Girl Guides of Canada needs more adult volunteers to help with their weekly meetings and distribute their popular Girl Guide cookies, which are available this spring. (Girl Guides of Canada)

By Jordan Davidson

guiders needed

‘Make a difference in the life of a girl:’ more adult volunteers needed for Island Girl Guides

Mar 13, 2024 | 3:58 PM

NANAIMO — While their cookies are always in high demand, something in short supply with Girl Guides Canada right now are adult volunteers to help run their programs.

Over seven million Canadian girls have been involved in Girl Guides in the last century to help prepare girls for life’s challenges through mentoring and confidence-building programs.

Commissioner for the Pacific Shores Girl Guides area Amanda Gillmore said demand to join their programs is so high, some groups currently have a waitlist to join.

“One of our challenges is that we need more adults to help out our Girl Guide units, and we know that these women are busier than ever, and it’s definitely a wonderful organization to be a part of.”

Gillmore’s area covers 11 districts from the Malahat to the northern tip of Vancouver Island, including Powell River and Salt Spring Island.

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Girl Guides Canada has programs for girls from the ages of 5-17, and plenty of volunteer opportunities for adults. Meetings are held during the school year once a week, along with monthly experiences and camps during the summer. (Girl Guides Canada)

Gillmore said you don’t need to have a child in Girl Guides in order to volunteer, you just need to be over the age of 19.

“Anyone can become an adult volunteer…I’ve been a volunteer for almost 12 years, and I truly love what I do with Girl Guides. Anyone can become a volunteer, it’s just a matter of going to our website, filling out a quick little application online.”

Training for volunteers will be provided to join the team of adult ‘guiders’, who also help with their popular cookie program.

She said their chocolate and vanilla Girl Guides cookies are available this spring, with more information, including a ‘Cookie Finder’ locator, available at their website, girlguides.ca.

“There is so many opportunities,” Gillmore told NanaimoNewsNOW. “Joining us as a volunteer of BC Girl Guides, besides becoming a member of one of the largest women’s organizations in the world, you’ll make a difference in the life of a girl, you invest in the future of our communities, develop a sense of purpose, build friendships and have fun.”

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow