Alert & Prepared

This story of Guide skills and observation put to use happened at a Girl Guide Camp in New Brunswick during World War II. Adapted from the article “They Were Prepared” by Mrs. N.H. Davis in The Canadian Guider, March 1968.

Although we in Canada fared well, during the Second World War, our entire mode of living changed. Some foods were rationed, materials for civilian manufacture were scarce; families were uprooted, with fathers, brothers, and even sisters joining the armed services. Every restaurant and place of public gathering carried placards like “These Walls Have Ears,” “Zipper Your Lips,” and “Silence is Golden.”

Guides then did not plan what they might do on a Saturday morning; they had a choice of rolling bandages and running errands in a hospital for hours at a time, or covering districts of the city collecting rendered fats and salvage for use in the munitions factories. Because they made an excellent patriotic display, they marched in frequent parades in support of bond drives, service club projects, and so on.

During the summer of 1942, the 5th Moncton Guide Company, under the leadership of Captain Adrienne Brown, held a 10-day camp at “Camp Y’s Acres”. The campsite was a 3-acre site on Cocagne Bay operated by Moncton’s YWCA. Directly across from the site, was Cocagne Island and the Northumberland Strait.

A highlight of the camp was a “motorboat hike” to Cocagne Island, where the Guides would explore, collect specimens, and cookout. On this particular hike, Captain’s eye was caught by a venturesome group sneaking off to the high, rocky ledges that formed a bulwark against the crashing breakers of the Atlantic, where on the highest point stood a deserted two-storey house. The culprits, slightly annoyed at having their adventure nipped in the bud, had the last word by telling the Captain of the fresh footprints they had been following. This was dismissed as over-active imagination.

Later that evening, these same Guides … sneaked quietly out of the back of their tent … sheltered by a grove of birch and spruce … The ground was soft and springy and they stretched out very comfortably to whisper, giggle, and talk about the little island they could see outlined as a dark shape in the mouth of the huge bay. Suddenly one Guide exclaimed, “Look, a light on the island! But it’s uninhabited – There it is again flashing on and off – Girls! It’s a Morse Code signal.”

“Oh you must be crazy,” another offered. Nevertheless, they decided to take the signals down, though they made no sense. “It’s a code,” they whispered excitedly.  … They felt they had no choice but to tell, for the security of their country was at stake.

The next afternoon a small monoplane made a quick visit to the island. On the strength of this and negative answers to discreet enquiries … the Guiders staked themselves out that evening in the copse after lights out. Sure enough, the signals began – in Morse but undecipherable – followed by a plane visit the next afternoon. Our alert Captain took down the plane’s markings.

The next day the Commanding Officer of a nearby base came to camp to visit his daughter, and the Guiders took this opportunity to discuss the mystery with him. Although he said little, he showed marked surprise when the plane’s markings were given to him. He asked for the code, and for the ladies to leave matters with him. Within days, it was noted that the signals had ceased.

Just before breaking camp, we had another visit from the Commanding Officer, this time accompanied by the Service Police to thank the Guiders and Guides concerned for their alertness and to assure all that the information had been very helpful. More than that they would not say! Imagine the excitement of all the girls involved when it was later learned that this area had been a very popular one for enemy submarines. We also heard that two enemy agents had landed on the far side of the island by dark of night. One had set himself up with radio transmitter and flash beacon in the deserted house. The other had made his way in rough civilian dress to make contact in Moncton.

Our story is just one of hundreds that tell of the anxious years of the Forties. Was the alertness of our Guides of any help? We like to think so.

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The Gold Cord

The Gold Cord was introduced in 1918, replacing the Silver Fish as the highest award that could be earned by a Guide. It would remain the highest award until it was replaced by the Canada Cord in 1971. This award was available to different age groups at various times: Guides (1918 to 1971), Guiders (1918 to 1926), Senior Guides/Rangers (1918 to c.1945)

The first requirements for the Gold Cord appeared in the November 1918 issue of the Girl Guides’ Gazette:

A Gold Cord Guide must have had at least two years’ service, and must have earned the following Badges:

• First Class
• Sick Nurse
• Handywoman
• Signaller, or Swimmer, or Gymnast
• Child Nurse or Nurse
• Laundress or Finisher
• Scribe or Clerk
• Domestic Service
• And six others chosen by herself.

            She must also have trained a Guide in all the First Class Tests (with the exception of Ambulance, Child Nurse, and Swimmer’s Tests, which should be taught by a qualified person).

            In applying for the Gold Cord, the Captain must send a report of the work during the past year of the Patrol, of which all Guides of six months’ standing must be 2^nd Class. This application should first be sanctioned by the Court of Honour.

Interestingly, at this time Guiders could also earn the Gold Cord!

If the candidate is a Guider, she must have passed the above Badge Tests, but where two are mentioned, it must be the one for Senior Guides [Nurse, Finisher]. The Guider must have done good work in her Company and have trained at least four Guides for the First Class Test (excluding Ambulance, Child Nurse, and Swimmer’s Tests). These four Guides need not necessarily all belong to her own Company. All applications for the Gold Cord must be accompanied by a full report from the local Commissioner regarding the Guider’s work with her Company, and also of her loyal support of the movement in the district.

Small changes were made in Rules, Policy and Organization:

• 1919 – Guides needed to earn the Signaller or Swimmer AND Athlete or Gymnast badges
• 1921 – More Senior/Ranger Badge alternatives were added: First Class or Ranger Star; Sick Nurse or Probationer; Swimmer, Signaller or First Class Signaller
• By 1924, the first line had been amended to “A Ranger or Guide must have at least two years’ service before being recommended for the Gold Cord.”
• 1924 – A new badge was now required – Naturalist or Nature Lover; the alternative to the Scribe badge is changed from Clerk to Citizen; and Guides and Rangers now only needed to earn five additional badges chosen by themselves.
• 1925 – No changes

A note in the March 1926 issue of the Girl Guides’ Gazette clarifies a change made in Rules, Policy and Organization for 1926, ending the earning of the Gold Cord by Guiders:

No Guider may qualify now for the All-Round or Gold Cord on the same basis as a Guide. She must qualify on a teaching basis and the award then takes the form of an All-Round or Gold Lanyard as the case may be. The Gold Lanyard is only awarded by Headquarters and in no circumstances may a Guider exchange a Gold Cord for a Lanyard unless the application has been approved by Headquarters.

An additional requirement was added to the Gold Cord in the May 1926 issue of the Girl Guides’ Gazette:

It was also agreed that a short paper for Guides applying for the Gold Cord Award, composed of Test questions on the badges included in First Class and those selected, be sent with the application form and that those questions be answered in writing by the Guide in the presence of either the District Commissioner or District Captain or someone appointed by the former, who should sign the accompanying certificates stating that the paper had been written in her presence and was the candidate’s unaided work. In this way the candidate’s up-to-date knowledge of her badge work will be tested.

Changes in the 1927 Rules, Policy and Organization included the addition of a written paper, a change for the Second Class standing of all Patrol Members, and a note about the Green First Class Badge:

A Ranger or Guide must have had at least two years’ service before becoming recommended for the Gold Cord. She must have earned the following badges:

• First Class or Ranger Star
• Sick Nurse or Probationer
• Handywoman
• Swimmer, or Signaller, or First Class Signaller
• Athlete or Gymnast
• Naturalist or Nature Lover
• Child Nurse or Nurse
• Laundress or Finisher
• Scribe or Citizen
• Domestic Service
• Also five others chosen by herself

She must also have trained a Guide for the 1st Class Badge (with the exception of the Ambulance, Child Nurse, Cook, Needlewoman and Swimming Tests, which should be taught by qualified people). A written paper will also be required, application for same to be made to Head of Awards.

Rangers must hold the Swimmer’s Badge if the Ranger Star Test is taken instead of the Guide First Class.

In applying for the Gold Cord, the Captain must send a report of the work during the past year of the Patrol to which the Guide belongs, of which all Guides of one year’s standing must be Second Class. This application should first be sanctioned by the Court of Honour.

Note: The Green First Class Badge does not qualify for the Gold Cord Award.

Minor changes continue to be made in Rules, Policy and Organization:

• 1929 – A new requirement is added: “She must have camped out at least one week under canvas, …”
• 1930, 1931 – No changes
• 1932 – Folk Dancer is added as an alternative to the Athlete and Gymnast badges
• 1933 – The Captain’s report is now “In applying for the Gold Cord, the Captain must send a report of the work during the past year of the Patrol to which the Guide belongs. This application should first be sanctioned by the Court of Honour.”
• 1934, 1935 – No changes
• 1938 – The swimming requirement for Rangers is changed to: “Rangers taking the Ranger Star Test instead of the Guide First Class should pass the same swimming test as required for the Guide First Class Test, viz: ‘Swim 50 yards and throw a life line.”

