Last July, after two long years of planning and fundraising, Badgerland Girl Scout Troops 4279 and 4483 were finally off. Two girls from each troop, plus two chaperones, were headed to Great Britain, ready to spend nearly two weeks touring the famous countryside and landmark-filled cities. It was a trip of a lifetime.

After landing in Manchester, they hopped on a train for York – an hour and a half ride. Then they checked out the city’s market near the train station and headed to the hostel – but only after their first “wrong way down the street” car ride.

Once they got over the jet lag, they spent the next day touring York, visiting attractions like the Chocolate Story and the York Minster. Then, they were off to Poacher Jamboree 2017 – a week-long gathering of more than 5,500 scouts and guides from across the world.

When their bus arrived at the grounds in Lincoln, U.K., they headed to their campsite, where about 30 people were already set up. Their camp-mates were happy to “show them the ropes.” The next week was filled with wood burning, friendship bracelets, bungee trampolines and so much more.

Then, it was time to move on once again. The girls packed up and were London-bound. But they had one stop to make along the way.

They spent a day touring and volunteering at Green Britain, a wind farm in Newark. Lunch included all-natural vegetables grown right there on the property!

They made it to London just in time to see Madame Tussauds wax museum and take a bus tour through the city. Then, like true Girl Scouts, they gathered at the hotel to plan out the next day.

They woke up bright and early to visit the London Eye, where they could see almost every major attraction in the city from a distance. Next, they had to see them
close-up. They headed toward Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the London Bridge.

At the end of their long day of sightseeing, it was time to pack up for home. After nearly two weeks of stepping out of their comfort zone and into a world, they’ve never known, the trip was coming to an end.

The group wasn’t even back to the continent before they were tossing out ideas for the next trip. The memories they made really will last a lifetime.

There are lots of opportunities for Girl Scouts to travel by themselves or with their troop. Check out Girl Scout Destinations, Getaways, and international events.