8 Steps to Encourage Guides to Wear Their Uniforms

Why should you bother? What does it matter? From Girl Guides of Canada’s website in the parent FAQs we read, “Guiding is a uniformed organization that provides a variety of uniform options. Uniforms identify girls and women as members of our organization and all that it stands for. Uniforms give a sense of pride and belonging and act as an equalizer.”

In the words of Baden-Powell at the 1937 World Jamboree, "it covers the differences of country and race and make all feel that they are members one with another of one World Brotherhood" (or in our case, Sisterhood). He also said, “Smartness in uniform and correctness in detail may seem a small matter, but has its value in the development of self-respect and means an immense deal to the reputation of the Movement among outsiders who judge by what they see.”

There are many ways to encourage correct uniform. Here is a tactic I have found to be successful in encouraging my Guides to wear their uniforms with pride, and to encourage their sister Guides to do the same:

      1)      Invent a “trophy” – this could be an actual trophy from the thrift shop, re-purposed. Or a walking stick, decorated with carvings, braided cords, feathers, what-have-you. Or a stuffed animal dressed in uniform. Or a pennant, decorated with “Top Notch Patrol” or something similar. What it is isn’t the important part. Imbuing it with prestige and pride of ownership is what matters.

      2)      Make a list of items to be inspected for, with the goal of winning the honour of weekly possession of the Trophy. Possible items may include but not be limited to: hair tied back, uniform shirt, tie (tied correctly), clean fingernails, badge sash, badges in correct places (sewed/ironed on, up to date), pins in correct places, uniform pants (or at least appropriate solid dark coloured pants), indoor shoes, program book, dues, be prepared pocket contents…

      3)      Start hyping the competition aspect between patrols. Talk up the bragging rights of winning the weekly trophy. Consider making a journal or chart that visually tracks who won on what week, how many times, etc.

      4)      Place all the “inspection points” on paper slips to be kept in a box or jar that will be at the meeting each week.

      5)      Each week have one Patrol leader pull a slip from the box and inspect all Patrols on the item chosen. Make it more “official” by providing a clip board and check list. If necessary, remind PLs to be fair – next week it will be someone else inspecting her patrol!

      6)      Take any opportunity to take photos of well-dressed patrols and display them. Take them out in public, and comment how sharp they look all in correct uniform. Pass along any compliments others may offer on their uniform appearance.

      7)      Up the ante – any Patrol who wins the trophy three times in a row gets a ____.  (fill in the blank with something desirable that your unit budget can afford – a yummy snack, a special crest, a bag of candy, a pizza supper before the meeting one week, whatever you can dream up.)

      8)      At the end of the year give some sort of prize to the patrol with the most points overall.

And of course, the Guiders should lead by example, and wear proper uniform too.

In Guiding, our uniform promotes equality while showing individual achievement by the display of badges and pins. It provides a recognizable identity in both the unit and the community. With that in mind, I believe that encouraging proper uniform and patrol spirit can only have positive results on the girls and on the unit as a whole! What do you think? I look forward to reading your comments!

Till next time....

North Owl

Girls First, Girl Led

In light of our upcoming new program, “Girls First”, here in Canada, I was interested in the perspective offered by a long-time Girl Scout leader, Carol Lee Spages, who founded GreenBlood News in 2006. She has kindly given me permission to reprint her post here, in its entirety.

WHAT IS GIRL-LED? MY PERSPECTIVE - Carol Lee Spages, GreenBlood News

For over 20 years I had either been a troop leader of levels from GS Brownies through Ambassadors. There was never a time when I did not have a girl-led troop...even before "girl-led" was the buzz word. If GS adults are sensitive to their position in the troop, they should always be using girl-led as the defining way to manage the program. Many many years ago before "girl-led", GSUSA published a little book about leading a troop. One of the pictures that always stuck with me was one of an adult pulling a chain of girls holding hands. The leader was straining to pull them along and the girls looked unhappy. The caption was "leading". Another picture showed an adult standing to the side of a group of girls walking along all together. Everyone had smiles on their faces. The caption was "guiding". Those pictures became my guiding images of what a leader should look like.

If you are not familiar with Edith Macy, it is the GSUSA conference center in Briarcliff Manor, NY. It is where many national and council staff people go to receive training. I have been there over 20 times both as a volunteer and council staff person (I was the adult development director and special programs manager for 24 years). One of the sessions was on a new program where "girl-led" was introduced as the "new" way to manage a troop.

The participants had a big discussion on what "girl-led" meant. Turns out it simply means what I had always done with the troops I led. Listen to the girls...really listen. Help them set their own goals. What are their interests? Do they want to do a lot or do less? I always tell people if the girls leave with a smile and come back the next meeting, you are doing a good job. It does not matter how many awards are earned, how full the backs of their uniforms are with patches, how many trips they have been on... What matters is that they have learned to embrace the principles of the Girl Scout Promise and Law. They have learned to seek new challenges, explore their world as they have never done before, and found their own voice.

