International opportunities

 

 

International Opportunities

As part of our 50th Birthday Challenge launch we explored our International Explorer theme. This blog tells you more about the opportunities available for yourself and units to get involved in international activities and trips, once circumstances change to allow travel again. For activities related to this theme visit our blog on the International Theme.

Below we look at what is on offer to different age groups, starting with our youngest members.

Rainbows can get a feel for an international camp in the UK, by visiting an international jamboree just for the day. Here is the link to one such event.

By the time girls move up to Brownies they are able to go on international trips, we know that Disney World Paris is a popular destination. Please do share any photos or stories with us at anglia50@girlguiding-anglia.org.uk of any Brownie trips you’ve been on.

Over the years we’ve seen some amazing international trip badges created for those taking part, have you got any trip badges you could share? Thank you to Girlguiding Buckinghamshire for sharing this one.

You could start a unit blanket and see if you can get a badge from every country or region in WAGGGS.

Girls aged between 11-13 can take part in a region International Community Experience (ICE). ICE is an amazing three-stage project, that brings Guides together from all over Anglia to have fun while doing something for others. It offers the opportunity for personal development through community action work, teamed with an introduction to international experiences.

If you’re aged 10-18 then the world is your oyster!! Take a look at the Anglia Abroad booklet and see the adventures some of our region members had.

Districts and divisions may organise trips too, counties often have an annual international opportunity day/weekend (INTOPPS), where Guides can find out more about what is available to them. This year there may be virtual events, check out the international section on your county website for more information.

Our Girlguiding Anglia Inspire (18-30) community can have all sorts of adventures:

• They can apply to take part in a GOLD project, like the one in this video
• The next Gold selection weekend is hoped to be this year, check out the webpage for more information
• There are lots of other opportunities on the WAGGGS website:
  • Juliette Low Seminar
  •  Helen Storrow Seminar
  •  WAGGGS Volunteer Pool
• Plus there’s The Academy!

Our region adult leaders and Trefoil Guild members can join local or region trips as part of the leadership team, giving an opportunity to explore the world whilst supporting girls. Our International Adviser, Sue Trischitta, has Peru and Disneyland Paris on her bucket list. Where would you love to go?

There may, in the future, be county/region adult only trips. The world centres are popular destinations and allow our leaders and Trefoil Guild an opportunity to meet other members from WAGGGS.

International Jamborees provide opportunities for our adult members to take a role within an international service team (IST). If you’ve been on an IST we’d love to hear your story, please email us anglia50@girlguiding-anglia.org.uk.

TOPAZ is for Trefoil members only, “a chance to get involved in challenging international projects”, take a look at their website for more information. It would be lovely to hear from Trefoil members about their experiences, or perhaps you could contact your local Trefoil Guild and ask them to share their experiences with your units as part of the International Explorer theme in the ‘Buzz about Anglia’ birthday challenge?

Other opportunities include:

•  WAGGGS Leadership Programme
•  WAGGGS volunteer pool

Volunteer at one of the world centres, check the website for more details.

We hope our focus on international throughout 2021 will excite and encourage members to learn more about the opportunities available and get involved if they can. For further information contact your county international adviser or email the Anglia region office for advice angliahq@girlguiding-anglia.org.uk.

Happy adventures!