20-07-2025
Guides invent 72 new ‘empowering' badges that reflect their lives
In September 1909 a group of young women from Peckham Rye gatecrashed a Scout rally demanding 'something for the girls' — and thus the Girl Guides was born. In the century since then, however, what that 'something' entails has shifted continually in order to reflect women's changing role in society.
No more are girls awarded badges for hosting and cleaning; now they can earn badges for interior design, environmental conservation and thrifting, which are among 72 new activities unveiled as part of the organisation's drive to remain relevant to the lives of girls growing up in the 2020s and help them to feel 'empowered'.
The new additions are all 'interest badges', which aim to develop hobbies rather than attain specific skills, and may be completed individually at home.
