Challenge pack launched to help girls connect with nature

A new Girlguiding challenge pack has been launched to encourage girls and young women to connect with nature and learn more about insects and the environment.

Out and About – Wee Beasties has been created by charity organisation Girlguiding Scotland ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week and focuses of the benefits of getting out into nature.

Activities include a wee beastie hunt, to discover and learn about different insects, and an action section encourages girls to create spaces and environments for insects to thrive in.

Groups such as the Isle of Harris Brownies and Isle of Harris Guides took part in the Wee Beastie Challenge where they counted how many different types of insects they could find, documented their findings and planted wildflower seeds to help wildlife habitats.

Commenting on the challenge, ten-year-old Rowan Reid, from the Isle of Harris Guides, said: “Being outside makes me feel happy, healthy and I enjoy it.

“Beasties are amazing. My favourite beastie is a caterpillar because they’re cute and fluffy.”

And nine-year-old Abigail Gillies, from the Isle of Harris Brownies, added: “I loved being out and about in the fresh air and meeting up with my friends from Brownies makes me feel really happy.

“We like to explore different parts of our village together and discover new things all the time. I really like spring when all the flowers begin to appear.”

Girlguiding Scotland supports members’ mental health and wellbeing through its unique programme, which includes badges on healthy mind, meditation, self-care and mindfulness.

The organisation’s peer education programme covers resources such as Think Resilient, designed to build mental wellbeing and grow girls’ resilience to help them cope when they’re faced with the pressures of everyday life.