4 August 2010 - 15 things to do before you're 15
Ambitious girls call for the chance to travel the globe,
learn self defence and become entrepreneurs
~Girlguiding UK unveils
15 things to do before you’re 15’ ahead
of Centenary Summer Adventures~
- Girls identify opportunities to travel, meet an
inspiring role model and learn to manage money before they are 15
as being essential for developing self-confidence and fundamental
life skills
- 500,000 members take part in exciting
summer adventures to celebrate Girlguiding UK Centenary with
5,000 girls from over 40 countries camping out at the International
Centenary Camp
- High-profile women including author Joanne Harris,
politician Jo Swinson and MOBO founder Kanya King lend their
support to calls from young women
30th July 2010:
Today, 5,000 girls from 44 countries are preparing to kick off the
Girlguiding UK International Centenary Camp, the flagship event of
a summer of adventure, in which 500,000 members will take part.
As Guides gather at the Centenary Camp at
Harewood House in Yorkshire, and tens of thousands more take part
in regional sister camps, young members of Girlguiding UK have
launched their top ‘15 things to do before you’re 15,’
aiming to give girls and young women greater opportunities to build
their self-confidence, learn new skills and enjoy a wide range
experiences.
Girls are keen to face their fears by scaling
a mountain, getting up on stage and travelling abroad without
parents. Beating the recession and earning £100 was also popular,
alongside meeting an inspiring role model, campaigning on an
important issue and directing a short film.
The Centenary Camp, which kicks off tomorrow,
is just one of the adventures that girls will be taking part in
with Girlguiding UK this summer. Other adventures taking place
include:
- 400 members taking to the seas and sailing around the UK on a
Tall Ship.
- 10 young women will attempt to swim the Channel and re-create
the success of Girlguiding UK’s 1966 Channel swim team.
- More than 200 girls will race across Europe in the Centenary
Stampede.
- Over 400 Guides and Senior Section will be jetting off for
adventures in Botswana, East Asia, Uzbekistan, India and Mexico to
name a few
Liz Burnley CBE, the Chief Guide said:
“From our hundred years of experience of working with girls
and young women, we know how important it is to provide girls the
skills and experiences they need to confidently face their
future.
“We know that women are still
under-represented in many professional fields and are often not
offered the same opportunities to take on adventurous activities as
boys. Therefore ‘15 things’ is not just a fun to-do list but also
an important tool to help girls build their confidence in
themselves and raise their aspirations.”
Author Joanne Harris said: "From
visiting a developing country to understand how people live there,
to swimming a mile in the open sea, having adventures is a key part
of growing up and fundamental to helping young women realise their
potential.”
Politician Jo Swinson said: "Life can
be challenging at times, and so positive action through extra
curricular activities can prepare young women for the future.
Activities like reading, running, hiking and dancing are a
fantastic way to boost confidence and help girls to develop the
skills which are needed for tomorrow."
MOBO Founder Kanya King said: "We know
how important self-confidence is to raising the aspirations of
young women, and the opportunities that girls are calling for today
are all about building skills and trying out new thingsThe
opportunities Girlguiding offers girls like going to gigs,
directing short films and watching the sunrise are all an important
part of growing up and are experiences you will remember
forever."
|
15 things to do before you’re
15
1. Go
to a gig – See your favourite bands live on stage
2.
Explore the deep blue – scuba dive, sail the seas
or get rafting
3.
Get your voice heard – take part in a campaign for
something you care about
4.
Become a businesswoman – beat the credit crunch
and earn your first £100
5.
Skill-up in self defence – learn the right moves
to take care of yourself
6.
Set a trend – design and make your own outfits and
jewellery
7.
Expand your horizons – travel abroad and make
friends in other countries
8.
Break boundaries – challenge yourself and face
your fears
9.
‘Do’ muddy - go to an outdoor event and enjoy the
British weather
10.
Reach new heights – scale a mountain, ski or go
ice climbing
11.
Learn to save a life – get a first-aid
qualification
12.
Watch the sunrise – see the midsummer dawn
with your mates
13.
Channel your creativity – have an article
published or direct a short film
14.
Choose a role model – meet someone who inspires
you
15.
Find your inner star – perform a song, a play, or
a speech in front of an audience.
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To make a secure online donation to
Girlguiding UK please visit www.girlguiding.org.uk. Every penny
received will go directly towards giving girls memories that will
last them a lifetime.
Ends
For further information please contact Frida
Williams on 020 7149 3706 or the Girlguiding UK Press Office on 020
7592 1733.
Notes to Editors
Girlguiding UK is the UK’s largest voluntary
organisation for girls and young women, with around half a million
members and recognised volunteers. Over a third of girls and young
women (aged 7-21) are involved in guiding, or have been in the past
and almost half of all the women in the UK have been involved in
guiding at some stage in their lives. We run Rainbows,
Brownies, Guides and Senior Section, enabling girls and young women
to develop their potential whatever their ability or background. We
are striving to offer new opportunities to a broad diversity of
communities through our expanding network of 60,000 trained
volunteer Leaders.
At Girlguiding UK we seek to give girls a
voice and provide a unique, girl-only space where members feel
comfortable just being themselves. Our members, challenged by a
girl-led programme that extends beyond badges, enjoy a spectrum of
activities from outdoor adventure to pop-concerts to community
action.
Girlguiding UK, part of a worldwide Movement
of approximately 10 million girls and young women in 145 countries,
launched its Centenary celebrations in September 2009.
Registered Charity No: 306016,
file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Frida/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/OLK66/www.girlguiding.org.uk
Girlguiding UK Centenary Camp is supported by
Welcome to Yorkshire, the official tourism agency for Yorkshire
http://www.yorkshire.com/