British Guides in Foreign CountriesGermany County
The following Districts come under the umbrella of British Guides in Germany (BGIG):
- Fallingbostel
- Celle / Hohne
- Herford
- Münster
- Hameln
- Detmold
- Rheindahlen
- Gütersloh
- Maas
- Lippe
- Munich
- 1st Limburgerhof Brownies (Independent unit)
Although there is a lack of formal records, it is thought that British Guiding in Germany began prior to 1921. It is certain that in 1921 a Guide unit was formed in Cologne for daughters of British soldiers garrisoned there. In 1923 the Unit (which by then comprised Brownies and Guides) moved to Wiesbaden. A British Guides in Europe Division was formed in 1928 but in 1929 Germany appears to have been large enough to become a separate Division. Guiding was suspended during the Second World War but from July 1946 plans were in hand to re-establish Guiding and provide opportunities for daughters of the children of British Forces personnel stationed in Germany. The first President was appointed in 1948 and by April of that year at least 9 Brownie Units had been registered.
Since 1948 BGIG has maintained a steady presence in Germany, with the numbers of units varying in accordance with demand and the availability of Leaders. The British Forces community continues to provide the majority of Leaders, Senior Section, Guides, Brownies and Rainbows but BGIG also relies upon and welcomes expatriate Leaders and their daughters. Some units (i.e. Munich and Limburgerhof) have very few or no members connected to the British Forces. There is a lot of movement within the County as girls and Leaders leave to return to the United Kingdom but nevertheless there is a strong sense of history – a lot of the units have been in existence for many years.
Germany is a large County, with 11 Districts, 1 Senior Section, 16 Guide units, 22 Brownie units and 18 Rainbow units and a Friends of Guiding Group. These are the Census 2008 figures and vary from time to time.
We have a County Newsletter to keep Leaders and girls up-to-date on what is happening elsewhere in the County. All units have a very varied programme of activities, including cookery, crafts, ice-skating, swimming, nature walks and camping. The list is endless!
Enthusiasm abounds from girls and Leaders in the County and there is strong determination to continue the tradition of Guiding in Germany, including expansion into new areas of Germany if there is sufficient local interest. New Leaders will always be welcomed with open arms, as will new girls (although there are long waiting lists to join some Districts).
