Baguettes, bunk beds and big adventures

The buzz of excitement as passports are packed, the thrill of new surroundings and the pride of seeing girls feeling brave.

There’s something magical about a Girlguiding adventure abroad.

For lots of volunteers a PGL trip to France is more than just a holiday. It's a chance to watch confidence and friendships grow, while creating unforgettable memories for girls.

We spoke to a few fantastic leaders about their French adventures. From the Eiffel Tower to Disneyland Paris®, they shared their top tips and incredible impact these trips have had on their girls - and on themselves too.

Katrina, Gemma, Nicola, Laura and Tracy are leaders from across the UK. They’re all section leaders and some do other roles too, from district commissioner to trainers to PR!

What do you enjoy about Girlguiding?

Katrina: 'My favourite part is watching the girls grow in confidence.'

Gemma: 'I like seeing the girls grow into young leader and adult leader positions, and bringing new people into the organisation - and the trips!'

Nicola: 'The best bit seeing those shy Rainbows who start with us who grow into amazing young women with lots of confidence.' 

Laura: 'I enjoy working with Rangers because it's such an important age for girls to have a fun, pressure-free space to be themselves. I’ve also had amazing opportunities to travel, to meet new people and to try activities I never would have otherwise.'

Tracy: 'I enjoy seeing the girls develop as they move through the sections. I love doing residentials with the units and organising bigger county camps and events too. '

What was your favourite memory from PGL? 

Katrina: 'Disneyland was my favourite bit. We’re all kids at heart and enjoying sharing that with the girls made it magical.'

Gemma: 'We’re going to the PGL centre near Paris next year. I always like girls trying new stuff and the things that aren't activities – the girls had a great time sliding down a mud hill after it rained at PGL in Devon!'

Nicola: 'The guides faces when they saw the fireworks at Disneyland!'

Laura: 'Being on the coach on a tour around Paris and all singing along to a song our PGL guide had introduced us to. Whenever I hear the song now, it immediately makes me happy!'

Tracy: 'The rain and our amazing bus driver! Just as the Disney parade was about to start, the skies opened. I called our driver, Davy, and we dashed to the bus, changed at PGL, and had McDonald's for tea instead. Davy kept everyone entertained with Disney songs and quizzes throughout the trip!'

On the first evening, PGL ran a crêpe-making and French class. We had a full day of a Paris bus tour, with Eiffel Tower climb and Seine cruise, then dinner and a silent disco back at PGL. We also went to Disneyland!' - Laura

What did the parents, carers and girls enjoy or say about it? 

Katrina: 'They thought it was a fantastic price for what the girls got to experience, and the girls loved being in Disneyland. The girls really enjoyed the cultural side of Paris and going up the Eiffel Tower too.'

Nicola: 'The girls enjoyed everything. The parents and carers were full of praise and compliments, so we had lots of lovely messages.'

Laura: 'The girls loved every part of the trip, especially getting to know each other and other units. They also enjoyed the independence and the mix of activities at PGL and in Paris.'

Why did you decide to go to France?

Katrina: 'The PGL package made planning my first international trip easy, which is why I picked France.'

Gemma: 'I'm doing my international licence, and we wanted a short international trip. PGL felt reassuring since we've used them in the UK, and their free adult place for every 8 girls helped make it more affordable.'

Nicola: 'It was part of a county trip which was organised by our international advisor, Jenny.'

Laura: 'It was the girls’ idea. They started a rumour that I was taking them on a trip to Disneyland and then parents started asking me about it, so then I decided that I would organise it!'

Tracy: 'A friend’s Guide wanted her award presented somewhere fun, so she found PGL Paris and asked about a trip. My friend asked if I could organise it, so I said yes - and we turned it into a District trip for Guides and Rangers. My Guides were so excited when I handed out the notes!'

It’s such a great experience for the girls and leaders. PGL organise so much, from food, evening activities, day trips - it’s a great introduction to international trips for the organiser but with lots of support.' - Tracy

What activities did you do, or what are you planning to do at PGL?

