Almost 200 Guides from Girlguiding Greater London West County covering the boroughs of Kingston, Merton, Richmond and Sutton took part in a day of watersports and activities at Wimbledon Park last Saturday.

The weather was great and the girls enjoyed kayaking, sailing and canoeing on the lake and a wide variety of water themed, land based activities which included making water filters, model raft building, giant bubble blowing, making bottle music, national water safety sign observation games, lifeline throwing and many more. Coordinator and Guide Leader Caroline Elliott was congratulated at the end of the day by County Commissioner Christine Wicks who said it was a great day and wondered if Caroline had also arranged for the good weather!

The girls were also vocal in their praise for the day saying ‘The activities were fantastic’, ‘I liked how we ran off the pier into the water at the end’ and the day was summed up by Alex as she arrived home ‘I can't tell you how much fun that was!’ Caroline has already been asked several times when the next watersports activity day will be.

Girlguiding UK is the UK’s largest voluntary organisation for girls and young women, with around half a million members and recognised volunteers. Over a third of girls and young women (aged 7-21) are involved in guiding, or have been in the past and almost half of all the women in the UK have been involved in guiding at some stage in their lives. We run Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Senior Section, enabling girls and young women to develop their potential whatever their ability or background. We are striving to offer new opportunities to a broad diversity of communities through our expanding network of 60,000 trained volunteer Leaders.

At Girlguiding UK we seek to give girls a voice and provide a unique, girl-only space where members feel comfortable just being themselves. Our members, challenged by a girl-led programme that extends beyond badges, enjoy a spectrum of activities from outdoor adventure to pop-concerts to community action.

Girlguiding UK, part of a worldwide Movement of approximately 10 million girls and young women in 145 countries, launched its Centenary celebrations in September 2009. Registered Charity No: 306016, www.girlguiding.org.uk Based on information supplied by Steve Wicks.