Published: 24th OCTOBER 2023

Girlguiding Scotland and Sustrans join forces to create active travel badge

We’ve partnered with Girlguiding Scotland to get more young people travelling actively. Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers are being encouraged to walk, wheel, cycle and scoot more as part of the challenge to earn themselves an Active Adventures badge.

A colourful fabric badge with a cartoon of a girl on a scooter on it with a bike and a helmet in the background which are out of focus.

The Active Adventures badge is the result of a collaboration between Sustrans and Girlguiding Scotland. Credit: Girlguiding Scotland

Equipping young people with new skills

Sustrans and Girlguiding Scotland are giving children and young people to opportunity to earn themselves a new Active Adventures badge by travelling actively. 

Children and young people in Scotland who are part of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers can choose between five to seven activities to take part in to earn the colourful badge.

By taking on the challenge, young people can explore the great outdoors while getting the opportunity to learn essential skills such as the 'M Check', how to fix a puncture and how to plan a route.

As part of the challenge, those taking part will be provided with an activity pack which provides information on how to care for the planet.

Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers will have the opportunity to learn about the environmental impact of travel, air pollution and the damaging effects of litter.

The activity pack allows each group to pick and choose which activity to undertake from four categories:

  • preparing for an active adventure
  • cycling tips and tricks
  • health and happiness
  • and protecting the environment.

Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers will learn essential skills, such as planning a route, cycle skills and identifying wildlife. Credit: Jon Bewley

Inspiring the next generation to travel actively

The challenge aims to help young people develop the skills and confidence to travel actively more often.

Walking, wheeling and cycling journeys aren’t just great for our physical and mental health - having the confidence to travel independently can help young people develop their social skills and expand their horizons.

And, feeling the freedom and the benefits of healthier, happier and sustainable travel choices at a young age can help establish habits which last a lifetime. 

Dr Cecilia Oram, Head of Behaviour Change at Sustrans Scotland, said:

“It’s incredibly important to encourage children and young people to get outside and go on active adventures.

"Walking, wheeling, scooting, cycling can help kids get to know their local area and feel part of it.

"We’re thrilled to partner with Girlguiding Scotland on this exciting initiative."

Blockquote quotation marks
It’s incredibly important to encourage children and young people to get outside and go on active adventures. Walking, wheeling, scooting, cycling can help kids get to know their local area and feel part of it. Blockquote quotation marks
Dr Cecilia Oram, Head of Behaviour Change, Sustrans Scotland

Denise Spence, Chief Executive of Girlguiding Scotland, added:

"Girlguiding Scotland are delighted to be partnering once again with Sustrans Scotland to create more exciting and important resources for all our members.

"Our partnership goes all the way back to 2021 as we explored ways to be part of the solution to climate change.

"This new Active Adventures badge not only continues to build on that theme but also gets our girls out and about in their communities and learning tangible skills that they can carry into their future.”

 

Find out more information about The Active Adventures badge and how to order your pack.

 

Discover how the National Cycle Network is inspiring Guides to talk about climate change.

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