International Opportunities & Resources
1.INTernational OPportunitieS (INTOPS)
INTOPS is all about having fun and finding out about the international opportunities that are on offer in Guiding. You can find out more about INTOPS by watching this video.
(i) Girls’ INTOPS event
Our girls INTOPS will take place on Sunday 4th July.
This will be an held virtually on Zoom and is open to all Guides, Rangers and Young Leaders aged 14-17 years of age.
Booking can be made by returning the forms below to Leigh Skivington by Friday 25th June.
INTOPS_2021_booking_application.doc
virtual-meeting-parent-carer-consent-form_Edinburgh_INTOPS.doc
(ii) Girlguiding Scotland Adult INTOPS
Girlguiding Scotland Adult INTOPS for 2021 will be updated once we have more information.
2. Other opportunities
ICE (International Community Experience) – for Guides aged 11-13 years
This is a great opportunity for Guides to have an international experience. Stages 1 and 2 usually take place in Scotland, and Stage 3 internationally.
ICE 2021 – all stages will take place online this year. More information is available here.
Go for GOLD (Guiding Overseas Linked with Development)
To take part in GOLD, you need to be a Girlguiding member aged 18 to 30. To register your interest in GOLD, please contact events@girlguiding.org.uk
UK-based opportunities
There are lots of UK-based international opportunities on offer (no passport required!). Check these out here.
Travel opportunities for 18 – 30 year olds
Check out opportunities for 18-30 year olds here.
WAGGGS Volunteer Resource Pool
The Pool gathers together exciting volunteer opportunities for active members of Girlguiding who are 18+.
Find out more about the Pool and apply here: WAGGGS Volunteer Resource Pool.
3. International Resources and other organisations
New programme
Remember that ‘international isn’t just for 22nd February’ each year. There are a number of international themed UMAs, badges, and other activities that you can complete with your unit. Get in touch with our International Advisor if you need a hand.
International resources
Join in the international fun and earn a badge in your unit by taking part in ‘Let’s Go Global!‘ and Window on the World activities.
Thinking of taking a group abroad?
Remember that you need to submit a Permission to Plan Residential Event Notification form for an international event. This should be submitted at least 12-18 months ahead of the trip. For more information, contact Girlguiding Edinburgh International Advisor.
STA Travel
STA Travel can help to create customised itineries for advertures abroad. They have helped Girlguiding groups travel within Europe and elsewhere, including Mexico. If you’d like to hear more about what they can offer contact Jamie – 07765 240 575 or Jamie.Ferguson@statravel.com
Vine Trust
The Vine Trust is an international charity based in Edinburgh. Their ethos and vision is to “Connect People to Change Lives”- they believe that not only do volunteers change the lives of those they help, but also their own lives, impacting on their own local communities too.
The charity enables volunteers to provide medical, home-building and care support to communities living in severe poverty in Tanzania and Peru. The projects are demanding, enriching and transformative, fostering partnerships that are life-changing for local communities and short-term volunteers alike. A typical home-building programme would involve sending teams of volunteers to participate in a 2-week expedition Tanzania. Working closely with local builders, they support the construction of safe & secure homes for some of the most vulnerable people within the local community. Volunteers do not need any previous experience of construction or working in a developing country, just a desire to help make a difference.
If you would like to find out more about Vine Trust’s work, have a look at their website (vinetrust.org) or call the Vine Trust office on 0131 555 5598.
African Adventures
African Adventure’ offers trips for individual volunteers. These give you the unique opportunity to join up with like-minded people and make a difference to the lives of children in deprived areas of Ghana, Kenya and Zanzibar.
You have the chance to work in a developing community, experience new cultures and change the lives of those less fortunate than yourself, in a whole new environment. Volunteering in Africa is an amazing experience as you will make new friends and create memories that will last a lifetime.
For information on how you can be part of this, visit the website
Contact Us
If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Leigh Skivington, Girlguiding Edinburgh International Advisor. We would love to hear your stories of international Guiding!