3^rd Thatcham Guides was opened in 2006 at the Moorside Centre. It is a very popular Unit with 36 girls, two or three young leaders and 8 adult leaders. The uniform is striking and practical. Guides belong to a patrol and have the opportunity to develop social skills such as leadership, discussion and teamwork. There are lots of badges to work towards with the ultimate aim being Guide Gold.

Activities are selected from the programme by the girls themselves. They include cooking, exploring, art and craft, games, sport, animals, community action, learning new skills, dance, first aid, mental health, and, of course, camping.

In normal times, the Unit has a week long camp under canvas in the Summer holidays, a weekend camp at Thirtover Place in Cold Ash in the Summer term and a sleepover in a building in the Spring or Autumn term. There are other events that girls can get involved with, including the chance to do the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme with Guiding and to go on international trips. All of this is an optional extra and many girls simply come to the weekly meetings.

Guides may choose to move on to Rangers at any time after their 14^th birthday.

Girlguiding is a national organisation with members in every part of the United Kingdom. It provides high quality training and support for leaders. All members pay an annual subscription to fund the organisation. Currently this is £40.

There are also costs for the Unit. This includes the rent and the badges and resource materials needed for the sessions. 3^rd Thatcham Guides collect a termly subscription of £35 and pay for everything, including the annual subscription from Headquarters, from this fee. Leaders are all volunteers and so there is no burden on members for their services.

To join in head over to the website – https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/ Scroll down the page and either click on ‘register to join’ for a girl or ‘volunteer with Girlguiding’ for an adult.