Celebrating Thinking Day

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“I promise that I will do my best, to love my God, to serve my Queen and my country, to help other people and to keep the Guide law.” This is the oath Hailey Queg, 12, from Bermuda High School and Lauren Desousa from Somersfield Academy, 10, took when they first decided to become a Girl Guide and live by the six Guide laws.

The girls are getting ready for their annual Thinking Day, held once every year on the closest Sunday before or after February 22. It’s a celebration they look forward to every year. This year the service will be held at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Hamilton on February 19 at 3pm. Members of Girlguiding Bermuda will march from the City Hall car park to the Cathedral at approximately 2.30pm.

Three years ago there was a conference in Ireland and delegates decided to hold Thinking Day on February 22 because it was the birthday of the Scouting/Guiding founder Robert Baden-Powell and his wife Olive Baden-Powell, World Chief Guide. Thinking Day was renamed to be World Thinking Day.

“We start with a march through Hamilton and we end at The Holy Trinity Cathedral. There’s a church service and hundreds of Girl Guides and Brownies come from all over the Island,” Hailey and Lauren explained. “It’s an exciting experience. We sing songs and act out skits. The skits are always about the theme; last year’s skit was about empowering women. This year’s theme is about the environment. Anyone is allowed to come and join in on the celebrations.”

Reflecting on her Guiding experience, Hailey stated that she joined because: “It seemed fun. They do a lot of volunteering and activities, and you earn badges, and connect with the community and meet new people and make new friends.”

Lauren joined because, “I heard about it, and it looked like everyone had a lot of fun. It looked like you would learn a lot of cool things as well.”

This is Hailey’s second year as a Girl Guide, but she was a Brownie for one and a half years before. This is Lauren’s first year as a Girl Guide but she’s been in Girl Scouts for five and a half years.

“I feel proud because I’m part of a big organisation on such a small island,” said Lauren.

In order to join Girl Guides, you have to go through a promise ceremony. You wear a green tie called a neckle. Your parents are invited to come and you have to quote the oath. Once you join, you’re separated into your age group. Girls aged three to six are Rainbows, seven to nine are Brownies, 10 to14 are Girl Guides and 15 and up are Rangers.

“It’s a lot of fun and we learn a lot of things and we get many opportunities to be involved with the community through volunteer work. We’ve attended Thinking Days, gone camping, had sleepovers and tag days. We do indeed get community service hours when we volunteer. Depending on the season, we might make Christmas decorations for church, or play arts and crafts games that teach us about the world,” the girls concluded.

They are convinced you won’t want to be the one to miss out on Thinking Day as it is such and uplifting event. Admission is free and the attendance of the public stands for general support and appreciation for the girls’ hard work.

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