| AdminHistory | Nationally, the Girl Guides was founded in 1909 - a group of girls stormed a Boy Scouts rally at Crystal Palace, demanding an equivalent group. The Boy Scouts, founded in 1907, did not admit girls until 1990. The Girl Guides remains female only, as modern guiding continues to focus on empowering girls and young women (1).
Guiding has a strong international remit. The first Girl Guide world camp, The Imperial and International Camp, was held at Foxlease in Hampshire in July 1924. Every night was designated a national night, when 'contingents would tell what Girl Guides were doing in their particular countries' (2). Differences in language 'caused some little embarrassment' (3), but without 'interfering with the general happiness and wellbeing of the gathering' (4). Owned and managed by the Girl Guides since 1922, Foxlease continues as an activities centre.
This snapshot of guiding c. mid-20th century would influence local groups. A Manchester Guider was asked to resign, owing to membership of the Communist Party (1954) (5). There was a Girl Guide Biscuit Week, 31st May - 5th June 1954, in aid of the Endowment Fund (6). A Mobile Training Unit was opened in July 1955 (7). In November 1956, the Girl Guides Association offered the use of Foxlease to the British Council for the Aid of Refugees (8). A Camp-Fire Leader certificate was introduced in April 1963 (9). In May 1963, Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour was opened to the public. Now owned by the National Trust, in 1907 it hosted an experimental camp which led to the formation of the Boy Scouts (10). A Local History Proficiency Badge was introduced in 1964 (11).
Today, the pursuits favoured by the 16th Bethnal Green Girl Guides reflect the contemporary world. Recently, members have contributed to research about the kind of national organisation which might benefit the future of guiding (12). During the pandemic, the group's momentum has continued via online meetings and festivals, and on social media.
Sources of information:
1. 'Girl Guiding Strategy Document (2020)' in girlguiding.org.uk
2/3/4. 'Girl Guides Of The World - The First International Camp': p.24/25 in Illustrated London News, Saturday 26th July 1924 (British Newspaper Archive)
5/6/7/8/9/10/11. Historian's Corner in lesliesguidinghistory.webs.com
12. 'Girl Guiding Strategy Document (2020)' in girlguiding.org.uk
16th Bethnal Green Girl Guides (Twitter)
'Keep The Campfire Burning : 100 years of the Girl Guides': E. Saner in The Guardian, 21st August 2009 |