Taking girls abroad
Take your girls on international residentials, day trips and meet other guiding members abroad
Give your girls an experience they'll never forget.
You'll need to fulfil all the requirements for residentials in the UK and do some extra training, depending on the type of trip.
Training you need
To take girls abroad on a residential, you must:
- Hold the relevant modules of the going away with scheme for the type of event you're planning.
- Hold, or be working towards, the travelling abroad module.
- Hold the relevant module - module 6 - for the sections you're taking away.
Make sure you keep checking government travel advice for any country you wish to visit or travel through.
Forms you need to fill in
You must follow all our usual procedures and guidance for taking girls abroad. Permission to plan forms and international REN forms must be submitted to and signed off by your country or region chief commissioner and country or region international adviser.
When planning an international trip, you should use the online REN form through GO.
Residential event notification and permission to plan
Speak to your country or region chief commissioner and country or region international adviser to complete the permission to plan section of the international residential event notification (REN) form 9 - 18 months before you plan to travel. You should use the online REN form through GO wherever possible.
On the permission to plan form, your country or region international adviser will tell you when you should submit parts 1 and 2 of the REN form, your risk assessments, your itinerary and any other updates.
By using the online REN form through GO, both national and country/region offices will be able to access them. Check the REN form to see what information is needed:
If you're using a group passport, you'll need a letter signed by your county commissioner or Girlguiding HQ as one of the supporting documents. Girlguiding advises that you use individual passports, as this means if individuals need to travel separately to the group, they can do so.
You also need to make sure you have a licence holder in a ratio of at least 1:50. Events with 100 or more participants in total are defined as large-scale events.
Ensure you have organised travel insurance before you book anything for your international trip, that way you're covered if anything unexpected happens.
International risk assessment
Complete a risk assessment to help you mitigate the risks of this trip. We've created a pre-filled risk assessment to assist you. It covers travel, residential, and all planned activities, including adventurous ones. Remember - any updates to REN forms should also include an updated risk assessment.
Going on day trips
If you're thinking of taking girls on an international day trip, speak to your country or region international adviser before you start to plan.
International partnerships
Partnerships with guiding groups in other countries can be one-off or ongoing arrangements, and can provide girls with life-long memories and lasting friendships.
To link with an overseas unit, contact the country's guide or girl scout association. You can find details on the World Association of Girl Guides and Girls Scouts (WAGGGS) website.
Travelling abroad grant
The travelling abroad grant is for adult leaders working on the travelling abroad module of the going away with scheme.
You can apply for a grant of £100 towards your travel and accommodation. A £200 grant is available if you're meeting Guides from another country or doing a community project.
Do the travelling abroad module
Learn all you need to know to take girls on residentials abroad.
Do something unforgettable
There's always a way that you can get more involved with Girlguiding. We have events and opportunities for all ages across the UK and around the world.