Guides (10/11 - 17 years)

Who are the Guides?

Guides are aged 10/11 - 17 years old. Guides meetings vary from one and half hours to two hours each week. Their activities include cookery, outdoor and life skills. Their programme leads them to organise a lot of their own meetings with the Guiders assistance. They also go on days out, weekends and weeks away both in Ireland and abroad.

What's with all the badges?

Collecting badges is the most fun part of all... As a Guide works her way through the programme she can earn Interest Badges. From intrepid explorers to aspiring makeup artists, their is something for every girl with our badges!

What is the Guide Programme?

The Guide programme is called "Count Me In" and is based on choices which are made by the Guide.

There are 7 parts to the programme:

Out of your shell - Creativity
Live and kicking - Health
Get on the trail - Out of doors
No frontiers - International
Pass it on - Communication
Make a difference - Environment
Something Special - A Special Project

The Guide Promise:

On my Honour, with the help of God I [insert name]
promise to do my best, to serve God and His Church,
to be a responsible member of the community,
to help other people at all times and to keep the Guide Law.

The Promise is taken by Guides and Guiders and is central to Guiding. In making the promise one acknowledges the fundamental principles of Guiding and in so doing becomes a committed member of the worldwide movement. Guiding personnel the world over make a similar Promise which unites them by a three part commitment to the same values and objectives:-

The determination to seek spiritual fulfilment
The agreement to contribute to society
The acceptance of a simple code: the Guide Law

The Cygnet, Brigin, Guide & Ranger Guide Promises are derived from the original Guiding PRINCIPLES presented to Guiders by the founder, Baden Powell, in 1907:-

To do my Duty to God & my country
To help other people at all times
To obey the Guide Law

The Guide Law:

A Guide can be TRUSTED
A Guide is LOYAL
A Guide is HELPFUL
A Guide is FRIENDLY
A Guide is POLITE AND CONSIDERATE
A Guide is KIND to everyone and respects all living things
A Guide is OBEDIENT
A Guide is CHEERFUL
A Guide has COURAGE - she is never afraid to do the right thing
A Guide is TIDY.
She takes care of her belongings and those of other people
A Guide is SELF-CONTROLLED in thought, word and deed
A GUIDE DOES ALL THINGS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

The GUIDE LAW represents guidelines for a way of life; it sets a standard which every guide strives to her best to meet. The Guide Law and the Promise are at the heart of Guiding.

The Guide Principles

A Guide glories in her Holy Faith and is true to it all her life
A Guide loves her country
The duty of a Guide begins in her home

The Chief Commissioner Award

The Chief Commissioner Award is a challenge for the Guide Section. Find out more information here.

What do Guides wear?

Guide neckerchief, woggle and Guide badge worn below woggle
Navy polo shirt with CGI logo
Guide sweatshirt (patrol badge worn above CGI logo)
Plain navy track suit bottoms
Trainers

Uniform to be worn at all events including Company meetings

Badge information

Right arm:

Registration badge
Diocesan badge
WAGGGS badge
Award badges
CIGA badge (optional for CIGA members)

Left arm:

Link up badges at top
Interest badges
Pl and apl pins worn on sweatshirt

Where do I buy the uniform?

Uniform items can be purchased from the CGI shop online Here

Uniform queries

If you have any queries about CGI uniforms, please email [email protected]

What is a Patrol?

In Guides we use the Patrol system as a way of making smaller groups within our Companies. Each Guide is a special member of her own patrol. Each patrol has its own name, emblem and its special patrol corner. During patrol meetings the patrol plans future meetings and carries out plans already made. The Patrol will act on the decision of the majority of its members but will also take note of minority interests and try to include them as well. Each patrol has a Patrol Leader and an Assistant Patrol Leader.

Patrol Structure

The small group or patrol system involves groups of 6/8 working together under the leadership of one of their own members. Each patrol has a Patrol Leader (PL) who is assisted by an Assistant Patrol Leader (APL). In this capacity they work as a team through most of the weekly Guiding activities.Patrols also make their own name, emblem and special patrol corner.

Patrol Leaders Council (Guides)

They have regular meetings known as Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) at which the Patrol Leaders express the views and ideas of their own patrol members and share in the running of the Company. The meeting consists of the Guiders and all the Patrol Leaders.The PLC make suggestions and plan activities within the various Guiding Programmes for the year including hikes, camps and other events.The concept of a partnership between Guiders and Guides is practised whereby discussions regarding appropriate and in-appropriate suggestions are discussed openly in the best interest of the Company.

PL Forum

A Patrol leader's forum is the meeting of all Patrol Leaders in your Region. At these Forums they exchange their views and ideas on different Guiding Topics and Social Issues. The role of the Patrol Leader (Guides) In the best interest of the Company and in order to set a high standard in word and action by the exact observance of the Guide Promise, Principles and Law the Patrol Leader has different duties and responsibilities to perform relating to work, play and administration of her patrol.

These include:-

Looking after the welfare of each Guide in her patrol and noticing all good efforts and being hardworking herself
Organising exciting programmes and carrying them out
Being responsible for the safe keeping of the Patrol equipment
Organising Patrol meetings on a regular basis
Encouraging her Assistant Patrol Leader to develop
Continuing to make progress with her own Guiding programme
Being responsible as a member of the PLC for the good name of the company
Assisting the Guider in the administration of the Company together with other Patrol Leaders

The Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders must give good example to their fellow Guides by:-

Being punctual
Wearing full and correct uniform
Being enthusiastic about all activities
Being fair to all members of the Patrol
Refraining from using bad language
Being respectful to adult Leaders

Training

The training of Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders is usually the responsibility of the Guider and is done over a day offering training on:-

How to delegate work without bossing
How to deal with minor problems
How to work as a team member

All participants receive a certificate.