to each girl. They can then track achievements through a digital platform.
There is a strong focus on empowerment with Girls First, propelled by diverse options ranging from innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities to outdoor adventures and discussions on mental health, healthy relationships, innovation and creativity, and then putting ideas into action to make a difference with others and their communities.
"It is really trying to make it (Girl Guides) more modern, more approachable and more accessible for everybody," said Amanda Stemmler, the district's co-commissioner.
But the heart of guiding remains unchanged. There will still be meetings, outdoor adventures, mentorship and yes, badges. However, the latter comes with a different approach.
"The badges are more girl driven, putting the girls in the driver's seat and allowing and helping them plan their programming and achieve the goals they want to reach," said Stemmler. "With badges you had to meet three out of the five criteria, and here's your badge.
"But now we look at what the girls are doing at school, in the community and Girl Guides and we are applying it to their badges," she added. "It is more based on skills and what they have learned to earn the badges rather than a three-out-of-five requirement."
Meanwhile, the district's senior officials were pleased with the turnout on Oct. 10. There were 89 girls registered last year, and about 86 signed up prior to the Oct. 10 launch party. The ultimate goal for this guiding year is to see 100 young girls registered, with each of them embracing the new Girls First program.
"To keep the girls interested we have to be current," said Hazel Ray, the district's past commissioner. "We have to be modern and current or we are going to lose them."
For more information on the Girls First program see the website at www.girlguides.ca/web/GGC/Girls_First
For more information on the local Golden Poplar District send an email to: [email protected]
