World Centers

See and experience the world with Girl Scouts

WAGGGS, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts maintains four world centers where members of all nationalities can meet as friends, share experiences, and exchange ideas. The purpose of WAGGGS is to teach and promote and understanding of the basic principles of Guiding to encourage friendship among girls and young women throughout the world and help them to develop to their full potential. These four centers are: Our Chalet located in Adelboden, Switzerland; Our Cabana in Cuernavaca, Mexico; Pax Lodge in London, England; and Sangam located in Pune, India.
Our Chalet in Switzerland was the first world center to open in 1932. At Our Chalet you can climb a mountain and explore the Swiss Alps, go skiing or snowboarding, sing around the campfire, take a sight-seeing trip, try sledging in the moonlight, meet Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from around the world, and more! The program varies according to the season.
The second World Center to open was Our Ark in London, in 1939. The ark was chosen since it is a symbol of security and when it opened offered refuge to many members of the Guide Movement who had been forced to abandon their home during World War II. It was relocated in 1963 to a new home in Earl’s Court and was renamed Olave House in honor of the World Chief Guide, Lady Olave Baden-Powell. Olave House was closed in 1988 and a new World Center Pax Lodge was opened in Hampstead. A variety of programs and seminars are offered. They focus on women’s issues, environment, topical events, or on historical and cultural aspects of London.
A third world center was discussed at a Guiders’ conference in Cuba in 1946. The idea was to help Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting grow and develop in Latin America so a site was chosen in Cuernavaca, Mexico and in 1957, Our Cabana was opened to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Lord Baden-Powell. It offers a cultural program including hand arts, music and dance, service projects, sight-seeing to historic places, and shopping.
Sangam, the only world center in Asia, was opened in 1966 by Lady Baden-Powell. In Sanskrit Sangam means “coming together” and was created to enable Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from very different backgrounds, cultures, and languages to meet one another. Special program sessions are organized at various times. The topics may vary, but all highlight the development of international understanding through living together and sharing of one another’s cultures. Each session includes some exploration of the rich cultural heritage of India.
Girls can find out more by visiting www.girlscouts.org and clicking “About Us” on the site’s home page and then clicking “International Girl Scouting” on the sidebar. Many commonly asked questions about international trips, the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund, World Thinking Day, WAGGGS, the four world centers, and international pen pals are answered in this section.

Hints for planning an extended troop trip

Troop trips are a great way for girls to experience cultures other than their own, learn budgeting, planning, and responsibility.

1. Discuss and decide on the purpose and goal of the trip.
2. Remember it is the girls’ trip!
3. Will the girls enjoy being away from
home for the entire length of the trip?
4. Early in the planning, obtain parental
support and approval for the trip and all activities!
5. Be aware that rest is a very important activity.
6. Give an opportunity for all girls to raise funds so no one is left at home.
7. Facilitate the girls to obtain knowledge of their destination.
8. Practice manners, i.e. table etiquette, what silverware to use in a formal setting, etc.
9. Discuss and practice taking emergency action.
10. Discuss and learn acceptable social behavior and the consequences for breaking the rules.
11. Understand body language and be aware of what you are “saying” verbally.
12. Discuss dress codes appropriate for the areas you will be visiting.
13. Discuss security when traveling, touring, and at overnight accommodations.
14. Be “street wise.” Do not take valuables or irreplaceable items with you. Leave no personal item unattended.
15. Be prepared to be noticed by young men, but do not respond.
16. Discuss healthy eating to maintain energy while traveling.
17. Know your girls’ health needs. Insure prior to departure adequate health services will be available at all locations.
18. Ensure the required adult to girl ratio is met throughout the entire trip. Be sure all adults support #2 (above).
19. Learn the intricacies of packing. Decide how much luggage each person can bring. Practice carrying luggage BEFORE departure.
20. Discuss and develop an equipment and clothing list for participants.
21. Be sure to pack extra eyeglasses, contact lenses/prescription, and prescription medications.
22. Have an adult first aider and a troop/group first aid kit. Consider having as many girls as possible take a first aid course. Have each person carry their own personal first aid kit.
23. Adults in charge will need a permission ship, power of attorney, and medical form for each participant. Consider having the girls also carry copies on them. Graduating Seniors (18 years old) must have parental approval if they are registered as a “girl.” Adults complete the adult emergency form, medical form, and a power of attorney.
24. Leave an itinerary with dates, addresses, and telephone numbers for you entire trip with each parent. Designate “home contact.” Plan to check in with you “home contact” on a regular basis during your trip to keep parents up to date.
25. Discuss trip rules and agree on enforcement.
26. Plan for “after the trip” evaluation and progression in the girls’ travel skills.
27. Make sure everyone turns in all travel documents. Permission slips (F-204), medical forms (F-185), guardian’s power of attorney (F-318), parental permission to travel with a minor (F-317), health exam forms, tickets, picture ids, etc.
28. Discuss ATM cards and traveler’s checks, how to use, where to keep the list of numbers, etc.
29. HAVE A GREAT TRIP!