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World Thinking Day
World Thinking Day began in 1926 at the 4th World Conference of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts at Camp Edith Macy in New York. Delegates decided to create a special day for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world to think of one another and to celebrate their global sisterhood, calling it Thinking Day. February 22nd was chosen as the date to celebrate, and it was also the joint birthday of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, founder of Scouting and Guiding, and his wife, Lady Olave Baden-Powell, World Chief Guide. In 1999, at the 30th World Conference in Dublin, Ireland, delegates decided to emphasize the international aspect of the movement, and changed the name to World Thinking Day.
Why do Girl Scouts celebrate? Today on World Thinking Day, Girl Scouts celebrate our global sisterhood and its global impact. It is a day to appreciate other countries and their cultures; to equally raise awareness of and sensitivity to the issues that impact girls and young women around the world; and to take action to address those issues as a global movement.
Troop 782, a multi-level troop of Girl Scout Brownies, Juniors and Cadettes in Chesapeake, joined other troops in their service unit to host a traditional World Thinking Day celebration at A Place for Girls, GSCCC’s regional program center. Each troop in the service unit was able to choose a country to research and learn about. Troop 782 chose England, the home country of Lady Baden-Powell, the founder of Girl Guides. It’s also the location of one of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts World Centers!
After weeks of preparation, they gave presentations at a special troop meeting the week prior to World Thinking Day on February 10. There, the Girl Scouts put together their display board to share with other troops in Service Unit 340. Then they made 200 S.W.A.P.S. to exchange with other Girl Scouts in the unit. They also chose to place stickers of England’s flag on tea bag tags which would be handed out at the service unit’s celebration. During preparations, the troop members were able to taste-test cucumber sandwiches, scones and tea — menu items headed for the celebration as well. To add a bit of fun, they came dressed up like royalty and decorated personal crowns!
“Troop 782 had the best time touring different countries around the world, stamping their passports that they created, trying new foods and drinks native to other countries, and trading S.W.A.P.S. with other troops,” Troop 782 volunteer Alyson Hughes said. “For the flag ceremony, two of our Brownies, Adriana and Emma Mae, walked in the procession. At the end of our World Thinking Day celebration, troops were given the chance to perform a skit. Our girls decided to sing ‘London Bridge is Falling Down’ with the hand motions and the dance to go with it. Our troop had an amazing time at this event!”