Further changes are made in 1939, bringing the final pre-war requirements to:

A Ranger or Guide must have had at least two years’ service before being recommended for the Gold Cord. She must have camped out at least one week under canvas, and have earned the following badges:

• First Class or Ranger Star
• Sick Nurse or Emergency Helper
• Probationer or Samaritan
• Handywoman
• Swimmer or Signaller or Signalling Transmitter
• Athlete or Gymnast or Folk Dancer
• Naturalist or Nature Lover
• Child Nurse or Nurse
• Laundress or Finisher
• Scribe or Citizen
• Domestic Service
• Also five others chosen by herself

She must also have trained a Guide for the First Class Badge (with the exception of the Child Nurse, Cook, Needlewoman and Swimming Tests, which should be taught by qualified people.) A written paper will also be required, application for which should be made to Headquarters.

Rangers taking the Ranger Star Test instead of the Guide First Class should pass the same swimming test as required for the Guide First Class Test, viz “Swim 50 yards and throw a life line to reach a person 20 yards away.”

In applying for the Gold Cord, the Captain must send a report of the work during the past year of the patrol to which the Guide belongs. This application should first be sanctioned by the Court of Honour.

As with all things, the Second World War brought major changes to the Gold Cord. By 1943, the requirements in Policy, Organization and Rules were:

The Gold Cord Award is granted by the Canadian Council and is a recognition of the development of character and leadership, intelligence and general knowledge.

The Guide or Ranger should have a firm grasp of the principles of the Girl Guide movement and have applied them in her own life. She should possess firmness of purpose in any undertaking and at the same time be able to “look wide” and “wider still”.

Her will to service for others should at all times be uppermost in her mind.

The Gold Cord Award implies achievement in all the abstract qualities of good citizenship.

1. The candidate must hold the Guide All-Round Cords and be ready for the final test when she is not more than sixteen.
2. She must hold the Little House Emblem, the Handywoman badge and also one badge taken from the following list: Artist, Booklover, Country Dancer, Dancer, Lacemaker, Music Lover and Minstrel (if these are chosen, both must be taken), Photographer, Player, Singer, Spinner, Stitchery, Writer.
3. She must hold the Pioneer Badge, and have a good report from the commandant of the camp at which she was tested on her standard of dependability, adaptability, punctuality and general keeping of the Guide Law throughout the camp.
4. She must hold the Traveller Badge or the Interpreter Badge.
5. She must be recommended by her Commissioner and Captain (with the approval of the Court of Honour) on her standard of:
   • Unselfishness
   • Courtesy
   • General appearance (both in and out of uniform)
   • The Guider should send a general note of any work done for the company the the candidate, also a note of any service she has been able to do for others (apart from Guiding) for any period of not less than three months.
6. Finally, the candidate will be examined by a Diploma’d Guider, Secondary Trainer or Sub-Trainer, or, failing these, by correspondence from Dominion Headquarters, on any work in these tests and also on her degree of:
   • Observation
   • Common Sense

By 1948 (Policy, Organization and Rules), the requirements had been simplified and the Gold Cord was strictly a Guide Award:

• Have passed the First Class Test and Little House and Woodcraft Emblems.
• Be recommended by her Captain and the Court of Honour in consultation with her Commissioner, on her Company and camping record during her membership in the Movement.
• Hold the Pioneer, Handywoman, Swimmer, Empire or World Knowledge and any other two badges of her own choice.
• All tests to be completed before her seventeenth birthday.

Further minor changes were made in Policy, Organization and Rules over the years:

• By 1950, a new clause had been added: “Have read ‘Scouting for Boys (Boy’s Edition)”
• 1953 – No Changes
• 1955 – Holders of the Green First Class Badge are now eligible for the Gold Cord, and will hold the Fire Brigade Badge in place of the Swimmer’s Badge.
• 1956 – The name of the Empire Knowledge Badge was changed to Commonwealth Knowledge; an alternative to Swimmer was added, with restrictions: “Fire Brigade may be substituted for Swimmer only for those who cannot obtain the Swimmer’s Badge due to lack of facilities. Permission to substitute this badge is given by the Provincial Commissioner on the recommendation of the District Commissioner.

Major changes were made to the Gold Cord in 1957 (The Canadian Guider, March 1957):

To qualify for a Gold Cord a Guide must:

1. Be fifteen years of age before her application is made and have completed all but the “Be Prepared” Challenge three months prior to her seventeenth birthday, in order to allow time for her to complete the Challenge before her seventeenth birthday.
2. Be a First Class Guide and hold the Little House and Woodcraft Emblems and the Camper Badge.
3. Be recommended by the Court of Honour of her company, her Captain and the Guider-in-Charge of the Guide Camp which she has attended during the previous 18 months.
4. Choose a country other than her own and show in some practical way, approved by her Commissioner, her knowledge of and interest in it.
5. Prove herself capable of service to a group or individual in home, school, church or local community. This service to be chosen by the Guide herself and any project undertaken must be maintained for at least four months.
6. Carry out three jobs arranged by her Commissioner and/or Local Association, to prove her reliability, cheerfulness and ability to work with and under others.

The Commissioner will then forward the completed Application Form, together with the required reports and recommendations to the Provincial Commissioner.

Finally the candidate will undertake a “Be Prepared” Challenge, arranged by a Guider or group of Guiders appointed by the Province. This shall test whether she can apply the knowledge which she has acquired during her years in Guiding, has courtesy and common sense and can act intelligently in different situations.

Slight changes are made in Policy, Organization and Rules:

• 1962 – The Be Prepared Challenge is altered slightly, now being “arranged by a committee appointed by the Province”

3 Girl Guides with Gold Cords c.1964 (Girl Guides of Canada)

The requirements are wholly revised again in 1963 (Canadian Guider), appearing as new in the 1965 Policy, Organization and Rules:

A Guide wishing to try for a Gold Cord will discuss it with her Guider and, with the approval of the Court of Honour, seek an interview with her Commissioner.

1. To qualify for the Gold Cord, a Guide must be at least fourteen years of age, and must complete all requirements by her sixteenth birthday.
2. Letters of recommendation from the Captain, and one other interested person not related to the Guide, will accompany the application form.
3. Be a First Class Guide, hold the Little House and Woodlore Emblems, the Camper, Citizen and First Aid Badges, and a Craft Badge.
4. Choose a country other than her own and demonstrate to some group, approved by her Commissioner, her knowledge of and interest in it.
5. Prove herself capable of service to a group or individual in home, school, church or local community. This service is to be chosen by the Guide herself, and any project undertaken must be maintained for at least four months.
6. Carry out three assignments arranged by the Commissioner and/or local Association to prove her reliability, cheerfulness and ability to work with and under others.
7. A letter of recommendation from the Guider-in-charge of the Guide camp which she has attended during the previous eighteen months will accompany the application.

The Commissioner will then forward the completed application form, together with the required reports and recommendations, to the Provincial Commissioner.

A point for the interested – The age groupings changed in 1964-1965. Prior to this, Guides were aged 11 to 16, now they were 10 to 14, yet the age for earning the Gold Cord still included completing “all requirements by her sixteenth birthday.”

Anecdotally, this resulted in three things:

• Guides being told they had to finish and/or being pushed through to finish before they turned 15 and moved up to Rangers (now aged 14 to 18, with 14 being an overlapping age)
• Guides remaining in Companies until they turned 16 instead of moving up to Rangers and making space for younger Guides
• Rangers continuing to work on and be awarded the Gold Cord, even though it was a Guide Award.

The age for earning the Gold Cord was finally changed in 1968 (Policy, Organization and Rules):

To qualify for the Gold Cord, a girl must be at least thirteen years of age, and must complete all requirements by her fifteenth birthday.

All the other requirements remained the same.

Strangely, the ages reverted in 1969 (Policy, Organization and Rules):

To qualify for the Gold Cord, a girl must be at least fourteen years of age and must complete all requirements by her sixteenth birthday.

How confusing!

There were no further changes to the requirements for the Gold Cord. In September 1971, the Canada Cord was introduced, replacing the Gold Cord as the highest award for Guides.

