Including everyone in adventure

Hints and tips to make sure adventure is for everyone

We want Girlguiding to be a place where everyone is welcome and free to be themselves.

All members – no matter their experiences or accessibility needs – should feel supported and involved in guiding.

A big part of that is making sure we include everyone. That way, every member has a chance to do amazing things, whoever they are and wherever they’re from.

Hints and tips for including all in Girlguiding adventures

Identify potential barriers when choosing and planning an adventure activity, and how you can remove those barriers. Discuss it with the individual and, for a young person, their parents, or carers.
Be mindful of sensory issues and adjust accordingly. This could include providing a quiet space for individuals who are sensitive to noise.
Adventure is about taking you outside of your comfort zone, but for some people, new places, people and routines can be a big challenge. Think of ways to make things easier, for example taking pictures of the new places and chatting about what you’re going to do ahead of the trip or activity.
Think through a plan for the activity, anticipate issues and discuss potential solutions. For example, for someone who might struggle with confined spaces, help find an alternative route to crawling through a tunnel in an escape room.
Take a look at our guidance about making adjustments.
Talk to the provider or instructor and make sure they’re aware of all the needs of your girls and volunteers in advance of the event, so they can adapt the activity to suit everyone.
Talk through activity plans with members, anticipate possible issues and discuss potential solutions. If it isn’t possible to adapt, pick another activity.
Think about your language. Remember that there could be different interpretations of descriptions, for example a bedding roll could be a sleeping bag, a yoga mat or a blow-up mattress. Use pictures in kit lists to make it clear what you mean.
Look for free and low-cost activities. Perhaps you could trade an hour of litter-picking at your local campsite for a go on their bouldering wall.
Take the time to understand your young members and consider their needs and ask why. Sometimes there is a good reason why girls don’t want to do things. For example, giving up their phones if they have an ill family member want to check in on, or wearing uniform if they have sensory issues with fabric.
Avoid first-come first-served opportunities where you can. If places are limited, work out a fair way to decide. Try drawing straws or a random name generator. Those who don’t get to go could be offered an automatic place next time.

What financial support is available?

Accessible guiding grant: this grant can help cover the cost of any additional equipment, people that you need to allow all Girlguiding members to take part in adventure activities.
UK unit in need grant: this grant can be used for costs of trips and camps for units in financial difficulty.

Some countries and regions may also have grants that you can apply for.