GS Daisies are girl-led very differently than GS Ambassadors. The littlest ones need lots of oversight. By the time the girls are Ambassadors, they should be running the troop, seeking their own resources, facilitating for their own program elements, managing the finances, and the adults are simply making sure the policies, standards, and guidelines of the organization are being followed.

Girl-led has ALWAYS been the way a troop should be led. From the inception of the program to today. A good leader should always listen to the girls. The troop does not "belong" to the adults. It "belongs" to the girls. It always has been that way.

Unfortunately, I have seen troops in my own town where the adults were IN CHARGE. There was a lot of stress on how many awards earned, how far did they travel, how many fun patches can be crammed on a uniform, how many pictures can they get in the newspaper. Competition for the "best troop" in town got heated. Really, all these things do not matter. What matters is what the girls want. That is "girl-led". Adults oversee with a gentle hand that moves further and further back as the girls mature into their roles as girls leading.

Thank you, Carol Lee. My feelings are similar, and I think it is one of the biggest struggles Guiders face – how to give control and decision making to the girls. It will be fascinating to see how GGC rolls this out. If anyone has ever read “Scouting for Boys”, or any history books about our movement, they will see that it primarily started out with the KIDS getting together, wanting to play the jolly game of Scouting, and inviting a trusted adult to be their mentor and sponsor. Hard to think of today’s youth in that light, eh? Have we “programmed” that skill and initiative out of our kids? Interesting thought – and I look forward to reading YOUR perspective in the comments! Thanks again, Carol Lee. (GreenBlood News has a Facebook page as well as a Yahoo group.)

Till next time,

North Owl

Classic Meeting Templates and How to Use Them

What a boring title! Sorry -- just couldn't think of how to title this post.

A fairly new Guide Guider recently complained to me that she wished there was still a Guider handbook, pertinent to Guides, like the ones for Sparks and Brownies. This made me reflect on the old “Guider Handbook” that GGC used to publish, filled with practically everything you needed to know to lead any age group in the organization. It was filled with tips, samples, how-tos, routines, resources and background material. I always found it a fascinating read, and not only got each one that came out, but read them cover to cover, regardless of the branch I was currently Guiding. I think this gave me a good picture of the whole movement, inspired and boosted my enthusiasm, and helped me plan activities that were not only pertinent to “my” current branch, but that would be stepping stones to the next branch. I was rewarded with full units, and girls who continued on through the branches with skills that stood them well. I am sure there was a very good reason GGC decided to discontinue the all-round Guider Handbook, but I do believe it left a hole. Enough time has passed now that current Guiders may not even realize there IS a hole. Is that good or bad? Just progress? I don’t know, but my young friend’s complaint has inspired me to offer some “classic” Guiding tips and tools. Take what you want and ignore the rest!

Unit Meeting Templates

I am a fan of not reinventing the wheel each week and so I use templates to plan meetings, fill in the pertinent activities, and flex the plan as needed, on the fly.  Here are a few of the templates I use:

• Spark weekly meeting template
• Brownie weekly meeting template
• Guide weekly meeting template
• Pathfinder weekly meeting template

There is no Ranger weekly meeting template here, simply because I have never had a Ranger Unit that met weekly, nor that held meetings with a pattern. By this age, the Rangers plan their own meetings and activities, and I have been a resource and adviser only.

Please keep in mind that templates are tools – starting places for plans, subject to change as needed and wanted. It is often easier to plan with a framework to put things into, to inspire, and to build on, than to start with a blank piece of paper! In today’s world where people are busier than ever, it is hard to find the time to have productive planning meetings, so templates via email, facebook, etc. become even more valuable tools to start the planning conversation. Take them, use them, change them and made them your own, working FOR you. Your programs will be richer and your workload lighter!

North Owl

The Night Hike Muse Struck!

A while ago I got an SOS message from my “Prince George Partner in Fun & Nonsense”, saying she needed a plan for a District night event. We chatted for a bit about venues and numbers and such, and I felt that cartoon light bulb begin to glow over my head. “Give me an hour and I’ll get back to you”, said I, and let the muse take over my keyboard…. I pulled ideas from my own experiences and found some inspiration on the web, and the whole thing seemed to pour out. Don't you love when that happens?

The result, with a few tweaks, was acceptable to my PGPF&N and was successfully implemented in her District. Perhaps it will be useful to someone else – so here you go! J  Here is the list of supplies and equipment, too! Enjoy......

North Owl

BIG Camp, BIG Comfort!

***** I started writing this post in 2014. What happened to the last three years??? Lots, including Guiding Mosaic in Sylvan Lake, AB in 2016 and SOAR 2017 in Smithers, BC.  Most of what I had already written is still pertinent and may be helpful to someone, so I will pass it along now! J *****

******************************* August 2014 *********************************

I am just recently back from a wonderful, exhausting Guiding adventure.  I spent 12 days living in camp, as Core Staff for B.C.’s “Spirit Of Adventure Rendezvous” (SOAR), a large international camp held every 3 years.  The last SOAR I attended was the very first one, held at Camp Hughes in Prince George in 1995.  Nineteen years ago!  Sheesh!  That time, I attended as a patrol Guider, bringing eight Mackenzie Guides and Pathfinders, and my penpal from Iowa, Joyce, was my co-leader.  It was the first SOAR ever held, as I said, and my first truly big camp, so I had no idea what to expect or how to prepare.  This was pre-internet and Facebook too, so there was little communication between participants before the event!