Sources:

• Baden-Powell, Robert. Girl Guiding (Girl Guides Association, 1921)
• Potts, Gladys Janson. Girl Guide Badges and How to Win Them (Girl Guides Association, 1920, 1925, 1928)
• Potts, Gladys Janson. Hints on Girl Guide Badges (Girl Guides Association), 1933, 1937,
• Girl Guides’ Gazette (Girl Guides Association) – November 1918; March 1926; May 1926; December 1928
• Policy, Organization and Rules (Canadian Girl Guides Association/Girl Guides of Canada, 1943, 1948, 1950, 1953, 1956, 1959, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971)
• Policy, Organization and Rules (Girl Guides Association, 1935, 1938, 1939)
• Rules, Policy and Organization (Girl Guides Association, 1919, 1921, 1924, 1927, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1935)

The Guide All Round Cord

The All Round Cord was a Guide Award from 1910 until 1993. From 1910 to 1979, it was an intermediate award, earned after First Class, but ranking lower than the Silver Fish, Gold Cord and Canada Cord. Between 1979 and 1993, the All Round Cord was the highest award a Guide could earn. The All Round Cord was discontinued in 1993.

The first Guiding Publication, The Scheme for Girl Guides, also known as “Pamphlets A and B”, was published in November 1909 by Robert and Agnes Baden-Powell. This was our first introduction to the All Round Cord:

“All Round” shoulder cord for passing any seven of above.

‘Above’ referred to the list of 22 Efficiency Badges that Guides could earn: Ambulance, Naturalist, Hospital Nurse, Cook, Cyclist, Matron, Nurse, Musician, Farmer, Gymnast, Electrician, Needle Woman, Clerk, Florist, Artist, Laundress, Telegraphist, Swimmer, Interpreter, Pioneer, Signaller, and Sailor.

The first handbook How Girls Can Help to Build Up the Empire, published in 1912, expanded the requirements slightly to:

“All-Round-Shoulder-Cords” can be worn by a “First-class Guide” for passing any seven of the above tests, and show a “Union Jack” made by herself.

Efficiency Badges had become Proficiency Badges, and the list now included 26 Badges: Artist, Boatswain, Clerk, Cook, Cyclist, Child Nurse, Dairymaid, Electrician, Florist, Fire Brigade, Flyer, Gymnast, Horsemanship, Interpreter, Laundress, Matron, Musician, Needlewoman, Naturalist, Pathfinder, Pioneer, Rifle Shot, Sick Nurse, Signaller, Swimmer, and Telegraphist.

At this time, the All Round Cord was a stepping stone to the Order of the Silver Fish, but not a pre-requisite.

According to Rules, Policy & Organization for 1921 and 1927, the requirements had only changed slightly:

[All Round Cords] Can be worn by any Guide having passed the First Class and any other seven tests, in addition to those included in First Class.

There are now many more Proficiency Badges to choose from, 53 in 1921, rising to 60 in 1927. But Ambulance or Sick Nurse, Child Nurse, Cook and Needlewoman could not be counted as they were required for the First Class Badge. In 1927 a note has been added that holders of the Green First Class Badge do not qualify for the All Round Cord. The Green First Class was considered a lower grade of First Class Badge, earned by those who could not learn to swim due to lack of facilities.

Although still not a pre-requisite, the All Round Cord would be earned by Guides as they worked towards the Gold Cord.

The first major change in requirements for the All Round Cord occurs in 1931 (Rules, Policy & Organization), when it became necessary for holders to earn an outdoor-based Proficiency Badge:

[All Round Cords] Can be worn by any Guide having passed her First Class and any other seven tests (to include one of the following: Astronomer, Bird Lover, Boatswain, Swimmer, Gardener, Geologist, Hiker, Land Worker, Naturalist, Pathfinder, Pioneer, Sportswoman, Surveyor, Campcraft, Bee-farmer, or an equivalent senior test), in addition to those included in the First Class.

This is slightly modified by 1934 (Rules, Policy & Organization) to:

All Round Cords can be worn by any Guide having passed her First Class and any other seven tests (one of which must be an outdoor badge), in addition to those included in the First Class.

The total Proficiency Badges had risen to 64 in 1931, dropping to 62 in 1934 and 1935. Ambulance or Sick Nurse, Child Nurse, Cook and Needlewoman still could not be counted as they were required for the First Class Badge, nor do holders of the Green First Class Badge qualify for the All Round Cord.

Another change occurs in 1939 (Policy, Organization and Rules), adding a second required badge in response to changes to the First Class Badge:

All Round Cords can be worn by any Guide having passed her First Class and any other seven tests (one of which must be the Ambulance, Sick Nurse or Emergency Helper badge, and one an outdoor badge), in addition to those included in the First Class.

There were 70 Proficiency Badges to choose from. The First Class Badge now required only the Child Nurse, Cook and Needlewoman Badges, but the Green First Class Badge still does not qualify a Guide for the All Round Cord.

By 1943 (Policy, Organization and Rules), the requirements had been significantly changed, and the All Round Cord was now a pre-requisite for the Gold Cord.

The candidate must be a First Class Guide and hold:

• Ambulance or Sick Nurse or Emergency Helper
• Swimmer or Signaller
• Two other badges, chosen by herself, or which one at least must be one of the following outdoor badges: Birdlover, Boatswain, Farmworker, Flower Lover, Gardener, Hiker, Horsewoman, Naturalist, Pathfinder, Pioneer, Star Lover, Woodman.

The All Round Cord is discontinued c.1947 and does not appear in Policy, Organization and Rules for 1948, 1950, 1953, or 1956. The All Round Cord is reintroduced in 1957 (The Canadian Guider, September 1957), with a new set of requirements:

The candidate must be a First Class Guide and hold the Little House Emblem.

She must hold the following badges:

1. First Aid, or Home Nurse, or Emergency Helper.
2. Swimmer or Signaller, or Pioneer, or Fire Brigade.
3. One of the following outdoor badges: Astronomer, Boatswain, Bird-watcher, Gardener, Hiker, Horsewoman, Land-girl, Naturalist, Pathfinder, Pioneer (unless already used in #2).
4. One of the following handicrafts badges: Basket-weaver, Carpenter, Dairymaid, Hadywoman, Knitter, Laceworker, Leatherworker, Photographer, Poultry-farmer, Rabbit-keeper, Spinner, Stitchery, Weaver.
5. One other badge of her own choice.

The All Round Cord was now an independent award that was not a pre-requisite for the Gold Cord, nor would it necessarily be earned by a Guide working towards that award.

Slight changes occurred over the next few years:

• By 1962, Camper had been added to the list of badges in Clause 3.
• In 1962, Laceworker had been eliminated and Toymaker added to the list of badges in Clause 4.
• No changes were made in 1964 or 1965

The requirements were revised in 1966 (Policy, Organization and Rules):

The candidate must be a First Class Guide and hold the following badges:

1. Either Little House Emblem or Woodlore Emblem, and one badge from the other emblem.
2. First Aid, and one of the following: Emergency Helper, Fire Brigade, Rescuer or Home Nurse.
3. Pioneer.
4. One badge from the Craft Emblem.
5. Either Citizen or World Trefoil badge.
6. One badge of her own choice.

No changes are made to the requirements until 1971 (Policy, Organization and Rules), when the First and Second Class Badges were replaced by the Challenge Emblem and Badge:

To qualify:

1. Hold the Challenge Emblem.
2. Hold the Little House Emblem and one badge from the Woodlore Emblem OR Hold the Woodlore Emblem and one badge from the Little House Emblem.
3. Hold one of the following badges:  Backyard Camper, Junior Camper or Outdoor Adventure and four other badges.
4. Learn about three organizations or agencies which help others.

At this time, the All Round Cord became a requirement for the Canada Cord. No further changes were made until 1979, when Pathfinders were introduced, and the All Round Cord became the highest award for Guides.

The new requirements were set out in The Bridge, a transitional booklet used during the implementing of the new age groupings between 1979 and 1981.

All Round Cord:

1. Hold the Adventure and Voyageur Challenges.
2. Hold the History or World Trefoil Badge.
3. Hold one of the following badges: Explorer, Hiker, Neighbourhood, Outdoor Adventure.
4. Hold one of the following badges: Homemaker, Cook, Seamstress, Handywoman.
5. Hold one of the following badges: Junior Camper, Camp Skills.
6. Hold one of the following badges: Fire Safety, First Aid – Stage II, Home Nurse, Rescuer.
7. Hold the Citizen Badge.
8. Hold the Health or Keep-Fit Badge.
9. Hold three other badges of your choice.
10. Learn about three organizations or agencies which help others. Tell how you could work with, or contribute to, the work of one of these organizations.
11. Choose and carry out a project rendering service to others. This project should be a challenge to you and must be approved and evaluated by your Company and the person(s) for whom the service is done.
12. Investigate Pathfinders. If possible, participate in a joint activity.
13. Undertake a project to show what the Promise and Law mean to you. Present this to your Company, or any small group of Guides. (This could take the form of artwork, poem, story, song, speech, drama, photography, or any other form you may choose.)

