Guides' Own

This week we talk about how guiding has influenced our lives outside of Girl Guides! Interests, hobbies, skills that we were introduced to and honed have grown into so much more. Then we talk about an Indigenous businesswoman who is working to educate the rest of Canada about the indigenous ways of life, and how they see the world through reading. Finally, we sing a song to help cool you off doing the hot summer days - Have you ever seen a Penguin come to Tea? a silly song to help you stay cool!

This week we talk about the symbols that have helped define guiding over the last 100 years - from insignia to pins to flags. Then we talk about one of the founders of Guiding, Olave Baden-Powell, and her long life in Guiding. Finally, we sing Our Vision For Tomorrow, a sweet song about the hope guiding has for the future

This week we travel across the pond and learn about our sister organization - Girlguiding UK! Then keeping with the UK theme, we talk about another royal and her ties to Guiding - this week, its Kate Middleton! and finally, we warp up with a short song based off the Westminster Bells, Big Ben - The Little Bells of Westminster

This week we chat with another Guiding Guest - Rachel! Rachel and Marissa go way back to their time in Rangers together and we hear some great stories from Rachel about her time in the unit. Then we talk about a star who has worked hard to get her voice back, while still being a fierce as ever - Taylor Swift! And finally we cover a Canadian childhood favourite (Times 3!!!) - a song that didn't even need to be taught to a generation of children - Fish & Chips & Vinegar

This week, we finish our campfire, and talk about Mariah Carey, a music star that we have all listened to at some point. And we wrap up our conversation about campfires with a all-time favour song - Fire's burning.

As we head into summer, we are starting to think about all the great parts of camp - including Camfires! a great way to spend a evening singing and sharing stories and skits! This week we talk about how to plan the perfect campfire and some of our favourite songs! Then, tune in next week to learn about our She Was a Girl Guide You Know: Mariah Carey, and our campfire song - a classic - Fire's Burning!

We mention on the episode that it was our 50th show, however, we had others that we wanted to share ahead of this one. This week we are going to fly around the world and learn a little about the 5 WAGGS regions. We talk about Jillian van Turnhout an honourable member and influential member of WAGGS and world politics. Finally, we sing Join in the Game, a short kids song about playing together.

We complete our World Centre tour this week stoping in Africa looking at the exciting, although short history of Kusafiri! We then stay in Africa and learn about the first trainer Guider in Africa, Marjorie Kabuzi. And finally we wrap up with our campfire song the World Centre Song, a useful song to help younger girls learn the 5 centres and where they are!

While this global pandemic is changing how Guiding is happening today, the Flu Epidemic in 1918 also changed Guiding! Come with us and see how the world reacted to that epidemic, and how guiding tried to make the world a place then. Then we talk about Dr. Kathleen Ross, the former president of Doctors of BC, taking a leadership role in medicine in Canada. And finally, we sing a unhygienic song - Black Socks, a favourite for all!

This week we talk about Guiding during WWII in Germany and talk about an example of guiding life in a Nazi Work camp. Its a truly wonderful story about how guiding can unite people, and can make a difference. If you want to skip ahead to She Was a Girl Guide You Know - it starts at 43:40. Our She Was a Girl Guide You Know, we cover the founder of the Royal Canadian Legion, and original maker of the Canadian Poppy - Lillian Bilsky Freiman. Finally we wrap up with a beloved campfire song in Canada with a history that surprised both Taryn and Marissa!

This week we chat with another Guiding friend - Devon. Devon and Taryn go way back to high school, and then became Co-Guiders as they got older and took on a unit of their own. We talk about a Honorary Girl Scout - Michelle Obama, who as First Lady was the president of Girl Scouts of the United States! And for our campfire, we sing a classic - the Quartermasters Store! A song that taught Girl Guides and Scouts what a QM is, and how when they can't see funny things happen!

