International Guide and Brownie camp

One of the beauties of being an expat is attending an international event in your home country, or even, being a part of things - something that wouldn't happen had you not left your home shores.

It may be a little-known fact that the British Guiding organisation has a sub-organisation (is that the word?), the BGIFC (British Guides in Foreign Countries - quite a mouthful).  Every two years they organise a fabulous international Guide and Brownie camp....in Hampshire!  A mere stone's throw from Surrey.  

It is held in the beautiful New Forest, just south of the small town of Lyndhurst, at Foxlease, a 65-acre estate, owned by the Guiding organisation.  (Here you can see Robyn, Amber and Grace, standing in front of Princess Mary House and the BGIFC banner behind them.)

Needless to say, the two girls had a wonderful week, meeting other Guides and Brownies from places such as Kuwait, Malaysia, Qatar, France, Abu Dhabi, Luxembourg, Germany and Belgium (there were many tears when the time came to say 'goodbye').  As I said above, our time as expats has exposed us to some real privileges and enabled us to experience a very different way of life, at times.  This camp was a wonderful experience for my older two and they met some girls from all over the world, with whom I'm sure they will be in touch for a long time.