MEMBERS of the 1st Jacobstow Guides are celebrating after receiving the highest accolade for Guides — the Baden-Powell Challenge Award.

Sian, Sarah and Senara from Jacobstow chose to complete a range of exciting activities to achieve the award, including running evenings for the others in their unit on disability awareness and a co-operative games evening.

As well, they hosted a successful bingo event to fundraise to attend their Baden-Powell adventure.

Senara said: “I really enjoyed completing the Baden-Powell award. I had fun taking part in all the activities and made many new friends along the way. I think being able to choose which tasks we wanted to do gave us more independence and we were able to enjoy it more.”

The group’s leader, Mary Andrew, said: “I’m very proud of the girls for completing their Baden-Powell Award. They’ve been truly dedicated to achieving this award, and I’m sure this is something they’ll look back on with pride for years to come.”

Sian, Sarah and Senara received the award during a special presentation event on February 6 in a candlelit ceremony on a very cold, windy and dark Crackington beach, with the awards being presented by Cornwall joint county commissioner Jill Jeffs. After the presentation they retired to the warmth of the local pub celebrating with chips and cake.

The Baden-Powell Challenge is the highest award available to Guides — Girlguiding’s section for girls aged between ten and 14. The challenge is divided into five sections, including healthy lifestyles and global awareness.

Girls can choose which activities they want to do within each section, from researching the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to giving a presentation on a world issue of their choice.

To complete the award, Guides take part in an adventure weekend, during which they face various set challenges, trying new things and pushing themselves outside their comfort zone.

Girlguiding opens up a world of opportunities to girls and young women aged five to 25, offering a hugely varied programme incorporating everything from world issues and science to social action, adventure sports and international travel.

The charity builds girls’ confidence and raises their aspirations, giving them their own space to have fun and build friendships.