Written by Michelle S and Carla S

1 ^st Drayton Valley Pathfinders

Items needed:

• Artificial tree- of a size that is appropriate for your space and your unit
• Garland
• A star for the top
• Lights
• The girls in your unit will need to bring a Christmas ornament from home that is special to them- it could be from their first Christmas, or just simply be their favorite one.

The tree gets decorated during the ceremony. You can do these in whichever order you feel works the best for you, but the following is the order in which our group did them.

Pathfinder 1: The Christmas tree is a symbol of beauty, family, and tradition. Our Guiding tree is just the same.

Pathfinder 2: The star on top is to remind us that we are sisters in a global organization, united under one sky. The five points on the star represent the five regions in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts- Arab, Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Western Hemisphere . (Place the star on the tree)

Pathfinder 3 : The garland represents our families. No Christmas tree is complete without the garland, and the same goes for our Guiding tree, as we are not complete without the love and guidance of our families. (Put the garland on the tree)

Pathfinder 4: The ornaments that we put on the tree represent our diversity. We all have our own distinct style, and our own separate experiences. When we put them together, we can create something wonderful.

Guider(s) invite the girls to come up, say their Promise, and hang their ornament on the tree. If time allows, the girls can tell why they chose this ornament. Guiders and parents are welcome to participate in this part as well.

Pathfinder 5: The lights on our tree represent the many shining qualities that each of us possesses- our skills, hopes and dreams. They are the things that make us truly beautiful. (Turn on the lights and enjoy)

Vision : Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada, the organization of choice for girls and women, makes a positive difference in the life of every girl and woman who experiences Guiding so she can contribute responsibly to her communities.

Mission : Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada enables girls to be confident, resourceful and courageous, and to make a difference in the world.

Promise : I promise to do my best, To be true to myself, my beliefs and Canada. I will take action for a better world And respect the Guiding Law.

Law : The Guiding Law challenges me to: be honest and trustworthy use my resources wisely respect myself and others recognize and use my talents and abilities protect our common environment live with courage and strength share in the sisterhood of Guiding.