Minor changes would be made to the All Round Cord over the next few years:

• In 1982 (The Guide Program), Backyard Camper is added to the options for Clause 5; Clause 6 is revised to be Fire Safety, First Aid or Rescuer
• No changes were made in 1983 or 1985 (The Guide Program).

By 1990 (The Guide Program), the requirements were still similar, but had been revised down to 10 Clauses:

1. I hold the complete Adventure Challenge and Voyageur Challenge.
2. I hold one of the following badges: History, World Trefoil, or World Neighbour Badge.
3. I hold the Camp Badge and four of the following: Astronomer,  Bird Watcher, Conservationist, Ecologist, Forestry, Explorer, Hiker, Naturalist, Outdoor Adventure, Stalker, Tracker, Wildflower.
4. I hold one of the following badges: Cook, Handywoman, Homemaker, Seamstress.
5. I hold one of the following badges: Fire Safety, First Aid, Rescuer.
6. I hold the Citizen and Law Awareness Badges.
7. I hold one of the following badges: Athlete, Health, or Keep-Fit.
8. I have learned about three organizations or agencies which help others. I have told how I could work with or contribute to the work of one of these.
9. I have chosen and carried out a project in which I gave service to others. This project was a challenge to me and was approved and evaluated by my Company and the person(s) to whom I gave the service.
10. I have done a project which shows what the Promise and Law mean to me. I have presented this to my Company or a small group of Guides. The form of the presentation was: artwork, song, photography, poem, speech, story, drama, other.

The All Round Cord was discontinued with the introduction of the new Guide Program: For Fun & Challenge in September 1992. The 1992-1993 Guiding Year was one of transition, and the final group of Guides to earn the All Round Cord did so in June 1993.

Sources:

• Baden-Powell, Robert. Girl Guiding (Girl Guides Association, September 1921 – 6th Edition)
• Baden-Powell, Robert & Agnes. How Girls Can Help to Build Up the Empire (Girl Guides Association, 1912)
• Baden-Powell, Robert & Agnes. The Scheme for Girl Guides (Girl Guides Association, November 1909)
• Guiding For You (Girl Guides of Canada, 1974, 1975, 1977)
• Policy, Organization and Rules (Canadian Girl Guides Association/Girl Guides of Canada, 1943, 1948, 1950, 1953, 1956, 1959, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973)
• Policy, Organization & Rules (Girl Guides Association, 1935, 1939)
• Rules, Policy & Organization (Girl Guides Association, 1921, 1927, 1931, 1934)
• The Bridge (Girl Guides of Canada, July 1979)
• The Guide Program (Girl Guides of Canada, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1990)
• The Canadian Guider, 1956-1957

 

Highest Awards for Guides

This article focuses on awards for the Guide Branch only. Some awards changed branches or were not the highest award for the entire time they existed. We do not try to present every variation of the requirements for these awards, only provide a glimpse of what Guides would have had to do to earn awards at various points in our history. For more award histories, please see:

• The Guide All Round Cord
• The Gold Cord
• The Canada Cord
• Cadet Awards
• Ranger Awards

For most of our history, Guiding has offered a penultimate award for high-achieving Guides to strive towards. Here’s a brief look at how these awards have evolved over the years:

Silver Fish – 1910 to 1918

When Guiding began, the ultimate award for Guides was the Silver Fish. In 1918 the Silver Fish was redesigned as an adult award and replaced by the Gold Cord for Guides.

Order of the Silver Fish for passing all…

• 1st Class Guide
• Efficiency Badges: Ambulance, Naturalist, Hospital Nurse, Cook, Cyclist, Matron, Nurse, Musician, Farmer, Gymnast, Needlewoman, Clerk, Florist, Laundress, Swimmer, Interpreter, Pioneer.
  

(The Scheme for Girl Guides, Robert & Agnes Baden-Powell, November 1909)

Gold Cord – 1918 to 1971

The Gold Cord was introduced in 1918 as a replacement for the Silver Fish, which was now an adult award. The Gold Cord was discontinued in 1971 and replaced by the Canada Cord.

Early requirements from the September 1921 Edition of Girl Guiding included specific badges, teaching, and a report from one’s Captain!

A Gold Cord Guide must have had at least two years’ service and must have earned the following badges:

• First Class or Ranger Star
• Sick Nurse or Probationer
• Handywoman
• Signaller or Swimmer
• Athlete or Gymnast
• Child Nurse or Nurse
• Laundress or Finisher
• Clerk
• Domestic Service
• Also six others chosen by herself.

She must also have trained a Guide for the First Class Badge (with the exception of the Ambulance, Child Nurse, and Swimming Tests, which should be taught by qualified people). In applying for the Gold Cord, the Captain must send a report of the work during the past year of the Patrol to which the Guide belongs, of which all Guides of six months’ standing must be Second Class. This application should first be sanctioned by the Court of Honour.

The badges required varied over the years, but the recommendation of one’s Captain remained.

To qualify for Gold Cord a Guide must:

1. Have passed the First Class Test and Little House and Woodcraft Emblems.
2. Be recommended by her Captain and the Court of Honour in consultation with her Commissioner, or her Company and camping record during her membership in the Movement.
3. Hold Pioneer, Handywoman, Swimmer, Empire or World Knowledge and any other two badges of her own choice.
4. Have read Scouting for Boys (Boy’s Edition).
5. Have completed all tests before her seventeenth birthday.

(Policy, Organization and Rules 1953, Girl Guides of Canada, 1953)

In the 1960s, the requirements stated that Guides had to be between 14 and 16, have letters of recommendation, earn specific badges, give service, complete three unknown assignments!

A Guide wishing to try for the Gold Cord will discuss it with her Guider and, with the approval of the Court of Honour, seek an interview with her Commissioner.

1. To qualify for the Gold Cord, a Guide must be at least fourteen years of age, and must complete all requirements by her sixteenth birthday.
2. Letters of recommendation from the Captain, and from one other interested person not related to the Guide, will accompany the application form.
3. Be a First Class Guide, hold the Little House and Woodlore Emblems, the Camper, Citizen and First Aid Badges, and a Craft Badge.
4. Choose a country other than her own and demonstrate to some group, approved by her Commissioner, her knowledge of and interest in it.
5. Prove herself capable of service to a group or individual in home, school, church or local community. This service is to be chosen by the Guide herself, and any project undertaken must be maintained for at least four months.
6. Carry out three assignments arranged by the Commissioner and/or local Association to prove her reliability, cheerfulness and ability to work with and under others.
7. A letter of recommendation from the Guider-in-charge of the Guide camp which she has attended during the previous eighteen months will accompany the application.

(Policy, Organization and Rules, Girl Guides of Canada, 1966)

Canada Cord – 1971 to 1979

The Canada Cord was introduced in 1971 as a replacement for the Gold Cord as the highest Guide award in Canadian Guiding. When Pathfinders began in September 1979, the Canada Cord became the highest award for Pathfinders and continues to be so to this day (2020). During the transitional period of 1979 to 1981, some older Guides may have continued to earn the Canada Cord.

To qualify:

1. Hold the All Round Cord.
2. Hold three emblems.
3. Hold the Citizen badge and one of the following badges: Interpreter, World Trefoil, Heritage, Native Lore.
4. Hold the Camp Leader or Wilderness Camper Badge.
5. Choose and carry out within a four month period a minimum of 15 hours service to a group or an individual that will provide you with a challenging experience.

(Policy, Organization and Rules 1971-1972, Girl Guides of Canada, 1971)

All Round Cord – 1979 to 1993

Interestingly, the All Round Cord dates back to 1910! As an award, it could be earned after the First Class Badge, but ranked lower than the Silver Fish, Gold Cord or Canada Cord until 1979, except for a brief period between c.1947 and 1959 when it was discontinued. With the introduction of Pathfinders in September 1979, the Canada Cord became a Pathfinder Award, and the All Round Cord finally became the highest award for Guides! The last group to earn the All Round Cord finished their third year of Guides in June 1993.

