Christine Tessier has been with the Smithers Whispering Pine 3rd Guide Unit since it's beginning in 1982. "And I'm pleased to announce," she says with sincere enthusiasm, "it's still going strong."

Christine's official title in the world of Girl Guides is a Responsible Guider, which means she has taken the mandatory 3 hour Safe Guide Training Course and is a Leader. Who better to fill us in on what it means to be a Girl Guide nowadays?

She is also an area trainer and the mother of two Guides, Alexis 15 and Peyton 12.

Girls enter the Guiding program at age 5 as Sparks. At this time, they are taught by their Leaders. After Sparks they enter Brownies, which is run mostly by the Leaders but influenced by choices the girls make.

When they reach Guides, the influence shifts to 50% for both Leaders and the girls until they reach Pathfinders where most of the planning and direction of the meetings are decided by the teenagers.

Once they reach the final Senior Stage, which is where they can become Leaders themselves, total control is given over to the young women who then elect their own council members, treasurers, etc. "You go from being led to leading," says Christine. "It builds as the years go on."