About the World Centres

The World Centres are residential development centres where girls and young women acquire/broaden leadership and life-skills through international friendship, challenge, adventure and self-development. Girls and young women from around the world and from all backgrounds come together to discover their potential, share experiences, and gain a deeper understanding of the complex global community in which they live.

The World Centres offer a wide variety of programmes and activities for all ages. Visitors can enjoy seminars and programmes on world issue WAGGGS Global Action themes and activities to develop their leadership as well as having fun in an International setting which can include, sightseeing and trying local activities such as skiing in Our Chalet or festivals in India.

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts runs four World Centres:

Pax Lodge

Just 20 minutes from the heart of London, Pax Lodge is located in of one of the most popular and exciting capital cities in the world. The centre offers a convenient place to stay whilst exploring the city’s historical sights and is an international gathering place for WAGGGS members and non-members.

Our Cabaña

The setting for Our Cabaña in Mexico is spectacular, with each building set in its own tropical garden, overlooking the city of Cuernavaca and surrounded by distant snow-capped volcanoes. Activities give a colourful experience of Mexican culture, food, language and arts and crafts, and include discussions on WAGGGS Global Action Themes as well as providing opportunities to work on local community projects.

Our Chalet

Our Chalet is the first and oldest of WAGGGS World Centres. It opened in 1932 as a place where girls and adults from all over the world could come together, enjoy an ‘International Jamboree Experience’, be challenged by the terrain and share the Girl Guide/Girl Scout Spirit while having adventures in the Swiss Alps in the beautiful village of Adelboden in the Swiss Oberland.

Sangam

Sangam offers a rich experience of Indian life within a safe, friendly multi-cultural environment. Activities include an introduction into Indian Culture trying Indian foods, clothes, music, dance and crafts, learning about Indian traditions and religions, visiting Indian families, local temples and street markets; as well as exploring WAGGGS Global Action Themes and giving practical service to children and women in local community organizations.

Members of WAGGGS and non-members can stay at the World Centres as a participant in an event or event or as part of an organized programme of activities, or visit as an independent guest dependent on availability.

Staff and volunteers

Each World Centre is staffed by a small international team of volunteer and professional staff. Adult members of the Association from around the world can volunteer to work for between six weeks and ten months, helping with programme and guest services.

The centres provide quality workplace opportunities that focus on personal and professional development, and recognize and value the contribution of volunteers.

The World Centres welcomed over 8,730 guests from 97 Member organizations during 2008 and over 25,000 guests stayed at a World Centre during the last triennium (2006 to 2008).

We are developing strategies to see how we can further support our guests and volunteers once they return home to spread the word about their visit and return with more visitors to our centres.

Testimonials

We recognize that for many coming to a World Centre can be a life-changing experience whether in terms of meeting new friends from other parts of the world, learning about a culture very different to their own and developing their knowledge on global issues and their leadership skills.

You can read some examples here: