Geography project part 2- our chalet, guiding in switzerland

Our Chalet

Our chalet is an International Guide and Scout centre, open to overnight guests and day visitors since 1932. The aim of the centre is to be an international home, where everybody can find Challenge, Adventure and Peace for the soul while having fun and living the international friendship.

It is the oldest of the 4 world centres

How it all began:

In 1929, the World Committee of WAGGGS met in Holland and decided that a World Centre should be built, Immediately Helen Storrow, a Girl Scout leader from the USA, said she would donate the money for the construction and the first four years of operation of the centre, as long as it was built in Switzerland. The World Committee agreed and appointed a Swiss Scout, Ida Von Herrenschwand, to help Mrs Storrow find the perfect location for the new World Centre.

They found the perfect spot high up on top of a hill in Adelboden, Three months later, the concrete basement was built and the wood for the rest of the house was cut; on 21 December 1931 the roof was put on. Mrs Storrow came back in May 1932 to see the completed Chalet. On 31 July 1932, Our Chalet was formally opened by the first World Chief Guide, Olave Baden-Powell, and Mrs Helen Storrow.

Guiding in Switzerland

Between 1913 and 1916 nine groups of Girl Guides were formed independently in different parts of Switzerland. In 1919 these groups joined together to become one Association, the Fédération des Eclaireuses Suisses (FESes). A major change took place in 1987 when the Fédération des Eclaireuses Suisses and the Scout Association, Fédération des Eclaireurs Suisses, merged together to become the Mouvement Scout de Suisse (Swiss Guide and Scout Movement).

Swiss promise

I promise to do my best to live according to the Scout Law.  I ask God and my friends to help me to do so.

Swiss law

Girl Guides, we wish:

To be true/truthful.

To listen to and respect others.

To be thoughtful and helpful.

To share.

To choose to the best of our abilities and to commit ourselves.

To protect nature and to respect life.

To face difficulties with confidence.

To rejoice in all that is beautiful.

Swiss motto

Be Prepared

image from here