What is World Thinking Day?
Each year on February 22, World Thinking Day, girls participate in activities, games and projects with global themes to honor their sister Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in other countiries. World Thinking Day is part of the WAGGGS Global Action Theme (GAT) based on the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goalds (MDGs), which aim to improve the lives of the world’s poorest people. The theme of World Thinking Day 2013 is girls worldwide say “Health is precious. Together we can save children and mother’s lives.”
World Thinking Day not only gives girls a chance to celebrate international friendships, but it also a reminder that Girl Scouts of the USA is part of a global community- one of nearly 150 countries with Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. WAGGGS Thinking Day was first created in 1926 at the fourth Girl Guide/ Girl Scout International Conference held at Girl Scouts of the USA’s Camp Edith Macy (now called Edith Macy Conference Center).
Thinking Day was first created in 1926 at the fourth Girl Guide/ Girl Scout International Conference held at Girl Scouts of the USA’s Camp Edith Macy (now called Edith Macy Conference Center). Conference attendees decided that there should be a special day for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from around the world to “think” of each other and give thanks and appreciation to their “sister” Girl Scouts. The delegates chose February 22 as the date for Thinking Day because it was the mutual birthday of Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scout movement, and his wife, Olave, who served as World Chief Guide.
In 1932, at the seventh World Conference, held in Poland, a Belgian delegate suggested that since birthdays usually involve presents, girls could show their appreciation and friendship on Thinking Day not only buy extending warm wishes but by offering a voluntary contribution to the World Association. This is how the World Association’s Thinking Day Fund began.
The fund helps offer Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting to more girls and young women worldwide. Girl Scouts of the USA, through its Juliette Low World Friendship Fund contributes to the World Thinking Day Fund. Each troop can give to this fund on its own.
What countries will our girls pick? Syria? Indonesia? England? France? Palestine? Brazil? It’s up to the group. Look for more info soon.
Kesha
PGMA Girl Scouts 