What are Lones?
These are girls in all levels of Guiding who cannot make it to a regular “active” meeting. Although there can be a multitude of reasons why a girl cannot make it to a meeting, the most common are distance, health, unit availability, another major committment on the meeting night and studies.

Are they only in the Province of BC?
All the provinces have Lones but you don’t have to reside in the Province of BC to become a Lone from BC. Jobs can take some families to remote locations or to other countries. The girl who is already a Member of Guiding may want to continue with Canadian Guiding until her family returns to BC. If there is a Girl Scout Unit or Guiding Unit close to her place of residence she will be encouraged to become a Member of their organization. If her stay is temporary and she would like to continue with the Canadian Guiding program, Lones is a great way for her to continue with and complete the program.

What is the difference between “Canadian Units on Foreign Soil” and Lones?
Canadian Units that are formed in other countries are called Canadian Units on Foreign Soil. These units are usually found where there is a Canadian Military Base. These units are opened exactly like a unit in Canada. There would have to be enough girls and leaders to form a unit. The unit is registered in Canada whereas in Lones the girl is registered.

What levels of Guiding are there in Lones?
There are all levels from Sparks to Senior Branches. And there are even Lone Trefoil Guild Members!

How is their program different from that of an Active Unit?
The program is exactly the same, it is just executed differently. Most of the meetings are held by mail, which is a unique and interesting way of presenting the program! There are some challenges in presenting the program in written form, for example; taking attendance, campfire and program work. The usual way is by the Guiders making up a booklet, usually once a month, and it is sent round robin style to every girl in the Lone Unit. In it there is a mailing list so the girl knows who to send it to next. This would be considered “taking attendance”. Included will be directions for a craft, game and some program work. Even campfire can be included by sending a video of an active unit at campfire or a cassette tape of Guiding songs. With technology changing daily, many Guiders are now opting to write to the girls using e-mail

How does a Lone do her camping requirements?
If she is living in a remote location, she can do them with a friend or a sibling in her back yard. But she is encouraged to participate in a District, Division, Area or Provincial camp. In some cases where the girl has health reasons for belonging to Lones, the program can be adapted to meet her health requirements

How does a Lone earn badges?
The same way a Member of an active unit does. Her work may be evaluated by her teacher, or neighbour. If she is in a remote location, then a parent could be the evaluator or she could send her work to her Lone Guider. Once the badge has been completed, she sends the badge slip to her Guider who will order the badge for her.

What does the girl’s local Area do for her?
All Area Commissioners are provided with a list of girls and Guiders who are Lones in their Area. When there is a camp or a special event the Commissioner is encouraged to invite the Lones. This way the girls still meet other girls who are in Guding and make new friends.

How did Lones get started?
Would you believe that the four girls who marched in behind a troop of boys at the Crystal Palace were the first four members of Lone Guiding? Lord Baden-Powell had asked his sister Agnes to start a unit for the girls and of course the girls did not live in her neighbourhood. Each girl worked on the program independently, sending the results of her work to Agnes to be tested. One of the girls, Phyllis Munday, actually became the world’s first Lone Guider. This lady moved to Vancouver and continued her Guiding career until her death. Many of the long timers in BC Guiding still remember her.

How did Lone Guiding start in BC?
Phyl Munday was one of the first Guiders in BC. She started a company in Vancouver in 1910. She lived in North Vancouver at a time when there were no bridges, so once a week she would row over to Vancouver to hold a meeting. By 1916 she became BC’s first Lone Guider. This amazing lady was a mountaineer and she was the first woman to climb BC’s highest peak, Mount Waddington. In 1925 Guiding presented her with the Bronze Cross for her part in saving the life of a little boy who had plummeted 800 feet down an ice covered mountain. Mount Munday was named in honour of Phyl and her husband.

How many girls are there in a Lone Unit?
Depending on the level in Guiding, most units have a maximum of about 6 girls. Any more that that would make it difficult for the Round Robin Letter to make it to all the girls in a reasonable time.

Can an Active Unit adopt a Lone Unit?
Yes, that would be wonderful! It would help promote friendships and make Lones feel like they are less alone. Girls from an Active Unit could trade program ideas, crafts, and paper games with girls of the same age. If you have an Active Unit and the girls would like to be pen pals with a Lone Unit, please contact the Provincial Adviser on Lone Guiding through the Provincial office.

Who can be a Lone Guider?
You can! Contact the Provincial Adviser on Lone Guiding through the Provincial office. Many women like the flexibility if being a Lone Guider because you can change the “meeting nights” (when you write to a Lone or create the Round Robin) to a time that’s more convenient to you.

Can Lone Pathfinders work on the program using the Internet?
Yes, there is a Lone Pathfinder Unit that meets on a regular basis via the Internet. It is a secure site and parental permission is required. For information, contact the Provincial Adviser on Lone Guiding through the Provincial office.