1. I hold the complete Adventure Challenge and Voyageur Challenge.
2. I hold one of the following badges: History, World Trefoil, or World Neighbour Badge.
3. I hold the Camp Badge and four of the following: Astronomer,  Bird Watcher, Conservationist, Ecologist, Forestry, Explorer, Hiker, Naturalist, Outdoor Adventure, Stalker, Tracker, Wildflower.
4. I hold one of the following badges: Cook, Handywoman, Homemaker, Seamstress.
5. I hold one of the following badges: Fire Safety, First Aid, Rescuer.
6. I hold the Citizen and Law Awareness Badges.
7. I hold one of the following badges: Athlete, Health, or Keep-Fit.
8. I have learned about three organizations or agencies which help others. I have told how I could work with or contribute to the work of one of these.
9. I have chosen and carried out a project in which I gave service to others. This project was a challenge to me and was approved and evaluated by my Company and the person(s) to whom I gave the service.
10. I have done a project which shows what the Promise and Law mean to me. I have presented this to my Company or a small group of Guides. The form of the presentation was: artwork, song, photography, poem, speech, story, drama, other.

When you have checked off each of the items in this record you will have earned the All Round Cord. Congratulations!

(The Guide Program, Girl Guides of Canada, 1990)

Fun & Challenge Pin/Guide Challenge Pin – 1992 to present (2020)

The new Guide Program: For Fun & Challenge was introduced in September 1992 and didn’t include a highest award. The idea was to encourage cooperation and focus on activities the Guides wanted to do, rather than focusing on Cord requirements. Instead, all Guides would receive the Fun & Challenge Pin regardless of how long they were in Guides or what program work they had completed. This pin continues to be awarded today, although it has been renamed the Guide Challenge Pin since 2005.

 

Lady Baden-Powell Award/Challenge – 1999 to present (2020)

The 3rd year program was revised and the Lady Baden-Powell Award introduced in 1999 after numerous requests for an award for Guides.

The Lady Baden-Powell Award has several parts: Discovering level challenges, service project and Interest Badges, My Guiding Principles.

• Discovering Level Challenges – You must complete your Discovering Level challenges for this award.
• Service Project – You must do one or more service projects during your Discovering year. This could be a Thanks Badge.
• Interest Badges – During your time as a Guide, you need to have earned two Interest Badges in each Pathway [My Community, My Outdoor Environment, My Horizons, My Future] plus two more Interest Badges of your choice.
• My Guiding Principles – This challenge can be completed only during your Discovering year. It is part of the Lady Baden-Powell Award

1. Find out about Lady Baden-Powell. using a skit, song, story or other activity, present what you have learned to some Brownies or other Guides.
2. Find out about one interesting thing and the motto of five WAGGGS countries.
3. What does the Guiding uniform mean to you? Why do we all wear uniforms rather than regular clothes at Guiding functions?
4. When we are involved in Guiding activities, we participate in a way of life based on the Promise and Law. Think about your Guiding experience and the Promise and Law as you discuss the following:
   • a leadership activity that helped you learn about being a leader
   • a service that you have done recently and how it helped others and yourself
   • an outdoor event that you particularly enjoyed. Why was it special to you?
   • how Guiding has helped you to become a better citizen
   • how you have accepted each of the seven parts of the Guiding Law
5. Record your camping and event experiences in your program book.
6. Start a collection of mementos of your Guiding activities. It might include your program book, photographs, phone lists, examples of games with rules, songbook or sheets, examples of crafts you have done or would like to do.

(The Guide Program: For Fun & Challenge, Girl Guides of Canada, 1999)

With the introduction of the Guides on the Go program in 2005, the requirements were changed to include completing the entire program and the name was changed to the Lady Baden-Powell Challenge.

The Lady Baden-Powell challenge is the highest award in the Guide program. Completion of this challenge usually takes two years. This challenge requires your utmost effort, as well as your participation in patrol and unit activities. The Lady Baden-Powell challenge provides you with the opportunity to learn more about Girl Guides and gain a deeper understanding of the sisterhood of Guiding. The Lady Baden-Powell pin is awarded in your last year of Guiding.

To earn this challenge you must complete Numbers 1 and 2, as well as four more of the activities below.

1. Complete all four of the program areas.
2. Learn about Lady Baden-Powell and prepare a skit, song, story, poster or another activity to demonstrate what you have learned. Share it with your patrol, unit or a group of Guiding friends.
3. Complete a project to help girls in your Guide unit enjoy their Guiding experience.
4. Participate in a major community service project. This project is in addition to the service you completed in You in Guiding.
5. Participate in three Pathfinder meetings.
6. Take part in a community activity that involves doing something for someone else.
7. Share your favourite Guiding experiences over the last year with a group of friends who are not in Guiding.

(Guides on the Go, Girl Guides of Canada, 2013)

The name reverted to Lady Baden-Powell Award with the introduction of the Girls First Program in 2018.

The Lady Baden-Powell Award is the highest award you can earn in the Guides program. Completing this award usually takes two years and requires a dedicated effort to completing program work, as well as participating in your patrol and unit activities. This award provides you with the opportunity to learn more about Girl Guides and gain a deeper understanding of the sisterhood of Guiding. If you successfully complete the award requirements, you will earn the award in your final year of Guides.

Part A – Earn all eight Girls First Program Area Badges.

Part B – Participate in a major community service project. This cannot be the same project used to complete the Your Action Theme of the Take Action Program Area.

Part C – Take a leadership role in the delivery of a unit meeting, event, outing or special project (including a camp) for your own unit or a younger branch. You should be involved in all aspects of this from planning through delivery of the meeting/event/project and its evaluation.

Part D – Share your favourite experiences and memories of Guides with your unit, a younger branch, or a group of friends outside Guiding. Include what younger girls have to look forward to when they become a Guide, or what you are looking forward to as a Pathfinder.

Part E – Participate in at least three Pathfinder meetings.

Part F – Read Lady Baden-Powell’s last message before her death. Reflect on what Lady Baden-Powell’s words mean to you. … Find a creative way to express these thoughts – perhaps in song, or a story, maybe in a collage or skit. … Share what you have created or done with others, including your unit, as well as girls in other branches.

(“Guide Awards – The Lady Baden-Powell Award”, Girl Guides of Canada – Girls First Platform, 2019)

Girl Guide Blazers & Blazer Badges (UK)

This post was inspired by a post on Facebook sharing an old Blazer Badge for sale on eBay.

A decision was made by the Girl Guide Association in 1926 that “the question of including blazers as part of the official uniform of Guides or Guiders was considered. It was decided that this was an unnecessary additional expense, and therefore not agreed to.” (The Girl Guide Gazette (May 1926))

Blazers were recommended as an alternative, with the camp overall, to the full uniform (tunic and skirt) for Guiders in Camp by 1932, and were an expected part of the Sea Ranger No. 2 Uniform (Summer) by 1939.

A blazer for Guiders makes an appearance in the 1930 Price Lists. It is described as as Navy Melton Cloth, sizes 36in or 38in, and costing 25s. The same blazer was offered in 1931, but a new size –  34in – was added. In 1932, a new style, described as Navy Flannel (all wool) was offered, with the sizes and price remaining the same. The blazer was discontinued in 1937.

A blazer for Guides and Rangers was offered for the first time in 1930. The Price List for

Guide, 1933 Catalogue

that year describes it as Navy Melton Cloth, sizes 32in, 34in, and 36in, and sold for 12s. The price increased in 1934 to 12/6. A new size, 38in, was added in 1936. The price increased again in 1937 to 13s. The last mention of this blazer is in Price Lists for 1939.

Guide Wear by Bukta offered two Blazers for Guides in 1931. The first, called Buxcel, was of Navy Melton, unlined, in sizes 32in and 34in, at a cost of 11/6. The second, called Buxwin, was of Navy Soft Twill Melton, lined sleeves, in sizes 32in and 34in, at a cost of 18/9.

Blazer Badges were offered as Registered Goods on the Price Lists beginning in 1929 for Rangers, Sea Rangers and Guides, all costing 8d. It is possible that these badges were available earlier, as a decision was made in May 1929 that “blue blazer badges be instituted for Sea Rangers.” An Old Guide Badge was added in 1937. The last mention of blazer badges is in Price Lists for 1939.

Guides	Rangers	Sea Rangers
Guides	Rangers	Sea Rangers
	Old Guides?

More Games for Girl Guides!

Here are some games from an article “Games for Girl Guides” in The Schoolgirls’ Own Annual 1941 (Fleetway House: London, 1940)

Shipwrecked

The object of this game is to “rescue” a “shipwrecked” Patrol from a “rock” surrounded by “water” by throwing them a lifeline. Draw a circle on the floor with a piece of chalk, just large enough for the Patrol to stand in. Around this one, leaving a space of several feet from the first, draw another circle. For the lifeline, a piece of rope (with or without a bowline loop tied in one end). The rescuer must stand outside the second circle and aim at the shipwrecked Guides in turn, throwing the rope for them to catch. The Guide catching the rope secures it around her waist and is then ‘rescued’.

