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Guide holiday

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Description

Staying away from home for more than one night in indoor accommodation (eg caravans, youth hostels, chalets).

 

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 bunk beds are used, they must conform to British Standard numbers EN 747-1 and EN 747-2 (2007).
• 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.
• For further requirements related to running a joint holiday please read the relevant page(s): Brownie holiday or Senior Section holiday.

 

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

• gaining experience and getting assessed for a licence
• large-scale events
• travelling abroad
• joint events with other organisations
• holidays afloat
• caravans
• Event Coordinator requirements
• event leadership team roles and responsibilities
• male volunteers and families of volunteers.

 

Qualifications

A leader must either:

 

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 holiday, 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 holiday is taking place.

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