When it comes to earning your Girlguiding badges, there’s a range of different ways these can be awarded! Some of the main badges you earn at Girlguiding are the interest, award and skill builders badges – but what’s a fun, thrilling way to earn these? At adventure camps!
In this guide, we’ll talk through the benefits of using adventure camps to earn badges, a list of badges you can earn, and some specific activities you can do to achieve them!
What are the benefits of using adventure camps to earn Girlguiding badges?
Adventure camps and Girlguiding groups are the perfect combination! Camps offer a wealth of benefits that really help bring the spirit of Girlguiding to life, such as building their confidence, connecting with nature or simply having fun!
Here are some key advantages:
Hands-on Learning
Adventure camps provide an immersive environment where girls can actively participate in activities directly related to badge requirements. Instead of just reading about teamwork, they experience it firsthand while building a raft or navigating an obstacle course. This experiential learning makes the skills and knowledge stick much better.
Skill Development in a Real-World Context
Many badges, especially those focused on outdoor activities, leadership, and problem-solving, are perfectly suited to the adventure camp setting. Girls learn practical skills like knot tying, map reading, first aid, and camp cooking in a dynamic and engaging way.
Teamwork and Collaboration
Adventure activities inherently require teamwork. Girls learn to communicate effectively, support each other, and work together to achieve common goals, which are essential components of many Guiding badges. The shared challenges and successes on camp foster strong bonds and a sense of camaraderie.
Building Confidence and Resilience
Stepping outside their comfort zones during adventurous activities helps girls build self-confidence and resilience. Overcoming challenges like a high ropes course or a long hike gives them a sense of accomplishment and empowers them to tackle future obstacles.
Leadership Opportunities
Adventure camps often provide natural opportunities for girls to take on leadership roles, whether it’s leading a small group during an activity or helping to organise camp tasks. This practical experience is invaluable for badges that focus on leadership skills.
Fun and Engagement
Let’s be honest, adventure camps are exciting! The fun and engaging nature of the activities makes the badge-earning process more enjoyable and memorable. Girls are more likely to be motivated and enthusiastic when they’re having a great time.
Connection with Nature
Many adventure camps take place outdoors, allowing girls to connect with nature and develop an appreciation for the environment. This aligns perfectly with badges that promote environmental awareness and outdoor exploration.
Development of Problem-Solving Skills
Unexpected challenges often arise during adventure activities, requiring girls to think on their feet and work together to find solutions. This fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are valuable for many badges.
Creating Lasting Memories
The shared experiences and adventures of camp create lasting memories and strengthen friendships within the Girlguiding unit. These positive memories can reinforce the values and lessons learned while working towards badges.
Essentially, adventure camps provide a dynamic and supportive environment where Girls can learn, grow, and achieve their badge goals in a fun, practical, and meaningful way.
Girlguiding Badges you could earn at Adventure Camps
There is a range of different Girlguiding badges that could be earned whilst away at adventure camps. Whilst most of these relate to the activities you will take part in, that’s not where it stops! You can earn badges in outdoor skills, teamwork, leadership, and much more! Let’s take a deeper look:
Outdoor Skills & Adventure
- Camp/Camper Badge: This is a classic! Adventure camps provide ample opportunity to develop camping skills like setting up tents, camp cooking, fire lighting (safely, of course!), and general camp organisation. Different stages of this badge can be earned depending on the length and type of camp.
- Outdoor Adventurer/Adventure Badges: Girlguiding has a range of “Adventure Badges” focused on different elements like land, water, height, sport, and snow. An adventure camp could easily facilitate earning several stages of these through activities like hiking, canoeing, climbing, abseiling, or even trying out new sports.
- Navigator/Map Reading: Many adventure camps involve exploring trails and areas where map reading and compass skills are essential. Activities like orienteering directly contribute to this badge.
- Hiker/Hill Walker: If the camp involves significant hikes, the mileage and types of terrain covered could count towards different stages of these badges.
- Water Sports Badges: If the camp offers activities like canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, or even raft building, girls can work towards various water sports badges.
- Climber/Abseiler: Camps with climbing walls or natural rock faces provide the perfect setting to learn and practice these skills under supervision, contributing to these specific badges.
- Survival Skills: Some adventure camps might incorporate elements of survival training, which could contribute to badges focused on resourcefulness and outdoor safety.
- Nature/Wildlife Badges: Exploring the natural environment during camp can help girls learn about local flora and fauna, contributing to badges focused on nature study or specific animal groups.
Teamwork & Leadership
- Teamwork Badge: The entire experience of an adventure camp, with its shared challenges and need for cooperation, naturally fosters teamwork. Specific activities often require girls to work together to succeed.
- Communicator Badge: Effective communication is vital during adventure activities. Planning, problem-solving, and supporting each other all rely on good communication skills.
- Leader/Young Leader Badges: Adventure camps provide numerous opportunities for girls to take initiative, organise tasks, and support their peers, all essential for developing leadership skills.
- Problem Solver: Many adventure activities present unexpected challenges that require creative thinking and collaborative problem-solving.
Other Relevant Badges
- First Aid: Some camps might offer basic first aid training, which is a valuable component of many badges.
- Cook/Backwoods Cooking: Preparing meals together at camp can contribute to cooking badges, especially if it involves cooking outdoors without traditional kitchen facilities.