Katrina: 'When we went, we went to Disneyland, the Eiffel Tower, we did a river cruise in Paris, and the girls got to try snails at dinner.'

Gemma: 'We’re really looking forward to our Disney trip. We’ve got a big group of 48 going as a district event. It'll be a great chance to meet people from outside our usual units.'

Nicola: 'We managed a day in Paris for the Eiffel tower and the boat cruise, then a full day in Disney. The girls used the pool at PGL too.'

Laura: 'On the first evening, PGL ran a crêpe-making and French class. We had a full day of a Paris bus tour, with Eiffel Tower climb and Seine cruise, then dinner and a silent disco back at PGL. We also went to Disneyland!'

Tracy: 'We had trips to a few different areas of Paris. There were some smaller ones the girls could explore themselves in smaller groups, as well as a day in the centre where we stayed together. Then a day at Disney too.'

What’s it like going with PGL?

Gemma: 'PGL have helped plan it. We still need to do the Girlguiding paperwork, but we don't need to think about programme and food. We get to choose the t-shirt colours or what silly hats to wear at Disneyland!'

Laura: 'PGL handled all the planning, with just a few extras like food and the top of the Eiffel Tower. France was a great choice for my international licence. It’s not too far away, and it doesn’t need visas or vaccinations.'

Tracy: 'The majority of the planning was done by PGL. It took a lot of the pressure off. We created a payment schedule to spread out the cost for parents and carers, which worked well.'

The girls loved every part of the trip, especially getting to know each other and other units. They also enjoyed the independence and the mix of activities at PGL and in Paris.' - Laura

What advice would you give to others planning something similar?

Katrina: 'If you’re thinking about it, do it. It's such a great experience doing it, it’s worth it!'

Gemma: 'Talk to parents and carers first, and give them outlines of dates, costs, timelines, so you can see if there's enough interest. Make sure to have opportunities for the trip leaders to get to know each other too.'

Nicola: 'Ask for help. There's always someone in your county who has done it before, and they’ll have lots of advice. Always get insurance right at the beginning before you have even booked anything too!'

Laura: 'Have a strong leadership team that you can rely on and delegate to. I had amazing leaders who helped so much with all the paperwork and preparation!'

Tracy: 'Go for it! It’s such a great experience for the girls and leaders. PGL organise so much, from food, evening activities, day trips - it’s a great introduction to international trips for the organiser but with lots of support.'

I'm doing my international licence, and we wanted a short international trip. PGL felt reassuring since we've used them in the UK, and their free adult place for every 8 girls helped make it more affordable.' - Gemma

Why do you think it’s important for girls to experience trips like this? 

Katrina: 'For some of the girls, it was their first trip outside of the UK. It gave them a brand-new experience!' 

Gemma: 'It’s something new, even if you've been to Disney before you may not have been with friends or on a coach. I think it’s good for leader development too and being able to offer it has been an important part of my leadership journey.'

Nicola: 'We find that most girls who come away with us both abroad and in the UK find guiding more interesting and exciting when they return, and they engage more with the leaders in the unit.'

Laura: 'I think it builds girls’ confidence, independence and resilience. I love to travel. It all started with a Girlguiding trip to India in 2016, so I think it really opens their eyes to new opportunities.'

Tracy: 'For a lot of the girls, it was their first time abroad and first time that far from home. It gives them the opportunity to be independent and have new experiences in a safe environment.'

Planning a visit to PGL

From Disneyland magic to Eiffel Tower views, a PGL trip to France is packed with moments girls (and volunteers!) will never forget. It’s confidence-building, friendship-boosting and full of fun. 

In addition to adventures in and around Paris, PGL also offers trips to the Ardèche near the South of France, which is the perfect destination for watersports. 

With PGL’s support and their leader guide, it’s easier than you think to plan. They’ve lots of packages to choose from: 

• Tailor Made French Trips | PGL Education  
• Paris and Disneyland Paris - PGL Schools & Groups  
• Paris Christmas Markets Trips | PGL Education 

Find out more about PGL trips with Girlguiding, our partnership with PGL and how you can get started with an international adventure.