International

Undertaking challenges in the International Octant doesn’t mean you have to leave your country! You may be lucky enough to take part in a GOLD event or other international trip but if not, there are plenty of things you can do at home. You could:

• Decide on your dream international trip and plan the travel, accommodation and itinerary on a big, medium and small budget, then compare them!
• Join the service crew of a UK-based International camp.
• Find out about Fair Trade at www.fairtrade.org.uk.

Leadership

The Leadership Octant isn’t just restricted to participating in the Young Leader Qualification or adult Leadership Qualification. It is about discovering your own potential, developing the qualities that make a good leader and putting them into practice. You could:

• Join your school or college council and involve yourself in its activities.
• Run an activity for members of your local community.
• Learn to manage your time.
• Join a sports team.
• Discuss what makes a good leader and try a role-play activity to learn about different leadership styles.
• Research current or historical influential leaders and analyse their different strengths and weaknesses.

Fit for life

This is your opportunity to get active, play sport and discover a healthy lifestyle.
You could:

• Try a new sport like badminton, hockey, football, trampolining and so on.
• Kick a bad personal habit, for example, smoking or biting your nails.
• Look at your daily routine or diet to see how you can make it healthier
• Regularly get off the bus one stop earlier and walk the extra distance.

Creativity

Design, make, cook, photograph, write, paint, act, present, record – express yourself! You might already be arty, and you might not. It’s not about creating masterpieces, it’s about trying new things and taking things further – exercise your imagination! You could:

• Take a course in a new language – perhaps a local college offers evening classes.
• Try a new craft – ever done rag rugging, glass painting or silk screening?
• Write a letter to your local newspaper, maybe reviewing a film.

Personal values

Personal values aims to give you a new perspective on the way you look at yourself. It’s all about personal discovery. It’s about you, your relationships, your emotions and your beliefs. You could:

• Keep a diary for a month. What does it say about you?
• Complete a family tree.
• Research blood or organ donation.
• Have a discussion with your support group on an issue that affects people your age. How do opinions differ within the group?
• Try out different ways to relax, such as yoga or aromatherapy. Which did you prefer?
• Discover the different faiths that are represented in your area.

Out of doors

Out of doors is your chance to make the most of the world around you. You can choose to do this close to home or you may have the opportunity to go further afield. Out of doors may include looking at environmental issues or trying new outdoor activities. You could:

• Explore the area around where you live; look at conservation spots or landmarks.
• Undertake expeditions or explorations as part of your Queen’s Guide Award or Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
• Gain a Senior Section Permit or part of the Girlguiding UK Camp and Holiday Scheme.
• Take part in a local environmental project or recycling scheme.
• Take part in an outdoor activity or sport that is new to you such as climbing, volleyball or orienteering.

Independent living

Prepare to stand on your own two feet or, if you already live alone, maximise your potential. An ‘independent life’ means holding your life fully in your own hands so you need to learn how to handle money, social and governmental structures, relationships, family concerns, a career and nearly everything else – take your chance and enjoy it. Remember you have full access to support. You could:

• Learn how to relax (this can also link to Personal values.)
• Learn to drive a car or motorcycle, and make sure you know how to maintain it.
• Find out what benefits are available to you in what circumstances. Who gets Child Benefit in a family?
• Have a taste test between the cheapest brand of a type of food and the most expensive. Think of which you prefer and whether or not the cost difference is justified. Why is there a cost difference – is it due to the packaging, the advertising, the ingredients or something else?

Community action

Community action is an exciting opportunity for you to get involved with your community on a local, national or even international level. Community action is all about looking at your role as a citizen. It can include anything from learning about local government and politics to helping out at a local animal sanctuary. You could:

• Get involved with a local charity or similar organisation and learn about what they do.
• Organise a visit for your unit to your local courts of law and find out about the role of a juror.
• Organise recycling for your family and friends – you could collect newspapers, cans and so on.
• Assist in a locally-run event for an organisation or the local council.

Further resources

For Look Wider resources such as the Look Wider CD and Look Wider Personal Organiser, see the Guiding Essentials online shop.