What is Thinking Day?

The founder of the world Boy Scouting movement, Lord Robert Baden-Powell, and his wife Olave who was instrumental in the formation of the the Girl Guides, shared the same birthday – February 22nd.

It was first celebrated in 1926 at the 4th Girl Guide and Girl Scout International Conference held at Girl Scouts of the USA’s Camp Edith Macy; after attendees decided there should be a special day for girls around the world, regardless of which organisation they were in, where they could think of each other and give thanks to their sisters in guiding/scouting.

At the 7th World Conference in Poland in 1932, the World Association’s Thinking Day Fund was established. This is a voluntary contribution by members of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides across the world to help offer guiding and scouting opportunities to young girls and women.

World Thinking Day 2010

The theme for World Thinking Day 2010 is – ‘together we can end extreme poverty and hunger’.

Girls across the world are raising awareness and funds to improve the lives of poorest people of the world.

Five countries, one from each of the world regions, have been chosen this year. These are being highlighted for the difference Girl Guiding/ Scouting makes and the way the organisations challenge poverty in these countries:

1. Haiti
2. Zimbabwe
3. Sudan
4. Georgia
5. Maldives

• In what ways can you raise raise awareness about extreme poverty and hunger?

Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting – Guides are known as Girl Scouts in some countries, such as the United States – will work with young girls and women to develop the skills and the confidence to overcome poverty.

Guides and Scouts in Australia

Whilst Thinking Day is celebrated by the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, the Scouts also commemorate February 22nd with Founders Day.

Many of us would either have been in Brownies or Cubs, Guides or Scouts, Venturers or Ranger Guides, Rovers or Rangers. Or at least known someone at school or in our lives who was involved in them. I myself was a brownie from the age of 7, transitioning to guides until I was 15, when I switched over to the Scouts and became a Venturer. All my siblings were involved in both Guiding and Scouting, my Mum even used to send us to school in our uniforms on “mufty days” (casual days)! It was very much a part of our lives well into adulthood.

Both organisations are still going strong with the Girl Guides celebrating 100 years of operations this year. Long gone are the traditional stereotypes associated with being a Guide or Scout, where all you did was tie knots or sew aprons. Girls in both organisations are active and outgoing, with a vast array of activities – both indoor and outdoor.

If you have a child or young adult ranging from 4 to 25 and are looking for a safe and great social opportunity for them, I’d highly recommend contacting either Scouts Australia or Girl Guides Australia. The main difference between the two is that Scouts is for both males and females, whilst Guides are just for females. Both websites have information for the state organisations and can assist you with contacting your local unit.

• Girl Guides Australia – http://www.guidesaus.org.au/
• Girl Guides New Zealand – http://www.girlguidingnz.org.nz/
• Scouts Australia – http://www.scouts.com.au/
• Scouts New Zealand – http://www.scouts.org.nz/

2010 is the Year of the Girl Guide in Australia! Even if you are over 25, there are other ways to get involved, check out the Girl Guides Australia site. Why not get out there?

Kate
Community Manager

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