In 1909, hundreds of girls defiantly marched behind the troops of Boy Scouts at the Crystal Palace Boy Scout Rally in London, England. They sought to show Chief Scout Robert Baden-Powell that girls had a place in the scouting movement. One year later Baden-Powell, with the help of his sister Agnes, officially formed the Girl Guides.
While today most associate the Girl Guide movement with buying cookies, in the early 20th century it represented a new-found freedom of outdoor adventure for many girls.
The photo above shows the First North Vancouver Company of Girl Guides, first organized in 1921, with their Captain Mrs. Ferrabee, in 1927. This group routinely hiked and camped around the North Shore mountains, mainly Grouse and Cypress, while also holding teas and fundraisers for the local community. They didn’t sell cookies until 1952!
Visit for more information about the history of the North Shore and to plan your visit to MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver, now open at 115 West Esplanade in The Shipyards.
Currently, MONOVA: Archives of North Vancouver, at 3203 Institute Road in Lynn Valley, is open by appointment only. Contact: [email protected]
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