Leadership. Confidence. Friendship.
Rainbow helps girls grow into strong, compassionate leaders – with fun, service, and sisterhood along the way.
What is Rainbow?
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (often shortened to Rainbow, or Rainbow Girls) is a leadership and service youth development organization for girls ages 6-21.
Rainbow Girls take on leadership roles at the local and national level, speak in front of small and large groups, select and plan their own events, and work as a team.
Our events include formal banquets, sleepovers, and everything in between. Rainbow Girls learn through doing, leading through serving others, and having fun in the process.
We welcome girls of all backgrounds, races, and religion. While Rainbow asks members to believe in a higher power, we are non-denominational, and you do not need to belong to a church to join.
Why are we called Rainbow Girls?
Our group is inspired from the beautiful symbol in the sky – and each of the seven colours of the rainbow represents a life lesson like love, loyalty, and service.
What you can do as a Rainbow girl
Take the lead
Every girl has a voice and a position in their local group. Girls change roles each six months, and sometimes the younger girls lead the older ones! This responsibility comes with chairing the meetings, as well as coordinating the service projects and fun events.
Speak with confidence
Rainbow Girls practice public speaking – a lot. Like any other skill, practice reduces anxiety and improves confidence. This prepares them to excel in both school presentations or careers where public speaking is required.
Serve your community
From collecting food for shelters, visiting senior centres, or raising money for charities that are meaningful to our members, the girls choose and organize these moments. Each local group selects a charity every 6 months, and girls across Canada support a cause annually, too.
Make friends & have fun
It wouldn’t be a youth group without fun and friendship. Rainbow Girls bond over their shared values, but laugh and connect over movie nights, formal dinners, crafts, road trips, and the chosen themes. There’s always something to look forward to!
Travel across Ontario and the US
Rainbow Girls are part of a national and international community. Girls from all our Assemblies meet several times a year to test their skills at a higher level, learn leadership skills, and celebrate with themed gatherings! There’s even a pen pal program where girls can safely meet girls in Rainbow in the US and many other countries.
What to expect in Rainbow
Business meetings are held twice a month, September to June.
We hold 3 major Ontario-wide events a year, plus optional other social events.
During special meetings or ceremonies, we wear formal attire.
$25 to join, and less than $50 per year annual fees. Assemblies fundraise for larger costs.
While meetings are led by the girls, Advisors are beside to guide them every step.
Make friends, support each other, and join the community.
FAQ about Rainbow
Rainbow welcomes girls from all faiths and traditions. We ask that members believe in a higher power (Supreme Being), but we are not tied to any religion or church.
Our members have been Christian, Jewish and Muslim, and may or may not be affiliated with a place of worship. We teach all of our members to have their own faith, and to respect the religious choices of their Rainbow sisters, family, and friends.
Rainbow focuses heavily on public speaking, formal leadership roles, and community service efforts.
It is also unique because we don’t segment our members by age – girls 11 through 21 all meet together, creating big sister-little sister relationships naturally, even when the younger girls hold the formal leadership roles.
We dress up and even our meetings have formality built into them. Imagine mixing pageantry with business skills and creativity all in one.
Girls learn from each other and from their Advisors as they plan events, run meetings, and mentor each other.
Rainbow was founded by a Freemason in 1922. Rev. W. Mark Sexson wrote the story of our organization and wanted to provide girls the same leadership opportunities his sons had. Today, girls continue that tradition of growth all around the world.
Today, many Assemblies are sponsored by Masonic groups, who provide meeting space and mentorship – but our activities are operated independently and are youth-led.
Each local assembly has their own fees, but girls can expect to pay a one-time fee on joining of around $25. The annual cost to belong is less than $50.
There are other costs with our annual events with girls across Ontario, though they are subsidized through sponsorship from other groups.
Girls are expected to follow the dress code and wear formal gowns. However, girls often swap gowns with each other as teenagers grow so quickly!
Absolutely! Assemblies invite guests to special meetings, open houses, and service events. It’s a great way to meet the girls and see if Rainbow is a good fit for your family.
Ready to learn more?
See where our locations are meeting now, or get in contact with us to plan a visit and answer your questions!