Thinking Day

Thinking Day, also known as World Thinking Day, aims to foster appreciation for diverse cultures and promote international understanding among members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). On this day, participants contemplate global issues, learn more about the international community, and take action to make a difference. This crucial tradition serves to cultivate empathy and inclusivity among WAGGGS members and encourages them to become active citizens in the 21st century.

The tradition of Thinking Day was instituted in 1926, during the fourth World Conference of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts held in England. The conference delegates wished to provide a day in which WAGGGS members could reflect and express solidarity with one another. On Thinking Day, Canadian Girl Guides and Girl Scouts focus on developing leadership skills, participating in community service projects, and engaging with global themes relevant to the lives of young girls and women around the world.

In Canada, various Girl Guide and Girl Scout groups organize diverse activities, ranging from educational workshops to community service initiatives, to observe Thinking Day. Some of these activities may involve fundraising for projects that support international development or provide essential services to communities in need. Thinking Day typically takes place on February 22 every year, as it commemorates the shared birthday of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts, and his wife Olave, who played a significant role in establishing the Girl Guides.