A typical day in the life of a esn't exist. Sometimes I’ll be practising a craft activity, playing bizarre games with balloons or comforting a girl who has grazed her knee. And that’s in between working, going to university, and enjoying a hectic social life. Some people think that they are too busy - but I am never too busy to have fun! Being a brownie leader can be hard work at times, but is also huge fun, is hugely rewarding and provides the most amazing opportunities. In no other organisation can girls and women have so many laughs over such ridiculous things - such as a ball of wool. This is why I am a guider, and why I am so glad that there is no such thing as a typical day!

At 7 years old, I was very excited to go to my first ever brownie meeting. All the fun and games and crafts made me go back week after week... So much so that I am now a guider of the same brownie unit, and I get to see the excitement that I felt on the faces of a group of girls every week. Some people think that I am mad, because I don't get paid for what I do. What they forget is the payment I receive from the girls in terms of smiles and happiness makes it all worthwhile.

The rain was been pouring down over my tent, and I was alone and knew no-one - but I wasn't scared. I was on a guiding Senior Section camp, and whilst everyone was an absolute stranger, our common bond was guiding - and in that instant they weren't strangers anymore, just friends I hadn't yet met. Being a leader and a senior section member has given me so many opportunities, as well as giving me bags more confidence, and helping me in many other aspects of my life, including skills suitable for the workplace.

Girlguiding is an organisation I feel strongly about, and something that I’m both pleased to be a part of, and proud of at the same time. The difference that rainbows, brownies, guides and senior section can make is huge, and I wish that more people were involved and more girls could have the wonderful opportunities guiding can give them.

If you would like to become a guider or enrol your daughter contact your local unit or /

To find out more about being a guider in all sections of girlguiding and chat with like minded people visit the Guiders Forum /

Written by Michelle Edwards, a Brownies Guider and member of Senior Section