The Australian Guide Program is a non-formal educational program based on shared leadership and decision-making at all ages.
There are four main elements in the Australian Guide Program: physical, people, practical, and self.
The program includes a variety of fun activities that focus on self-development in the areas of practical skills, physical development and relationships with people, appropriate to age and interests. Guides of all ages are involved in decision-making, planning, implementing and evaluating their activities. Within her Unit, the Guide will be a member of a Patrol (4-8 girls), where experiences are shared. Guiding is about being part of a team. Leadership development begins with the youngest Guides and develops as the girls mature.
The program is based around the seven fundamental concepts of Baden-Powell’s philosophy: Promise and Law, Outdoors, World Guiding, Guiding Traditions, Patrol System, Leadership Skills and Service.
The process used in the Australian Guide Program is: Discover, Decide, Plan, Do and Check.
A Guide will set herself challenges to carry out to the best of her ability. There are badges and awards to be gained, however earning badges is only a small part of being a Guide. The girls will participate in many activities that they will enjoy and learn from. Their reward will be a great sense of achievement.
The activities could be outdoor adventures such as canoeing, archery, abseiling, camping, skiing, hiking overnight, cooking damper over a fire or just sitting around a campfire singing, chatting and sharing a joke. There are other times, though, when the girls prefer indoor activities such as trying a special recipe, having a go at making something, being creative in the visual or dramatic arts, working as a team to plan their next adventure, finding out about other cultures and religions or learning skills through games. No two meetings are ever the same.