GIRL GUIDES

 

 

 

The origin

 

The Nederlandse Gidsen Beweging (N.G.B.) (Dutch Guides Association) was raised on July 4 1945.

The so called Guides system was chosen in which the girl played Scouting in a Catholic and feminine way. The emphasis was on Catholic education and religious atmosphere in the circle. The groups were part of a parish.  With the Nederlands Padvindsters Gilde (N.P.G.) (Dutch Girl Guides Association) a regular consultation was held about rules and joining the World Association. As only one organization per land is allowed to be member of the World Organisation, the Nationale Padvindstersraad (National Girl Guides Council) was founded. Both associations were represented by four members.  On November 8 1947 the N.G.B. was officially a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (W.A.G.G.G.S.). In 1949 the Catholic girl groups in Surinam joined the N.G.B.

 

The game

 

The characteristics of the Guides play were:

1.                 Law – Promise – Motto.

2.                 Self-efficacy – self-control (Rounds system)

3.                 Outdoor.

4.                 Training in Class requirements and skills.

 

 

A Circle of Guides could consist of 24 Junior (11-14 years) and / or Senior guides, divided in 4 rounds. The rounds were preferably made of several girl friends. These girls chose their own Round leader which then chose her assistant. The round also chose their name, f.i. a flower or animal. The chosen named was symbolized by ribbons in certain colors, worn on the shoulder of the right sleeve. The game was played by rounds or by the entire circle. Each round had a flag with the image of the round name on it. This flag was carried in the left hand by the round leader.

Sparrows

 

When a new guides was found to be adequate and had obeyed to the requirements of 3rd Class, she could be initiated and allowed to wear the uniform. Then she could start working on her 2nd and 1st Class requirements en earning merit badges. The 2nd Class badge was a blue 5 cm long ribbon and was worn above the right pocket.

 

 

A 1st Class Guide had two blue ribbons. Later these two ribbons were replaced by a blue enameled clover leaf on a gilded pin. It was worn instead of the 2nd class ribbon.

 

1st Class pin

A guide helping in a brownie circle was called a circle-guide and guides helping Blauwe Vogels (Blue Birds) were called Wieken.

The monthly magazine “De Witte Margriet” (the white daisy) was for the guides.

 

Law and promise

 

The Guides law (Translation in blue)

 

 

1.      Op de eer van een Gids kan men vertrouwen.

     A Guides honor can be trusted.

2.      Een Gids is trouw.

     A Guide is loyal.

3.      Een Gids weet zich nuttig te maken en anderen te helpen.

     A Guide knows how to make her useful and to help others.

4.      Een Gids is een vriendin voor allen en een zuster voor alle andere Gidsen.

     A Guide is a friend for all and a sister to all other Guides.

5.      Een Gids is beleefd en voorkomend.

     A Guide is polite and respectful.

6.      Een Gids leeft met open oog in Gods natuur.

     A Guide lives with open eyes in Gods nature.

7.      Een Gids weet te gehoorzamen.

     A Guide knows how to obey.

8.      Een Gids lacht en zingt bij alle moeilijkheden.

     A Guide smiles and sings with all difficulties.

9.      Een Gids is sober en spaarzaam.

     A Guide is sober and thrifty.

10. Een Gids is rein in gedachten, woord en daad.

     A Guide is pure in thoughts, words and deeds.

 

The Guides promise (Translation in blue)

 

 

 

Op mijn erewoord beloof ik, met de hulp van Gods genade, ernstig te zullen trachten:

On my honor I promise, with the help of Gods mercy, to solemnly try:

1.      Mijn plicht te doen tegenover God, Kerk en Land,

     To do my best for God, Church and Country,

2.      Iedereen te helpen waar ik kan,

     Help everybody where I can,

3.      De Gidsenwet na te leven.

     Abide by the Guides law.

 

The motto of the Guides was “Wees Bereid” (Be prepared).

 

Uniform

 

 

Originally the uniform consisted of a dark blue dress with six-lane skirt and two skirtpockets and two pockets on the blouse, dark blue felt had with wide rim, light blue triangle tie knotted as tie, white cord with flute, dark brown leather belt, long grey/beige stockings and dark blue flat shoes. In 1952 the hat was replaced by a dark blue beret with badge.

