Time for a new adventure – Girlguiding

TIME FOR adventure A NEW

Adventurer, author and Girlguiding ambassador Anna McNuff explains why being in the great outdoors with your friends is great fun and good for you.

The countless lockdowns of the past few years might be starting to fade into memory for some, but I can still vividly remember how spending time outdoors felt so precious back then. Those one or two walks a day among nature helped us all to stay positive and maintain a sense of wellbeing through turbulent times – and the same is still true today.

The leading charity for girls and young women, Girlguiding, found that 62% of girls aged 4-18 had a greater appreciation for being outdoors and in nature after the last lockdown, and the girls said that it helped them feel ‘happy and well’ through the pandemic.

It seems that being among friends is as important as being among nature, because the research also found that taking part in group activities and youth clubs helped girls to cope. Being part of Girlguiding during the pandemic made them feel more connected and less lonely (65%) and supported their mental health and wellbeing (47%). As a former Rainbow, Brownie and Guide, all of this comes as no surprise to me. I used to love hanging out in nature, getting messy and muddy outside or going to my local community hall for weekly meetings with friends. There was always new challenges to take on, skills to learn and the joy of picking which badge to work towards next. Oh, the sweet satisfaction of finally getting that prized piece of material and sewing it (likely very badly…) onto my sash. I had a lot of my first adventure experiences through Girlguiding and used to love going camping most of all. Nothing beats toasting marshmallows around a campfire (which you’ve helped make), laughing, singing at the top of your lungs and then spending the night under the stars in a tent that you’ve only just learned how to put up!

“I had a lot of my first adventure experiences through Girlguiding”

Did you know?

Girlguiding is still offering just as many opportunities for adventures now, from Rainbows as young as four years old right up to 18-year-old Rangers

Girlguiding is still offering just as many opportunities for adventures now, from Rainbows as young as four years old right up to 18-year-old Rangers. In fact, it was the belief that we should all make time to go on adventures that inspired my book 100 Adventures to Have Before You Grow Up, which contains plenty of ideas for fun in the outdoors, lots of which can be done within Girlguiding (see page 45 for a full book review). Although I’ve changed a lot since my first adventures (but definitely not yet grown up), Girlguiding’s vision of empowering girls and young women to be the best they can be and to face the challenges of life as a youngster hasn’t. They have moved with the times though. And, more than 100 years since the organisation was founded, it has continued to evolve its badge programme. In 2018, a new programme was launched, and with 800 badges and activities to choose from, there are some real gems like mindfulness, inventing, speaking out and vlogging, dancing, storytelling, first aid and coding. All in all, there’s something for every girl and I wish I could hop in a time machine and take these badges back to when I was a nipper! And if the girls want to try out new activities in and around working towards their badges – like canoeing, abseiling, archery and zip-lining, they can do that at Girlguiding’s five activity centres across the UK. Plus, there’s a catalogue of festivals and events, cinema screenings, sports matches and much more, all exclusively for members every year.

“Being among friends is as important as being among nature”

Lastly, as part of a global movement, Girlguiding offers members the chance to join in on amazing international adventures too. Girls and volunteers can trek abroad with their local unit, join an international social action project or represent girls at a global seminar. There are opportunities big, small and suitable for all ages – including lots of life-changing opportunities for volunteers. Happy Adventuring!

To find out more information about Girlguiding, register your daughter’s interest or learn more about the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides or Rangers units in your local area, you can visit girlguiding.org.uk/

information-for-parents/registeryour-daughter/

The adaptable kids bike

Investing in a bike for children that will only last them a few months isn’t something any of us want to do. That’s why at Frog Bikes, we’re always seeking ways to improve our bikes, to make them more durable, easier to maintain, and capable of adapting as our children grow so that they last even longer!

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LITTLE CHANGES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

Frog bikes have been designed so that many of the features can be easily replaced or adapted to meet the needs of the child for a little while longer, as they grow.

Adjustable saddles, brake levers and handlbars - to adapt the seating position and reach to suit growing arms, legs and hands or a change in riding style.

Replaceable handlebars, handlebar stems and pedals - to accommodate a change in riding style or growth spurt.

Headset spacers and handlebar stem riser - to raise the handlebars when children grow to allow for the most comfortable and efficient riding position.

Versatile rims - to accommodate a range of tyres for different riding styles as children grow with confidence.

KEEPING IT UNIVERSAL

Although at Frog Bikes we choose child-specific components that are optimized for the frame of the bicycle and the size of the child, these components are universal sizes and can easily be replaced. They really are bikes that your child can grow with! So hop on a Frog bike today! To find your local Frog stockist visit

www.frogbikes.com/stores