International opportunities

Girlguiding offer a wide range of international opportunities for Brownies and upward. Below is a summary of these.
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​Opportunities for local groups

Travel as a unit/district on an international adventure

Units or districts can organise trips abroad themselves. At least one leader needs to hold the relevant going away with licence as well as holding or working towards the additional international module. If you don't already hold this module then you need to talk to your commissioner in the first instance and you will be given a mentor to help you with your planning and preparations. There are also trainings you can attend to gain experience in taking girls away overseas. 

Travel to an international jamboree

International camps take place all over the world, including right here in the UK. Taking a group of girls to one of these camps is the best international opportunity you can offer them without leaving the country. Because they're on UK soil it means you only need a regular going away with licence but the girls will experience the culture and experience of an international camp. There is an international camp called WINGS taking place in 2026 just over in Windsor on Windsor Great Park. 

Of course these camps take place internationally as well so you may decide to go further afield for your adventures.

​Opportunities for individuals

County INTOPS (INTernational OPportunitieS)

An Exciting Opportunity to travel and represent the county
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Each year, Girlguiding Gloucestershire invites girls in Year 8 and above (under 18 by August 31 of the trip year) to apply for a space on the team via a selection weekend.  Applicants will require a recommendation from unit Leader and commissioner. 

These international adventures are more than just a holiday, they are a journey of growth, friendship and skill-building, and the full experience is divided into three parts: preparation, the trip itself, and post-trip activities.  Everyone is expected to fundraise the full cost of the trip with support from family, units and the trip leaders, which will include some group fundraising events.  Grants are also available to help reach fundraising goals.

Participants keep a personal fundraising account and, after the trip, share their stories through blogs, reports and plenty of thank you events.  Some even get invited to present at future selection events and county leader gatherings.

The selection weekend usually takes place in February or March, starting off an exciting year of adventure and personal development.  If you're ready to challenge yourself and make lifelong memories, this is the opportunity for you!

Region INTOPS

Girlguiding South West England also run an INTOPS programme each year with a similar process to our county one. The difference is, to be put forward to the region selection you need to have attended the county selection first.

Region ICE (International Community Experience)

Girlguiding South West England also run a programme for younger girls, aged 11-13, for smaller scale trips closer to home. They have visited destinations such as France, Belgium and Northern Ireland. They usually hold 2 selection weekends each year in September/October time and offer half the girls a space on the international trip. This is a really good way for the girls to begin to experience international adventures.

Girlguiding GOLD (Guiding Overseas Linked with Development)

The National GOLD trips are about enabling young women to develop their potential and make a difference in the world. Every trip is different but they all share a common purpose, the develop the participants whilst carrying out some form of local community project in the area they're visiting. These projects range from leadership skills training to delivering advocacy programmes to young women. They're sustainable projects making sure that the participants leave behind a legacy.

The National GOLD trips also have a selection process called GO for GOLD. 

Volunteer at an international jamboree

There are a huge number of international jamborees all over the world, including in the UK and abroad. Each one couldn't happen without a dedicated team of volunteers. There are roles from 'turn up and help for the length of the camp' roles as well as more in-depth roles that support planning and delivery of the camp so whatever your availability, there is something for everyone. These camps are truely where some of the most amazing friendships can be made and once you've been to one, you'll be hooked and asking each other where you're going next year!

World Scout Jamboree (often abbreviated to WSJ) is one of the largest and most well known jamboree, but is currently only open to adult guiding members to volunteer on the staff teams. Places fill up very quickly and applications need to be submitted well in advance.  You can see here details of the 26th World Scout Jamboree planned for 2027 in Poland.

Another option is the World Scout Moot.

Volunteer with WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides & Girl Scouts)

WAGGGS has a wide range of opportunities available to the members of its member organisations, including those within Girlguiding. These opportunities include roles such as volunteering within the World Centres, as well as home based roles such as being part of their core mission. Applications are via the WAGGGS website and you will need your local commissioner to provide you with a reference so it's worth chatting through your ideas with them before applying.
The video shows what some of the volunteers with WAGGGS European Region think about their volunteering opportunity with WAGGGS.

Book and go opportunities for adult members at WAGGGS

Girlguiding have some book and go opportunities for adult members. These are adventure type trips of a lifetime. All of these adventures can be viewed through the discoveradventure.com website. There are some adventures just for girlguiding members, or you can look at the open adventures too.