Mulgrave Girl Guides district leader Anna Maltezos was thrilled that next year would celebrate a worldwide female volunteer movement that played an important role in the community.

Mrs Maltezos said the group had grown in popularity because it offered friendship and fun.

"It's a fun way to learn life skills and it gets you out in the fresh air doing things you wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to do.

"I also feel that many parents are finding that living in such a competitive, high pressure society isn't always the environment that helps girls to excel. Guiding gives girls an opportunity to grow into confident members of society. It also gives parents, particularly mums, the opportunity to bond with their daughters by providing activities that they can do together."

Mrs Maltezos said children and teens aged 5-18 joined the group to learn life skills and challenge themselves.

"We offer girls and leaders a personal challenge via a fun program of badges, camping, overnight stays, mother-daughter nights, father-daughter nights, participation in community events such as Australia Day, Anzac day and Clean Up Australia Day.

The program also includes hands-on practical skills such as cooking, knots and first-aid."

She said girls and young women learnt important life skills.

"Informal values based on the education program builds on self-confidence. Girls make a promise to do their best and be guided by a philosophy of doing their best, being prepared and helping and respecting others."

Mrs Maltezos said young adult women could also join the Olave program for 18-30 year olds or help out as a volunteer or leader.

Mulgrave Girl Guides has 28 members in the 7-11 year old age group and 24 girls in the 10-15 year old group that meet once a week during the school term.

"Girls take with them a level of self confidence borne of positive personal experiences, organisational skills, the ability to work in a team, leadership skills and a sense of community," Mrs Maltezos said.