[skip to content]

Guide Camp

Download this page as a pdf

 

Description

Staying away from home for more than one night, sleeping outside (eg in tents).

 

Ratio of adults to girls

1:10 with a maximum of 50 children.

There must be at least three adults present, although this may be reduced to two for small events with the permission of the Commissioner.

At residential events where there is more than one section present, the correct ratio for each section must be observed:

  • Rainbow overnight: 1:4 (not including the Event Coordinator), with a maximum of 30 children
  • Brownie holiday: 1:6 with a maximum of 36 children
  • Brownie camp: 1:4 with a maximum of 36 children
  • Guide holiday/ camp: 1:10 with a maximum of 50 children
  • Senior Section: No ratio required. There must be at least two adults present, although this may be reduced to one for small events with the permission of the Commissioner. Maximum of 50 Senior Section members.

Young Leaders (aged under 18) who are attending as part of the event team are not included in the above ratio.

Children of volunteers should be included in the ratios. If young children are present, an extra adult should be present to look after them.

To gain experience prior to assessment, you and at least one other adult may take up to eight children away for no more than two nights. To be assessed, your event must have at least two Patrols and no more than 24 children.

 

Regulations

  • You will need to speak to your Commissioner and complete a Residential Event Notification form at the start of your planning.
  • Parents should have the opportunity to meet the Leaders prior to the event and have all plans explained to them.
  • A parent or other family member must be contactable for the duration of the holiday.
  • All volunteers aged 16 or over who are staying overnight at a residential event must have undergone the recruitment check process (Young Leaders and non-member volunteers should be assigned the role of Residential Occasional Helper on Go!).
  • If Leaders share a sleeping area with Guides, there must be at least two Leaders/helpers or two Young Leaders present.
  • If male volunteers or male children are present, there must be separate sleeping and bathroom facilities for them.
  • The venue must be approved by the relevant host Adviser. If the site or accommodation has not already been approved, notify the Adviser of your plans in plenty of time for the venue to be inspected before firm plans are made.
  • Lilos and sun loungers are not to be used as beds.
  • If an accident results in an injury which needs medical/hospital treatment or any illness occurs during any residential event, the Event Coordinator must report the details as soon as possible to Girlguiding UK’s insurance service using the notification of accident or incident form. 
 

Brownies attending a Guide camp

  • A maximum of four Brownies may attend a Guide camp.
  • The Brownies must be aged nine or over.
  • The ratio of adults to Brownies must be 1:4.
  • There must be at least four adults present at the camp.
  • At least one member of the event leadership team must have met all the Brownies before the event.
  • Parents must have the opportunity to meet at least one member of the leadership team before the event.

For further requirements related to running a joint camp please read the relevant page(s):

 

Please click on the links below for further regulations on topics which may be relevant to your event:

 

Qualifications

A Leader must either:

  • hold or be working towards the Girlguiding UK Training Opportunities: Camp and Holiday Scheme Camp Licence (modules 1-6 and 8).
  • hold an equivalent Girlguiding UK residential qualification, provided the Commissioner is satisfied that the Leader’s residential experience and skills are up to date.
The Event Coordinator does not necessarily have to be the licence holder.

 

Training Opportunities: Camp and Holiday Scheme (order code 6478) is available from Girlguiding UK Trading Service via the online shop or your local shop or depot.

 

Learning and development opportunities

Click here to find out more about training and qualifications related to going away with guiding. 

 

Hints and tips/useful information

Talk to your Commissioner and relevant Adviser to seek their advice and support.

There is no maximum number of adults that can attend a Guide camp, but make sure the number means Guides have the opportunity to take responsibility and do things for themselves.

If the venue is not normally used for overnight accommodation (eg a church or school hall), the local police and fire service need to be informed that the camp is taking place.Publication

The publication Going away with guiding provides advice and information to help both new and more experienced Leaders to plan and run successful events. Order code 6045.

Page last updated: 5/9/2012