On Sunday February 24, Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Ranger Guides from across the Island gathered to celebrate the founders of the Guiding and Scouting movement, Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, and think of young women and their leaders in the Guiding movement around the world.

About 200 young people, led by the Somerset Brigade Band and the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band, marched in units behind their colour parties from the City Hall car park to the Cathedral. There they held a Thinking Day service on the theme of water.

In songs, a skit, clapping games and short readings, they reflected on the importance of water and the struggle some communities have to obtain a reliable supply of this basic necessity of life.

Island Commissioner Denise Woodhouse introduced honorary president Lady Gozney, who shared with the young women her personal experiences visiting communities in various countries around the world.

She observed that for many, obtaining water involved hauling heavy buckets over long distances and that a well such as the local guiding community was raising funds for would make a significant impact on the lives of women and children in Somalia.

Following the service the packs and companies marched through Hamilton to the Flagpole were they saluted the commissioner, raised their Guide flag and had a minute of silent reflection before lowering it and proceeding back to the City Hall where they were dismissed. Afternoon tea served in the Cathedral Hall was enjoyed by friends and family of the Guiding community.

"It's fun to march with other people, and the skit was interesting," noted Francesca Maiden of the St. Patrick's Brownie Pack.

To be marching with the other members of the Guiding community made her feel "sort of proud and happy, sort of special".

Guide Rachel Doughty, 13, echoed her comments.

"Lots of people come to watch," she said. "You'd be surprised how many. It gives you more encouragement to look nice as you march. It makes you feel proud to be a Guide."

According to the website www.worldthinkingday.org: "Each year on 22 February, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world celebrate World Thinking Day.

"World Thinking Day was first created in 1926 at the fourth Girl Guide/Girl Scout International Conference, held at Girl Scouts of the USA's Camp Edith Macy (now called Edith Macy Conference Centre). Conference attendees decided that there should be a special day when Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all around the world think of each other and give thanks and appreciation to their 'sister' Girl Guides and Girl Scouts."

The delegates chose February 22 as the date for Thinking Day because it was the mutual birthday of Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scout movement, and his wife Olave, who served as World Chief Guide.