gidsen

Gidsen is the plural form of gids in Dutch, meaning a person who guides others. The term is used in a variety of contexts, including tourism, museums, and outdoor activities. A gids can be a professional guide, such as a tour guide or mountain guide, or a volunteer who leads groups and shares information about a place, route, or topic. The word can refer to the person providing guidance as well as the act of guiding itself.

In the context of Scouting and Guiding, gidsen has historically referred to the female section of the movement. In Dutch-speaking regions, the term has been used to denote girls and women who participate in youth programs that emphasize outdoor skills, leadership, teamwork, and community service. The organization of these programs varied by country and era, but the concept generally ran parallel to male units within Scouting. Over time, many groups integrated into broader Scouting or Guiding structures, and modern terminology often uses inclusive language, while the historic term gidsen is still found in heritage materials and some local group names.

Today, gidsen remains a common plural for guides in everyday Dutch usage, applicable to professional guides as well as volunteers who guide others. The word appears in travel literature, cultural sites, and descriptions of guiding activities, maintaining its broad, neutral meaning across contexts.