Frequently Asked Questions for Units

Q When will WINGS2009 be held?

A It will start on Saturday 1 August 2009 and run for one week.

Q Where will WINGS2009 be held?

A WINGS2009 will be held in Windsor Great Park, just outside Windsor in the Royal County of Berkshire in the UK. It is about 40 miles (65km) west of London.  Berkshire contains some beautiful countryside through which the River Thames flows and with some great attractions such as Windsor Castle, Legoland and many more.  Despite its rural nature it is in easy reach of major airports and has direct connections to the road and rail network as well as the Channel Tunnel. Getting there will be easy! 

Q Who can participate in WINGS2009?

A Any member of  the Scouts, Girl Scouts or GirlGuiding whose national Organisation is a member of either the World Organisation of Scout Movements (WOSM) or of the World Association of  Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).

If you are unsure you can always check your National Organisation at the WOSM or WAGGS web sites.

The event is open to all female or male members who are aged 10 or more on 1 August 2009.

Q Who are you expecting?

A  In 2003 WINGS attracted over 4,000 participants from around 35 countries. This was more than in 1998 and 1993. In 2009 we expect the numbers to grow further. Click here for a list of Units who have registered to date.

Q Who is organising WINGS2009?

A  WINGS2009 is organised joint by Berkshire Scouts and GirlGuiding Royal Berkshire. The two organisations have considerable experience and expertise in planning and running large events such as WINGS2009. There is a WINGS2009 Steering Group with representatives from each organisation which meets on a regular basis to review the WINGS2009 vision and its implementation.

Q How do I find out more?

A  The first step is to register on the WINGS2009 website www.wings2009.org.uk to receive regular updates as more information becomes available.

 click here to register your unit

or

click here to register as part of the WINGS Staff Team

Q Will I be able to get involved with WINGS2009 as an adult volunteer?

A  WINGS2009 depends entirely on volunteers, so thank you for your interest.  You can register your interest in joining the WINGS2009 Team here

Q How much will it cost?

A. The cost for a young person participant is £165 and for an adult leader/supporter £125.  This covers the complete package of all the facilities, all the activities and all the food. In fact, it covers everything at WINGS2009. You need to get there with some camping kit and after that everything is provided.  more

Q What payment methods are available?

Unit Fees may be paid in three installments: a deposit of 25 GBP per person plus 50 GBP per unit; a second stage payment by January 2009 of 50 GBP per person; and the balance in 15 April 2009. Staff Fees are payable in a single payment of 60GBP. All payments must be made in GB Pounds. We are able to accept payment by a cheque drawn on a UK Bank, by Bank Transfer or by PayPal, the secure online payment system. We regret that we are not able to accept cash as payment for WINGS2009 Camp Fees.

Q What will WINGS2009 be like?

A. It will be a fantastic week  of fun, international friendship and adventure. It 2003 one participant said "It was absolutely fantastic. I will certainly come back in 2009 as a young leader or Ranger. I got to do so many new and exciting things and I met so many people from all around the world - it was great. It was a shame it ended. ... I wish WINGS was every 2 or 3 years instead of every 6 years", another said simply "it was the best week of my life".

Q What will be the activities?

A - Too early to say but we will be building on the great successes of previous WINGS so I am sure there will be some of   the great favourites from WINGS2003, WINGS'98 and WINGS'93 and some spectacular  brand new ideas to match the start of the second hundred years of Scouting and Guiding.

Q Will we need to camp?

A At WINGS2009 you will camp in you own tents with all other such as facilities, showers, toilets etc laid on. The ingredients for the meals will be provided and you will prepare the meals yourself in your unit. A cookbook will be provided. Of course there will be so much going on you probably wont see too much of your tent.

Q Will we need to bring our own kit?

A Your unit will need to bring basic camping kit including facilities to prepare your meals. All of the kit for the great range of activities will be provided.

In 2003 the international team helped units from the four corners of the world to participate at WINGS2003 by loaning and hiring camping equipment. I am sure a similar arrangement will be in place.

Q Will I have the best week of my life (see earlier answer)

A Only if you are there at WINGS2009 - book the dates now!!!