Stargazing
Age:
4+
Get lost in the stars
Is it a plane, is it a star? Stare out into space, count the number of stars in the sky or pick a favourite star.
Overview
Look into the night sky and explore the stars, planets, and constellations. There are loads of apps that can help you identify things in the night sky.
Top tips
- Stargaze when there is little, or no, moonlight and the sky isn’t cloudy. Try and find a place that is away from artificial light, like streetlights and car headlights.
- Give your eyes some time to adjust to the darkness.
- Have a look at what you might expect to see at the time you are going on this website.
- Take a torch or headlight so that you can see where you’re going.
In many places, especially cities, light pollution floods the atmosphere. This makes it impossible to see the light from distant stars. If there’s too much light pollution where you live you could try visiting a planetarium instead
This activity is for Rainbows through to Rangers, if doing this activity with the older sections talk to them about how you could make it more challenging and adventurous to make sure they are still being taken outside of their comfort zone.
Planning checklist
If you're working with an external provider or external instructors to run this activity outside the unit meeting space, follow these extra steps.
- Arrange for a home contact. Leave any route or other relevant details with your home contact and complete a home contact agreement form. Let them know if you make any changes to your plans.
- Tell your local commissioner.
- Tell the activity provider about the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions that need to be considered when running the activity.
- Choose a reputable and licensed activity provider (where applicable).
- Check the qualified adults hold the correct qualification to be able to run the activity (see the information below).
- Get copies of the instructor qualifications and public liability insurance of the activity provider before you book.
- Ask for a copy of the providers' safety guidelines and risk assessment.
- Make sure you have the correct ratio of participants (girls and volunteers) to qualified adults (those running the activity). This is different to the ratio of leaders to girls.
- Check with the venue that they have the correct equipment and, if needed, specialist clothing that will meet the requirements for your group.
- Source any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity not provided by the venue, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose.
- Check that any equipment is suitably insured by the provider and agree what happens to the equipment if it gets damaged.
Some venues might ask for a disclaimer or waiver to be signed for each person taking part in the activity. This is something which parents/carers must sign on behalf of their child. You can do this along with the consent form. Parents and carers should be given sufficient information from the provider along with the waiver so they can make an informed decision to sign it or not. Leaders can only sign disclaimers and waivers for their own personal participation.
No formal qualifications needed.
None
The ratios below are given as a maximum and ratios must be considered as part of the risk assessment, this may lessen due to any medical conditions or other factors.
Leadership team ratio
As this activity will take place outside of your usual meeting place the leadership team adult to girl ratio is mandatory.
Rainbows 1:5 (minimum of 2 adults)
Brownies 1:8
Guides 1:12
Rangers: N/A