This week for St. Patrick's Day, we are going GREEN! We are talking about the history of Pathfinders and the path the group has taken in the last 40 years! Then we talk about another Honourary Girl Guide. This week it's Sinead Burke, a woman from Ireland who hasn't let her disability stop her, and is making fashion something that is for everyone. Finally, we talk about 2 campfire songs this week! The Pathfinder's Song and Pathfinders! With some surprising history, but you have to listen to find out why we have two songs this weekend!

This week, we are finishing up our Thinking Day two-parter. After last week's exploration of Crystal Palace, we are staying in London and diving into the life of Anges Baden-Powell, the women who got guiding started in 1910 in England and helped it move around the world. Then we sing the Guiding Law Song, a great little song to help you earn and remember your law!

This week, we have another two-parter for Thinking Day! In the first half, we are talking about Crystal Palace and the Crystal Palace rally in 1909. There is so much more to the Crystal Palace than either of us knew! Make sure you tune in next week to hear about Anges Baden-Powell, the woman who got Guiding started and sing the Guiding Law Song, a great way to remember the law!

This week we are talking about knots! How to tie them, where to learn how how to tie them, what they are good for! So many great things about knots! Then we talk about J.W. a former Girl Guide who is now taking on the world with her creative writing books, taking photos, and leaving a positive impact on the world And finally, we sing our campfire song about camping in BC with the BC Campfire Song, a lovely song that invokes the history and beauty of the province.

In a continuation of last week's episode, we are containing our conversation about GSUSA. This week we talk about Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the movement. And we sing G for Generosity, a campfire song that every Girl Scout should know!

This week we start a two-parter all about GSUSA! There was just so much information about Girl Scouts and Our SWAGGYK, Juliette Gordon Low we just had to split it into two episodes! This week we cover the history of Girl Scouts of the USA Make sure that you check in next week to hear all about Juliette Gordon Low and our campfire song, G is for Generosity

This week make sure you have snacks on hand as we talk all about food and Girl Guides! We talk about camp menus and some of our fav menu items, and how they have changed over the years! In our SWAGGYK we talk about Marilyn Smith who is not only a Second City alum, but also a cookbook author, and former Girl Guide in Canada And finally, we talk about the “Fast Food Song” or “Pizza Hut Song” a fav for girls to let their sillies out!

This week talk about the scary world that we are in right now and COVID! How guiding has changed to deal with on-line and socially distanced meetings, and no camping or singing! For our SWAGGYK, we talk about Karen Katen, the former president of Pfizer, and put the company in a position where it was able to make a vaccine so quickly! And finally, we sing It's a Small World to remind us all how connected we all are no matter what is happening

This week to start off our New Year, we look at how guiding inspires and encourages you to keep learning for your whole life, in school and beyond. Then in SWAGGYK, we talk about soon-to-be First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, a lifelong learner and teacher of lifelong learners. And finally, we learn our days of the week with our campfire song, Today is Monday!

This week we travel to India to get away from the cold Canadian winter! We talk about the 4th World Center - Sangam. While in India we talk about a trailblazer in the Indian Guiding community - Ammu Swaminathan! And finally we sing the Sangam world centre song!

This week's episode is a continuation of last week's conversation with Shannon, who travelled with Marissa to the Netherlands in 2019. If you haven't listened to that episode already, go listen to it first. Shannon picked our SWAGGYK, Sarah McLachlan! An artist who has paved the way for female artists across North America by starting Lilith Fair. Finally, we wrap up the episode with a Campfire song of Barges, a classic tune with a sad story behind it.

This week we have our second guest - Shannon! Shannon and Marissa travelled to the Netherlands on a Nationally-Sponsored Trip in 2019 with a group of Canadian Girl Guides. She shares some of her stories of their trip and of her life in Guiding. Don't worry, we didn't miss SWAGGYK or campfire this week! We just had such a great time talking to Shannon that our episode went super long so we had to make it a two-parter! Tune in next week to learn all about Sarah McLachlan and hear our song, Barges.

