Motivation:

I have long been wanting to find a way to get involved with Czech skauts but have felt that my Czech wasn't good enough to do so. While my Czech is still not good, it's enough that I was able to meet with a group of Czech skautky, read an essay to them about GSUSA in Czech and then converse with them afterwards, while they taught me about Czech skauts. Fortunately, the leader spoke excellent english and so was able to translate when something was unclear.

I had long since known that Czech skauts had fewer opportunities, if only due to the lower income levels in Czech Republic as compared to America, but what really struck me was the comment the leader made to me. She asked me when I first flew by myself and I said that it was for a Girl Scout program when I was 15. She then commented that being a native english speaker has so many benefits - one of which is that younger people can fly anywhere across the entire continent of North America, and most of the rest of the world because there is no language barrier.

Having always been fascinated with the Czech education system, I'd also heard many parents - and students - lament the english learning process in Czech schools. Many students can read, write and understand english beautifully but are afraid to speak because they never had the opportunity or because they were taught that they must speak perfect english at all times.

For me, learning Czech has been one of the most frustrating experiences in my life. I study, practice, take classes, and am constantly learning but the biggest helper for me has been the opportunities to speak. My goal when speaking Czech is to get my point across. To make myself understood. I have friends who are patient with me and will help me find the right form of declension when I get stuck. But above all, they support me and encourage me, even when I make mistakes.

I want every skautka to have the same opportunities that I did. I want them to be able to travel to skaut/scout events without fear of speaking or being limited because they don't have American sized financial resources. I want skautky to grow up and have the same opportunities as their international peers at getting jobs at international companies that require excellent english skills.

Goals:

* Be a resource for Czech skauts of all levels in the following areas:
* English language and leadership
* International skauting
* International travel

Ideas:

The following is a list of ideas of how to make this happen. I welcome additional ideas and suggestions; this is not a definitive list:

* Multi-Year English / International Skauting / Travel Program
Rough idea: Two year small-group program. No larger than 10 skautky. Regular meetings (tbd how often) where the focus is on real-life usage of english. Scenario based, where skautky focus on different themes and role play scenarios. i.e. Scenario at the airport, having a conversation at a checkin counter, ordering food at a restaurants, talking about Czech skauting/ life, with other skauts, presentations in english, starting small but building up, focusing on how to present, pronunciation, etc.

* Year One: Skautky plan an english based skaut trip. This could be anything from a trip to Pax Lodge/London, hosting a Czech skaut camp for english or american girls or attending a Girl Scout camp in America. They girls would come up with the plan and budget.
After plan and budget is complete, girls do fundraising through years one and two to raise money. This includes applying for EU funds, skaut nadace, local businesses for donations. Other ideas that the girls come up with.

* Year Two: Continued english practice opportunities and find other opportunities for the girls to use their english. Volunteer at Brno Expat Fair? Meet international skauts? Work on trip details and end the program with a 1 - 2 week english speaking trip/event.

* Czech skaut camp opportunity for internantional scouts
Regular czech skaut camp offered for international scouts.

* English language patronka for skauts.
This is a list of odborky requirements that require a foreign language. Have a regular session where skauts can get their idea reviewed and approved and then return when complete for sign off and review.

* Regular english speaking opportunities
Similar to above, for motivated skauts, the opportunity to do any kind of badgework requirements in english. Skauts could pick topics of interest to them and present them in english. Presentations could be recorded, reviewed and provided to skauts with