The Girl Guides celebrated a century's existence in Olds at the Evergreen Centre on Feb. 24.More than 100 people, including members, parents and Guide leaders gathered for a banquet and awards ceremony to mark the occasion.The Girl Guides is a service group that aims to make girls better citizens by helping the community, said Jann Jessop, a spokeswoman for the club. Some of the group's activities include singing for seniors, crafting gifts for hospital patients and tending a garden benefiting the food bank.That evening, the group also observed World Thinking Day, a time for Guides to remember fellow members who live in countries less prosperous than Canada, said Jessop.It was also a time for Guides to reflect on how the club impacts young girls and the community.Girls get the satisfaction of serving their neighbourhoods and raising their confidence, Jessop said.Emily Prevost, 11, joined the Girl Guides seven years ago because her mother, Sandra, is a leader. She stayed “because it was really fun and you meet a lot of people,” she said.The Girl Guides also go to camps, where they can partake in activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, Emily said.She also learned new skills, including how to sew, which earned her a badge.According to Sandra, when Emily attended one of her first banquets, she heard a presentation from older girls who got the chance to travel. After that, she planned to stay in the Girl Guides so she could do the same.There are different levels of Guides for various members' ages. Girls become Rangers after age 15 and begin to take on a greater leadership role, Jessop said.She added it is the leaders that account for the Girl Guides' longevity. Jessop said the group has continued to recruit members by keeping up with girls' interests.“The leaders are the instigators. They keep it going,” she said. “By planning meetings and camps and taking training from Girl Guides of Canada on how to do this faithfully and in a fun way.”[email protected]