- Environmental Awareness: Camps often emphasise respect for the natural environment, which can tie into environmental awareness badges.
- Holiday Badge: Simply participating in a residential camp experience can sometimes count towards a “Holiday” or similar participation badge.
The specific badges achievable will depend on the activities offered at the particular adventure camp and the age range of the girls attending. Leaders will need to plan and facilitate activities in a way that allows girls to meet the criteria for specific badges.
Overall, adventure camps offer a dynamic and engaging way for Girlguiding members to develop valuable skills, work together, and earn a wide range of badges in a memorable setting.
Activities for Girlguiding units
The main way to earn your Girlguiding badges (whilst also having fun!) is through the range of activities offered at adventure camps. Many of our activities are tailored to make sure your unit can earn their badges whilst enjoying an adventure together. Here are some examples:
- Outdoor pursuits
- Sports
- Survival
- Go for It! Take your Toothbrush
- Baden-Powell Challenge Award
We cover all of this and more in our dedicated blog. For more information, take a look at our post on how to earn Girlguiding badges at PGL.
Let’s take a peek at some of the activities for Girlguiding members that we have available at camp!
Dry Slope Skiing
Near Barton Hall, your Girls can ski without the snow! The nearby dry ski slope is perfect for learning how to ski or developing skills further if they’re already able to. If any of your Girls would like to use skiing as their chosen sport, then they can also use this towards achieving their sports badge.
Zipwire
Can you get any more thrilling than this? Zooming across the treetops at high speeds! Sounds like a perfect activity for your Girls. Many of our locations across the UK have the Zip Wire activity. Find your centre to see the activities available at the location you’ll be visiting.
Climbing
One of the best guide camp activities is climbing. Everybody loves a challenge, and your unit can give their all to beat our climbing wall. Depending on the centre you visit, we have indoor and outdoor walls, all demanding a range of skills in order to conquer. But we know your Girlguiding members can do it!
Archery
Take aim and shoot for the bullseye! All about accuracy, control and concentration, can your Girls keep their nerve and surge to victory? Our expert instructors will teach your unit the basics, and then they can get to it!
Matrix
We’re sure your Girlguiding members love action and adventure, right? Well available at our Little Canada location is our Matrix activity, which involves working your way through secret gateways and tasks, mission impossible style!.
How to know which adventure camp to choose
Choosing the right adventure camp is key to a fantastic experience, especially if you’re hoping to earn some of those brilliant Girlguiding badges! With so many options out there, it can feel a little overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’ve put together some important things to consider to help you make the best decision:
- Location, Location, Location!
Think about what kind of adventure excites you most. Are you dreaming of scaling rocky cliffs, paddling down a serene river, or exploring dense woodlands? The location of the camp will heavily influence the types of activities on offer. Consider:
- Travel: How easy is it to get to the camp? Factor in travel time and costs for yourself or your unit.
- Environment: Does the location align with the kind of outdoor experiences you’re looking for? Mountains, lakes, and forests – each offers unique opportunities.
- Activities that Spark Your Interest (and Badge Potential!)
This is where your badge goals come into play! Look closely at the activities the camp offers:
- Variety is the Spice of Life: Does the camp offer a broad range of activities and challenges? A diverse program means more opportunities to try new things and potentially tick off requirements for different badges, from outdoor adventure skills to teamwork challenges.
- Specific Badge Connections: Does the camp explicitly mention activities that align with particular Girlguiding badges you’re interested in? Some camps might even tailor certain sessions to help you work towards specific awards like the Camper, Navigator, or Water Sports badges. Don’t be afraid to ask!
- The Girlguiding Link
For a truly integrated experience, consider if the adventure camp has a connection with Girlguiding:
- Affiliation: Is the camp directly run by Girlguiding or officially affiliated? This can often guarantee that the ethos and values of Guiding are embedded in the program.
- Badge Awareness: Are the staff familiar with Girlguiding badges and their requirements? This can be a huge advantage as they may be able to tailor activities or provide guidance that directly contributes to your awards.
- Trained and Trusted Staff
Knowing you’re in safe and capable hands is paramount:
- Girlguiding Knowledge: Are the instructors and leaders familiar with Girlguiding principles and practices? This ensures a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Activity Expertise: Are the staff properly qualified and experienced in leading the specific adventure activities offered? Look for certifications and a commitment to safety.
- Child Protection: Does the camp have robust child protection policies and procedures in place, aligned with Girlguiding guidelines? This is non-negotiable.
Asking the Right Questions
Don’t hesitate to reach out to potential camps and ask specific questions:
- “Which Girlguiding badges can be worked towards during your camp?”
- “Are your staff familiar with the requirements for these badges?”
- “What is the ratio of staff to participants?”
- “What safety measures are in place for each activity?”
By considering these factors and asking the right questions, you’ll be well on your way to choosing an adventure camp that’s not only an incredible experience but also a fantastic opportunity to earn those well-deserved Girlguiding badges! Happy adventuring!
Book your Girlguiding adventure at PGL!
Do you like the sound of our activities for your girls? Then take a look at our epic Girlguiding residentials available across the UK! They’re a fantastic way to have some adventures with your unit, where they can also earn badges!
We have a range of group residential trips to choose from, including Scout residentials, Youth Club & Trusts residentials, Other Uniform residentials and many more!
If you have any questions, get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today. They’ll be more than happy to help!
