A Summary of the History of World Friendship Funds

The idea for a special day each year on which Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world think of each other with friendship started at the 4th International Conference (USA, 1926). The date chosen was February 22, because it was the birthdays of both the Founder, Lord Baden-Powell, and the World Chief Guide, Lady Olave Baden-Powell.

At the 7th World Conference (Poland, 1932), a Belgian delegate suggested that all Girl Guides and Girl Scouts give "a penny for their thoughts." The suggestion caught on quickly, and the Thinking Day Fund was started to help Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting wherever the need was greatest.

Here in the United States, we give to the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund, which is a living memorial to our founder. Part of the money goes to the Thinking Day Fund, and part is used to send Girl Scouts to other countries and to bring Girl Guides to the United States.

(adapted from Trefoil Around the World and The Answer Book)

Contributed by:
Sharon Hickey
Junior Leader, Girl Scouts of Westchester-Putnam, New York

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This page last updated December 31st, 1998