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Ms Tan Ah Bitt (Far Left)- GGS Volunteer Which years were you involved in Guiding and in what capacity? 1978-1981                      Girl Guides CCA – Company Leader 1982-1984                     Ranger – 12th Senior Branch (Central) 1985 to Present            Ranger Guider 2004-2009                   Volunteer Adult Leader – CHIJ Katong Convent (Received a Partners-in-Education Award in 2009 from CHIJ KC) 2011-2018                     Ranger Guider &  Camp Committee Member   Please share with us a few of your thoughts on how Guiding has shaped you/your character and impacted you as a Guider? The Guide Promise, Guide Law and Guide Motto ‘Be Prepared’ has guided me. In my teenage years, the 5-Point Programme developed me to handle different aspects of life. I was given opportunities to exercise my creativity, innovativeness and leadership. Proficiency badges challenged me to explore a wide variety of interest areas. My desire to join the Rangers was fuelled by the many Guiders & Commissioners whom I got to know. They taught me knowledge and skills which often extended beyond the Guide Handbook basics. They showed me the heart of Guiding by living out BP’s Spirit. Like the song goes, “I’ve got the BP Spirit ..Where?… Deep in my heart! Our 12th Senior Branch Ranger Unit did a lot of yeomanship, such that “Be Prepared to Lend a Helping Hand” became my motto in my daily living. I shared the Guide Promise with the world in 1988 by representing Singapore at the Mountain Spirit Programme in Alberta, Canada as a Guider. In 1993, I represented GGS at the Ship for South East Asia Youth Programme, where my Guiding leadership skills really helped me perform in my role as Assistant Youth Leader for the Singapore Contingent. How are you involved in Guiding today?  As a Ranger Guider, I train young adult leaders to bring the best out of them. Volunteering as a Camp Committee member over the last 7 years has enabled me to contribute my knowledge and skills. I conduct Knots and Lashing workshops and take on different responsibilities in GGS’ annual and international camps. My hope is that more Brownies, Guides and Guiders will learn to keep the spirit of lifelong learning and have useful Guiding skills to help others. What are some word of encouragement do you have for our Guiders today in impacting the lives of their girls? We cannot know immediately the impact of our Girl Guide teaching but we see it later when the girls become contributing citizens, mothers, grandmothers, whatever they want to be. Just ‘be prepared’ to share your love for this game of Guiding with all girls. Your time amd presence is the gift to girls and women of the future! Teach them well and you will know the intangible rewards of happiness, love, joy and gratitude. It is very satisfying to see the spirit of Guiding shining strongly in the many who continue to further the Guiding mission – this is the heart and the sisterhood of Guiding.  

Ms Shainaz Banu (Right) – GGS Volunteer Which years were you involved in Guiding and in what capacity? I started as a Brownie in 2000 before moving on to join Girl Guides in 2003 and Young Adults (YA) from 2007 to 2015. I embarked on my volunteer journey by joining the Camp Committee in 2016 and became a Brownie Guider in 2017. Please share with us a few of your thoughts on how Guiding has shaped you/your character and impacted you as a Guider? Guiding has fuelled my passion for the outdoors and adventure, from camping, kayaking to playing sports. The Guide Law and Promise have shaped my character and moral values, encouraging me always to help others in need and to pass on my knowledge. My work roles in the education service previously and now in GGS involves supporting trainers who run courses and camps, such as BTC and PLTC. What are some word of encouragement do you have for our Guiders today in impacting the lives of their girls? Our girls always look up to their Guiders and remember everything you do for them. We should always try our best to make their Guiding experience as meaningful as possible so that they see value in what they learn and want to pass on their knowledge and apply their skills to help others. This was how my Guiders impacted me in the past, and that is how I want to impact my girls in the future!  

