Volunteers are also very welcome!
Some of the most popular sections of the Know-it-all passport guidebook are those which relate to children’s activities, especially weekly classes and camps. Whenever we receive information on a new club, we like to post details on our Activities Calendar for Kids as soon as possible, and in all the excitement we sometimes forget to mention those clubs that have been with us for years!
One organization, which has been operating in this region for over 50 years is the Geneva Girl Scouts. Originally known as “Troops on Foreign Soil”, this group now falls under the banner of USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO), and currently has about 200 Girl Scouts and volunteers.
Most people have heard about the Scout movement but not everyone appreciates the full range of benefits offered by the organization, which is open to girls of all nationalities. In short, the Girl Scout and Girl Guide movement is dedicated to helping girls aged 5 to 17 learn to be strong, independent, responsible, active and creative. While having fun, Girl Scouts learn leadership skills and values which will serve them well their entire life. Activities include campouts, hikes, outings, trips (within Switzerland as well as internationally), and earning badges on subjects as diverse as science, travel, outdoor cooking, photography, and wildlife. In addition, Troops may do community projects during the year, such as singing for people in a retirement community or raising money for an animal shelter.
Knowitall.ch recently met up with the Committee Chair for the Geneva Girl Scouts, Christine Kaspar, to find out more about the local operation of this popular English-speaking organization. Asked whether the concept of a girls-only club was relevant today, Christine told us that this was actually one of the biggest attractions of the group. “Some girls just want to have fun with other girls, and do activities that appeal to them, rather than having to cater to the demands of boys! It may seem old-fashioned, but the girls are free to be themselves, and are totally relaxed in our meetings, without having to worry about peer pressure and all that that entails!”
The Geneva region hosts troops for all ages. Girls can join the Scout movement at any level, but many start at the very beginning as a 5-year-old Daisy, graduating to become Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and finally Ambassadors, who are 16 or 17 years old. Many of the Ambassadors find the Girl Scouts a great place to prepare for the rigors of life beyond senior school. They connect with each other and build self-esteem and confidence in their skills as they work on a range of projects and gain life experiences – indeed the Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, which many take in their final year, is highly credited by universities, especially those in America. Typical activities which the older girls can get involved in include:
• Learning how to be a first responder in an emergency
• Exploring future career options with a mentor
• Spending a summer as a counselor-in-training at camp
• Rafting down Class III (moderately difficult) rapids with a river guide
• Publishing stories online
• Attending a Broadway play on a trip to New York City
• Investing “play dough” in a stock-market game and beating the experts
• Earning a Girl Scout Gold Award for working on a project that benefits the community
• Traveling across the country or around the world to explore culture, science, the outdoors, and more.
The Girl Scout year follows the school year, with Troop meetings usually running from September to the end of June. However, you can join the Geneva Girl Scouts at any time of the year so don’t worry if you missed the first couple of meetings this year. The annual fee to join a local Troop is currently Fr. 200.-, which represents excellent value for money when you consider the benefits your daughter will receive!
All Troops are run by adult volunteers who are often, but not exclusively, parents of Girl Scouts. Indeed, you don't have to have a daughter or even be a mum to be involved - trailing spouses, retired people, single people, business men and women are all welcome to help out! The organization appreciates that not everyone has time to get involved running a Troop, but they do welcome help with the occasional activity. Typically, this might include:
• Becoming an Assistant Leader, or Troop Committee Rep
• Planning and running a meeting or activity
• Organising rotas
• Being involved in the Troop administration – sending emails, organising the finances, ordering supplies
• Helping with transport to Troop activities
At the time of writing, the Geneva organization is urgently looking for people to help them with the following positions: PR, secretary, registrar, training, and advising girls on the high awards. So if you have a bit of free time to spare and think you might be able to help with any of these positions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For more information about the Geneva Girl Scouts, you can visit their website here.
Geneva Girl Scouts
www.genevagirlscouts.org
www.girlscorner.genevagirlscouts.org (created by Girl Scouts cadette, Madeleine Williams)