This week we are looking both back and ahead! We are talking about the Centenary of Guiding around the world. Join us as we look back to how we celebrated in 2010, and think ahead to where we are going to be 100 years from now! Our SWAGGYK is Princess Margaret, a wonderful woman who had a hard time with her role in the Royal family, but still had a wild and wonderful life! Finally, we sing our campfire song - Sisters for a Century, a Girl Guides of Canada original song written for 100yrs of Guiding, and super cringe worthy.

This week we are taking a look in the mirror, and embracing our bodies in every shape and size! We are talking about the Dove Self-esteem program and their partnership with WAGGGS. For our SWAGGYK, we talk about supermodel Tyra Banks, who wants to make sure that everyone loves their bodies! And finally, we sing Auntie Monica, a lady who loves to shop and enjoys her fashion!

This week we are highlighting some of the great things that Girl Guides do at home and around the world to make the world a better place! In SWAGGYK we highlight Melinda Gates, a philanthropist, advocate, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and great all-around example of what it looks like to do good in the world. And for campfire, we sing Peace Like a River which shows how much of each we have to give to others.

This week, we take a moment to remember the men and women who fought for the rights and freedoms we have as Canadians with a commemoration of Remembrance Day. In SWAGGYK, we talk about Dame Kelly Holmes, a surprisingly quick-footed and self-assured women who never let gender or age get in the way of achieving her goals. And finally, we sing Farewell to Nova Scotia, a Scottish/Canadian folk song that describes the accounts of one having to bid their homeland and loved ones farewell in response to a call to arms.

This week on Guides' Own we get a little spooky for Halloween! Come and listen to some Canadian ghost stories, ones which you can pass on at your next campfire. Then, we talk about Ashley Jensen who is a former Girl Guide and also a professional at embodying different characters. And we wrap it up with a kinda spooky song, where you get eaten by a Boa Constrictor!

This week we talk about the UN and how it is working with WAGGGS and other youth organizations to make the world a better place for the future! In SWAGGYK, we go in-depth on Carol Bellamy and see how she has changed the organization for the better as the former director of UNICEF. We end the episode with a beloved song from Morocco, A Ram Sam Sam.

In celebration of Canadian Thanksgiving last weekend, we are talking about all the things we are thankful for Guiding on this week's episode. We also learn about the Queen of the kitchen, decor, and all things home - Martha Stewart! We discovered many surprising things about Martha that we didn't know about before and we think you'll find them interesting too. And finally, we sing 'The More we Get Together' for our campfire, a classic childhood song that emphasizes the importance of spending time with friends and family.

This week we have our first guest! We talk to a lifelong guider, LA, about her time in guiding and why it is important to her. Fun fact, LA was Marissa's leader when she was in Pathfinders! LA picked Debbie Reynolds for SWAGGYK, a lifelong Girl Scout who didn't let fame get in the way of her scouting life. We wrap up this episode with 'We are One Voice'. It's a song that has been shared the world over this year, thanks in part to the Lebanese Girl Guides who shared their beautiful rendition on YouTube this past spring. Its encouraging lyrics and build up of voices remind us that we are never alone in our struggles!

This week we are talking about all the things we wish we knew when we were younger! From being self-conscious, afraid to asking for help, and everything in between! In SWAGGYK, we talk about someone who has taken the time to look back on her young life and found ways to make it easier for other kids in her position, as well as other children around the world! We're talking about former girl scout and former first daughter, Chelsea Clinton. And finally, we wrap it up with a campfire song that gets us to reflect on days past. 'Linger' is a melancholic campfire song that is a favourite amongst many adult members.

This week, we are talking about an award that many girls and young women have gotten while in guiding - the Duke of Ed Award. Keeping in the royal family, we talk about the Duke of Edinburgh's daughter, this weeks SWAGGYK, Princess Anne. She is a busy lady who has made service a major part of her life. And we wrap it up with 'My Bonnie' as our campfire song, a song with a surprising history!

