Critics said the decision undermined the organisation’s ethos and expressed concern that Girlguiding UK would encourage impressionable children to join the armed forces. Under the deal, girls as young as four will complete courses designed by the army to develop their leadership skills. The armed forces will also host stalls at national Girlguiding events and run activity evenings.
Pacifist organisation the Peace Pledge Union (PPU) said the deal was a “backwards step” that placed Girlguiding UK in a ”bizarre position”.
“They will not allow guides to play Laser Quest, as it involves shooting fake weapons at human targets, but guides can be encouraged to join the army, where they will be trained to fire real weapons at real people,” the PPU said.
Dr Hilary Cornish, a former guide leader who sits on the PPU’s national council, said: “This is a strange shift in direction for Girlguiding UK, which had come a long way to building a peaceful and progressive organisation. Guides for me was about building international friendships and a real commitment to peace. I used to love discussing with the girls why as an organisation we don’t shoot at human targets, so don’t even take part in games like Laser Quest. Working with the armed forces doesn’t reflect the guiding I love.”
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