Research has shown that after 99 years, the Girl Guides know how to support the women of tomorrow, grow their self-esteem, self-confidence, life skills and develop resilience.
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CEO, Helen White, said recent research which involved over 2,000 current and past members of NSW and ACT including parents and volunteers, revealed that 90 per cent of girls joined the organisation before the age of 11 because they found it provided the perfect antidote to the complex and pressured lives of young people.
"Our research showed that young girls join for the things they need at this stage of their lives: fun, meeting friends outside of school and developing new skills," Ms White said.
"Parents said they wanted their daughters to join to help them build their confidence, meet new friends and become community oriented.
"Our programs offer a connection to experiences and community that schools and busy families can't."
Ms White said the girls choose their own activities to complete, from creative pursuits to sailing, coding to cooking, orientation to fundraising as well as participating in traditional large-scale events.
Inspired by the research, a new campaign by Girl Guides NSW and ACT shines a light on the role guiding plays in supporting young women to navigate school pressures, family life and digital identity.
A Place To Grow was launched in conjunction with Girl Guides month in May, the grass-roots campaign highlights the diverse experiences on offer at Girl Guides and its relevance for the young girls of today.
Kicked off in the Wingecarribee area, A Place To Grow seeks to tell the stories of some of the one million women and girls who have been a Girl Guide in Australia.
Visit www.aplacetogrow.org.au for more information.
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