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Niagara Falls
Sunday, December 1, 2024
NOTL Sparks learn about different cultures

Leslie Moulson
Special to The Lake Report

On Feb. 24 and March 2, the Sparks, the youngest Girl Guides at ages five and six, commemorated World Thinking Day by learning the meaning of culture and celebrating diversity within our unit.

They learned a little about the history of scouting and guiding. Did you know that the first Girl Guide meeting was organized by Mary Malcolmson and officially registered in St. Catharines in 1910?

Through discussion and brainstorming, the Sparks explored elements of culture such as language, food, clothing, sports, holidays, religion, books, the arts and traditions.

Spark Moms Margarette Dul and Magdalena Bator and their daughters, Grace and Klaudia, shared information about their Polish culture with a map, the flag and examples of books and toys. Spark Eve Sobol with help from her Mom/Guider Ann Deuerlein and her sister Greta presented family pictures and facts about their Australian, German and Scottish ancestry.

Spark Mom Priya Litt and her daughter Achal did a poster presentation about their Indian heritage. Did you know that the game Snakes and Ladders was invented in India and is associated with traditional Hindu philosophy contrasting karma and kama, or destiny and desire?

Each Spark did a little homework between meetings and shared information about her culture and background including some words in another language. Both evenings, Sparks’ parents treated the girls to a delicious array of sweet and savoury foods from the many different cultures – Italian and French cookies, Scottish shortbread, donuts, perogies, Dutch cheese, German rouladen and an Indian sweet called shakarpare. The highlight of both evenings was the Sparks, leaders and family members who came in traditional clothing.

World Thinking Day is celebrated worldwide in February by Girl Guides and Boy Scouts. It is a day when Guides think about their ‘sisters’ in all the countries of the world, the meaning of Guiding, and its global impact.

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