Irish Trefoil Guild

Land of the Midnight Sun: Attending the ISGF Conference

It wasn't quite daylight, but it was still amazingly light when we arrived in Lillehammer at 2am (after some missed connections) to attend the International Gathering of ISGF (The International Scout and Guide Fellowship).

This is not an official report, that comes later, but to tell of the spirit of comradeship and fun between 500 participants from 50 different nations. It was a wonderful feeling to be part of it all.

Right: The Opening Ceremony of the Conference

One of the highlights was a camp fire on the hillside with local Scouts leading the singing and the energy of the action songs. The huge fire was magic in the evening light and nobody wanted it to end.

There was also an international market which was a lot of fun and interest, also raising a lot of money to help those who may have less than us. Our Irish stall did us very proud, thanks to Gwenda.

Left: A reminder: Never challenge a Trefoil Guild member to a snowball fight!

After the Conference we went touring, magic mountains and fjords, hairpin bends to really make your hair stand on end - in one instance eleven in quick succession - some engineering. A wonderful hotel up in the mountains surrounded by snow—we oldies are still good shots with snowballs!

Reluctantly back towards Oslo but there we met Norwegian Kari (she has been to Ireland). She gave us a personal tour of the City Hall with its wonderful wall paintings, sent us off on a city tour and a boat trip up the fjord, met us again and brought us to her home for supper.

We left with a wonderful feeling of the warmth of the hospitality and knowing the spirit of Guiding and Scouting is very much alive. It's Still Good Fun!

Right: Exhausting stuff, snow ball fights!

Report by Anne, Gwenda, Valerie and Vera, (four 'oldies' from the Trefoil Guild).

Back to the Activities page.