This time I traveled to Enderby, BC, along with 2615 other girls and women, and participated as Core Staff – a totally different experience!  My preparations to attend were made much easier by drawing on my past experience, of course, and also by all the tips, tricks, and advice offered on the SOAR Facebook group.  That was a game changer!

Going as Core Staff instead of as a Patrol Guider was a different experience of course, and while some things were still the same (uniform needed, some equipment, etc.), others were not.  Either way, I want to offer a look at what I took, what I didn’t take, and what I wish I’d taken!  That, hopefully, will prevent some “wheel-reinvention” for upcoming large events.

Top most valuable thing I took:  my cot and its mattress!  Yes, while I have never been a cot-camper, I knew that surviving 12 days in my tent would require more than a thermarest!  Oh my, best money spent!  My cot – Cabela’s  XL Outfitter – was almost as comfy as my bed at home, and I got up no more stiff or sore than I would have at home.  In addition, hubby surprised me with the hanging pockets accessory, so I had built in places to put my glasses (a padded slot!) and my cell phone/alarm clock (a pop out “tray”).  As well, all my clothes and gear fit under my bed, making for a very spacious situation in my 9x9 tent!

The thing that my friends and neighbours most appreciated me bringing:  my garden wagon.  It wasn’t pretty - all banged and chipped and a bit rusty, but its 500lb capacity meant it was called into service all camp, to haul gear, water, supplies, etc.  Because it has rubber tires, not plastic, it was quiet on the paved and graveled areas, and rolled smoothly over any surface.  It also made a good seat in a pinch.  Several patrols brought wagons as well, many of them collapsible ones that I have read about but never used.  I took mine without its sides, and didn’t regret that, as almost any size load could be piled on it.

********************************* September 2017 *********************************

Now I am coming back to this post with the experience of two more large camps under my belt. I would stand by my previous statements as to the value of my excellent cot and my large garden wagon. Unfortunately I have not always been able to afford the space to bring my garden wagon, so have invested in a folding version that, while it is not as heavy duty nor versatile as my big one, has still been invaluable in hauling gear and chairs around camp, and generally saving my back. I bought Walmart’s $80 wagon and it has been pretty good. I recently had the opportunity to camp with Costco’s similarly priced wagon, and given the choice, would pick it over the Walmart one. A) It folds flat, instead of columnar, making it easier to slide into small spaces. B) It has a “D” handle instead of a “T”, so a strap or belt can be added to lengthen the reach (important to tall people!). C) The handle “magnets” to the frame when you stop, instead of into the rubbery bracket that the Walmart one has, making it much easier to deal with one-handed. By the way, these items seem to be available very seasonally, so plan ahead if you want to purchase one for an upcoming event!

I will finish this post off by adding the list of tips I wrote in the Fine Arts newsletters for SOAR 2017. I hope you find them useful on your next adventure!

§ I loved my locking, waterproof footlocker. It gave me a place to secure valuables when away from my tent, kept my belongings dry, and doubled as a bedside table or a footstool!

§ I got tired of wearing my nametag around my neck. Sometimes I wore it diagonally instead.

§ Humour diffuses and lightens almost any situation. I am so glad I brought my sense of humour!

§ I was glad I brought some little “creature comfort” things—individually wrapped wipes, little packets of foot soak., some wrapped mints. I could give them away as thank you gifts or pick me ups, and brighten my Guiding sisters’ time at camp too!

§ Lip balm! More than one. With SPF. Nuff said.

§ I loved having my solar lights clipped to my tent—so easy to find it in the sea of them. Also glow sticks on sticking out guy lines saved a lot of tripping!

§ A full sized foot basin made my feet sooo happy at night.  And a bucket with a lid to bring water to it, and carry the dirty water away!

§ While drinking water is provided, sometimes it wasn’t as pleasant tasting as I am used to. I was very grateful for my Brita water bottle that filtered out some of the tastes & for a bottle of “Mio/Dasani” type flavour drops to use in my other bottles to disguise tastes & help me stay hydrated!

§ I wish I had brought rubber boots. I thought my gortex shoes were enough, but the boots would have been better.

§ I’m glad I brought blister treatments with me! Even though my shoes weren’t new, the combination of sweat and constant walking got me at GM. There are blister prevention balms, in containers like mini deodorant sticks that may stop the rub that causes blistering…..

§ You, of course, know that changing your socks and even your shoes part way through the day can be a marvelous relief for tired feet. I didn’t know that Avon Foot Wipes are apparently a wonderful thing, easy to pack along, and refresh one’s feet before slipping on those clean socks!

§ Still on the topic of feet, do test the soles of the shoes you plan to wear to ensure that if you are walking on gravel they will not cause you to feel every single pebble!

There you have it. I hope you have an adventure in mind for the future, and that these tips will help you have a more comfortable and enjoyable time! Go for it! (See you at SOAR in 2020??)

North Owl