The atmosphere was vibrant, exciting and energetic as the Bermuda Girl Guides Association celebrated Thinking Day, and the 100th anniversary of the guiding movement worldwide. The celebration took place on February 21 at the Anglican cathedral.

Even before the service began, the Cathedral was filled to capacity and large crowds of people had to wait outside for the ceremony to end to follow the parade. Inside the cathedral was standing room only. The community support for the event was impressive.

Girl Guides Commissioner Denise Woodhouse spoke on the history and the future of the organisation. The Girl Guides Association was established by Robert Baden-Powell. The movement originally began with Boy Scouts in 1909. Many girls wanted to join, so in 1910 the Girl Scouts were formed. Baden-Powell met his wife Olive, who was active in the movement, in 1912. They were born on the same day, February 22, which today is known as Thinking Day for Guides around the world.

Together Lord and Lady Baden-Powell formed the following groups: Brownies, Rainbows, Guides, Rangers and Scouts. The first Brownies were founded in 1914 and the first Rainbows did not appear until 1947. Although the Guiding movement began in 1910, it didn't begin in Bermuda until 1919, and Rainbows not until the 1980s. Denise Woodhouse's words were insightful, thought-provoking and empowering.

With a theme of feeding the world's children, songs and cheers created a sense of excitement. One activity much enjoyed by the audience was the "Menu Yell," a call-and response-clapping game listing food items children would enjoy eating.

Then through a series of poems, monologues and other presentations, the representatives of each group, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, mentioned numerous fund-raising efforts and organisations supported by the Girlguiding Bermuda. For the past two years the Girl Guides Association has raised enough money to purchase water wells and mosquito nets. They encouraged the community to get involved and join them in their programme.

The audience was reminded that Bermudians are very fortunate. It was pointed out that the Girl Guides not only give back to their own community, but help numerous other countries around the world and would appreciate Bermuda's support in their future plans.

This year their main focus is feeding 100 children for one whole year. Their solution is focused on a program called 'Fill the Cup'.

The programme's aim is to fill a cup for each hungry child who attends school in countries around the world. This will better their chances of having a full life and education. The cup costs only 25 cents and it costs only $1.50 to provide food for a child for one week.

The events of the Cathedral were followed by a parade along Front Street.

As the participants were lining up, 13-year-old Rodneyka Freeman, who attends Whitney Institute, shared her thoughts on being a Guide and the afternoon's activities. She has been a Guide for three years, and explained that being a Guide was enjoyable because: "You get certain opportunities that you usually wouldn't get if you weren't in Guides, such as going away, meeting new people from across the world and learning important skills."

Guiding activities, she elaborated, included something called 'go-for-its', which are different skill-based activities.

"For example," she said, "last week we did football. We learned the basics and history of the sport. Other topics we've done are chocolate and fashion."

Of the Thinking Day service, Rodneyka enjoyed particularly, "The singing and the purpose. My favourite part was the Menu Yell, which was singing about food for children who don't have any."

Girls interested in getting involved in the movement can learn more at the head quarters, the Asser Hut, on the BHS campus.

It's open on Saturdays from 12 noon to 3p.m.