This February will mark the 100th anniversary of World Thinking Day, and we talked to Elaine, the lead volunteer for Girlguiding Scotland, to learn more about it, what makes the day special, and how we can all get involved.

What is World Thinking Day? 

World Thinking Day is a celebration of over 11 million girls worldwide that has taken place every 22 February since 1926. It’s a day for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world to think of each other, celebrate their differences and unite in their shared interests.  

Why it is it important? 

World Thinking Day is important because it’s a day for members across the world to think about the big issues affecting their local and global communities.  

This may be the 100th anniversary of World Thinking Day but empowering girls is just as important today as it was 100 years ago. Guiding offers girls a safe space in which they can share their experiences and build resilience to the challenges they may face. 

How did it begin? 

World Thinking Day began when representatives from Girl Guide and Girl Scout organisations across the globe met in the USA for the 4th world conference in 1926. During this world conference, they decided to create a day for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts everywhere to celebrate being part of an international movement.   

Why was February 22nd chosen as for this annual event/celebration? 

 They chose to mark the day on the 22 February because it was the joint birthday of Robert and Olave Baden-Powell. Olave and Robert were both important in creating Girlguiding and Olave helped make Girlguiding into what it looks like today.  

How many Girl Guides and Girl Scouts are involved annually from Scotland? 

 All of Girlguiding Scotland’s 40,000 young members will be able to get involved in some capacity, whether that’s taking part in a World Thinking Day themed activity or helping to fundraise for their unit.  

How many from around the world?  

An incredible 11.2 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts throughout the world will be taking part this year.  

Can you list some of the countries involved? 

 World Thinking Day is celebrated by the 153 countries who are members of The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). 

Some great examples are the countries where WAGGGS has a World Centre, including Ghana, Mexico, Switzerland, and India.  

All of these countries (and more) will be taking part, and each World Centre will be having their own special celebrations.  

What is the age range of the young people involved? 

The ages of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts are different throughout the world, but in Girlguiding Scotland, all of our young members, Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers can get involved by taking part in Thinking Day friendship themed activities.

For instance, younger members can design friendship badges to share across their community to remind people how important they are, and older members can become a pen pal to a Girl Guide or Girl Scout in another country or hold a special 100 years of World Thinking Day party. 

Does Thinking Day have a theme and what are some past themes?  

Yes, every World Thinking Day has a different theme to encourage members to think about the big issues affecting the world. 

This year’s theme is friendship, which is a chance for our members to reflect on their friendships within their community, and form meaningful connections with other Girl Guides and Girl Scouts throughout the world. We’ve launched a special international friendship badge to mark the occasion! 

Previous World Thinking Days have tackled the subjects of poverty, environmental sustainability and access to education. 

This year is the 100th World Thinking Day, how are people celebrating? 

Across Scotland, each area is doing something special to mark 100 years of Thinking Day.  

Girlguiding Borders will be celebrating in the WAGGGS World Centre in Switzerland, connecting with international Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Meanwhile, in Bonnyrigg, 165 members will be meeting to make friendship bracelets together.  

Ayr will be holding a lantern parade through the town, Inverness is having a great duck chase, where they are planning to hide 100 rubber ducks over 100 days throughout the area, and in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle will be lit up in blue to mark the day.  

And that’s not to mention all the incredible friendship themed activities and celebrations that will be taking place across the country.  

How can the public support World Thinking Day? 

The best way for the public to get involved is to join their local Girlguiding community as a volunteer. We have volunteer roles for anyone passionate about helping girls fulfil their potential, whether they want to lead a unit or help with admin or as a treasurer. You can find out more on our website.

How would Girlguiding like to see this event evolve in future? 

Girlguiding helps girls build confidence, learn new skills, take on opportunities to lead, try new challenges and connect with girls around the world through the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.  

I would like Thinking Day to keep evolving, so that one day even more girls will have the opportunity to develop and grow through fun and adventure, while feeling part of a worldwide movement.