We would like to share an amazing story from Marlene Graham who was with the 42nd Kahoutek Guides in Fraser Skies Area. This is her story:

Every time I think of your company it reminds me that you had the most perfect of all crests to give my girls. You know how we are supposed to be doing a "girl led program." Well really, that is hard to figure out. Even as Provincial and National Program Adviser it still through me for a loop. Then like a lightning bolt it hit me one night as I was trying to get to sleep (best time to think eh??). The new year of Guides was starting and I was so excited that I couldn't contain myself at our first meeting with the Guiders ...and they all LOVED my plan. What was it? Simple, have the girls teach a badge.

So I came to the meeting with three of those large, foam core boards with two months on each side, and X'd out all the days which there was no meeting. Then I had the girls go into groups that they wanted (best friends, by themselves, by patrol, etc.), decide to teach a badge, and pick a day on the calendar. This was supposed to be for the third year girls, but the first and the second years wanted to get in on it too (as you can imagine, THAT shocked me).

I made up little booklets for them with instructions: this is what you need to do if you are going to teach the badge, this is what you need to do if you want to take us someplace (like a zoo), and this is what you need to do if you want to invite someone in to teach us (like first aid). When supplies were needed, they figured out what to get and then came to us. A couple times we gave them a budget ($1 per girl) and a couple of times one of the Guiders had the supplies at home.

OMGawd it was soooo amazing and so much fun. When you have children make the bed, they learn more than if you just do it, so in essence it was a lot harder for the Guiders as we could get things done in no time, but then what would the girls learn? AND for their reward for completing their badge (all the girls got the badge that they were teaching, like first aid). I had ordered the SPECIAL LEADER crest from you. I know that you did not design them for the girls, but I can say in all honesty that it will be the crest/badge that they will remember and treasure the most.

It was cool because 1/3 of the girls picked to bring someone in, 1/3 of the girls chose to teach the badge themselves, and 1/3 of the girls took us out. Couldn't believe that it worked out that way. And since the little girls are age 8 – 10, I really, really expected that a good 50% would drop out however only one did. That was my last year in that level, but it was my favourite and your crest has so many fond memories for me. This whole idea changed the way that I look at things. It changed my role as Guider to adviser, and changed the girls' role to leader. Teaching them to be great leaders. Sorry, couldn't help myself in sharing this with you.

THANKS and BIG hugs,
Marlene from Delta, B.C.

Do you have a story that you're just itching to share, pictures of your girls receiving their badges or of them completing a craft from a challenge kit? Send in your action shots to show how you are using our products and you might just see your picture here. Please submit your photos to wecare@e-patchesandcrests.com. Everyone who submits will receive a promo code for 15% off their next in-stock or custom order.