Once a haven. That’s what The Hong Kong Girl Guide Tuen Mun Campsite was. It is now disused. Let’s uncover its story.
The Hong Kong Girl Guides Association established this campsite. It aimed to provide a space for learning. Girls could develop skills and build camaraderie. The Tuen Mun Campsite was one of several centers. These belonged to the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association.
The Hong Kong Girl Guides Association has a long history. It began in 1916 with its first Girl Guides Company. It formally became an association in 1919. The association joined the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 1978. It serves over 55000 members.
The Girl Guides program has six sections. Happy Bee is for ages 4 to 6. Brownie is for ages 6 to 12. Guide is for ages 10 to 18. Ranger is for ages 15 to 23. Golden Guide is for those over 55. Guider includes volunteer leaders over 21.
The Guide Promise includes doing your best. It means being true to yourself and your country. It also means helping others. The Guide Law includes being reliable and trustworthy. Guides use resources wisely and respect others. They face challenges and care for nature. The Guide Motto is simple: Be Prepared.
The Hong Kong Girl Guides Association symbol is a stylized trefoil. Its mauve color recalls Hong Kong’s Bauhinia blakeana flower. Red is considered an auspicious color. The trefoil shows the Chinese character Kwong. It means a ray of light. This reflects the spirit of Guiding.
The Hong Kong Girl Guides Association has 14 regions and divisions. These include Bauhinia Division for English speakers. There are also divisions for Island East and West. Divisions exist for Kwun Tong and Yau Tsim Mong. Kowloon City and Wong Tai Sin have divisions too. Other divisions include Sham Shui Po and New Territories East. New Territories South and North also have divisions. Yuen Long and Tuen Mun have their own divisions. The Outlying Islands also have a division. Each division has multiple districts.
Many dedicated leaders have served as Chief Commissioners. Lady Stubbs was a commissioner from 1920 to 1925. Marguerite Gordon served as Chief Commissioner from 1978 to 1980. Jeanne Lee is the current Chief Commissioner. She began in 2021.
Though disused The Hong Kong Girl Guide Tuen Mun Campsite has a legacy. It once fostered growth and friendship. It contributed to the mission of the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association. It helped girls become prepared and responsible citizens.