Young guides with an adventurous spirit

Guides from Rochdale Rangers enjoy a exhilarating two-day adventure camp

Young girl guides from across Rochdale have returned home from a two-day adventure camp in Merseyside.

The guides, aged 14-19, from Senior Section units based in Shawclough and Wardle attended Mersey Moot – a major joint scouting and guiding event that is held annually at Tawd Vale camp site in Burscough.

Over 1,000 Ranger Guides, Young Leaders and Explorer Scouts descended to meet new friends, try some specialised activities and crafts, and take part in the social gathering of the year.

There was a huge array of adventurous activities on offer during the event, including clay pigeon shooting, rifle shooting, archery, canoeing, climbing, abseiling, ariel runway and caving.

Robyn Waldie, 15, from 32nd Rochdale Rangers in Shawclough, said: “Mersey Moot was an amazing experience with a huge range of activities. I especially loved the rock concert and the dancing, and the friends we made were brilliant. The scout and guide camp had a great atmosphere and everyone felt comfortable and confident all weekend.”

Hannah Timperley, 14, from 44th Rochdale Rangers in Wardle, added: “Mersey Moot was a really great experience. I got to try lots of activities that I would not normally get to do. My favourite part was the barn dance; a really good introduction to Senior Section.”

As the sun went down, the lights went up for evening entertainment from Rock Band ‘Insanity Beach’, a barn dance, karaoke and a disco.

Wendy James, Leader of 32nd Rochdale Rangers said: “The trip to Mersey Moot was a great chance for the girls to get away and enjoy each other’s company and make new guiding and scounting friends. All the girls told me how much they enjoyed themselves and they can’t wait to decide where they want to go next and plan another adventure.”

Adventures like this are just part of the range of activities open to girls and young women through girlguiding, which gives them their own space to grow in confidence, raise their aspirations and have fun.