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May 2002 West Vancouver Historical Society Page 7 Girl Guides on the North Shore Although Girl Guide companies were established in Canada in 1910, the first groups did not come into being on the North Shore until 1921. In that year West Vancouver (under the leadership of Ruth Robinson) and North Vancou- ver (led by Gertrude and Dolly Barwise) enrolled their first members in what was to become a large movement and an important part of our heritage. In those days, as most of us know, North Shore communities were scattered and somewhat isolated, with communication usually being by boat, or just plain hiking over the trails which were then in existence. Social activi- ties were sometimes difficult to arrange. However, in 1911, it was learned that Vancouver had a Boy Scout group which met at St. James Church and Phyllis James (better known in later years as Phyl Monday) asked their Scout Master if there could be a Girl Scout company as well. The answer was obviously "yes", tind so Phyll's mother, Beatrice James, was appointed the Scout mistress. Imagine their chagrin when tliey found out a few months later there was actually a Girl Guide company meeting at the First Presbyterian Church. It was named the 1st Vancouver company, so the Girl Scouts were rapidly renamed as the 2nd Vancouver Girl Guide company. Obviously several girls from the North Shore were eager to join Guides and must have had to make great efforts to get to Vancouver on meeting nights. Tlie daugh- ter of the first keeper at the Capilano Light Station in West Vancouver, Dorotliy Harris (later Harrop), was rowed across the Inlet by her father so that she could attend her Guiding meetings. The Boy Scout organisation was formed in 1908, shortly after the cessation of the Boer War, by Sir Robert Baden-Powell. The intention was to foster a sense of competence and adventure into young lads who might otlierwise be unable to find an outlet for their boundless energy. The idea caught on like wildfire and boys joined up in the thou.sands. Their sisters were most envious and longed to join in - so much so tliat, in September 1909 at a Boy Scout Rally, held at the Crystal Palace in London, two 16 year old girls (wearing Scout hats and carrying broom- sticks) joined in die march past at the tail end. On being asked by Baden-Powell, What are you?", they replied that they were Girl Scouts. They must have impressed B-P, because he asked his sister Agnes to start a girls' organisa- tion. She did, (they were called the Girl Guides), and from that day on, they have really never looked back. Now, all these years later, there can hardly be a family among our membership which has not had at least one sister, cousin or friend, who has loved meeting the challenge which Brownies and Guides have presented to them over the generations. In the 1960's especially, hardly an issue of "Tlie Lions Gale Times” went to press without carrying many inches of column dedicated to covering the many camps and fund-raising events of the various North Shore Guides and tlieir leaders. By: Anne Vernon The year 2001 saw Guiding on the North Shore celebrating 80 years of meetings, obtaining badges (in more skills than you can imagine), fund raising, camping (where many outdoor and survival skills were learned), and - most of all - experiencing comradeship and having fun, fun, and more fun! So many changes have taken place over the years, in outlook, skills and uniforms, to mention only a few, that recently, to celebrate their 80 years, many Guiders, past and present, put their varied skills together and produced a book which they have entitled: "Tracing Lions Heritage: History of Girl Guiding in Lions Area, BC1921 - 2001", (Lions Area, formed in 1971, now includes North and West Vancouver, the Sechelt peninsula and Squamish north to D'Arcy). Much of the information in this article is taken from it. There is, of course, much more in the book itself, and many excellent photographs of individuals and groups. It is a good read, (especially for those of you who may have participated during some of those 80 years) and it is a lovely way to preserve a special part of the history of the North Shore. One thing stands out clearly. Guiding's excellent leadership has ensured that girls today enjoy just as good training for life in the 21st century as they did in the 20th century. Guiding is as relevant today as it was 80 years ago. West Vancouver Guides are in good hands and will surely prosper for many years to come. ^4;4c:(;4:4:3|c4c:(: The following photographs, below and on page 1, are from the book and reproduced by permission of the printers. GUIDES NOW: "Guides display the new book at their recent Book Launch Party". This new Guiding history is available at the Lions Area Guide Shop, 1755 Capilano Road. Call 604-987-2922 for hours open.