Girlguiding Badges for Hertfordshire Zoo Takeover

Today's Blog is from Hertfordshire Zoo takeover: A wild day of Girlguiding Anglia adventure

"On Saturday 13 September 2025, Girlguiding Anglia proudly hosted an exclusive Hertfordshire Zoo takeover, welcoming over 2,000 girls for a truly unforgettable day of adventure, fun, and friendship. With the entire zoo reserved just for Girlguiding Anglia, our Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers, young leaders, and leaders had the chance to roam freely, explore, and make lasting memories together.

From the moment they arrived, the zoo came alive with excitement. Girls enjoyed dinosaur meet-and-greets, explored the World of Dinosaurs, and queued eagerly for a ride on the Rex Express train, a firm favourite of the day. The Safari Stage hosted a lively bubble party where girls sang and danced along to classics like YMCA, filling the park with laughter and energy. Throughout the day, groups attended fascinating animal talks and displays, including sessions on sun bears, Asiatic lions, and an incredible World of Birds show. Between activities, there were plenty of tasty treats to enjoy from the food stalls, with fresh sugar donuts and Girlguiding Hertfordshire county tuck shop stall that proved particularly popular! A special highlight came when Lynn Whitnall, CEO of Hertfordshire Zoo and a former 2nd Cheshunt Brownie and Guide, spoke to the girls about her guiding journey. She proudly shared her own guiding hat and badge-covered top, offering a touching reminder of the lifelong impact of Girlguiding. Our partners Bird & Blend Tea Co. also joined us, with Jess (assistant manager at their Cambridge store) talking to girls about the Wellbeing challenge pack and badge. Their stall proved a huge hit, with endless queues of girls keen to try the teas and learn more about the challenge.

The Hertfordshire Zoo Takeover was a celebration of everything Girlguiding stands for: adventure, community, and creating unforgettable opportunities for girls across the region."

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