Get your daughter involved in an extracurricular activity where she can build her confidence and have fun. This after-school program offers the widest range of experiences where she can explore everything she wants to be. Today, she can try out the program that does just that!
Girl Guides of Canada invites you and your daughter to take part in its Try Now, Join Later pilot initiative, where your daughter can participate in the remaining Guiding year, at no cost to you! *
Download application form
Button: Download the registration form
Who can participate?
Try Now, Join Later is a pilot initiative open to girls between 5-17 years old, who are not currently taking part in a Girl Guides unit. At this time, the pilot is open to girls in Alberta (except Calgary and Edmonton), British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, PEI, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and Yukon. Click here if you live in Ontario or Nunavut .
How does it work?
Families interested in taking part will need to complete an application form. To submit, you will need to save the form to your desktop or device and complete it. Then, print the form, sign it and email it to membership@girlguides.ca with the subject line: Try Now, Join Later. Applications are accepted starting April 1. There are no registration fees involved.
Our teams across the country will try to match your daughter to the best available unit near you. (Please note that there might be some cases where there are no units with available space.)
Once she’s been matched, a Girl Guides team member will be in touch to let you know where she’s been placed and when the next meeting takes place. Then, she can start attending meetings! The volunteers, or Guiders, leading the unit will also be informed of your daughter’s placement and may also reach out at this time.
Your daughter will be able to participate in the unit from the time you’re registered until June, or the unit’s last meeting date for the year. (Please note this date will vary depending on the unit, most will have their last meetings in May or June).
Bonus Opportunity
Try Now, Join Later pilot participants will receive a priority status for registering your daughter in the 2019-2020 Guiding year. This means that you will be able to secure a space before the registration period is open to the public. More information will be sent to participating families in late May.
FAQs
Q: *Are there any costs involved?
A: With Try Now, Join Later you won’t be charged the registration fee for your daughter to participate in a unit. However, if the unit organizes any events or activities as a group, there may be an associated fee.
Q: What will your daughter be able to take part in?
A: She will able to participate in unit meetings where she can explore activities in STEM, leadership, community building, the outdoors, and more!
The unit may have planned and fundraised for additional activities, such as sleepovers, camps or other excursions. Whenever possible they will try and accommodate your daughter (additional costs may apply), however this might not be possible in all cases. Speak to your unit’s Unit Guider to find out more.
Q: Are there age restrictions?
A: Girls between 5 and 17 years old are invited to register for the Try Now, Join Later program.
Q: What branch will she participate in?
A: Please reference the chart below to see which branch your daughter is eligible for. Depending on your daughter’s age, she may have the option to try a lower branch or the next branch up to get an idea of what comes next!
| Birth Year/Age by Dec 31, 2019 |
Try Now, Join Later |
2019-2020 Guiding year |
| 2014 |
5 |
Sparks |
Sparks |
| 2013 |
6 |
Sparks |
Sparks |
| 2012 |
7 |
Sparks or Brownies |
Brownies |
| 2011 |
8 |
Brownies |
Brownies |
| 2010 |
9 |
Brownies or Guides |
Guides |
| 2009 |
10 |
Guides |
Guides |
| 2008 |
11 |
Guides |
Guides |
| 2007 |
12 |
Guides or Pathfinders |
Pathfinders |
| 2006 |
13 |
Pathfinders |
Pathfinders |
| 2005 |
14 |
Pathfinders |
Pathfinders |
| 2004 |
15 |
Pathfinders or Rangers |
Rangers |
| 2003 |
16 |
Rangers |
Rangers |
| 2002 |
17 |
Rangers |
Rangers |
You can also visit our website if you’d like a little bit more information about each branch.
Sparks (ages 5 and 6)
Brownies (ages 7 and 8)
Guides (ages 9 to 11)
Pathfinders (ages 12 to 14)
Rangers (ages 15 to 17)
Q: Is my daughter guaranteed a place?
A: We will do our best to try and place your daughter in a unit with room close to you. In some cases, there might not be any units with capacity. Regardless, we’ll contact you with this information and instructions on what to do next. Registration is on a first come, first served basis.
Q: When can my daughter start attending meetings?
A: Girls must be fully registered before attending any meetings. Once you’ve emailed your registration form to membership@girlguides.ca (subject line: Try Now, Join Later), our teams across the country will work to process your application and do their best to match your daughter with a unit. After the placement is confirmed, you’ll be informed about the unit information and when she can start attending meetings.
Q: Will my daughter need a uniform?
A: Girls in the Try Now, Join Later pilot are not required to wear the Girl Guide uniform. After being placed in a unit, we suggest speaking to your Unit Guider to work out the best solution for you. However, if you wish to purchase the uniform or other Guiding related clothing you may do so on our online store.
Q: I’m having trouble emailing my registration form.
A: Forms need to be completed and signed by parent or guardians in order to be processed. If you’re having trouble sending it by email, you can mail your form to this address.
Try Now, Join Later
c/o Member Relations Department
Girl Guides of Canada
50 Merton Street, Toronto, ON, M4S 1A3