Global Experiences
Members of Girlguiding Scotland can enjoy a number of global experiences:
GOLD
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Guiding Overseas Linked with Development is an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. GOLD is open to members of Girlguiding Scotland aged between 17 and 30 and gives you a unique, international experience, helping local Guides, through participation in community development projects over-seas. Projects take place all over the world and range from teaching English as a foreign language to running health awareness programmes.
GOLD - When?
Projects currently take place between June and December and typically last between two to four weeks.
GOLD - Where?
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In recent years GOLD has seen Girlguiding members visit Bangladesh, Belarus, Fiji, Honduras, Madagascar, South Africa and Thailand. GOLD participants are invited out by Girlguiding members of the host countries, so really the projects could take place anywhere.
GOLD - How?
You should attend an INTOPS weekend (International Opportunities), which will help you to find out about the international opportunities available, as well as testing your own endurance and participation skills.
If selected, you must fundraise for all the costs of the project including travel and living expenses yourself and you must attend a number of briefing weekends before you go.
Click here for more information (opens in new window)
World Centres
As a symbol of inclusion and friendship, The World Association of Girl Guides and Scouts (WAGGS) has four World Centres around the globe available to all Guides, Scouts, their families and their friends, for inspirational, international experiences.
The World Centres are dotted all around the globe. There is Our Cabana in the heart of Mexico; Our Chalet in the snowy mountains of Switzerland; Pax Lodge in the midst of the bustling city of London and Sangam in the exotic east, India.
Each centre offers a whole host of activities and events to help visitors learn more about the countries they are in and they are a perfect way to submerge yourself in a new culture in a home away from home.
For more information click here (opens in new window)
Scottish Guides' Global Experiences
Members of Girlguiding Scotland have visited the following countries:
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Austria
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Ireland |
Ireland
Campa Le Cheile in Ireland during 2007 had a varied programme ranging from celebrating cultural diversity, making sushi and putting on a hijab to bog hopping (“Bog hopping is basically jumping into about three foot of mud. It sounds disgusting but it was actually amazing fun and also quite hilarious”) and survival games.
“Standing next to the bungee jump made my stomach churn. I felt sick just looking at the people flying through the air however I wanted to try something new. I was incredibly nervous but to my astonishment I managed a couple of front and back flips. This has helped increase my confidence.
“At the end of the week I was absolutely exhausted, rather smelly and just a tad wet. However none of that could dampen my spirits because I was on such a high”. (Kirsty from Aberdeen)
Sweden
The Jinglijamborii in Sweden in July 2007 had lots of different activities including hiking, swimming in the lakes, canoeing, latin dancing, Swedish country dancing, games, manicures, building the camp and sun bathing. The Scottish girls who attended made some great memories.
“The King of Sweden – who had been camping for some of the week – made a speech which was quite cool. I couldn’t imagine our Queen doing that!” (Lindsey, age 17)
“I found Swedish Scouts that I had met the previous year on another camp. They were as excited as I was to find someone they knew… thousands of miles from the last time we met. Here we could relax with live bands, café’s and climbing walls without having the younger participants hanging around. We could be teenagers! That’s what we do best!!” (Nora, age 17)
Denmark
There have been a number of trips to Denmark with the most recent to Jamboree Camp Liv07 – Denmark 2007.
“I feel I can now truly understand the ‘Guiding Spirit’ and all that it holds. This camp has shown me that Guides is part of me and it is something that I never want to lose. Knowing that all around the world there are millions of girls with the same values as me, is something very special.” (Catriona)
In 2002, other Scottish girls visited Denmark too:
"We flew out to Denmark on Wednesday 17th July 2002, having met in Bruntsfield Youth Hostel, Edinburgh on Tuesday 16th so that we could all go to the airport together. The group consisted of 10 girls plus 2 leaders. The youngest Guide was 16 and the oldest 19 so we were quite a mixed group. We had met during the Easter holidays so I already knew everyone who was going. read on...