This week we are getting back into the swing of meetings and review Safe Guide and the love-hate relationship that guiders have with it. For our famous former girl guide, we talk about the award-winning author, Margaret Atwood, who has written some the most thought-provoking books of the 20th century. And finally, we found a campfire song that Taryn doesn't like - Alouette, a French classic to help teach children the parts of the body in French.

This week, we talk about values, and how guiding has affected our personal values to make us into the people we are today In SWAGGYK, we talk about Lamp Chop's creator, Shari Lewis, a woman of showbiz who created a star! And finally we talk about The Song that Never Ends in our Campfire, a song that will be in your head all week!

This week we are taking about how Guiding and Scouting can change the world for girls who are homeless. The girls of Troop 6000 have more struggles than many other members, but in Scouting are building the skills they need to help themselves and their families change their futures! All it takes is a little bit of community, self-confidence, and of course, cookies. We also talk about a huge supporter of Troop 6000, AOC (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez). She is making waves in Congress, but hasn't forgotten her roots in Scouting, and won't let others talk down to her about it. And finally, as we trek along, shall we sing a song? In our campfire we talk about As We Trek Along, a light song to make a long hike or tough day a little better.

This week, as the guiding and school years start up again, we are talking about setting goals and making them happen! In SWAGGYK, we talk about Olympian Sarah Wells, a woman who has hurdled over many obstacles to reach her goals both on and off the track. We get a little silly in this week's campfire and sing all about bananas and coconut cream pies!

This week on Guides' Own we are hopping back on a plane heading down south to Our Cabaña! Stop number three of our World Centre tour brings us to the wonderful world of Mexico where Taryn shares some of the highlights from her trip and the friends she made. In SWAGGYK, we talk about Dolores Huerta, a civil rights activist and organizer for farmworkers in the southern US. She fought hard to make sure that everyone has what they need. And in our campfire, we talk about the Our Cabaña song. It's a song that highlights the importance of international friendship!

This week on Guides' Own, We are talking about Mental Health and how Guiding has taken time to make sure that girls today have the tools to have good mental health and how Canadian compares have been working to destigmatize mental health problems. We talk about Dr. Joyce Brothers, a TV Psychologist who made waves in the field in the 50s, 60s, and 70s by educating the public about mental health and making it a part of our daily conversations. And finally we sing a song new to Marissa, but an old fave of Taryn's, An Irish Blessing.

We are paddling out and into an adventure this week! Since Taryn is off on a canoe trip, we caught up about some adventures or misadventures she has had over the years on different trips, including an encounter with a bear! We stay on the water as we talk about our Notable former Girl Scout - Barbara McGann, a former Rear Admiral in the US Navy. We wrap up our wild and wet adventures with a beloved Canoeing song - My Paddle, often sung with Land of the Sliver Birch

This week during Guides' Own, we talk about everything Down Under! That's right, we head to Australia and learn about guiding in a different country! For SWAGGYK, we talk about the Australian Julia Child, Margret Fulton, the women who revolutionized food in the country And we wrap up with a new favourite song, I've Got That BP feeling. A new song for us, but one we won't forget soon!

This week on Guides' Own we talk all about The Baby-Sitters Club in honour of Malia Baker, a former Guide in BC before breaking into Hollywood! We dive into the books, babysitting as teens, and how we learned about babysitting in guiding! Malia Baker, a young star, is doing so much and is a true role model for everyone, no matter how old! And to make sure that we keep it silly just like the best baby sitter, we sing ‘If I was not a Girl Guide'. It's one of the funniest campfire songs out there!

This week, We talk about a guider favourite, where the leaders can show a little of their personality, Guiding Names! For our SWAGGYK, we cover a famous name in News, Katie Couric. A woman who wasn't letting anything from stopping her from shining light on many important things in the world. And finally, to wrap up an episode all about names - we sing about a great camel that we all love, Alice and her humps - or not.

