Girl Guides under fire over sponsorship deal with British Army

Decision a 'backwards step', says Peace Pledge Union

Children as young as four will complete courses designed by the army to develop their leadership skills (PA)

The Girl Guides have struck a sponsorship deal with the British army, prompting criticism from pacifists who called the move a “backwards step”.

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.

Photographs from one event over the weekend showed girls posing next to army vehicles while holding up posters bearing the message: “Army, Be the Best”. Girlguiding UK claimed the army was not there to recruit youngsters.

A petition against the sponsorship deal signed by more than 1,300 people claims the partnership “runs counter to Girlguiding’s international and peace orientated membership”.

It said: “This partnership is the short-sighted acceptance of money without thought given to how this partnership aligns with the organisations values, nor does it respect or pay attention to the interests of our sibling guides and scouts around the world.”

When asked by The Independent, Girlguiding UK refused to disclose the value of the sponsorship deal citing “confidentiality reasons”.

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.

“I was a guide and guide leader for about 15 years, and I’ve kept my hoodie, because I assumed that some day I’d go back. Now I’m not sure.

“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.”

A Girlguiding spokesperson said: “We’re proud of the extensive range of activities we offer to girls and young women as part of our programme and the diversity of opportunities this gives to members to develop their skills and interests.

“We’re sorry to hear some members are disappointed in our partnership with the British army. Each partnership is developed to align with our strategy and programme of activities for girls and young women, both of which involve extensive consultation with our members.”

The spokesperson also denied claims the partnership would encourage girls to sign up for the army.

“Girlguiding is not partnering with the British army for recruitment purposes. Our partnership with the British army focuses on developing girls’ leadership skills and no recruitment information will be provided to our young members or volunteers.”

The Independent has contacted the British army for comment.