Ghana
"The time I spent in Ghana gave me the opportunity to witness the positive effects that Guiding can have on young women in a Third World country and made me aware of how much we can learn from the Ghanaian's optimistic outlook on life. The experience also allowed me to develop invaluable personal skills, and the cross-cultural relationships formed will ensure that the project continues to benefit young women from both nations in the future."
Fiona aged 21, Senior Section Young Leader from Edinburgh
read more about Ghana...
Germany
The camp in Vienta 2005 included an amazing tour of Berlin; activities based around the themes of sport, culture, health and politics (four pillars necessary for a balanced world); and a fun-filled game of blindfolded football! Guides and Senior Section members from across Scotland attended.
“I think I laughed more in that fortnight than I have done this year!” (Hannah - Senior Section)
“Overall my favourite part of the entire trip was the camp because I met so many different people – German, Welsh, Swedish, Russian, Turkish, English and more!”. (Emma – Senior Section)
“It was like being in a cowboy and Indian movie because all the tents were just like wigwams”. (Kathryn – Senior Section)
Austria
"The 15 days in Austria were excellent and although I'd never been away for that length of time before there is no part of the trip I would've missed. It was amazing and travelling with Guiding is not an opportunity to be missed."
Valerie
France
"These are my snapshot memories of camps: skipping on a dirt track with a group from Turkey, building a wall and flirting with boys from north Cyprus, swapping badges and having camp fires every night. Learning to play the bongos. And the two best things: everyone chanting the camp chant: 'Oi! Goy! Golidarity, Oi! Goy! International', and a conga line of 1000 people from all over the world at the closing ceremony. But most of all, recovering from aching sides from laughing so much."
Judith
Iceland
"After six months of waiting, I finally set off to the Icelandic Jamboree on July 13th, as part of a group of 12 from Scottish Headquarters. We spent the first couple of days in Reykjavik staying in a Scout Hall along with Scottish and Irish Scouts, and American Girl Scouts. We saw quite a bit of Reykjavik and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at Blue Lagoon a large outdoor spa. The water in the pool was around 35C, while the temperature out of the water was 14C which was the warmest day we had, the usual being around 8C. read on...
Holland
The Dutch National Jamboree in 2000 was an amazing experience with an Indiana Jones Adventure Park, Bouncy Castle assault course, nature hike, beach visit, live music, meditation, origami, karaoke, abseiling, river crossing, archery and a foam party!
“I think that going abroad, as part of a group, is a wonderful opportunity and certainly very good life experience”. (Alison)
“Meeting Guides and Scouts from all over the world made me realise what International trips are really all about. We are all friends across the world”. (Anne)
“I feel that I have become more independent since the camp, becoming a more confident traveller”. (Clare )
Luxembourg
Hockey, volleyball,trekking, climbing, making rockets, flying motor planes and designing a piece of a huge jigsaw were just some of the activities at the Millennium International Scout Camp in 2000.
“We were proud of ourselves because we’d completed the hike without cheating or going back to the camp. We didn’t get defeated; we teamed together and did really well”. (Kimberley)
“In the song contest we sang ‘500 miles’ by The Proclamiers, much to the bemusement of our foreign friends. Needless to say, we didn’t win but then the judges didn’t know a good thing when they heard it!
“We attacked the open day, armed with enough shortbread and jam to supply nearly the whole camp with a wee taste of some of Scotland’s finest home produce, even managing to serve up some Haggis.
“As a Young Leader it has to have been, without a doubt, my best experience so far within this movement”. (Lynn)
India
Sangam is one of our World Centres in Pune, Maharashtra, India. The name means 'a place where rivers meet' - it is also the place where leaders from every nationality meet in peace and harmony.
A group of guiders from Scotland attended the session 'Ambassadors for Children's Rights' and had a wonderful Thinking Day there too. However, whatever time of year you choose to visit Sangam you will find it a lovely, quiet, peaceful haven in the midst of India's wonderful, chaotic, colourful, noisy commotion. All the training's in Sangam emphasise cultural sharing, common Guiding/Girl Scouting links and the cultural heritage of India. read on...