Girls and their units spill the beans on Sparkle and Ice
Last weekend, hundreds of girls braved the cold at our first ever winter camp. Here’s what they got up to
Fireworks and frosty fun at our first winter camp
Last weekend, girls got stuck into winter camping with all the trimmings at Sparkle and Ice – roller skiing, grass sledging and ice-skating their way through a host of chilly challenges.
Sparkle and Ice took place at three of our Activity Centres - Foxlease, Waddow and Blackland Farm - on one of the coldest months in the year. Girls had to sleep out in near freezing temperatures, putting our winter camping 101 into practice. There was rock climbing, abseiling, an assault course, fireworks and an ice rink!
Girls also learned vital survival skills, including how to light a fire with just flint and steel - a skill which came in handy for toasting marshmallows after a hard day’s adventuring.
Six units told us all about their favourite bits.
Members from Barnsley West Senior Section made their Promise on top of the crate stacking challenge!
Senior Section Promise made at the top of a pile of crates! @Girlguiding @GirlguidingNEE #sparkleandice @WaddowHall pic.twitter.com/Ov3MnZtWzc
— Guiding BarnsleyWest (@girlguidingBW) February 5, 2017
Olivia, 13 from Otford Guides wore seven layers to keep warm in the chilly evenings! She said 'the rock climbing has been the best bit. It’s really high and fun and I got to the top.'
7th Crosby Guides enjoyed ice-skating in the sunset.
Sunset ice skating ⛸ #sparkleandice @WaddowHall @Girlguiding_NWE pic.twitter.com/cb8o56KxrY
— Seventh CrosbyGuides (@SeventhCrosby) February 4, 2017
Dhara from 3rd Woodford Guides thought abseiling was the best thing –'I wasn’t scared and I just went for it.'

Yetminster Guides enjoyed dinner by firelight and loved the ice carving demo!
Dinner by firelight #SparkleAndIce @FoxleaseTAC #Yetminster Guides pic.twitter.com/C5GIf2ciBn
— GirlguidingSherborne (@She1Girlguiding) February 4, 2017
Megan and her friends from 13th Wakefield Guides liked the grass sledging – 'but the tent was the best part for me. After we were done and actually in it, it was really satisfying!'
Join us in 2018
The next Sparkle and Ice will take place 2 - 4 February 2018. Tickets are available now!
Do something unforgettable
There's always a way that you can get more involved with Girlguiding. We have events and opportunities for all ages across the UK and around the world.