Beret badge

 

An initiated guide wore the initiation badge on the right pocket of the blouse and above it the class badges and the crossing over wing and on the flap op the left pocket the year stars. The world badge was worn on the tie 4 cm below the knot. On the left shoulder was the name tag of the group and on the right shoulder were the round ribbons. The round leaders and the assistant round leaders wore their signs on the right upper arms. The round leader an orange ribbon and the assistant a blue one.

 

Initiation badge

 

 

In 1960 the uniform was adepted andthen consisted of a light blue blouse with epaulets and on the left side a flap (without a pocket), a dark blue siz-lane skirt, dark blue beret with a cloth guide badge, a narrow dark blue tie with on the knot (flat knot) the world badge, dark blue socks and dark brown leather shoes.

The cloth initiation badge was replaced by a metal badge and was worn on the middle of the flap of the blouse with above it the crossing over wing. The class badge was above the flap. Over the blouse a dark blue V-neck pullover could be worn. Dark blue or black undergarment was worn under the uniform. 

 

World badge

Initiaion badge

 

 

Merit badges, cords and Crown guide

 

 

Een gids mocht vanaf haar installatie gaan werken voor vakinsignes, maar mocht deze pas dragen nadat zij het tweede klas insigne behaald had. De vakinsignes werden op de rechter bovenarm gedragen. Indien alle gidsen van een ronde het zelfde vakinsigne behaald hadden mocht, zolang alle leden van de ronde in het bezit waren van het betreffende insigne, dit insigne op de rondevlag gevoerd worden.

Youth and church

 

A 1st Class guide could wear the blue silk cords when she, besides the for the 1st Class badges, earned the badges, Camping, First Aid, Hostess, Handy Girl, Sport and two chosen badges. Later the cords were replaced by the badge Crown Guide.

 

 

In order to earn the badge Crown Guide the guide had to have earned the 1st Class badge. She also had to perform 4 services to the community for whom she didn’t receive a badge. An exception was the badge “Nationale Dienst” (National Service). The badge Crown Guide was a blue enameled cloverleaf with a crown in it. It replaced the 1st Class badge on the uniform.

Crown guide

 

Leaders

 

 

The guide circle was led by one leader and one or more assitants. The leader was addressed by Guido and the assistants Adjuto or Kapi. They could also be given so called totem names.

Leaders wore the same uniform as the guides. The left side of the dark blue felt hat with wide edge was flipped up. There they wore the hat badge for leaders, a bronze colored Andreas cross with a blue enameled clover leaf.

 

Hat sign

 

 

 

In 1953 the leaders got a beret just as the guides, with on it the leaders badge with a silver colored Andreas-cross. You could recognize a leader by the two small blue ribbons on each epaulet. Assistants had one ribbon on each epaulet. After changing the uniform leaders wore a light blue blouse without epaulets, a dark blue skirt without bows for the belt or flaps on the pockets or a special terlenka leaders skirt, a small dark blue tie with a woggle with the leaders initiation badge with light blue background. The blue ribbons on the epaulets disappeared. The world badge was worn on the flap of the blouse. Leaders got the monthly “Carillon van Sint Geerten”, which changed in 1968 into “Het Carillon”.

Guides leader

 

Special memorial days

 

February 22

Baden Powellday:  On the birthday of Lord and Lady Baden Powell all Guides and Girl Guides wore their uniform the whole day, decorated with snowdrops and ivy leaves, symbols of purity and loyalty. During special gatherings all iniated guides renewed the Promise.

 

March 17

 

St. Geertenday:  The feast of St. Gertrudis of Nijvel  is day of the Guides leaders. On a evening gathering the leaders wished each other a productive and blessed year for each other personally and work for the Guides.

 

July 2

The visitation of the Holy Mary: On this day the Guides wore their uniform the whole day, decorated with a daisy symbol of willingness to help. The daisies were burned in the evening in the campfire and the Promise was renewed.

 

 

Waterguides

 

Senior guides could become a water guide. A group of water guides was usually local and not connected to a parish.

 

After the merge

 

After the merge in 1973 the age groups Girl Scouts and Guides were joined into the new agegroup Girl Scouts / Guides.

 

 

The museum is always interested in "old" Dutch scouting stuff.
Are you considering removing your old stuff, please contact us.