Girl Guides of Canada: Femininity and Community in Mississauga

Kids at Camp Wyoka, Heritage Mississauga

Do you remember camping, exploring, learning, and making friends when you were growing up? If so, you may have been involved in the Girl Guides. Gather ‘round the Grange at 1921 Dundas St. W, Mississauga to see our new exhibit recounting the stories of Mississauga’s Girl Guides.

The Scout movement was started in England in 1908 by Robert Baden Powell, and when they held their first rally, a group of young girls demanded that they join in the festivities too. They believed girls could do anything boys could do. Their advocacy worked, and Robert’s sister, Agnes Baden Powell, took on the Girl Guides cause in 1909. The movement spread to Canada the next year when the first Girl Guide Company was formed in St. Catharines, Ontario under the leadership of Mary Malcolmson.

White Oaks Rangers Flag, Heritage Mississauga

In 1962, the White Oaks Area Girl Guides was founded to include most of Peel and Halton counties, including Mississauga. "White Oaks” was the nickname of Oakville’s founder William Chisholm. The name also became synonymous with Mississauga author Mazo de la Roche’s Jalna book series following the adventures of the “Whiteoaks” family, loosely inspired by the Harris family who lived in Mississauga’s Benares Historic House. The name was chosen by the Girl Guides to represent who they were as a community. Many of you will remember their office on Dundas Street where they operated for four decades. But do you know White Oak’s first Commissioner?

Hilda McKinley and Marjorie Howard camping, Heritage Mississauga

Hilda McKinley grew up around the scouting movement with her father as a scout master and her mother as a cub master. You could say that Guiding was in her blood! Hilda took on many roles in the Girl Guides of Canada, but her most important role was becoming the first Area Commissioner for the brand-new White Oaks Area.

As someone who had been influenced by Guiding at a young age, Hilda knew she had it in her to help her community by giving young girls more opportunities to have fun. When the White Oaks Area was formed, the Area decided to buy their own camp outside Clifford, Ontario, known as “Camp Wyoka”, which opened in 1965. Generations of guides young and old have fond memories of romping around Camp Wyoka.

Camp Wyoka postcard, Heritage Mississauga

Marjorie Howard, White Oaks Area’s second Commissioner, remembers the early days of Camp Wyoka. When she joined, Camp Wyoka’s land had just been converted from a sheep farm. It was barren - there were few plants to speak of, but the ladies knew how they could liven it up. Marjorie remembers that trees were planted on site by everyone that was involved in Camp Wyoka’s creation. It was an all hands-on-deck effort!

4th Cooksville Flag, Heritage Mississauga

Helen Carlyle is someone else who could tell you a thing or two about Camp Wyoka. Helen and her husband were involved with building the lodge at Camp Wyoka, later named Carlyle Lodge. She remembers all the hard work that went into building Carlyle Lodge and camping there every weekend while the lodge was being built. Helen constructed the permanent toilets herself, but there was a time not long ago when she recalled having to dig the camp’s toilets every year! Helen remembers before there was a refrigerator at the camp and she would have to bury their produce to keep it cool in the summer. It was hard work, but it was all worth it when looking at all the changes in camping since she joined the Girl Guides.

2nd Lorne Park Guide Dress, Heritage Mississauga

Through the sisterhood of guiding, women, young and old, honed new skills and made long-lasting friendships. From the earliest age group, girls were taught to "share and be a friend". At the helm, Guiders encouraged young girls to be honest, courageous, respect others and believe in themselves, as was, and still is, the Guiding Law. The hard work of the Guiders helped to create unforgettable memories and valuable life lessons.

Sparks T-shirt, Heritage Mississauga

Girl Guides taught girls the importance of giving back to their community and welcoming everyone with open arms. Many women went on to use the skills they learned in Guiding to contribute to their communities. These women’s stories tell us so much about the friendship, life skills and confidence that the Girl Guides have given women in Mississauga. Girl Guides is not just about play, it empowers women to learn new skills, meet new friends and make a difference in their community.

Heritage Mississauga invites you to see our new 2023-2024 exhibit at the Grange for FREE - The Girl Guides of Canada: Femininity and Community in Mississauga. Enjoy the nostalgia and comradery of the Girl Guides of Canada and learn about the inspiring women behind the White Oaks Area. See you there!