There are over 10
million girls, young women and leaders who enjoy Guiding in 144 countries
across the world. They might not all be called Rainbows, Brownies, Guides,
Young Leaders or Rangers, but whatever their titles they share a common aim
with you. Wherever you travel in the world, you will have friends in Guiding.
Don’t just think about Guiding overseas at
Thinking Day. Look at some of the other ways you can get involved.
Badgework,Crafts & Activities
There are many books available in Guiding to introduce you to activities and
crafts from overseas. Midland Region have their own 'International Year Book'
which have activities linked to each month of the year. By completing one
activity per month a Challenge badge can be earned to go onto camp blankets.
Guiding Overseas Linked with Development
(GOLD)
This is for 18 – 30 year olds interested in voluntary work overseas based
on a community project in a developing country. They can start at just a couple
of weeks. Look out for information on the INTOPS weekends which are held each
year at these you can learn more about the GOLD Projects. Notice of the weekends
will appear in Guiding Magazine and details can be found on the International
pages on www.girlguiding.org.uk
website.
Links with Russia
Each Region has a Russian Co-ordinator to maintain links with Russia. Midland
region is linked with the Volga Region. Young women from the Volga Region
make visits to the international camps held within our region and camps are
now being held in Russia which groups from the Midlands visit.
Guide Friendship Fund
Although the Guide Friendship Fund can help units within the UK who are lacking
funds and under privileged. The Fund also helps overseas and has emergency
funds to give help to Associations after disasters and emergencies. In addition
projects overseas are supported each year. Donations can be made all year
round and ALL the money raised goes into the fund, nothing is taken out for
administration.
Visiting World Centres
There are four World Centres
These centres are open to all members of
the World Association and individuals as well as groups can stay (check minimum
ages first). Visiting the centres is a wonderful way of meeting Guiding friends
from around the world.
Taking your Unit Abroad
Taking units overseas really is an adventure and more and more units are traveling
with organised adventure companies as well as making their own arrangements.
Before you start work on your trip please talk to your County International
Adviser who will be able to start you off with the correct information about
the forms to complete, the requirements you need and some ideas of where to
go. In the Midlands we recently held a GAINING Training (Getting away Internationally
In Guiding) Look out for these trainings in your County.
International Camps
Once you have made your first trip abroad – maybe to Switzerland or Disneyland
Paris, why not take your unit to an International Camp overseas. In Europe,
most Guides and Scouts are joined associations so one good place to look for
camps is on the Scout website www.scoutbase.org.uk
Your County International Adviser can help
you with the forms and requirements and will often know someone who has traveled
to an International camp before and who can help you with advice and information.
Finally
Wherever you are and wherever you go – enjoy seeing new places, meeting new
people and learning about Guiding all over the World. |