Skill Connections: Teamwork, Knots – Bowline, Throwing a Lifeline
Program Connections: Sailing Badge, Swimming Badge

A Morse Game

Guides form a ring. One stands in the middle with Signalling Flag. Signals a letter to a Guide. When a Guide has had three misses at reading the letter she drops out, or she can take the place of the Signaller.

Skill Connections: Memory, Concentration
Program Connections: Build Skills in Communication, Interpreting Badge

Kim’s Game

This game is always popular, and tests memory and powers of observation. Various objects such as a cork, a pencil, a rubber, nail, and other small articles should be placed on a tray on the floor. The Guides squat in a circle round it. Captain must give a certain number of minutes in which the Guides may look at the assortment of oddments, then they turn their backs and in a given time write down all the things they can remember.

Skill Connections: Observation
Program Connections: Naturalist Badge; There are many! For example: Learn About WAGGGS (International uniforms or enrolment pins), Learn About Safety & First Aid Badge (First Aid Kit items)

Fences

If fences are broken round a garden, small boys and dogs will enter and do a great deal of harm; therefore, Guides must make strong fences. Guides should stand in two rows, facing each other, with a piece of string. Each guide must join her piece of string to her neighbour’s with a certain knot – chosen by Captain. The side with the least breaks in its fence at the end of a given time wins.

Skill Connections: Knots
Program Connections: Understanding the Promise, Law & Motto (Reef Knot)

What Is It?

This jolly guessing game is an ideal one for a Guide party. Everyone sits in a ring, the lights are turned out, and a series of small objects passed round. Each person must remember the articles which she has handed, and when the lights go on again, write them down in their correct order. The funnier the objects, the more laughable the results. Choose, for example, a piece of soap, a bone, a kid glove stuffed with kapok or rag, a rubber hot-water bottle stopper, the cover of a matchbox and a piece of coal. You will find six things quite sufficient, and be sure to insist on them being passed round fairly quickly.

Skill Connections: Memory, Observation
Program Connections: Naturalist Badge

Noises

This is a good test for training the sense of hearing! The Guides sit in Patrols with their backs to the Captain, who makes a series of noises. She may strike a match, burst a bag or balloon, drop a pin, twirl an egg-whisk, or anything else she chooses. As they hear the noises, the Guides write down what they imagine them to be. They must not write “scratch,” or “pop,” but say how the noise is made. This also would make a good game for a Guide party.

Skill Connections: Observation, Listening
Program Connections: Naturalist Badge

Numbers – Run!

The Guides line up behind their Patrol Leaders, facing their Captain. In front of the Patrols, at a distance of about six paces, there must be a chair. The Patrols number off from the front to the rear, and then, when the Captain calls a number, the Guides in each Patrol bearing that number run up the right-hand side of their Patrols, round the chair, back down the left-hand side, round the rear of their Patrols, and so to their places. The first one in her place gaining a point. A dead heat gains a point for the Patrols concerned. Numbers should not be called in consecutive order.

Skill Connections: Active Living, Following Instructions, Teamwork

A Guide Meeting: 1917

Looking for ways to being Guiding History to life? Why not try holding a Guide meeting as it would have been in the past! Guides can take part in heritage activities and learn about Guiding history in a fun and interactive way.

The following is based on “A Model Evening” by G.M. Cobb, in The Girl Guides’ Gazette, April 1917.

Meeting is held 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

5.30 – On the sound of the whistle the Company “falls in.” The Leaders then call the roll, prove their Patrols, and inspect their kit and general smartness. At the end of ten minutes they leave their Patrols and report to the Captain.

• The week before, let the girls know you will be using a whistle instead of your usual signals the following week.
• Girls go to their Patrol Corners, Leaders take attendance, collect dues, etc. (your usual routine).
• Inspection could consist of wearing uniform, proper shoes, water bottle (specifics will depend on your Unit). You could also provide hair ties and ask anyone with long hair to tie it back (this was required in the past!)
• If your group likes to dress up, they could dress like Guides in 1917. Canadian Guides at this time wore a long navy blue skirt, white middy blouse, and blue scarf.
• If you have time, make your girls Shoulder Knots in their Patrol colours. (I have done this and the ‘knots’ were worn for the rest of the year!). Shoulder Knots were worn by Guides until 1964.

5.40 – Company notices are then given out; this is followed by Patrol inspection, each Leader being held responsible for her patrol, and ready to explain absences, etc.

• Hold your opening ceremony, make any announcements, share information for the evening

5.45 – The next three-quarters of an hour the Leaders are responsible for the work. Each Leader takes a different subject, such as Second-Class, Proficiency Badge work, Recruits, and so on. The Leader may choose whatever she things most interesting or most needed by her Guides, and can detail them off for work with another Leader, if not advanced enough, or too far on, for work with their own Patrol. After half an hour each Guide must return to her own Leader, and the remaining quarter of an hour is spent in drill. When the Leaders’ three-quarters of an hour is up, they leave their Patrols “at ease” and report to the Captain.

• If possible, have Patrol Leaders, 3rd-Year Guides, Pathfinders or Rangers lead activities rather than Guiders.
• Activities could be based on traditional Guide skills such as Semaphore, Morse Code, Trail Signs, Tracking and Stalking, Knots, First Aid, Map and Compass, Fire Lighting, Camp Gadgets, or Weather Lore.
• Drill could include learning hand and whistle signals (very useful at camp!)

6.30 – The next three-quarters of an hour is given to games, varied by ball, and musical drills, Patrol competitions, any display work, and singing, the last being popular.

• This time could include relay games, participation stories, etc. about Guide History
• Here are some games from the early days of Guiding: Games in Stalking (1918), Games for Outdoor Skills (1925), Some New Games to Play (1927), Games for Patrol Corners (1938)

7.15 – The Company sit in Patrols, and the last quarter of an hour is given to the serious side of  Guideship – debates on difficulties, talks on the Guide Law, and how best to follow the Great Guide, and the parade closes with prayer, and the Vesper Hymn for our men at the front, “Tonight,” and then the “Dismiss.”

• End your meeting with discussion about the Guide’s experiences during the evening, or share more tidbits from our past. Explore this blog for more interesting pieces of Guiding History.

Canadian Guiding Uniform History Charts

So my little project of creating historical timelines for the uniforms for each branch has gotten a boost from Facebook, when someone asked if just such a thing existed!

I’ve started with Sparks, as I can confidently date many of the uniform changes through catalogues (1989/90 through 2010/11). There will be 3 files for each branch:

1. Uniform Posters – these are full-colour pages showing pictures of girls in uniform and uniform pieces, with a description of the official uniform and optional pieces that were available during that time period. I do not have images of all available uniform items – if you have a good, clear picture to share, please let me know!
2. Uniform Piece Year Chart – this is a chart that shows the Guiding years when each uniform piece was available.
3. Uniform Description Chart – this is similar to what can be found in the handbook and shows a picture of a girl in full uniform and a description of each piece. This includes wearing instructions and material information if available.

Collecting Girl Guide Memorabilia – John Player Cigarette Cards (1933)

One of my recent acquisitions is a complete set of John Player Cigarette Cards from 1933. The set consists of 50 cards, each featuring a Boy Scout or Girl Guide Patrol Emblem. As we near the start of another Guiding year, I thought I would share the Guide Patrol Emblems and their mottoes with you.

Blackbird – Motto: “Happy and helpful.”

Blue Tit – Motto: “Do it now.”

Bullfinch – Motto: “Because of you we will be glad and gay.”

Canary – Motto: “Cheerfulness everywhere.”

Chaffinch – Motto: “Play the game and play it well.”

Cornflower – Motto: “Steadfast through trials.”

Daffodil – Motto: “A merry heart maketh a cheerful contenance.”

Forget-Me-Not – Motto: “Leaves happy memories behind.”

Holly – Motto: “Ready for anything.”

Kingfisher – Motto: “Victory sides with patience.”

 Nightingale – Motto: “Hope on, hope ever, cheer others by night and day.”

Pansy – Motto: “Thoughtful for others.”

Poppy – Motto: “Dare to do right.”

Primrose – Motto: “Look on the brighter side.”

Red Rose – Motto: “True patriots all.”

Robin – Motto: “Brave and friendly.”

Scarlet Pimpernel – Motto: “Do good by stealth.”

Shamrock – Motto: “Do not worry.”

Skylark – Motto: “Always aiming high.”

Swallow – Motto: “Ever cheerful, comrades ever.”

Thistle – Motto: “Just smile, ignoring the prickles of life.”

Thrush – Motto: “Gives joy to all.”

Violet – Motto: “Faithful and modest.”

White Heather – Motto: “Stand Firm.”

Wren – Motto: “Keep trying; modest and plucky.”

