Taking your girlguiding unit abroad is one of the most exciting adventures you can offer. More than just a holiday, an international trip builds confidence, broadens horizons, and creates unforgettable memories. Whether it’s meeting members of the global Guiding community or discovering new cultures first-hand, overseas travel can be a milestone in every girl’s journey.
In this guide, we’ll explore why international trips matter, the benefits they bring, and practical steps to help you plan a safe, rewarding, and inspiring adventure for your group.
Why Overseas Trips are important for Girlguiding
Overseas trips bring Girlguiding’s values to life in ways that are hard to replicate at home. They take the spirit of adventure, friendship, and discovery that girls know so well and place it on a much bigger stage. Stepping out of the UK and into a completely new environment gives girls the opportunity to grow in ways that everyday meetings or even UK-based camps can’t always provide.
They give girls the chance to:
- Experience new cultures – Meeting people from different countries, trying local food, or joining in with traditional celebrations opens your girlguiding unit’s eyes to the rich diversity of the world. For many, it may be their first time outside the UK, and these first-hand experiences encourage curiosity, respect, and a willingness to embrace difference.
- Develop global awareness – Seeing how communities live and work in other parts of the world helps your members put their own lives into perspective. From noticing how daily routines differ, to learning about global challenges such as sustainability or inequality, they begin to see themselves as part of a much bigger picture. This nurtures empathy and a sense of shared responsibility for the planet.
- Learn through adventure – Overseas trips offer adventure on a whole new scale. Whether it’s visiting a WAGGGS World Centre, volunteering in a community project abroad, or taking part in an international jamboree with Guides and Scouts from across the globe, every activity builds practical skills, resilience, and a fresh outlook on what’s possible.
- Strengthen friendships – Travelling together creates a unique bond within the group. From supporting each other through challenges like navigating public transport in another country to celebrating successes together, these shared experiences forge strong friendships. And when girls meet their peers from abroad, they often form new connections that continue long after the trip has ended.
Every international trip reflects Girlguiding’s mission: to help members grow in confidence, develop skills for life, and make a positive difference in the world. By immersing your members in global experiences, leaders aren’t just giving them a trip to remember, they’re helping them discover their role as confident, compassionate citizens of the world.
The Benefits of Overseas Trips for Girlguiding members
International travel offers girls so many opportunities to grow and flourish. For many, it’s their first time experiencing life beyond the UK, and that sense of adventure can be transformative. Some of the most powerful benefits include:
- Confidence and independence – Navigating an airport, finding their way in a new city, or trying out a few words in another language all help girls discover what they’re capable of. Even small moments, like keeping track of their own passport or choosing something new from a menu, build independence and belief in their own abilities.
- Leadership and teamwork – Trips abroad bring plenty of situations where girls need to work together and take responsibility. They might plan a meal, organise equipment for an activity, or support a peer who’s feeling homesick. These real-world challenges give them the chance to practise teamwork and leadership in ways that feel meaningful and rewarding.
- Cultural understanding – Immersing themselves in another culture provides a perspective that books or videos can’t capture. Whether they’re visiting a local school, joining a community celebration, or simply noticing everyday differences, girls gain a deeper appreciation of how people live, work, and celebrate around the world. It’s a lesson in respect and open-mindedness that stays with them for life.
- Personal achievement – International trips often take girls out of their comfort zone, and that’s where growth happens. Overcoming nerves before a new activity, adapting to different routines, or completing a project abroad all contribute to a strong sense of accomplishment. These experiences help them see challenges not as barriers, but as opportunities to grow.
- Lifelong memories – Above all, overseas trips create the kinds of memories that last long after girls have moved on from their uniforms. It might be singing songs with new friends from another country, laughing over travel mishaps, or standing together at a famous landmark they’d only seen in pictures before. These shared stories strengthen friendships and give girls something special to carry with them into the future.
Badges They Can Earn on an International Trip
An overseas adventure is a fantastic opportunity for girls to work towards badges and awards. Linking your trip to the Girlguiding programme makes every moment feel purposeful and helps your girlguiding unit see how their skills and experiences connect to real achievements. It also gives them something tangible to bring home and share with others, reminding them of what they accomplished along the way.