Ms Shainaz Banu (Right) – GGS Volunteer Which years were you involved in Guiding and in what capacity? I started as a Brownie in 2000 before moving on to join Girl Guides in 2003 and Young Adults (YA) from 2007 to 2015. I embarked on my volunteer journey by joining the Camp Committee in 2016 and became a Brownie Guider in 2017. Since YEAR, I have taken on a part-time Administrative Executive role at GGS to support YA branch activities, assist with training courses and camps, and coordinate special projects, such as the GGS NDP contingent. Please share with us a few of your thoughts on how Guiding has shaped you/your character and impacted you as a Guider? Guiding has fuelled my passion for the outdoors and adventure, from camping, kayaking to playing sports. The Guide Law and Promise have shaped my character and moral values, encouraging me always to help others in need and to pass on my knowledge. My work roles in the education service previously and now in GGS involves supporting trainers who run courses and camps, such as BTC and PLTC. What are some word of encouragement do you have for our Guiders today in impacting the lives of their girls? Our girls always look up to their Guiders and remember everything you do for them. We should always try our best to make their Guiding experience as meaningful as possible so that they see value in what they learn and want to pass on their knowledge and apply their skills to help others. This was how my Guiders impacted me in the past, and that is how I want to impact my girls in the future!

Dear Members, Please be informed that Guide Shop will be closed from 26 to 28 February 2019 (Tues to Thurs) for stocktaking, due to audit requirements. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

This Teacher’s Day, Girl Guides Singapore is celebrating amazing teachers – past and present – who do so much for their students.

As Guiders and adult leaders, teachers wear many different hats. They give of their hearts, time and energies to make learning impactful and fun, both inside and outside the classroom. They nurture the girls in their care, from Brownies to Girl Guides, motivating each one to discover their talents and their fullest potential. Because of their dedication and encouragement, generations of girls have been empowered to grow into confident and successful women leaders. Today, we also want to specially acknowledge the many inspiring teachers whose Girlguiding experiences have shaped their values and actions in their chosen vocation. They have touched countless lives and contributed to creating life-changing experiences and memories. Amongst them are two inspiring retired teachers, Mrs Penny Chee and Mrs Lee Gek Kim – both of whom continue to be actively involved with GGS and Guiding. Mrs Koh-Teh Yi Wen shares her thoughts as a teacher and Guider in the 21st century. Read and be inspired by their stories –

• Mrs Penny Chee – Poor schoolboy in National Day Parade meets kind teacher again – after 46 years

• Mrs Lee Gek Kim – It changed my life : Her list of ex-students reads like a who’s who of Singapore

• Mrs Koh-Teh Yi Wen – My teacher, my guiding light

Let’s all take some time out this week to say “Thank You” to all Guiders and teachers – the role models and mentors who have played or continue to play a pivotal role in developing girl and women leaders who make our world a better place! Are you interested in working with girls or other adult volunteers? Find out more at Get Involved.

Our office and Guide Shop will be closed on Thursday, 9 August 2018. We will resume operations on Friday, 10 August 2018

The most significant Guiding experience that is shared by every Brownie, Guide and Young Adult, must be the Enrolment Ceremony. I remember the day I was enrolled as a Guide. I felt proud to be in the full uniform, marching with the Company and Colour Party into a horseshoe formation. I remembered the Patrol Leader presenting me to the Commissioner, who asked “do you know what your honour means?” to which I replied, “Yes – it means I am to be trusted”. Every part of the ceremony was meaningful. We recited the Guide Promise and saluted the Colours -comprising the National and Guide flags – to signify loyalty to our country, Coy and Movement. The Coy sang a song to welcome the newly-enrolled Guides. The Captain’s message reminded us that “each one has a rightful place in the Coy/Movement with a duty on hand, and that performing one’s duty shows up one’s usefulness”. The sense of loyalty, trust and friendship moved me to serve the Movement and other people. What hasn’t changed about Guiding over the years is its focus on adventure, observation, general knowledge, creative ideas, and holistic learning through healthy, happy activities. Together with our Promise and Law, our motto ‘Be Prepared’ and the Good Turn, it’s all about helping our girls to develop in body, mind and spirit, so that they can help others.

Our 66 years of Guiding together has been a journey of receiving and giving. We began as a Guides, became Patrol Seconds and Patrol Leaders, and later earned the Queen’s Guides Award. Guiding expanded our knowledge beyond the ordinary as we earned badges like Astronomy and Birdwatcher. We also experienced the world through visits to Our Chalet in Switzerland, participation in the Windsor Camp and trainings at Foxlease and Waddow Hall in the UK. We imbibed lasting values – trustworthiness, thrift, caring for mankind and animals – through the Guide Laws. We enjoyed the outdoors and camaraderie through numerous camps, campfires and hikes. We had many adventures and lots of fun. We are both still actively involved in Guiding today. Our hope is to give girls of today an enriching experience and enable them to chart their own exciting journey in Guiding. Once a Guide, always a Guide!