With its 91st anniversary on the horizon, World Thinking Day is a key date to remember. Here’s why
Wednesday, 22nd February marks this year’s World Thinking Day. Unlike the name suggests, however, this annual event has little to do with losing yourself in deep thought!
Established in 1926 by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), World Thinking Day is all about celebrating international friendship, expressing views on issues that impact girls and young women all over the world, and fundraising for 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts across 146 different countries.
WAGGGS originally named 22nd February Thinking Day to honour the birthdays of both Lord Baden-Powell, who founded the boy scout movement, and Olave Baden-Powell, his wife and the world Chief Guide. It was agreed this would be an annual day for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world to think of one another and express their thanks for this international movement.
In 1932, WAGGGS decided that as this date was technically a birthday — and no birthday is complete without some presents — they would give girls the opportunity to show their appreciation by offering gifts to the international movement through either fundraising or donations. In 1999, they rebranded the event World Thinking Day in order to reflect its international reach. The fundraising element of World Thinking Day still plays an essential part in keeping the movement alive.
This year’s theme is all about growth. Girls and young women are being encouraged to join in and find out what it means to be part of the Girl Guiding and Scouting movement. Groups that want to get involved are invited to take part in the World Thinking Day Challenge 2017. They can show their support by planting a tree, donating to the fund or creating their own activity to celebrate the day.
If you’re not part of a Girl Guide or Girl Scout group but still wish to be a part of the festivities, you can do so by promoting the day via social media and helping to grow the movement.
This annual event has got us thinking about starting a thinking day for us introverts. We can see it now…a day at home spent in peace and quiet just thinking. Beautiful. If only every day could be that way!
For more details about World Thinking Day, check out the WAGGGS website.
