Hostelling International Chicago

Girl Scouts Go Hostelling in Chicago

Girl Scouts have found Hostelling International to be an important partner in offering opportunities that match their scouting goals. Hostelling engenders a spirit of adventure, interaction and discovery. Hostels provide a setting that is safe, clean, environmentally sensitive, comfortable and friendly.

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Download information about Girl Scout Programming at HI-Chicago in Adobe Acrobat. [pdf]

What's New

Girl Scouts’ Community Walls Adorns O’Hare Airport

Next time you find yourself flying through O’Hare International Airport, be sure to stop by and view the new Community Walls installation, between Terminals 2 and 3. Since 2005, HI-Chicago has worked in partnership with Girl Scouts of Chicago (now Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana) to bring the Community Walls program to 500 girls throughout the city. Community Walls asks young people, “what is it like to live in your neighborhood.” The girls, with the help of generous volunteers, have answered that question through murals in order to share their culture and experiences with travelers from across the globe staying at the hostel, and now flying through O’Hare airport. To learn more about supporting the Chicago Community Walls project through volunteering or donations, contact Arielle Semmel.

Adding to Your Adventure in Chicago

Troop leaders will find hostel stays are easy to plan, affordable and fun. Troops find hostels to be a great place to build friendships, develop a sense of community and meet international travelers. The hostel in Chicago provides program and group service support. Group sales will help you make your reservation and programming staff can assist you in planning activities.

Without the incentive of the [Discover the World: Girl Scouts Go Hostelling] patch, they would not have tried to get acquainted with other hostellers, and we would never have had the experience of hearing members of the Scottish chorus sing their national anthem for us and our girls singing ours for them. It was a wonderful moment.

Senior Girl Scout Troop 337, Glen Ellyn, IL

Itinerary Support

With so much to see and do in Chicago, planning how to spend a stay may be a bit daunting for even the most seasoned travelers. Where is a good place to volunteer? Should we go to the Sears Tower or the Hancock? How do we get to American Girl Place? What's the "L"? Hostel staff are always on hand to provide troops with detailed, timely and inside information about Chicago.

Getaways

HI-Chicago now offers Getaway packages! From exploring the Windy City to making peace in the world, our Getaways help Girl Scouts add to their adventure and work towards meeting their personal goals. To learn more, click:

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Sharing Meals

Many Girl Scout troops that come to Chicago have a full schedule but want to take advantage of the opportunities for meeting new people at the hostel. Like travel, food has always been something that brings people together. Why not use the hostel's large and lovely kitchen to make a pancake breakfast or pasta dinner and invite fellow hostellers? The hostel provides the basic ingredients and invites travelers, and the girls provide the cooking and conversation!

Cultural Kitchen

HI-Chicago's wildly successful Cultural Kitchen program has been adapted for Girl Scouts. The program's exciting curriculum empowers girls to study a foreign country's culture, culminating in a meal prepared by the group that is shared with travelers during an overnight stay at the hostel. Girls can complete the Cultural Kitchen program with guidance from their advisor, homework and cultural learning activities at the hostel.

Travel Education - Get Out and See the World!

A specialty of Hostelling International is travel education. In Trip Planning 101 girls navigate guidebooks to prepare for an actual trip or just gain the skills to do so in the future. World Travel 101 is delivered by experienced travelers and gets girls ready to be true globe trekkers. Both of these workshops that teach responsible travel can be delivered at the Chicago hostel or at troop meetings in the Chicago area.

Discover the World: Girl Scouts Go Hostelling Patch

Here's a patch that's fun to earn and can start you on the path to traveling around the world! The patch can help you become a global citizen who is connected to people and places near and far. Get connected by getting your patch when you complete just one activity in each of the three areas.

NEW! Discover 75 Years of Hostelling

Hostelling International USA is celebrating 75 years of hostelling in the US and 100 years of hostelling worldwide in 2009! Now you can take your place in that history while earning the Discover 75 Years of Hostelling Patch.

Passport to Adventure

Developed in partnership with GS USA, the Passport to Adventure is full of great activities and tips to help Girl Scouts interact with fellow travelers from all over the world and make the most out of their travel experiences.

Make Plans for Your Troop's Trip to HI-Chicago

Please contact Emily Paxson to make a reservation for your Girl Scout troop:

Email: Emily Piga

For more information about HI-Chicago’s many programming opportunities for Girl Scouts, please contact Arielle Semmel.

Email: Arielle Semmel