The Cranbrook Girl Guides are preparing some sweet treats in preparation for their annual Tea and Bake Sale at the Cranbrook Guide Hall.

The Girl Guides from Sparks to Rangers will be in their full uniforms serving tea and strawberry cake, and a selection of baked goods will be on sale for guests on February 18 from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 1421 2nd St. S. A contest will be held between the girls for the best baking, and the winning girls will receive awards. Tickets are $3 at the door, and the proceeds will go towards the Guides' camp fund.

Tara Archambault said there are 84 Girl Guides in Cranbrook, which breaks down to 31 Sparks, 20 Brownies, 18 Girl Guides, seven Pathfinders and eight Rangers. They meet throughout the week at night at the Guide Hall.

The tea is a fundraiser for the Girl Guide camp they are trying to build in Wycliffe. Archambault said they already have the latrines built and are in talks with the developer of the building to continue the development stage.

"We are of course always in need of a bit more money but we do have a good base to get this up and running by the latest next year," she said.

The camp will add another fun element to an already great program that brings girls together to learn new things and build self-esteem.

"The benefit of being in Girl Guides is that it's fun," Archambault said. "At our meetings we play games, sing songs, and do crafts. We go on field trips, and camps, we have community members come in to teach us various things and, we work on Badges. We promote self-esteem, friendship and a sense of belonging."

Girl Guides isn't just a great place for the girls - adult leaders, called Guiders, get to enjoy the time spent at meetings, and it's a great way to meet new friends and do some worthwhile volunteer work. The Cranbrook Girl Guides are always looking for women to join their team.

"It is so rewarding to help girls have fun and learn new things, and we learn along the way as well," Archambault said. "We have a great group of women Guiders right now who are all committed to giving these girls the best experience possible - and nothing feels better than being a part of that.

To get involved with Girl Guides, visit www.girlguides.ca or call (250) 426-2062 and leave a message. The next registration session will be at the Cranbrook Rec Plex in September.