Redcliff area Girl Guides return from life-changing London trip

Courier/Commentator Photo Submitted. TRIP: Edinburgh Castle view of the Firth of Forth.

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

For several girls from the Redcliff area, this past summer meant far more than a typical vacation. Between August 8 and 23, the group traveled to London, England; spent a day in Paris; and explored time in Scotland, all anchored by a stay at Pax Lodge, one of Girl Guides’ international World Centres. Jamie Lowry, Guider for the 91st Redcliff UK Independent Travel Unit and Guider for Redcliff Guides, Pathfinders, and Rangers, shares what made it so memorable.

She starts by affirming, “It went really well.”

The character-building experience in London

Pax Lodge, located in London, is one of four World Centres operated by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).

“We got to see Pax Lodge; that was very cool, and we did their programme,” Lowry says. She goes on to note that one reward, exclusive to those who made the trip, was a pinning ceremony held at the Lodge.

Beyond the World Centre programme, the itinerary blended culture, history, and adventure across three countries.

In London, the group attended a performance of Mamma Mia. A day trip to Paris also took place.

“We took the high-speed train to Paris, which only takes two hours and 15 minutes to get there, and spent the day on a hop-on, hop-off tour visiting all the tourist spots,” Lowry says.

Scotland brought its own set of standout moments.

“The kids really liked the castles in Scotland. We went to the Kelpies one night, which was a lot of fun, and did a ghost tour in Stirling,” Lowry said.

One of the most ambitious days combined two landmarks.

Lowry explains, “We went from London to Windsor Castle, then to Stonehenge, and back — all in one day. It was a whirlwind tour!” She adds a detail that was a bit of a surprise: “It was droughty there, so all the grass was dead. It’s weird because you see pictures of Stonehenge looking very green.”

How did the girls grow and develop new skills during the trip?

For many participants, this was their first time using public transportation independently. Redcliff is a small town, and the shift to navigating London’s buses and trains marked a significant milestone.

“The public transit was good practice,” Lowry said. “The girls also took the initiative on what they wanted to see, where they wanted to go, and even things like deciding what to eat and how to schedule their day.”

That kind of hands-on decision-making gave the girls practical leadership experience. It’s also central to what WAGGGS designs its World Centre programming to deliver: confidence, independence, and a sense of connection to a global community of Girl Guides.

How can families get involved with Girl Guides?

Families interested in opportunities like this one can learn more at girlguides.ca. Girl Guides of Canada offers programming in STEM, outdoor adventure, and real-life skill-building, all within a supportive, inclusive community designed to help girls discover their potential.

Trips like this one show what’s possible when girls are given room to lead, problem-solve, and step outside their routines. The group came home with more than souvenirs and photos. They returned with hands-on experience navigating unfamiliar cities, new friendships forged with Guides from around the world, and a stronger sense of what they’re capable of. For a program built around discovery and confidence, it’s hard to imagine a more fitting outcome.