Guides Badges – from 1910 to 2015

The earliest Guides worked on 21 efficiency badges outlined in Baden-Powell’s Pamphlet’s A & B. With the publication of the first official handbook for Guides, a Guide in 1912 had a choice of 27 different proficiency badges, as outlined in How Girls Can Help to Build Up the Empire. Today, Guides can choose from 84 interest badges in 8 different program areas, with the requirements found in their program book, Guides on the Go.

While times have changed, the badges of 103 years ago and today are more closely related then one might think. Guiding has always worked hard to ensure that our badges and programs are relevant and age-appropriate. When reading the badge requirements below, please remember that Guides in 1912 were aged 12-18, and Officers (Guiders) also earned these badges!

Ambulance (First Aid in 1909)

Show position of seam arteries, principal bones and organs, but not by their Latin names. Diagnose fractures. Show how to stop bleeding from arteries and veins. Improvise splints and padding of splints. Bind fractured limb (selected) and head, and tie reef knots. Improvise stretcher. Use triangular bandage. How to treat persons in two of following accidents: choking, burns, poison, grit in the eye, concussion, sprains, bruises. Simple laws of sanitation, health, ventilation. How to treat fits. Improvise poultices (i.e., bread, bran, oatmeal, onions). Guides holding St John’s or Red Cross Ambulance certificate can wear first-aid badge for Girl Guides without trying for above test.

Today’s Guides learn about the role and limitations of a first aider, how to get help in an emergency, checking ABCs, keeping a patient comfortable, dangers of infection, contents of first aid kits, rescue breathing, and how to treat a nosebleed as part of their First Aid Badge; and basic first aid, including treatment for choking, bleeding, nosebleeds, bruises, simple burns, sunburn, frostbite, and sprains as part of the Learn About Safety section of the program.

  

Artist

Draw or paint in oils or water colours from nature; or model in clay; or carve in wood; or repousse metal.

 Today’s Guides create art based on a dream, mold an object our of clay, paper mache, soap, wax, plaster, wood, etc., experiment with colour, create prints, design packaging, decorate a mural, set up an art gallery, and learn about a famous artist as part of their Art Production Badge.They can explore woodcarving and creating 3-D art as part of the Creative Crafts Badge.

Boatswain (Sailor in 1909)

Fling a coil of rope on to a post. Be able to tie 8 knots, blindfolded, and bring a Turk’s-head made. Row a boat single-handed and with others, or punt with a pole, or scull it over the stern. Steer a boat rowed by others. Bring the boat properly alongside and make it fast. Swim 50 yards. State direction by stars or sun. Box the compass. Know various flags, as selected.

Today’s Guides can learn about small watercraft and safe boating practices as part of the Boat Safety Badge; canoeing techniques and safety as part of the Canoe Safety Badge; and how to operate a sailboat as part of the Sailing Badge.

Child Nurse (Nurse in 1909)

PRACTICAL: Must have had charge of children by herself, on signed statement; OR should understand care of children, elementary instruction, know three kindergarten games, and describe treatment of simple ailments. Able to make poultices and do patching and darning. Know how to test bath heat and use of thermometer

Guides now make a babysitter’s tip booklet, create a safety card game, learn about age characteristics, choose suitable toys for children under 3, put together an activity box, read or write stories, observe a younger child and make a flyer for a babysitting business to earn their Child Care Badge.

Clerk

Show good handwriting and hand-printing, and punctuation. Ability to use typewriting matchine or write in shorthand from dictation at twenty words a minute as minimum. Ability to write a letter from memory on the subject given verbally five minutes previously. Knowledge of simple bookkeeping and arithmetic.

Today a Guide learns how to write and place an advertisement, write and type a business letter, take a telephone message, send email, use an online directory, prepare and distribute a flyer, write a short news story, design a newsletter, a code system (i.e. semaphore, Braille, signal flags, phonetic alphabet, international road signs, distress signals, referees signals), and makes a collage about communication to earn her Business Communications Badge.

Cook

Must know how to wash up, wait at table, light a fire, carve properly, lay a table for four, and hand plates and dishes correctly to people at table. Make a cook-place with a few bricks or logs, and bring certificate of ability to cook the following dishes, out or indoors: Irish stew, vegetables, omelet, rice pudding, or any dish which the examiner considers equivalent; pluck a bird and truss it, or skin and clean a rabbit; make tea, coffee, or cocoa; mix dough and bake bread in oven, or damper or twist and brown meat at a camp fire; and state approximate cost of each dish.

Modern Guides plan menus for three days, prepare a shopping list for, prepare and clean up after a two-course meal (including a hot main dish), cook a breakfast dish and a vegetarian meal, create a healthy fast food restaurant, learn about different diets, cook a traditional dish from another country, and make a poster, cards or skit about kitchen accidents and food hygiene to earn their Kitchen Creations Badge.

Cyclist

A Guide must sign a certificate that she owns a bicycle in good working order, which she is willing to use in the King’s service if called upon at any time in case of emergency. She must be able to ride her bicycle satisfactorily and repair punctures, etc. She must be able to read a map and repeat correctly a verbal message an hour after receiving it. On ceasing to own a bicycle the Guide must hand back her badge

A Guide in 2015 needs to have use of a properly equipped bicycle, know the value and laws around helmets, demonstrate safe riding, know road and weather hazards, explain traffic signs and rules, show how to maintain their bicycle, plan a bicycle trip and map out a route, find out about community events promoting bicycle safety and discover careers associated with cycling to earn their Cycling Badge.

Dairymaid

The Guide must have a practical knowledge of dairy work; how to make butter and cheese, and be able to milk a cow. State how to feed, kill and truss poultry, or have a knowledge of beekeeping and extracting honey

Today’s Guides help with land work, look after a farm animal, or visit a farm and learn about seasonal activities, identify different breeds of animals, identify crops, describe how farm products are marketed, know the role of machinery, know about different types of farming, create a song or story about farm life, and learn about the roles women have played in farming to earn their Farming Badge.

Electrician

Simple battery, fusing, connection of bells and telephones. Understand rescue and resuscitation. Non-conducting substances and insulation

Today a Guide learns about different types of engineering, simple machines, and engineering tools (such as circuits, batteries, voltmeters), does hands-on activities (about magnetism, chemical reactions, electricity, synthetic materials, etc.), builds a bridge or other object showing engineering principles, does a circle check of a vehicle, and builds a structure that will hold a weighted cup to earn the Engineering Badge.

Fire Brigade

Knowledge of how to give the alarm of fire; use of extinguishers; joining up hose; use of shutes; improvising ropes; how to hold jumping mats; bucket-passing, full and empty; dragging insensible person (may be shown with any load).

Guides of today understand the elements, causes, types and dangers of fire, learn about types of extinguishers and putting out fires, know what to do to prevent fires, if a fire starts, if clothing catches on fire, and how to get help, explain the importance of fire escape plans and smoke detectors, learn how to become a firefighter, know how to sound an alarm and the steps to take to help the authorities, and be aware of the dangers of panic and how to prevent it in order to earn their Fire Safety Badge.

Florist

A Guide must know the names of a dozen plants pointed out. Be able to dig a trench not less than 12 feet long. Understand what is meant by pruning, grafting, and manuring. Plant and grow successfully six kinds of vegetables or flowers from seeds or cuttings. Understand flower-growing and making up bouquets.

To earn their Gardening Badge, Guides now plant and cultivate a garden, window box or planter for a seasons, growing at least five kinds of flowers or vegetables, describe the soil they are using and how it can be improved, know how to protect plants, show the flowers or vegetables they have grown, learn about plant-related careers, make a landscape design of a garden, hold a unit plant show, and make stepping stones or other decorative structure for a garden.

Flyer

Pass tests in knowledge of air currents, weather lore. Must have made an aeroplane to fly 25 yards (or have a certificate for driving an aeroplane), and some knowledge of engines.

Guides now describe different types of aircraft, identify parts of an aircraft, learn about separation of aircraft, windsocks, runway numbers, and why airplanes land into the wind, visit an airport, aerospace museum or planetarium, build paper airplanes, model gliders and a kit, and host a kite-flying event to earn their Aeronautics Badge.

Gymnast

To perform selected exercises in Ju-jitsu and Swedish and double tensing; jump at least 3 feet high and 3 feet long, or be able to vault a bar; climb an upright pole or rope, 15 feet (unless any of above objected to by doctor); and show ability to instruct.

