Michelle Cole, co-leader of 1st Revelstoke Guide Unit
Contributor
May 2, 2023, marked the 100th anniversary of Girls Guides being an active part of the Revelstoke community.
In 1923, Guide leaders Miss Muriel Southworth, Miss H Briggs and Miss R. Bell, and the 90 people who attended the first organizing meeting, may not have known they were creating a legacy at the time, but their efforts were the beginning of a strong tradition that still serves close to 90 girls and women of Revelstoke today.
Early Guide and Brownie meetings were held at the Drill Hall as activities included “signalling Morse Code, both with flags and telegraph keys. Bandages and knots, exercising, nature study and hygiene,” as reported in the Revelstoke Review, Oct.6, 1926.
Today, Guiding was nominated for the “Best of Revelstoke” for what it has to offer youth. The organization has changed with the times moving away from it military origins.
Girl Guides of Canada issued an apology for the Guide units held in residential schools and now has an Indigenous Advisory Council of members. Diversity, inclusion and equity guide our members and religion is no longer part of the program. The recent change from “Brownies” to “Embers” reflects this evolution of Guiding.
What is still included is the original navy-blue colour of the uniforms. The program today centers on the participants – Girls First, giving voice to the preferences and interest of the members.
This often includes the camping, backpacking, music, crafts, sports and camping listed on a historic badge on display at the Revelstoke Museum and Archives (RMA).
In commemoration of the Girl Guide centennial, the RMA has curated an exhibit case.
The exhibit opened Feb. 22, known as Thinking Day, a day of action for Guiding and Scouting around the world and the birthday of the movements’ founder, Lord Baden Powell.
The current Guide unit attended, lending energy and showing gratitude to the museum curator, Cathy English, and the curatorial intern Rachael Lewis. Locals are encouraged to visit the exhibit till August, and cookies are available for sale in the gift store.
June 24, the Revelstoke District of Guiding will hold a Centennial Tea at the Revelstoke Seniors Centre, 1 p.m., for community fun, friendship and connection.
Ticket holders will also be able to visit the museum that week, free of charge. Tickets will be available by the farmers’ markets on June 17, at the cookie selling table.
Contact Michelle Cole at 250-814-4770 for more information or to arrange for a ticket.
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@josh_piercey
josh.piercey@revelstokereview.com
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