Prince George is in need of more Girl Guide volunteers as there are not enough unit leaders to meet the demand.
Last year more than 60 girls were wait listed to get into a unit and representatives from Girl Guides Canada in the city say that the organization is well on the way to seeing those numbers again.
There are enough wait listed youths to reopen two to four new units in Prince George.
“We lost a lot of volunteers due to everything being shut down with COVID-19,” explained Karin Fidler, one of two district Girl Guide Commissioners in Prince George.
“I think that had an impact. A lot of people just never came back to us or never came back to guiding and so we are trying to recruit replacement guiders to keep the kids going.”
She said there is something for everyone, as not all volunteer roles involve working with youth, although that is where the greatest need is.
“Anybody that is up for adventure and is game for lots of fun laughter the opportunity to mentor these girls,” said Fidler. “It is a lot of fun, laughter and chaos.”
She said she has been volunteering for three years and joined because her daughter’s unit needed a leader at the time.
“I find it very rewarding. I'm not even my daughter's unit leader anymore. I’m with the younger girls as she moves on through the program,” explained Fidler. “It’s a lot of fun. The kids are so silly. They'll surprise you with how willing they are to try anything.”
She said volunteers do not need to have past experience with Girl Guides as Girl Guides Canada provides training programs and there are a lot of experienced guiders in Prince George to provide support.
Fidler added that all of the necessities to run the programming and activities are online so leaders have pre-designed activities and supplies lists.
“It’s girl led and it is an easy program to do with the resources that you need and it's a very open, diverse and inclusive organization,” said Fidler.
Volunteers can sign up online or contact the toll free number at 1-800-565-8111.
