World Thinking Day had the Guiding community ponder leadership

Mika Turner and Maggie Terrill teamed up to make organic granola bars under the supervision of leader Rosemary Vail, who encourages potential volunteers to visit girlguides.ca to find out more.

World Thinking Day (WTD) is celebrated around the world every Feb. 22 since 1926.

WTD is one of the most important days on the Guiding calendar as Sparks, Embers and Pathfinders gather and ponder the big issues worldwide.

This year’s theme was a celebration of women and guiding which was explored through different activities and presentations. A total of 70 girls and their leaders gathered for a day of fellowship where, collectively, they get to try so many new things. They challenge themselves to step out of their comfort zones to learn and acquire new skills.

Robin Heffner, an Ember leader, opened the day with an introduction of the theme and outlined the activities were planned for the group. There were hands-on activities as well as special guests to give presentations.

Megan Patterson from the Stratford-Perth Museum was on hand to give the girls a demonstration on butter-making. First, they explored types of milk and where it comes from, then, armed with a jar full of cream, they proceeded to shake, shake, shake the cream until a ball of butter was formed. The butter was washed with water to remove the remaining butter milk then lightly salted. The Guides gobbled up the butter on rolls and said it was better than what they had at home.

Rosemary Vail had the pleasure of overseeing the creation of granola bars using organic ingredients. Through teamwork and cooperation, they learned about measuring and mixing ingredients to create a delicious snack all could enjoy.

St. John Ambulance medical first responder Beth Wattam spent time teaching the basics of first aid with hands-on exploration of bandages, heart-and-blood pressure monitors, a medical first responder’s kit, epi pens and puffers for breathing among other things. The girls excitedly took each other’s vitals and bandaged each other up.

The police came to talk. Const. Wanda Hughes and dispatcher Briar McLeod fielded questions about their jobs, tools of the job like her most valuable tool, her voice, which is used in a variety of ways depending on the situation. There was a great deal of interest about the tools on the constable’s belt. Every year for a full week, the constables train just with the equipment on their belt so they can grab it in an instant on instinct.

The fire department brought one of their water trucks to the venue so the Guides could climb through. The department was represented by Chris Beach, Jeff Allen, Seth Knox and Steve Ford who discussed 911, fielded questions from the audience and dressed leader Sparkles in the 70 pounds of gear they wear when they fight fires. Upon leaving, Beach was beaming and said he had a lot of fun answering their questions.

Self defense was also on the agenda with mother-son team Anna and Corson Winter from Kickmasters Karate and Kickboxing. They are both first-degree blackbelts and led the group through punches and kicks, and the challenge of standing from a seated cross-legged position without hands which had some participants roaring with laughter after failed attempts.

Days like this would not be possible if not for the dedicated leaders who volunteer to help shape the lives of youth every week. Volunteering is fun, rewarding, challenging and life changing. Leaders become an influential part of the girls’ lives as they share in laughter and watch as their confidence grows and they learn to believe in themselves. Fourteen children were unable to join this year as there simply were not enough leaders.

Stratford Guides leader Rosemary Vail encourages anyone considering volunteering to visit girlguides.ca. Having children is not a prerequisite to becoming a leader with the Girl Guides.