This week, we talk about a guiding tradition that is close to our hearts - Camp Blankets! and the swaps, badges, crests and everything else that goes with them! In She Was a Girl Guide You Know, we talk Tanni Grey-Thompson, a welsh Para-athlete and Paralympian, who wasn't letting a wheelchair get in her way! And for Campfire, we talk about a calming campfire opening, Sussex Campfire Opening, a true classic.

Ever wonder what comes up when you Google about Girl Guides? Come gather around, and learn some fun new things! AACK! Its Cathy! This week's She Was A Girl Guide You Know is the creator of the Cathy comic strip. A woman who was ahead of her time who created a comic that showed it. And finally, in Campfire we sing the Moose Song and drink some juice!

In a slightly early celebration of Canada Day, we are talking about the history of Girl Guides in Canada! We also learn some counting in SWAGGYK with Feist, a Canadian singer/songwriter who you likely know from an old iPod nano commercial. And to wrap up our Canada Day episode, we chose a very Canadian song - Land of the Silver Birch. Happy Canada Day!

This week it's time to say goodbye - kinda. We talk about end of year celebrations and how we have celebrated in the past. In SWAGGYK, we go back to the early days of Girl Guides in Canada and talk about the first Chief Commissioner, Lady Mary Pallett, and her home at Casa Loma. Finally, we talk about Tzena for our campfire. It's a song for dancing and celebrating, and one with some history! Don't worry, just because the guiding year is ending it doesn't mean that we are going anywhere for the summer! We will be back next week with a special Canada Day episode.

During these times of unrest, we need to see our privilege and use it to make the world a better place. The world needs to do better to show the diversity around us, and that means making sure everyone is included, and has a true place at the table to help find the solutions that we need. Black people, First Nations, people who are different; all are important and need to be seen and heard from so the world can be a better and just place for all. Please take the time to reflect and find ways that you can learn and help people. This week we push ourselves to learn about how we can be better allies by listening and having empathy for other people's stories and what inclusion really means. In SWAGGYK we talk about Linda Berry - only the second black, female to serve as a special agent in the FBI and who paved the way for so many after her! We wrap up the episode on a lighter note with our Campfire song - Ira Congo.

Before you listen this week, please take a moment to think about George Floyd and everything that has been happening in the world this week. We promise that we will give this topic proper due next week when we are able to give it the time and effort it deserves. As Girl Guides, we make a promise every day to take action for a better world. Black people need our help to fight racism and injustice, and they need it right now. Click through for resources and links to take action. --- This week in the world of Guides' Own - we pack up our bags, grab our passports and tents and head to a Jamboree! We talk about our camping skills, and what they teach us about life in the ‘real world'. In SWAGGYK, we talk about the wonderful, groundbreaking Carrie Fisher and her time as Princess Leia and her career between Star War movies! Finally, as we say good-bye to Carrie Fisher, we also talk about saying good-bye to camp friends with our campfire song ‘Say Why'; a short sweet song about leaving camp fiends behind, and the hope of meeting them again one day.

Come join us as we travel to the second World Centre - Pax Lodge in London, UK! Learn about its long history and reincarnations! We talk Leadership for program this week and do a quick overview of what leadership is and how to help girls grow themselves Our She Was a Girl Guide you Know, we talk about Racecar driver Susie Wolff, someone to get you excited about open-wheel racing! To wrap up with Campfire, we talk about the Pax Lodge song and how it came to be.

This week come join us as we explore some of the most important parts of guiding - Openings and Closings of weekly meetings! We also take a glance at the Program Areas from Girls First, the Canadian Girl Guide Program launched in 2017! Our Famous Girl Guide for this week is Wonder Woman herself, Lynda Carter, who is so much more than just a costume and her Lasso of Truth! And to wrap up, we sing the Spark's opening song - Sparks Jump Up! and enjoy the enthusiasm of the song. Let us know what your opening and closings are in your units, we would love to know!