ACTIVITIES BASED ON THE GUIDE LAW
Respect myself and others
Play headbands.
Give each person in the group a “headband” with the following statements written on them. A
headband can be made of a long strip of paper with a paperclip to secure it. Make sure the
girls do not know what headband they have.
Expert – ask my advice
Boss – obey me
Comedian – laugh at me
Important Person – defer to me
Stupid – sneer at me
Insignificant – ignore me
Loser – pity me
Helpless – support me
Provide a topic for discussion. It may be something like “Is the new Guide Law more relevant
to today’s Guides?” Each girl should interact as herself and not “role-play”. The group should
react to the person according to the statement on their headband.
Debrief: Allow discussion of how it felt to be treated or treat someone else in a certain way.
Everyone should be respected and treated equally.
Variation: For younger girls, use characters or pictures that they can associate a reaction
with on the headbands ie laughing face, bossy looking girl, stupid looking cartoon character
etc.
Be considerate, honest and trustworthy
Play some trust games.
Pass it: This could include simple things like passing a hoop or a box around a circle. Girls
need to rely on each other to pass the object.
Variation: Thread a rope large enough to encompass the circle of girls through a hoop. Tie
the rope in a loop so that the hoop can be passed around while the girls hold the rope circle.
Variation: Use two, three or more hoops or objects with or without holding a rope.
Reflection: Always reflect on what the purpose of the game was and how it relates to what
you are trying to draw out.
Be friendly to others
Play some getting to know you (better) games.
Everyone says three things about themselves to the group – two things that are true and one
that is not. Other members of the group have to guess which statement is not true. Girls will
need to think about things that the group may not already know about them.
Make choices for a better world
This activity will challenge the girls to think about what resources we have available to us in
the world. Emphasise that we need to care for the world (environment) or we will have
“nothing left”.
“You have a postage stamp and a pen. This postage stamp is the only piece of paper
available on earth. You must record on the back as many things you see around to let others
know what still exists in the world.”
Variation: Modify the “size” of the “stamp” to suit the developmental age of the girls.
Modify the “environment” of the story for older girls to challenge them to think
about the aftermath of war etc.
Use time and abilities wisely
Prepare a series of objects eg: bandaid, screwdriver, hairclip, photograph, in a bag (as many
objects as there are girls). In an envelope have strips of paper with the parts of the Law.
Each girl chooses an object from the bag and a part of the Guide Law from the envelope.
Her challenge is to think of a way that she could use the object to fulfil the part of the Guide
Law she has. Give them some time to think before “sharing” their idea.
Variation: Include the parts of the Promise in the envelope. This would allow older girls have
to think in a much broader way.
Be thoughtful and optimistic
Ask the girls to think about other words that have the same meaning as “thoughtful” and
“optimistic”.
Synonyms: Thoughtful – considerate, kind, unselfish, caring, selfless, sympathetic, attentive
Optimistic – hopeful, positive, bright, cheerful, confident
Discuss the following questions:
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How do people that are “thoughtful” and “optimistic” make you feel?
How do you react to people who are “thoughtful” and “optimistic”?
Are “thoughtful” and “optimistic” people good to have as friends? Why?
Are you a “thoughtful” and “optimistic” person yourself?
Variation: After the initial discussion, using magazines and newspapers cut out stories
pictures or headlines of people doing things in their communities (in locally or globally). Ask
the girls to decide if they are being “thoughtful” and or “optimistic”.
Live with Courage and strength
This activity could be done with two or more groups and shared. I should stimulate
discussion on what is important to us as Guides.
Dilemma:
“Girl Guides Australia has made you Captain of the ship HMAS “Choice” and you have run
into bad weather. To save the ship, some of the cargo may need to be thrown overboard.”
Suggested cargo list is as follows but can be shortened, added to or modified to suit the age
of the girls. Have your cargo list on cards.
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The Leaders
The Elements and Fundamentals
The Left Handshake
The Uniform
The Law
The Salute
The Guide Motto
The World Song
The World Badge
The Promise Badge
The Patrol System
The Recognition System
Look Wide, Aim High and Look Wider Still
The World Board
The Promise
WAGGGS
“You must prepare yourself in case you have to throw some things over to save yourselves.
Sort the cargo into order of priority with the least valuable (important) first through to the
most valuable (important) last. You must give reasons for your choices.”