Our ceremony was very simple, but allowed for recognition of each girl and her accomplishments. We had the girls form a large horseshoe with the open end facing their guests. Six girls were chosen to come forward as and read out the statements about different things we do in Guiding and hold up a themed poster.
Guiding is a journey.
Some girls start as Sparks, while others join later as Brownies, Guides, Pathfinders, Rangers or Guiders. Some will have a continuous journey, while others take breaks along the way. Each person's journey will be different, but in our travels, we will all explore...
Service - In 1918, B-P said that a Guide's first duty was to be helpful to other people. Today, we give service through projects that help out local community, our environment, and the wider world.
The Arts - In Guiding we explore our creativity through the arts - drama, music, painting, drawing, writing, crafts, and singing.
Camping and the Outdoors - In camp, we not only learn to appreciate nature, we learn that we can do things for ourselves. Through outdoor activities, we not only learn about the outdoor environment, we also experience it.
Science and Technology - As we explore the world of science and technology, we do experiments, design and build, invent, and take part in programs at universities, aquariums, and planetariums.
Life Skills - While having fun, we learn useful skills, like how to get along with others, how to respect others ideas, how to plan, and how to lead.
The World - Through games, crafts, food and fun, we explore countries and cultures, and join with our 10 million sisters in celebrating our worldwide Movement.
Tonight, 3 girls move on to the next stage of their journey. Whatever path they choose, they will find new experiences and new adventures, with the same fun and friendship they have enjoyed so far.
H. is finishing Guides and is receiving the Guide Challenge Pin to reminder her of her adventures in Guides, and the Lady Baden-Powell Challenge, the highest award for Guides. We wish her happy trails as she continues her journey.
L. is finishing Pathfinders, and is working to complete her Canada Cord, the highest award for Pathfinders. She is receiving the Citizenship Certificate, one of the steps towards the Canada Cord. We hope she will continue her journey and look wider in Rangers.
O. is finishing Rangers, and is working to complete her Chief Commissioner's Gold Award, the highest youth award in Canadian Guiding. She is receiving the Ranger Cookie Campaign Challenge, one of the steps towards the Gold Award. O. is also receiving the Youth Commitment Award from Ontario Council. This award is only presented to girls who have been continuous members of Guiding from Sparks through Rangers (13 years!). We look forward to welcoming her back in September as a Guider.
Our next award is the Make a Difference Award. This is presented to girls who participated in programming related to the Girl Guides of Canada Make a Difference Days for 2015-16. These were: the International Day of the Girl, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, World Thinking Day, International Women's Day and National Mental Health Week. We have 6 recipients: ---
Our top cookie seller this year was ahead of everyone else by at least 8 cases. A. sold a total of 11 cases this year!
Each girl was then called up individually while a list of her program sections/interest badges were read out. Their program badges were stapled onto a footprint and an envelope attached with all of their challenge crests. They also received a Cookie All Stars Certificate and, if they participated, a Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-Up Certificate.
The guests were then thanked for coming, told about the Powerpoint presentation available to watch, and the girls were sent to get their guests orders for juice and ice cream sundaes(!).
All in all, a successful end to the year!
