Mascots
		Trading mascots is another popular activity among Guides and Scouts It's great fun and a great way to learn about places you might never get the chance to visit. You can make new friends and find out about Guiding around the world. Here you'll find tips about how to start, what to send, how to host and lots more.

What is a mascot

A Mascot is usually a stuffed animal or toy, which may or may not have something to do with your company your unit or the area you live in.

A Mascot needs a name which again may have something to do with your company, unit or area.

Why are mascots sent out?

To learn about other places; it's similar to a pen-pal relationship. The mascot travels from one place to another and the adventures along the way are usually logged into a journal or diary. Each host company gets to know something about the places the mascot has visited. 

What is usually sent along on the journey?

A "passport".

• This can be designed by the company and need not be very big.
• The passport should contain the mascots name, address to which s/he is to be returned to etc.
• There should also be a section to record basic details about each visit - country, town / city, date of arrival, date of departure etc.

A log book / diary / journal

• This should record the visit in more detail.
• It should include information about the host company - location, number of members, uniform etc
• It should include details about the activities the mascot attended
• It should also include a space for photos

Information about your company

• This should be one or two pages, including background information about CGI, your company, the area you live in and perhaps a photo of your company
• Include one copy for each hosting company

Some small gifts

• Include patches (badges), postcards of your town / area, photo of your company / unit or other small bits and pieces which the host company can keep. Remember if the mascot is going to visit different places before returning home, please include a small pack for EACH host company
• Keep the cost of postage in mind when choosing gifts - badges, postcards and photos are not very heavy!

Who pays for the mascots travels?

This depends on how you want to work it. There are 2 ways

(1) You can send the mascot to one company at a time. Your company pays for postage to the destination and the host company pays for the return journey.

(2) You can send the mascot on a voyage! Your company pays for the postage to the first destination, the host company pays for the postage to the next destination etc until the mascot arrives home.

Do's and Don'ts

**Keep a record of all host companies - at least 2 contact names, addresses, phone numbers, emails etc

**Always include information on your company / unit

**Always include small gifts

**Pack the mascot and his/her "luggage" very well, otherwise s/he may get damaged

**Print names and addresses carefully and clearly.

**If the mascot is to visit more than one place, include all the addresses and contact names (one copy for each host)

**Ask the host company to contact you (by email, letter) when the mascot arrives and when the mascot departs.

If you agree to host a mascot

Contact the company the mascot came from to confirm it has arrived.

Write up the log book / journal /diary giving detail of all the events the mascot attended. The mascot should be treated as a member of the company during his/her stay.

Include photos of the mascot and members of the company.

Send the mascot on to the next destination on the required date. If you don't do this then the next host company may lose out.

Include information about your company/ unit / area

Include small gifts (badges, postcards etc)

How to get started

Find a suitable mascot and give it a name

Make a passport and get a log book / diary/ journal (Keep postage costs in mind - the heavier, the more expensive)

Prepare some information on your own company. Have it handy so as it can be printed / photocopied as needed.

Gather all items of "luggage" together and find suitable packaging.

Find a company willing to host your mascot.

You should start by sending your mascot to companies around Ireland. It's a good way to see how it works. Email the web team dublingirlguides@eircom.net  if you want a host company around Ireland - we'll see what we can do for you but we give no guarantees and take no responsibility if there is a problem!!