Girlguiding Scotland members “inspired” to aim for the top by leading female executives at Camp CEO
86 Girlguiding Scotland members aged 14-18 took part in Camp CEO, a 4 day camp with top female CEOs and industry leaders from a range of sectors.
Taking place in rural Perthshire, young members were able to take part in workshops on everything from goal setting and personal branding to feminist leadership and networking.
Girlguiding’s recent Girls’ Attitudes Survey showed that 64% of 7-21 year olds want to be leaders in their chosen job and 58% of 11-21 year olds want more support in building their skills and confidence so they can become leaders of the future.
Girlguiding Scotland hosted Camp CEO to give their young members the opportunity to develop skills that will help them get through exams, prepare for college or university or start their first job.
Camp CEO was an adventurous 4 days of fun activities and workshops aimed to help young women be the best they can be, and to realise that they don’t have to follow the same path as everyone else.
One of the young people (15) who attended shared: “Camp CEO has really inspired my potential at a time I have felt mostly worried for my future.
“I didn’t realise how much listening to other people’s experiences could change my mindset. It has made the world feel bigger and with hard work, my goals feel achievable.
Another young person (17) said, “I really enjoyed Camp CEO.
“Talking to the CEOs and learning that none of them really knew what they wanted to do in life when they were in school made me feel better about feeling unsure what I want to do in the future.”
Young members who attended Camp CEO had the opportunity to speak to CEOs and other women in leadership positions and learn from them.
They were also shown what other opportunities Girlguiding can offer and took part in some fun activites including:
- Ask a CEO where girls got to ask CEOs questions, like what inspired them, and what their career journey was like.
- Dragons Den where girls came up with a project to sell to a panel of Camp CEOs very own “dragons”
- Team building with the Navy where girls worked together to build items they could use in a crisis – such as a wind turbine.
- Goal setting where girls thought about what they’d like to achieve and all the things that will help them get there.
- Storytelling session where girls learned how to have and develop more confidence in public speaking.
A young person (15) shared, “I had the best time and am so grateful for the opportunity. Talking to the CEOs at the networking event and being given advice on various subjects as well as having to meet a whole new set of people really boosted my confidence.”
Another attendee (15) said,:“It was great to learn that experience opens more career options than exam results.”
There were female leaders present from various sectors including the Scottish Government, the health sector, charity sector, youth work sector and more.Opportunities like this are just one of many opportunities Girlguiding Scotland offers girls and young women.
As the leading charity for girls and young women in Scotland with nearly 40,000 members, Girlguiding Scotland’s unique programme includes badges in everything from mindfulness to bushcraft, plus opportunities to enjoy outdoor adventure, gain awards, develop leadership skills, use their voice and take action.
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer or know a girl who would like to join guiding, please visit girlguidingscotland.org.uk.