You can't really talk about girl guides on the West Shore without hearing about Guide Leader Trudine Wilson.

As a girl growing up in Colwood, Trudine started Brownies at the Colwood Children’s Hall in 1962, then continued as a Guide and then a Ranger. Understanding how powerful it can be for girls to learn leadership traits and valuable skills within the supportive framework of strong friendships, she volunteered as Junior Leader for the 1st Colwood Guides. Her leadership skills and passion for the guiding program led her to become the unit's Lieutenant and then the Captain. Trudine continues to be the contact leader today. 

The photo above shows Colwood Girl Guides enjoying a horse drawn carriage ride at the St. John the Baptist Centennial Celebration in August 2013, where they volunteered to serve food to over 200 guests including Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon, Mayor Carol Hamilton and many other honoured guests.

Nurturing positive leaders

Throughout its history, Girl Guides of Canada has prepared girls to meet the challenges that they face in their lives head on. Whether it was girls learning to bandage wounds during the First World War or girls today working on their anti-bullying badge, Guiding continually evolves to reflect the needs and interests of contemporary girls and women. Today, Guiding’s innovative programming is helping the next generation of Canadian girls become confident, courageous and resourceful leaders.

"I love working with the girls even after all these years and the many changes to guiding (uniforms, Promise and Laws, and the program)," says Trudine. "The girls are still the same - they want to learn new things, have fun, camp in canvas tents with no floors, and make new friends. If I can teach them to be kind, polite, to share, to realize that we are all the same, and to respect themselves and others I feel that I am preparing them for a better future."

If that sounds serious, rest assured that fun is a major part of every activity. Trudine recalls a time she let a bunch of guiders haul her up a zip line and let her go. "I screamed all the way down," she laughs.

Fostering a spirit of community service

Trudine is proof that the mission of the Girl Guides of Canada works - that it "makes a positive difference in the life of every girl and woman so she can contribute responsibly to her community". She has certainly made a difference in the Colwood community, as someone who is always willing to lend a hand and to listen. She has a special talent for making community connections and planning community events. Her work has encouraged many girls in our Colwood community to become leaders in their own right.

Fourteen year old Shauna Hunze is one of the many Girl Guides Trudine has led over the years. "Anyone who knows Trudine is lucky. She is not just an amazing leader, she's also an amazing, selfless person," says Shauna. "I am in Pathfinders now and I still feel a connection with her and love helping with her unit. I hope she's in it for a lot longer because she is a great example for girls." 

We are not the only ones who recognize Trudine as a community leader. She has received many awards during her Girl Guide career, being honoured with the Commissioner/ACL, Gold Unit Guider, BC Guiders Appreciation Award, Medal of Merit, and Silver Merit. She was also thrilled to receive her Honorary Lifetime Membership in 2007.

It feels good to give

When she's not working with Guides, she can be found volunteering with the Ladies Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion, helping out at community events or spending time with her husband Wil working around the house and yard. It all adds up to being a giver, not a taker - which Trudine considers the best compliment anyone could give her. She hopes everyone will see how good it feels to help other people by giving of yourself.

Get connected

Learn more about Guides in our area, as well as a wide variety of other Colwood community groups at: Colwood Clubs & Associations.