Girl Guides of Canada

Langley, BC

Mila is the recipient of the 2022 Change Maker Award. Her friend has said that "Mila helps me be calm and she is a good friend when I'm hurt."

Alert Bay, BC

Giselle is a passionate young leader and engaged Girl Guide. She has been a member of the Girl Guides of Canada National Youth Council and National Indigenous Advisory Circle in recent years; in both roles, she provided valuable insights into the direction of Guiding programs to ensure they met the needs of girls today.

Giselle was a youth delegate at the Indigenous Women’s Leadership Summit and has participated in other leadership development opportunities. She has been recognized for her contributions to her community, including with Girl Guide scholarships and school awards.

Surrey, BC

Sia, a Girl Guide in Surrey, has been busy making a difference.

For more than half of Sia’s life, she has been raising money for BC Children’s Hospital, with close to $55,000 already collected for hospital units there. Sia started on her fundraising journey as a six-year-old. Over the years, she has conducted annual fundraisers and sold lemonade, Popsicles, sundaes, hot dogs, burgers, and two years of raffle tickets. Each year, she picks a different department at BC Children’s Hospital and gives all funds raised to them. She has impacted many departments, such as the cancer ward, the pediatric intensive care unit, and research and development. 

Last year, Sia's 7th Annual Virtual Fundraiser raised close to $21,000 for the hospital’s oncology department. In 2020, Sia’s Burger Shack fundraiser resulted in Sia becoming the youngest of Surrey’s Top 25 Under 25 award winners. Her goal every year is to help as many children as possible that are in medical distress.

Vancouver, BC

Charlotte has impressed many people with her volunteering, youth work, and positive personality. She has been a member of her high school's student council for three years and the Vancouver District Student Council (VDSC). While on the VDSC, she helped organize a district wide food drive for the food bank, as well as an art exhibition for Vancouver student artists to showcase their work. The food drive was very successful with over 25,000 cans donated.

She is involved in her school's Environmental Green Club and Service Club. Recently, she adopted 14 local catch basins and regularly cleans them, making her community safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

She is a triathlon coach and uses her National Lifeguard, swim instructor, and Standard First Aid certifications at Girl Guides’ Camp Olave, in her role as camp lifeguard and counsellor. She helps empower young Guides by being very hard working, motivated and kind.

Maple Ridge, BC

Maple Ridge Girl Guide Charlize has done many shoreline and park cleanups, and was also head of the recycling team for Earth Day 2020. She has volunteered at senior homes and finds it extremely rewarding, and has said that "[s]eeing the joy that just sitting down and making a craft with them brings to their faces is amazing." 

Outside of Guiding, Charlize is the charity liaison for her school’s student council and teaches kickboxing classes. With her dad, she runs a women's self-defense course where all proceeds go to a local women's charity called Cythera House, which is a safe home for women and children to get away from abuse, homelessness, and other bad situations.

Charlize will loves to help people, and continues to do so through Guiding and her own initiatives.

North Vancouver, BC

Doggy eyes lit up with joy at West Vancouver’s BC SPCA branch in 2021 when two North Vancouver Girl Guides dropped off a bundle of new hand-made stuffed toys just for them.

These great girl leaders, Georgia, 12, and Alice, 11, stitched up the dog toys, shaped like little bears, all by themselves as part of the community service section requirement toward the completion of the Lady Baden-Powell Award with the Girl Guides of Canada.

Click this North Shore News article, to read more about their project.

Abbotsford, BC

Residents at Cottage Worthington in Abbotsford now have an art installation designed to bring them some smiles. The art was created by the Abbotsford Girl Guides, and installed on the outside of the long-term care home for all to enjoy.

The artists consisted of five age groups of Girl Guides ranging from five to 17 years old, from across the city. Each group of Guides participated by sharing their creativity and whimsy. The mastermind behind the project, Natasha, graduated high school in Abbotsford this spring and will be attending the University of the Fraser Valley to obtain her bachelor of fine arts.

Click this Abbotsford News article, to read more about Natasha's initiative.

Central Saanich, BC

Holly's nominator says: Holly is a great leader in her community and among peers, friends and family. She has gone in extra time at school to help her teacher set up the classroom and activities. Holly is also a lunch monitor and is a great mentor with her little buddy.

Grand Forks, BC

Brooklyn's nominator says: Brooklyn is always looking to help those around her, in school and in her extracurricular activities. She helps the younger students in band, and helps teachers and leaders run activities. Every year, her teachers depend on her for daily help in the classroom. She is always happy to share her knowledge to help others learn and improve.

Surrey, BC

Violet's nominator says: Violet has been jumping in to help and lead in any way she can since she was in preschool. She has always been the first kid to help out and guide the new kid in class to make them feel welcome. She is always wanting to go out and clean up the garbage off of the streets and if she sees someone who is homeless, she wants to make sure we get them some food. Her heart is big and she wants to make the world around her a better place.

Duncan, BC

Alayna's nominator says: Alayna helps in all areas of Guiding. She joined a unit as a young Brownie. Moved to Guides and then Pathfinders and Rangers. She has constantly helped with all units and age groups, whether at camp or regular meetings. She is a total asset to Guiding at Riverside in Trillium District. As well as unit activities Alayna has led Bridging activities/Camps and sleepovers for the district. Alayna joined the provincial youth forum while completing her Ranger program. She loved it. Alayna attended an international trip to Europe (Pax Lodge) just before Covid hit.

She plans on being an elementary school teacher when she completes her degree. Always willing to help and volunteer, and always reliable!

Ladysmith, BC

Ava's nominator says: Ava is a humongous presence to all of those around her. They don't always know it but she is there, observing, and ready to help anyone in need at any time, no matter what. Ava is bright and thoughtful and courageous. Ava also has empathy for days. If she sees someone upset, she takes it upon herself to always try and cheer them up or make them smile in some way. Ava will also do whatever silly thing it takes to make everyone laugh! Ava deserves something that is all her own that recognizes all of her contributions to her community around her!

Surrey, BC

Harnoor's nominator says: She likes to talk to people, helps people and always tries to help her friends when they are sad. She is open to learn and participates in different outdoor activities as well as indoor including household activities like cooking and baking. She is very compassionate and good listener. Her qualities are inspiring for others.

Surrey, BC

Isabella's nominator says: Isabella sells her crafts to raise money for the animal shelter. This summer she grew a garden and shared her crops with everyone. She has already made plans for a bigger garden next year! Globally, she sponsors a child and writes letters and sends her crafts overseas. Isabella is always on the lookout to be there for others and make them feel good. You can find her busy crafting homemade get well cards, birthday cards, care packages, goodie bags, artwork. Watching her in action is inspiring and she creates a ripple effect.

Surrey, BC

Sakura's nominator says: Sakura shows compassion and care for her fellow classmates. She is interested in learning more about her friends and being there for them if they are having a hard time with something. She has always been a very concerned and caring child. Her heart is huge and I would like for her to feel recognized for this important quality that the world needs to value more in people of all ages. She is an inspiration because, while she moved to four schools in elementary school, she continues to put herself out there when it is hard and she offers a listening ear and support to her classmates.