OUR CABANA

The setting of Our Cabana in Mexico is spectacular, with each
building set in its own tropical garden, overlooking the city of
Cuernavaca and surrounded by distant snow-capped volcanoes. Our Cabana
Activities give a colourful experience of
Mexican culture, food, language and arts and crafts, and include discussions on WAGGGS Global Action Themes as well as providing
opportunities to work on local community projects.

Our Cabaña is an international Girl Scout centre of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGS) located in Cuernavaca, Mexico. It opened in July 1957 as a Baden-Powell
centennial memorial. The centre can house up to ninety guests.

It is one of four World Centres of WAGGS; the others being Our Chalet in Switzerland, Sangam in India, and Pax Lodge in England. Each centre is staffed by people from around the world, giving them an international feeling, but each also draws from the local culture. Our Cabaña has been visited by over 70,000 Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from around the world since it opened.Our_Cabaña

 

History

The idea of a Western Hemisphere world centre started in 1946 at a training session in Cuba. Serious planning began six years later with the approval of the Western Hemisphere Committee and the World Committee. Cuba, Panama, and the USA were considered before a plot of land in Mexico was selected to house the new world centre chosen.

Our Cabaña was officially opened in July 1957. The first participants attended a Juliette Low Session (international meeting of girls). It was during this session that the “Our Cabaña Song” was written
using a traditional Mexican tune sung at birthdays (Feliz Cumpleaños).

The Our Cabaña site was expanded in 1969 by adding two more
dormitories and a hall for evening programs and other indoor
activities. Modifications have been made over the years to keep abreast of technological advancements and new methods of site maintenance. Computers are now an indispensable part of the working day, as are dishwashers and power tools.

Today, it can accommodate ninety participants, making it the largest of the four world centres.

(Information from wikipedia)

Girl Guides Queensland