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While Orbit 2025 was experienced in many ways, today we share it through the eyes of Senior Branch!
This international Camp, held in August 2025, was an unforgettable gathering where Guides and Senior Branchers came together to celebrate friendship, adventure, and the global spirit of Guiding.
During the event, 39 Senior Branchers kindly shared their experiences with us. Their answers, full of energy and joy, reveal what made Orbit so special. From the moment the first tents went up, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement, laughter, and the promise of new memories.
New friendships that last
For many Senior Branchers, an event like Orbit 2025 was about connection: reconnecting with old friends and building new ones from around the world. The words “friend,” “friendship,” and “meeting new people” came up 54 times in responses to questions like “What made you want to come to Orbit 2025?” and “What were you most excited about before coming to Camp?” And every single respondent (100%) said they had made new friends during this international Camp.
One participant summed it up perfectly: “I came to spend a good time with my friends and meet new ones.” Others were drawn by the international Guiding community, the chance to discover other cultures, and the opportunity to make global connections.
Michelle shared: “It has been so amazing and I have made so many new memories that I will remember forever. I have made so many friends and connections from Ireland and from around the world.”
Sarah Jane added: “Orbit to me is a place of connection and memories that will be able to help and guide me through my future in Guiding and in my life.”
The Camp was also full of laughter, silliness, and fun without pressure. As one participant described it: “The atmosphere was brilliant, everyone was having fun and weren’t worried about the way they looked.”
For some, Orbit was also about personal growth. “I discovered I’m really good at talking to people,” shared one participant. Another reflected: “I learned that I love international Camps.”
Others uncovered new passions and talents during the week. Caoimhé explained: “I really enjoy self-defence and I think I’m gonna try a form of martial arts now.”
Another participant proudly shared: “I’m a brilliant dancer.”
Creativity also shone through, with one Senior Brancher saying: “I am very good at face paint (…) I did all my friends’ face paints.”
Still others discovered a love for the outdoors: “I learned that I really enjoy outdoor activities such as building a shelter.”
Top 3 reasons Senior Branchers loved Orbit 2025:
- *Connecting with friends and making new friends
- *Having international experience with different culture
- *Learning new skills through the activities and making new memories
Orbit experience: learning and growth
Orbit 2025 was described as “amazing,” “unreal,” “a blast,” and even “the highlight of my year.” The Camp gave Senior Branchers the freedom to enjoy themselves and discover new strengths.
The variety of activities inspired excitement and discovery. Michelle loved Bollywood dancing, Sarah enjoyed the engineering workshop, and Hannah cherished meeting Trefoil Guild members and hearing their Guiding stories. International Night was another highlight, with Sarah Jane sharing: “We got to learn about other countries and share our own. It was incredible.”
Cathy added: “It was so fun meeting new people and having all the cool experiences like making movies and lighting a fire with cotton buds, Vaseline, and sand. I really enjoyed when everyone was singing the Camp songs together and dressing up.”
But beyond the fun, Orbit helped Senior Branchers grow in confidence and discover new sides of themselves. Senior Branchers gained leadership skills, resilience, and confidence. Some learned practical tools like first aid and CPR, while others uncovered energy and strengths they didn’t know they had.
Soracha reflected: “Orbit made me discover that I’m braver than I thought, more capable than I imagined, and that I can find a place to belong anywhere in the world.”
How Senior Branchers describe Orbit 2025:
- *“An experience that can’t be explained.”
- *“A place for every girl to discover her perfectness and to be genuinely accepted.”
- *“Super duper fun” from Darcy
- *“All in all it was excellent, I had a blast once my worries went away and started making friends and having tons of fun, I was happy I didn’t leave early!”
- *“Orbit to me is a place of connection and memories that will be able to help and guide me through my future in Guiding and in my life” from Sarah Jane
A lasting memory of Guiding spirit
The impact of Orbit 2025 will stay with participants long after the tents come down.
Many Senior Branchers spoke about applying what they learned not only in Guiding, but also in school, work, and everyday life.
Lauren shared: “It’s opened me up to so much more, giving me confidence to step out of my comfort zone and push myself once I’m back in school for my Leaving Cert.”
For Amy, the experience planted a seed for the future: “I might volunteer at a World Centre when I’m old enough.”
Hannah reflected on how transformative the Camp was: “I think that after Orbit I’m much more willing to take a risk and put myself out there, whether that be in Guides going to more Regional or international Camps, or in school trying to speak up more and talk to more people.”
Orbit 2025 wasn’t just about activities: it was about building resilience, making connections, and discovering the power of community. As one participant summed it up: “Encouraged me to support others in Guiding.”
The friendships, laughter, and lessons from Orbit 2025 created more than just a Camp: they built a community of Guides and Senior Branchers ready to take their Guiding spirit into the future.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the 39 Senior Branchers who shared their experiences with us. Your voices made this story shine.