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.
What’s New
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
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 pasta dinner and invite fellow hostellers? The hostel provides the basic ingredients and invites travelers, and the girls provide the cooking and conversation!
Sharing Meals Activity Guide (PDF)
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.
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.
Download the Discover the World: Girl Scouts Go Hostelling curriculum [pdf]
Make Plans for Your Troop’s Trip to HI-Chicago
Please contact Emily Piga to make a reservation for your Girl Scout troop:
Emily Piga
Email: [email protected]
