Our Cabaña
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| Our Cabaña | |||
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| Owner | World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts | ||
| Location | Cuernavaca, Morelos | ||
| Country | Mexico | ||
| Founded | July 1957 | ||
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| Website http://ourcabana.wagggs.org |
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Our Cabaña is an international Girl Guide 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.[1]
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.
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.
Symbols and mascots
Our Cabana's mascot is a donkey, named Amigo.[1] The logo is a stylized three branched tree (symbolizing the Guide promise Scout Promise) with roots (symbolizing friendship growing deeper) and a drop of water (an Aztec symbol of life).[2] The symbol is similar in design to the city of Cuernavaca.
Facilities and accommodations
The centre is made up of two main buildings:
- Xochicalli-"house of flowers"-Dining Hall
- Mixcoacalli-"meeting house"-Great Hall
set amidst a 5-acre (20,000 m2) tropical garden.
Eight large dorm rooms and several double guest rooms can house 90 visitors. Each dorm room is named after a flower found on the grounds, such as "Tulipanes" (tulips), "Rosas" (roses), etc.
The centre also has a swimming pool, tennis court, fire circle, and craft house.
The centre also organizes trips to elsewhere in Mexico for visiting Girl Scouts and Girl Guides.
References
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