"A Guides’ Own is a time of reflection acceptable to all faiths. It is planned and conducted by Guides of any age."
//Guide Lines, Australia, 2012
Going back in time –
Lord Robert Baden Powell (BP), founder of the Boys Scouts, held a rally at Crystal Palace, in 1909, which 11,000 boys attended. Alongside Baden Powell, was a man by the name of "Uncle" H. Geoffrey Elwes – who had assisted BP in the formation of the Boy Scouts, and would continue to help him until Elwes’ death in 1936. However, BP and Elwes clashed over religion. Elwes believed the Scouting movement should have strong Christian faith-base, while BP placed more emphasis on the development of good character, regardless of religion. However, at Crystal Palace Rally, BP permitted Elwes to conduct a Scouts’ Own – introducing the idea to the thousands who were there. But where are the girls? At that same rally, a small group of girls, dressed in scrounged and borrowed uniform, introduced themselves to BP as Girl Scouts. As a response, BP set about creating a sister-movement for Girls, with his wife Olave and sister Agnes, as the founding leaders. The Guides’ Own, the same in format as the Scouts’ Own, but differing in name, became an important tradition for the Girl Guide Movement. |
What did a Scouts’ or Guides’ Own look like?
The first Scouts’ and Guides’ Owns consisted of songs, prayers and perhaps a yarn (or a story with a moral). They were Christian in nature, but had to be non-denominational, suitable for Scouts and Guides from all different churches. A Scout or Guides’ Own could take the place of normal Sunday church – when Scouts and Guides couldn’t attend their usual place of worship, due to being away on camp. I’m not religious – why do we still have Guides’ Own? A Guides’ Own is a celebration of spirituality and self. It is a time to think about our Promise and our Law, and how we need to be living them in our lives. It’s also a time to reflect on the past – what we’ve done and where we’ve been, as well as the future - who we are and where we are going. A Guides’ Own is a tradition, which Girl Guides and Girl Scouts have participated in for over 100 years. |