What is our programme?
An overview of the structure of our programme and its themes
With over 900 activities, 114 badges and 32 awards to earn, our programme has something for every girl.
Whether you’re a local historian or an avid camper, a keen inventor or an aspiring blogger, there’s a badge for every girl who takes part in our programme.
What is our programme?
Our programme is around 60% of what girls get up to with their unit (a local Girlguiding group). It’s made up of 3 things:
The rest of what girls do in and with their unit is up to them and their unit leaders to decide! Every unit is different. They might get stuck into adventures outside of the programme, take on their own challenges, or just play games and have some fun.
Looking to find out what some of our programme terms mean? Check them out at the bottom of this page.
72 new interest badges coming to girls in 2025
We work directly with volunteers, girls and their parents or carers to create new badges and activities we know they’ll love. Over 20,000 members have voiced their opinion on our 72 new interest badges coming in 2025. That’s double the number we currently have! Fancy learning more about them?
Our programme themes
All unit meeting activities, skills builders and interest badges come under 1 of 6 themes. Each theme helps girls learn new skills, have adventures or dive deep into a new passion. One theme might include activities to build your confidence, another will take you on a muddy adventure or teach you how to fix a plug.
The structure of our programme means girls can grow along with the themes from Rainbows (4-7) right up to Rangers (14-18).
Know myself
Girls explore emotions and learn about themselves. They’ll look at what they enjoy, build confidence and discover how feelings affect behaviour.
Example activity: explore your cultural background.
Express myself
Girls develop their creativity in all sorts of ways. They’ll make up stories and create inventions to solve problems and start thinking laterally and teaching creative skills to friends.
Example activity: using digital tools to communicate ideas in creative ways.
Be well
Girls learn how to stay healthy and how to look after their own wellbeing and help others when they’re hurt.
Example activity: learn first aid skills.
Have adventures
Girls have the chance to overcome fears, try new activities and learn survival skills. Getting outside and having adventures has always been an important part of guiding.
Example activity: geocaching and orienteering.
Take action
Girls build skills to make a positive difference, whether in their community, the wider world or with the people they know
Example activity: volunteering or fundraising for a local cause.
Skills for my future
Girls investigate what they might like to do in the future and how they can grow their life skills.
Example activity: exploring different career paths.
Girls can earn awards in our programme
Here's how:
- There are 6 programme themes: know myself, express myself, be well, have adventures, take action and skills for my future.
- Completing skills builders, unit meeting activities and interest badges earn girls theme awards.
- Earn 2 theme awards and girls get a section Bronze award.
- Earn 4 theme awards and girls get a section Silver award.
- Earn all 6 theme awards and complete a Gold award challenge for girls to get a section Gold award.
Our programme terms explained
Anniversary badges
These bold badges celebrate a girl's membership and commitment. There’s a badge to mark each year a girl spends as part of the guiding family – no matter what age they join.
Interest badges
Interest badges are a chance for girls to explore new interests or dive deeper into their passions. They can do them at home, with their unit or wherever they choose.
Find out more about interest badges. Or read about our 72 new interest badges launching in 2025.
Unit meeting activities
These are fun, ready-to-go activities for girls to do in groups at their local unit meetings. They cover lots of different topics and themes to get girls giggling, thinking and working together.
Find out more about unit meeting activities.
Skills builders
Skills builders are designed to help girls learn skills like camping, first aid and communication. They’re done in stages, so girls get to grow with us no matter what section they're in – Rainbows, Brownies, Guides or Rangers.
Find out more about skills builders.
Theme awards
A combination of unit meeting activities, interest badges and skills builders in the same theme will help girls build up to a theme award that demonstrates the time they’ve dedicated to exploring that area.
Top section awards
These are the top awards in each section and are a real achievement:
- Section Bronze award: a girl needs to complete any 2 theme awards from their current section.
- Section Silver award: a girl needs to complete any 4 theme awards from their current section.
- Section Gold award: a girl needs to earn all 6 theme awards from their current section and they'll have the chance to complete 1 final challenge to earn this very special 'top award'.