How we do it
Through a unique value based non-formal educational approach, Girl Guiding creates empowering youth learning experiences. This is defined by everything that a young person experiences as a Girl Guide over the time they are taking part in the youth programme.
The Guiding Approach underpins everything we do and it is based on the Fundamental Principles which are clearly expressed in the Guide Promise and Law. The original Promise and Law were developed at the beginning of the Guide Movement’s history over a hundred years ago. Each of our Branches has an age-appropriate version.
How we do it
Progressive self-development
The non-formal education methodology practiced in the Guiding Movement points the way to different avenues of exploration, and the girl chooses her route and proceeds with her chosen activities at her own pace, exercising self-motivation and freedom of choice.
Learning by doing
Each member enjoys a variety of stimulating activities and challenges that encourage the individual to contribute to the best of her ability to ensure the success of her group’s activities.
Teamwork through the patrol system
Baden Powell defined the Patrol as “a small natural group of six to eight under the leadership of one of themselves where each individual has an indispensable part to play”. The Patrol System encourages teamwork and the formation of friendships, self-expression, and the development of joint and individual responsibility. Ladybirds begin by working in small groups that change weekly or even during the meeting. As they progress into Brownies the girls belong to Sixes, while in Guides, the Patrols the girls belong to become their core group. This progression is essential to the development of leadership, teamwork and self-awareness.
Service to the community
The Guide Movement does not place its members in a world apart, but strives to increase their involvement in their own community.
Relationship with nature
Living out-of-doors encourages self-sufficiency and determination, and helps members discover the tranquility and harmony of nature for themselves. An appreciation of the natural world is essential at a time when our environment is under threat, and the environmental theme is now strong in many Guiding activities.
Active co-operation between young people and adults
Guiding sees adults working side by side with the young members in a system of co-operation that helps to dispel the illusion of the generation gap.
International experience
Members are encouraged to participate in international experiences such as attending seminars, camps or events throughout the world in other member countries or at one of the World Centres.
The non-formal education methodology practiced in the Guiding Movement points the way to different avenues of exploration, and the girl chooses her route and proceeds with her chosen activities at her own pace, exercising self-motivation and freedom of choice.
Each member enjoys a variety of stimulating activities and challenges that encourage the individual to contribute to the best of her ability to ensure the success of her group’s activities.
Baden Powell defined the Patrol as “a small natural group of six to eight under the leadership of one of themselves where each individual has an indispensable part to play”. The Patrol System encourages teamwork and the formation of friendships, self-expression, and the development of joint and individual responsibility. Ladybirds begin by working in small groups that change weekly or even during the meeting. As they progress into Brownies the girls belong to Sixes, while in Guides, the Patrols the girls belong to become their core group. This progression is essential to the development of leadership, teamwork and self-awareness.
The Guide Movement does not place its members in a world apart, but strives to increase their involvement in their own community.
Living out-of-doors encourages self-sufficiency and determination, and helps members discover the tranquility and harmony of nature for themselves. An appreciation of the natural world is essential at a time when our environment is under threat, and the environmental theme is now strong in many Guiding activities.
Guiding sees adults working side by side with the young members in a system of co-operation that helps to dispel the illusion of the generation gap.
Members are encouraged to participate in international experiences such as attending seminars, camps or events throughout the world in other member countries or at one of the World Centres.
How we do it
A key to the success of every Unit is that the girls are involved in as many decisions as possible and play a large part in the organising of the programme (depending on the girls’ ages and abilities), but behind the scenes the success of everything that happens in the Unit largely depends on the Leadership Team.
Irish Girl Guides is built on the ethos of volunteering and all our members volunteer for the various roles in managing this organisation. IGG employs a small number of staff to support the volunteers at both local and national levels and both staff and volunteers are recognised for the vital role they play in ensuring we achieve our mission.
Our Leaders use the principles above to shape all they do with their girls at their weekly meetings and events. The responsibility of leadership is shared between all the Leaders of a Unit and the girls themselves.
Each Leader supports the development of the girls’ leadership skills. Girls and women can gain qualifications within the Irish Girl Guides and can build great friendships with like-minded community-oriented people.
Our members develop good self-esteem and learn resilience in a world full of challenges by overcoming their fears, supporting others, learning skills and participating in events with other people. Girl Guides offers excellent value for money as an after-school activity. Often, however, we find that what starts as an after-school activity, grows into a way of living and a positive way to approach life’s adventures. Along your daughter’s journey, we will endeavour to support and encourage her to develop to her full potential as a responsible citizen of the world.
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Irish Girl Guides has approximately 10,000 youth and adult members in Ireland. We are a youth-driven, dynamic organisation offering a varied and exciting programme for girls and young women aged 5-30.