Depending on your destination and itinerary, your girls could work towards:
- Culture badge – Perfect for exploring a country’s traditions, language, and way of life. Guides might try local food, learn simple phrases in another language, or take part in cultural activities that bring their host country to life.
- International badge – Ideal for trips with a strong global focus. This might involve connecting with a local Guide group, learning about worldwide issues, or visiting one of the WAGGGS World Centres to experience the global Guiding community first-hand.
- Adventure badge – Overseas trips often include outdoor activities such as hiking in new landscapes, kayaking on unfamiliar waters, or climbing in a completely different environment. Each activity helps Guides step out of their comfort zone while ticking off badge requirements.
- Take Action badge – Many international trips build in opportunities to give back, such as volunteering in a community project, supporting an environmental initiative, or fundraising for a local cause. These meaningful contributions can form part of a Take Action challenge.
- Skills builder stages – The modules in areas like Leadership, First Aid, or Camp can be completed in an overseas setting. Doing them abroad often makes the learning even more memorable, as girls apply their skills in real-life, unfamiliar situations.
Some leaders also use international trips to help older members work towards their section Gold Awards or even the Queen’s Guide Award – one of the highest accolades in Girlguiding. With this, leaders will take part in personal development challenges, Girlguiding challenges, community action, lead the way and social experience challenges. Achieving these milestones while travelling adds an extra layer of pride and significance.
Make sure to review badge criteria before you go and plan activities into your itinerary that align with them. That way, your girlguiding unit can gather evidence, take photos, and reflect on their achievements once they’re back home.
How to Plan an Overseas Trip
Planning an overseas trip takes time and organisation, but the results are more than worth it. With the right preparation, you’ll be able to focus on the exciting parts of the adventure while knowing the essentials are taken care of. Here are some key steps to help things run smoothly:
- Start early – Ideally, begin planning 12–18 months in advance. This gives you time to research destinations, compare options, secure bookings, and sort paperwork such as passports and insurance. It also allows space for fundraising, which can make the trip more affordable and inclusive for everyone in your unit.
- Set clear objectives – Ask yourself what you’d like the trip to achieve. Is the focus on cultural exchange, developing specific skills, working towards badges, or celebrating a milestone with your unit? Having clear goals makes it easier to plan your itinerary and ensures the trip feels purposeful as well as fun.
- Choose a trusted provider – Partnering with an experienced organisation like PGL can take the weight off your shoulders. Going through an organisation allows them to handle the practicalities, from accommodation and meals to activity planning and safety measures, so you can concentrate on supporting and encouraging your Guides.
- Plan your budget – Build a budget that covers travel, accommodation, meals, insurance, activities, and any extras. Be transparent with parents and carers about costs, and get your girls involved in fundraising activities. Not only does this make the trip more accessible, but it also helps build excitement and teamwork before you even set off.
- Prioritise safety and wellbeing – Carry out thorough risk assessments, gather medical and dietary information, and ensure leader-to-young person ratios are always in place. Think about how you’ll support girls who may be anxious about travelling, and make sure everyone knows who to go to if they need help during the trip.
- Prepare your group – The more your girls know in advance, the more confident they’ll feel. Share itineraries, packing lists, and expectations at group meetings, and involve girls in decisions wherever possible, whether that’s choosing activities or practising simple phrases in the local language. Building their input gives them ownership of the trip and boosts their confidence.
- Reflect afterwards – Once you’re home, take time to celebrate everything you achieved together. Share photos, create memory books, or host a presentation evening for parents and carers. Reflection not only helps girls recognise their achievements, but also inspires younger members of the unit to take part in future international adventures.
Book Your Overseas Trip with PGL
With decades of experience delivering safe, exciting, and inclusive adventures, PGL is the perfect partner for your next international Guiding trip. From expertly planned itineraries to activities designed to challenge and inspire, we are proudly an official Girlguiding partner and will help you take care of the details so you can focus on supporting your girls.
Our overseas programmes such as Ardeche Adventure is designed to build confidence, strengthen friendships, and give every member a trip they’ll never forget, all while keeping safety and fun at the heart of the experience.
Find out more about our international adventures for Guides and other uniformed groups, and start planning a journey your Guides will remember for years to come.
