Create your own Brownie Takeover Weekend with PGL

If you can’t make our official weekends this year, create your own version

29 January 2025

In 2025 we’re working with our partners in adventure, PGL, to organise 2 of our popular Brownie Takeover Weekends.

For 48 hours Brownies will rule the roost with full and exclusive access to PGL centres Dalguise in Perthshire (June) and Marchants Hill in Surrey (October). If you want a piece of the action but haven’t yet booked, you can find everything you need at our Brownie Takeover page.

‘County takeovers’

But don’t worry if you can't make those dates or travel to those centres, you don't have to miss out on the fun! Over the last few months we’ve been hearing from members who are coming together to put on their own ‘county takeovers’.

It's been such a brilliant experience that we are looking to book as a county and have our own 'county takeover,’

- Brownie leader following a 2024 Takeover Weekend.

Organising your own takeover weekend

From the very beginning, the team at PGL is there to help you recreate the magic of an exclusive Girlguiding event. You and your county can speak to them about putting on a unique Girlguiding takeover at any point throughout the year. They’ll help with logistics and be on hand to support with any questions. Plus the booking discount for Girlguiding members is in place for any group residential throughout the year, so it’s no extra cost to you or your unit.

Whenever you book you can design your programme to suit you, with more giant swing if that’s what your girls want, or built-in free time for socialising. Activities can be adjusted and accessibility requests accommodated to make sure everyone is involved and having adventures!

And when you’re there, everything’s taken care of for you, with dedicated instructors and PGL staff to look after you and the girls, so you can sit back with other leaders or leap in and get involved with the challenges. Plus there’s no cooking or washing up to do at the end of the day.

Our trip to PGL to Newby Wiske takeover was a real "have an adventure" weekend, where the Brownies realised that girls can do anything. As well as climbing, giant swing, zipline and archery, there were also team activities, and problem-solving games. We'll certainly be back next year,'

- Deirdre, Brownie leader.

Reaching new heights

We know that you’re working hard all year to keep adventure at the heart of your programme. And we know that our young members love getting outdoors to scale new heights. Last year the Brownie height badge was the most popular adventure badge for this section, and at PGL there are so many opportunities to help your girls earn theirs.

Outdoor adventure in a Girlguiding-only space

Creating your own takeover weekend provides a great chance for young members to meet new people, have fun and share adventure together. All in a Girlguiding-only space. And it doesn’t have to just be for Brownies, we know Guides and Rangers love outdoor adventure too. At PGL, at any point during the year, your girls can be in charge, make friends and create memories for life. 

We took over Marchants Hill with our Brownies and Guides and the whole weekend was fantastic.  The girls learned new skills, challenged themselves and made memories they’ll never forget. We’ve been back several times since and always have an amazing weekend,'

- leader, Middlesex South West.

Find out more about PGL

PGL has 13 activity centres throughout the UK, with each offering unique Girlguiding experiences. The cost of a 2-night all-inclusive weekend at PGL is £119 plus vat. Leaders go free in a ratio of 1:8 on group adventure camps, or 1:6 on Takeover Weekends.

Find out more about PGL.