Pen Pal Writing Tips & Advice

You can find fellow Girl Guide/Girl Scout pen pals on the Internet! Good ways of finding other GG's is through people you already know such as through friends living abroad, or by searching the Internet for troop or group Web sites.

Remember though you should ALWAYS use the Internet safely with an adult's guidance or supervision. See our Savvy Surfin' page for more details but check out these key pointers:

1. When you first make contact with a new person don't use your own home e-mail address initially - use a temporary one you've made specially on MSN Hotmail or Yahoo for example
   
2. Always avoid giving out your full name and address when writing on the Web
   
3. NEVER make arrangements to meet someone you write to on the Internet unless a parent or guardian, or a leader is part of the process. Your caregiver or leader should be aware of who you're writing to so s/he can help you make decisions about meeting or more contact.
   
4. Many sites that post pen pal names do not monitor the people who post names or write messages. Just as you must be wary of strangers in person, you need to be cautious online.
   
5. Remembering all this, do have fun. There are lots of really nice fellow Girl Guides out there to write to over the Internet. Just remember to be aware and be a Savvy Surfer!!!

What should I write about to a fellow GG?
You could write about:

• Yourself
• Your family
• Your friends
• Your activities in GGs
• Your leaders
• Your community activities
• Your hobbies
• Your school
• Your neighbourhood
• Your town
  
• Your special holidays

Find out about them by asking about:

• Their special interests
• Their schools
• Their GG activities

Share with them:

• Snapshots
• Sketches
• Recipes
• Maps
• Games
• Tapes or videos