Main Building at Our Chalet
Spycher Building at Our Chalet
Our Chalet, the forerunner of all the World Centers, was opened in 1932. Built near the village of Adelboden, high up in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland, it has given Girl Guides and Girl Scouts the opportunity to strengthen bonds of international friendship, meet rugged outdoor challenges, and understand and appreciate the value of the multi-cultural world in which they live in the 21st Century, while enjoying a beautiful, mountainous region of the world.
Each year approximately 4,000 people visit Our Chalet, as program participants, outdoor or indoor campers, or day visitors. Seasonal activities may include, but are not limited to, skiing (down-hill and cross-country), ice skating, hiking, and bus trips.
Most of Eastern Europe is taking an active role in Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting. Our Chalet has facilitated this by hosting specialized seminars, training events, regional conferences, and small WAGGGS meetings. Programs have also been hosted for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from the Africa and Asia Pacific Regions.
Our Chalet recently received grants from the World Foundation for renovating Squirrel House, one of the external buildings at Our Chalet. Renovation included structural work under the floor, replacing the floor covering, and refurbishing. A grant was also received for the purchase of supplies to build a Kohju: a multi-purpose tent suitable for 24 people, which can be used for extra outdoor undercover during wet days, a quiet place for reflection and meditation sessions, and even as a cover for the campfire in winter.