This week come join us as we explore some of the most important parts of guiding - Openings and Closings of weekly meetings!
Sparks - Sparks Jump Up! and Sparks Gathering Song/We're Sparks
Brownies - Brownie Opening Song and Brownie Circle Songs
Guides - Guide Marching Song and Guide Law Song
Pathfinders - No formal opening song
Rangers - No formal opening song
Others/Campfires - Everywhere we go, Fire’s Burning, and We Who Have Come Here
Brownies - Brownie Closing
Guides - Taps
Pathfinders - Taps
Rangers - Taps
Others/Campfires - Go Well and Safely, Softly Falls the Light of Day, Make New Friends, On My Honour, and Say Why
We also take a glance at Girls First, the new Canadian Girl Guide Program launched in 2017. With 8 program areas and 3 program themes under each of those, the new program reaches further than before by offering activities in the areas of mental health, gender power, STEM, taking action, and money sense.
Our Famous Girl Guide for this week is Wonder Woman herself, Lynda Carter, who is so much more than just a costume and her Lasso of Truth.
Her journey started in Winslow, Arizona with waiting tables at her uncle's restaurant. However, as soon as she realized her potential in music Lynda started performing in bands and singing in Las Vegas lounges. After getting tired of singing, she later turned to acting and won her breakout role as Wonder Woman through a connection with a film producer.
Although she found financial success thanks to this role, Lynda still found it tough to be taken seriously in her career. This led to her producing her own Las Vegas variety show and began making music again. In the last decade or so, Lynda has also shared more of herself. In 2008, she shared her past struggles and recovery from addiction and alcoholism. She is an advocate and supporter of Pro-Choice rights for women, and legal equality for LGBT people.
Along with Gal Gadot, Lynda spoke in front of an audience of Girl Scouts when Wonder Woman was named an Honorary UN Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls in 2016.
You can read more about Lynda Carter at Biography.com and Encyclopedia.com. You can also read about what she's up to now, in this New York Times interview.
To wrap up, we sing the Spark’s opening song - Sparks Jump Up! and enjoy the enthusiasm of the song.
You can listen to Episode 12 now, and catch up on previous episodes, either right here on our website or on your favourite podcast app (Spotify, Apple, Google, Anchor, etc.).
We would love to know what your opening and closings you use in your units. Leave a comment below, or send us a message on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If you'd like to contribute to an episode of Guides' Own, send us your ideas for topics, program, campfire songs, etc. send a message to guidesown@gmail.com.
We can't wait to hear from you!
Marissa & Taryn