Girl Guides suggest 15 things for girls to do before turning 15

Today, 5,000 girls from 44 countries are preparing to kick off the Girlguiding UK summer camp activities. At the gathering at Harewood House in Yorkshire, guides have said girls should face their fears and undertake activities such as performing a song or a speech in front of an audience and scale a mountain before they reach 15.

The centenary summer camp is one of the activities that guides will be taking part in over the summer, others include 400 members sailing around the UK, 10 young women attempting to swim the Channel, more than 200 girls racing across Europe and more than 400 guides undertaking activities in Botswana, East Asia, Uzbekistan, India and Mexico.

Chief guide Liz Burnley said: "From our 100 years of experience of working with girls and young women, we know how important it is to provide girls with the skills and experiences they need to confidently face their future.

"We know that women are still under-represented in many professional fields and are often not offered the same opportunities to take on adventurous activities as boys. Therefore, the 15 things are not just a fun to-do list but also an important tool to help girls build their confidence in themselves and raise their aspirations."
 
 The 15 suggested activities are:

• Go to a gig See your favourite bands live on stage
• Explore the deep blue Scuba dive, sail the seas or get rafting
• Get your voice heard Take part in a campaign for something you care about
• Become a businesswoman Beat the credit crunch and earn your first £100
• Skill-up in self-defence Learn the right moves to take care of yourself
• Set a trend Design and make your own outfits and jewellery
• Expand your horizons Travel abroad and make friends in other countries
• Break boundaries Challenge yourself and face your fears
• "Do" muddy Go to an outdoor event and enjoy the British weather
• Reach new heights Scale a mountain, ski or go ice climbing
• Learn to save a life Get a first-aid qualification
• Watch the sunrise See the midsummer dawn with your mates
• Channel your creativity Have an article published or direct a short film
• Choose a role model Meet someone who inspires you
• Find your inner star Perform a song, a play, or a speech in front of an audience