Official Launch of the Irish Girl Guides International Camp to be held in Lough Key Forest Park, 4-11 July 2012

The Irish Girl Guides (IGG) are delighted to announce the launch of our 2012 International Camp, Camp 101, on Saturday 22nd January 2011 at 12noon in Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. Camp 101 will be the culmination of 3 years of Centenary celebrations of Guiding for 10 million Guides worldwide. The camp will be an international camp with Guides from around the world attending. It will also be an opportunity to showcase Irish Guiding to the world – to share our vision, our past, present and future. We will also be highlighting 100 years of changing lives of girls worldwide while bringing the Millennium Development Goals to life. The name represents the start of a new centenary which will build on the successful past 100 years. It incorporates both traditional and innovative activities and brings Guiding in Irish communities into the future.

About the Irish Girl Guides: With over 10,000 members countrywide the Irish Girl Guides (IGG) is an organisation whose mission is to enable girls and young women to develop to their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world. The Irish Girl Guides was founded in 1911. IGG provides an environment where girls from all backgrounds can grow in self-confidence and develop a variety of skills in an unpressurised atmosphere. The fundamental principles of Guiding are those of the Girl Guide and Girl Scout movement as expressed in the original promise and law laid down by the founder Lord Baden Powell. Central to all Guiding is the promise that girls and adults make.

About Camp 101: International Camps are an opportunity for IGG members to meet Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from around the world and to showcase the beauty of the Irish landscape. The participants will consist of Guides (10.5-15 years), Senior Branch (14.5-26 years) and their Leaders who will spend 7 nights camping under canvas. As well as this up to 300 younger Irish Brownie Guides, Ladybird Guides and their Leaders will attend for a day to experience camp and an international experience. There will also be a visitor’s day midway through camp where the camp will be open to the public, parents and guests. IGG will work in partnership with activity providers and local suppliers to run activities every day for up to 1500 Guides. Worldwide, Girl Guiding (under the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts – WAGGGS) is focussed on the Global Action Theme which encourages girls and young women to change the world around them. Through the week long activities, campers will learn about positive changes they can make in their community and beyond. The aim of Camp 101 is to provide an opportunity for girls to explore their potential to influence the world around them.

About Lough Key: We are very excited to be working in partnership with Lough Key and the local community in Boyle. This is the first time the Irish Girl Guides will hold an event of this size in the west of Ireland and in particular in Co. Roscommon. The community have made us feel incredibly welcome and are just as excited as we are about Camp 101. This event will be of massive benefit to both the IGG and the local community. Thank you for allowing us to hold our camp in your home!

About the Launch: The launch will begin at 12noon and will be attended by the Chief Commissioner of the Irish Girl Guides, Emer O’Sullivan, members (adult and children) of the IGG, representatives from the local community, the town and county councils, Coillte and various other local interest groups. This is an ideal opportunity to visit the beautiful Lough Key Forest Park and see where all the fun will happen in 2012.

www.irishgirlguides.ie