Girlguiding is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK. We build confidence and raise the aspirations of girls from aged 5 (Rainbows) through to aged 18 (Rangers). We give them the chance to discover their full potential and encourage them to be a powerful force for good.

Girlguiding Dumfries & Galloway delivers the Girlguiding programmes of informal education, appropriate to members in each of the four age sections (Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Senior Section). You will find units in Annan, Dumfries, Gretna, Langholm, Lochmaben, Lockerbie, Moffat, Dalbeattie, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright, Glenkens, Newton Stewart, Wigtown, Kirkcowan and Lochinch. All units are led by trained adult volunteers. 

Our programmes are structured to support the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual development of each girl. The programmes are underpinned by five interlinking elements, common to all age sections, namely: 

• Working together in small groups. 
• Encouraging self-government and decision making. 
• Providing a balanced and varied programme. 
• Caring for the individual. 
• Sharing commitment to a common standard and values these being our Promise and Law. 

Girls of all ages enjoy a broad range of planned and supported activities, in a safe, girl-only space, and are: 

• Challenged through new adventures and new skills. 
• Encouraged to develop self-awareness, self-respect and self-confidence. 
• Encouraged to develop tolerance, justice, caring and sense of citizenship. 
• Encouraged to work collaboratively, promoting teamwork and leadership skills, working with and for others and the community. 
• Encouraged to appreciate and respect the environment. 
• Provided with opportunities to learn about the world and other culture. 
• Girlguiding membership supports girls and young women to become successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens. 
  

Dumfries & Galloway has six districts: Lower Annadale, Dumfries Burgh, Upper Anndale, Nithsdale, Wigtownshire and The Stewartry.

What makes guiding special? 

• We are there for all girls and young women, whatever their background or circumstances. We offer them fun, exciting activities and the chance to make life-long friends. 
• We are open to all girls; of all faiths and none. 
• Our groups are fully integrated to include girls with disabilities. We offer grants to ensure that they and their carers can join us on camps and trips. 

Girlguiding offers girls a space where they can really be themselves with other girls and share the experience of growing up as a girl in today’s world. Being a girl-only organisation is one of the things our young members value most about guiding. Our Girls in Action project educates girls about sensitive issues affecting their peers around the world like violence against women, street children and girls’ education. 

• Girlguiding gives girls a voice.
• Girlguiding gives girls the confidence, skills and information to make informed decisions. 
• We show girls how they can speak out and take positive action to improve their lives and the lives of others. 
• Girlguiding also produces the UK's largest annual survey of girls' opinions on a range of issues from role models and equality to university fees and plastic surgery. 
• We have a dedicated youth advocacy network.
• Advocate! - to help girls speak out publicly about issues they care about. 
• We are relevant to today’s girls because we listen to them and constantly evolve and adapt what we offer them without compromising our core values. 
• Girlguiding Scotland also hosts the Tartan Gig - a massive pop concert just for Guides with performances from some of the biggest and most popular current artists.

Our camps, holidays and trips give girls the chance to experience new adventures from quad-biking, orienteering and abseiling, to zorbing, canoeing and zip-wiring.