A new opportunity for Manitoba girls to connect, discover and explore the outdoors is on the horizon.
Thanks to a new Girl Guides unit, girls ages 15 to 17 can register for the inaugural virtual Rangers program. The unit is led by Stony Mountain’s Kyla Hanchar, 21, who has been involved with Girl Guides since she was eight.
“To me, Girl Guides has been a really huge part of my life and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them,” said Hanchar. “It’s about the importance of getting youth outdoors and giving them opportunities to experience things, meet new people and participate in activities they might not get to do otherwise.”
Hanchar is entering her second year as a group leader and is excited to offer a virtual unit to girls across the province. She said she noticed many teens had difficulty attending events and activities due to school, work and extracurricular commitments. This new format offers more flexible scheduling and opportunities for youth to get involved.
“All you need to be is excited about the outdoors,” she said, explaining who should register for her Rangers unit. “With Girl Guides, the opportunities are endless. You can explore, create, empower and learn about yourself and the world around you.”
Rangers will meet virtually every week to plan special events. Hanchar noted they are still determining when meetings will be scheduled, as she wants to find a time that works for everyone. She also hopes to host in-person events once a month, depending on availability. With previous units, Hanchar has planned several outdoor excursions, including hikes and camping trips.
“I am an outdoorsy person at heart and I love giving youth the opportunity to experience the beauty of the outdoors,” she said. “I really just want as many girls as possible to join because I know how much Girl Guides can change a life. We accept everyone and anyone, and we really just want to do what’s best for others. It’s something really easy to fall in love with, and I can speak to that from my own experience.”
Registration for the virtual Rangers unit will remain open until all spaces are filled. Registration takes place online at register.girlguides.ca by searching the postal code R3H 0Y8.
“I can’t wait to make a difference in girls’ lives like Girl Guides did in mine,” Hanchar added.
