29/06/2026
What an absolutely unforgettable weekend! Ballygawley Rangers and Guides were joined by 1st Castlecaulfield Girlguiding Guides for an incredible residential trip to Portrush, and the North Coast definitely delivered on every front.
From coastal adventures to community action, our girls took on every challenge with massive smiles. Here is a look at what we got up to:
We kicked off our trip by soaking up the simple coastal pleasures right after we unpacked. The girls spent a blissful hour paddling in the shallows of the sea, squealing with laughter as the cool, salty waves lapped at their ankles and rolled over their toes. Afterward, we wandered over to the local playpark to burn off the rest of our energy. The girls played on the swings, pumping their legs to soar as high as they could, trying to touch the sky with the beautiful backdrop of the ocean behind them, bounced on the trampoline and generally let off some steam. It was the perfect, relaxed start to the weekend, setting the tone for all the big adventures still to come!
Sun, Sand, and Surf at the Beach:
On Saturday morning we wasted no time heading down to the shore. The girls kicked off the morning with high-energy beach games, racing through obstacle courses, and diving into the Atlantic for an amazing bodyboarding session. Thank you so much to Jo-Anne and her team at Aquaterra Adventures for an unforgettable experience.
Safety First: Earning the Mayday Badge with the RNLI:
To complete their Girlguiding Ulster Mayday! Mayday! badge, the group visited RNLI Portrush Lifeboat station where the girls learned all about vital water safety, what it takes to be a volunteer lifesaver, and how to spot danger along the coast. Seeing the lifeboats up close and understanding the real-world impact of the rescue crews was incredibly inspiring. Many thanks to Carl and John for taking time to show us around and allow the girls to climb aboard one of their D-class lifeboats.
Thrills and Spills at Currys Fun Park:
Of course, a trip to Portrush isn't complete without a visit to the iconic Currys Funpark Portrush! The atmosphere was electric as the girls conquered their fears on the big roller coasters. The bravest among them took on the dizzying heights of The Beast, while others loved the bouncing fun of The Frog, the high-speed spins of the classic Waltzer, and the spooky surprises inside the Ghost Train. Combined with all the other brilliant rides, the sounds of laughter (and a few thrilled screams!) could be heard right across the park.
On Sunday morning before we packed up our bags and said goodbye to the coast, we gathered together on the sand for a special Guides' Own. It was a beautiful, quiet moment for the girls to reflect on all the new skills they'd learned, the fears they'd conquered, the friendships they'd strengthened and the memories they'd made over the weekend.
Of course, we couldn't leave without one last splash! We finished the trip exactly how we started it—with some beach games and a final paddle in the freezing Atlantic water, leaving everyone tired, happy, and sandy-toed for the journey home.
To make an already magical weekend even more special, we had some of our girls choose this trip to make their Ranger or Guide Promise—and they picked some unforgettable settings to do it! A few of our thrill-seekers chose to make their Promise mid-air, shouting it out high above the park on the Currys rides, surrounded by cheers from their friends. Meanwhile, our water-babies braved the chilly Atlantic, making their Promise right out in the sea with the waves crashing around their ankles. Whether surrounded by the flashing lights of the fun park or the beautiful North Coast horizon, it was an incredibly proud moment for the whole unit and a memory these girls will cherish forever.
We are so proud of how our Rangers and Guides represented the units this weekend. They showed teamwork, looked out for one another, and threw themselves into every single activity. Memories made for a lifetime! Until the next adventure!