Today, the Fitness Fun Badge asks girls to add more fitness to their daily routine, log their fitness activities for three weeks, create a warm-up routine, learn about proper stretching, take part in vigorous activity, do strengthening exercises, try a new fitness activity and set fitness goals. To earn the Sport Badge girls take part in a sport for a season, know the rules and signals, discuss fair play, competition and why they like the sport, learn about safety and safety equipment, learn about female athletes, look at the changing roles of women in sport, and write a team cheer.

Horsemanship

A Guide must be able to ride and drive a horse, understand harness, and putting on saddle, how to tether and hobble, and when to give food and drink. State lighting-up time.

A Guide now helps to water, feed, groom, saddle and ride a horse OR help to water, feed, groom, harness, yoke and drive a horse-drawn sleigh, understands feeding and care of horses, keeps stables and tack clean and tidy, knows the signs of poor condition, practices tact and common sense in handling, know the safety regulations for riding and what to do to control the horse, and takes part in a ride or visit a horseshow to earn their Horse Power Badge.

Interpreter

A Guide must be able to carry on a simple conversation, write a simple letter on a subject given by examiner, read and translate a passage from a book or newspaper, in Esperanto or any other language that is not that of her own country.

To earn their Interpreting Badge, Guides now identify languages spoken in different countries or cultures, learn phrases in a language other than their own, learn to sign the alphabet and basic words, perform a skit or order a meal, translate song lyrics, write a poem, play a game and put on a humorous skit – all in a language other than their own.

Laundress

Satisfy examiners with a blouse and a stiff shirt front washed, starched, and ironed by herself.

As part of the Life Skills Badge, Guides learn about garment care label symbols and help with the family laundry.

Matron

PRACTICAL: To have kept house and done cooking, written down accounts by herself satisfactorily, on parents’ statement during a week; OR THEORETICAL: Storekeeping: State what articles (the least) should be in readiness for cleaning, and cooking, and food. LINEN: Say how much linen is required for so many patients. State what articles. ACCOUNTS: Describe method of bookkeeping. Show knowledge of rule of three arithmetic. CLEANING: Method of cleaning pans, brasses, and steel; polished furniture or boards.

Guides today learn about the care and use of appliances, hand tools, and electric tools, help with weekly chores, garbage and recycling separation, and laundry, learn how to write a cheque and fill out deposit and withdrawl slips, and tackle a related activity of their own choice to earn their Life Skills Badge.

Musician

A Guide must be able to play a musical instrument correctly. Either to read simple piano music, such as accompaniment at sight OR to play properly any kind of flute, and sing a song.

In the Music Fan Badge, Guides make an instrument and use it to accompany a song and produce a musical evening with their unit. To earn the Singing Badge, Guides sing a song in a round, sing different types of songs, hold a karaoke party, plan a sing-along with an audience, plan a Teen Idol party, lead younger girls in a singalong, learn about the career of a Canadian singer, and put together their own singing group.

Naturalist (Stalking in 1909)

A Guide must have taken a series of twenty photographs or wild animals or birds from life; OR, must make a collection of sixty species of wildflowers, ferns, or grasses, dried and mounted in a book and correctly named. Must track a bicycle or other vehicle over a mile, or track a “hare” with beans or paper. Make coloured drawings of twenty flowers, ferns or grasses, or twelve sketches from life of animals and birds; or be able to name sixty different kinds of animals, insects, reptiles, or birds in a museum or zoological garden, or from unnamed coloured plates, and give particulars of the lives, habits, appearance, and markings of twenty of them.

Today’s Guides learn about plant and animal life in a chosen location, find out about and be able to identify three mammals or birds, invertebrates, and plants, learn more about one living creature, note the seasonal changes in their chosen location, play Kim’s game, learn about cover, camouflage and wind direction, and show how to move quietly through undergrowth and long grass, and solve a tracking story or play a wide game to earn their Naturalist Badge.

Needlewoman (Tailor in 1909)

Guides should, as a rule, make their own skirts and knickers, and hospital clothing for patients. Bring two garments made and cut out entirely by herself; and sew on hooks and eyes and buttons. Make a buttonhole, and bring examples of darning and patching.

As part of the Needlework Skills Badge, Guides learn how to sew on a button, pin and stitch a hem, repair a piece of clothing and use a sewing machine. The Fashion Badge asks girls to find out about past fashion trends and design their own, donate outgrown clothing, use a sewing machine, hold a fashion show, discuss current fashions, plan a replacement wardrobe, and learn about traditional dress around the world. 

Pathfinder (Local Guide in 1909)

Know every lane and bypath and short cut at least one mile round, and five miles general knowledge. Know general direction of the principal towns for twenty-five miles round headquarters’ room, and be able to give strangers guidance. Know how many livery stables, corn merchants, bakers, or butchers within about a mile. Name where to find police, doctors, hospital, telegraph or telephone, or fire station, or turncocks, or blacksmith, as selected. Describe estimate of how many public buildings, schools, halls, etc. are capable of being turned into hospitals. Estimate probable number of patients they would hold, without entering or asking. Bring written history of the place and old buildings, under three hundred words, or make a large scale map of the place.

As part of the Streetwise Badge, Guides draw a map of their local community noting potential hazards and places to get help, and learn how to read a street map and give directions. The Provincial Heritage Badge and Heritage Badge ask girls to visit historic sites, museums or buildings in their community. In the Discover your Community section of the program, Guides create a pamphlet, map, model, collage or poster about their community.

Pioneer

A Guide must satisfy examiners in – Measuring heights of tower, chimney, spire, or tree, width of river or field, by system given. Fell a nine-inch tree to the required direction, or chop firewood neatly. Build small model bridge by herself for crossing river, or else bring a wooden stool, or bracket, or box with lid, of her own making. Build a hut of one kind or another suitable for three occupants; OR make a camp kitchen for thirty people.

Guides now develop their camping skills through the Camp Out, Basic Camper, and Experienced Camper Badges. They learn about using a camp stove, dressing for the weather, using a compass, trail signs, knots and gadgets, and how to put up a tent as part of the Explore the Outdoors and Nature section of the program.

Rifle Shot

Pass tests in judging distances, 300 and 600 yards. Miniature rifle shooting, any position. N.R.A. target, 20 rounds at 15 or 25 yards. 80 out of 100.

While shooting is not found anywhere within the Guide Program, the Northwest Territories offers a challenge, Safety Around Firearms, that girls can earn.

Sick Nurse (Nursing Sister in 1909)

Questions on thermometers, room and clinical. Ventilation, sanitation, warming. Prevention of infection, antiseptics. Show lifting patient in blanket and poles. Show changing helpless patient’s sheets. Show narrow or broad roller bandaging. Show fracture boards. Show improvised bed rest or cradles. Show how to remove clothes in cases of fracture, burning, or fits. Questions on dressing wounds and fomentations. Questions on method of feeding helpless patients, and symptoms to know, and the care of, various chief ailments, such as measles or scarlet fever, bronchitis or small-pox. Show making beef-tea, gruel, or poultices, OR, describe method of dealing with an accident from sewer, gas, electricity, ice breaking, or runaway horses.

Today’s Guides may not learn about nursing or caring for the sick, but they do learn first aid, how to deal with emergencies, and about personal safety through the First Aid, Fire Safety, and Streetwise Badges, and the Learn About Safety section of the program. Guides can also learn about eating a balanced diet, food groups, how to read food labels, the importance of different nutrients, and community programs through the Healthy Eating Badge. Part of the Body Works Badge has Guides learn about the workings of the human body, interview a medical worker, complete a health-related service project, and learn to take their own pulse.

Signaller

Pass tests in both sending and receiving Semaphore and Morse signalling by flag. Not fewer than twenty-four letters per minute. At least six messages (preferably spelt backwards). (Two points deducted for every letter omitted.) Read and give signals by sound, or make correct smoke and flame signals with a fire. Show method of signalling with the staff.

Guides now learn about different methods of communication through the Business Communications and Interpreting, as well as the Build Skills in Communication section of the program, which explores listening skills, non-verbal communication, good communication style, and communicating through the arts..

Swimmer

Unless certified unfit by doctor – Swim fifty yards in clothes, skirt, and boots. Demonstrate diving, artificial respiration, flinging a life-line, flinging a lifebuoy, saving the drowning.

Today’s Swimming Badge includes learning about water, boating and ice safety, throwing a life line, rescue breathing, performing a standing dive, swimming 150 metres using different strokes, make a standing stride entry into deep water, floating or treading water, and demonstrating the HELP and Huddle positions.

Telegraphist

Elementary electricity; able to read and send Morse Code. 

Technology has changed over time and today’s girls use computers as part of their daily lives. The Computer Skills Badge teaches girls about internet safety and rules, uses for computers, careers, parts of a computer, using word processing and other programs, building a webpage and exploring web sites and games.