Cityscapes Adventure brings Cardiff to life
Cardiff became a city of adventure as over 2,300 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers stepped into an experience filled with discovery, challenge and excitement. Arriving from across the UK, they brought with them enthusiasm, curiosity and a readiness to explore. Very quickly, the capital was transformed into a living game board, where every street, park and landmark held a new opportunity.
A city wide challenge begins
Armed with the Goosechase app, teams set off on their journey across the city. Phones in hand and eyes open for clues, they tracked their progress in real time, racing to complete missions, earn points and climb the leaderboard. There was a constant buzz of excitement as teams compared scores, planned their next move and celebrated each challenge completed. Every decision mattered and every mission brought a new sense of achievement.
Discovering Cardiff’s landmarks
Across Cardiff, a wide network of venues came together to host activities, each one offering a different experience and perspective of the city. From the iconic Wales Millennium Centre to the vibrant Red Dragon Centre, and from the peaceful green spaces of Bute Park to the historic walls of Cardiff Castle, participants experienced the capital in a completely new way. Activities also took place at Gwersyll yr Urdd Caerdydd, Makers Guild Wales, Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Caerdydd, HMS Cambria and Mount Stuart Primary School, creating a journey that blended culture, creativity, history and exploration.
Our day 1 social media post
Our day 2 social media post
Getting active and taking on challenges
At every location, girls were invited to try something new. At Mount Stuart Primary School, Volleyball Wales delivered energetic sessions that quickly became a favourite, with teamwork and determination on full display.
Volleyball Wales drives the growth of volleyball across the country, supporting players from grassroots to elite level while expanding the sport’s reach. In Cardiff, the Victoria Park Cardiff beach volleyball team adds energy to this mission, bringing athletes together to train, compete, and promote the sport in a fun, social setting. Their presence shared the rising popularity of beach volleyball and engaged with girls
One of the standout moments for many was the climbing challenge delivered by 270 Mobile Climbing and led by Girlguiding Cymru President Tori James. As girls clipped in and began their climb, encouragement echoed around the space. Together, participants and leaders worked towards a shared goal of climbing the equivalent height of Everest, a powerful symbol of what can be achieved through teamwork, perseverance and support.
In Bute Park, teams threw themselves into cricket sessions led by Cricket Wales on the Sunday, girls learned new skills while cheering each other on.
Members also tried mini golf and took part in parachute games.
“I really loved the dance session the music was cool and the routine was fun.”
“The event was fantastic. We especially loved the stop motion animation activity at the ODEON cinema and the rock climbing wall, which was both fun and challenging. It’s been a great day and we would most definitely take part again.”
Inspiring curiosity through STEM
Inside venues across the city, creativity and curiosity flourished. At Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Caerdydd, science came to life through hands on activities led by Cardiff University’s Schools of Engineering, Computer Science and Physics. Nearby, the Institute of Civil Engineers challenged participants to design and build their own bridges, testing their ideas and learning through experimentation.
HLM Architects inspired future designers through LEGO architecture sessions, where girls explored how buildings are imagined and created. Each team was given a design brief to bring their own structure to life, proudly earning a themed badge to take home.
The sense of discovery continued with Techniquest’s planetarium experience at Mount Stuart Primary School, where participants were transported beyond Cardiff and into the wonders of space. For many, it was a moment to pause, look up and be inspired by something completely different.
Silver Racing introduced the fast paced world of Formula One engineering, sparking interest in design, speed and innovation.
Creativity around every corner
Creativity was woven throughout the entire event. At Makers Guild Wales and with Craft in the Bay, girls explored hands on crafts, from designing bookmarks to experimenting with fabric printing. These quieter moments of creativity offered a chance to slow down, focus and express individuality.
Meanwhile, outside Cardiff Castle, the atmosphere was alive with rhythm as Samba Galez led vibrant drumming sessions. The sound carried through the city as girls joined in, creating music together and adding to the sense of celebration.
Dance workshops led by M and A Dance, delivered by two Rangers from 10th Barry, brought even more energy, encouraging participants to move, perform and have fun together.
A stop motion animation workshop led by Claire Jenkins from Girlguiding Cardiff and East Glamorgan proved especially popular. Held in the ODEON cinema in Cardiff Bay, the setting couldn’t have been more fitting. As creativity came to life on screen, it was easy to imagine that some future filmmakers were taking their very first steps.
Meeting inspiring role models
There were also powerful opportunities to connect with inspiring role models. South Wales Police Service, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Royal Navy Youth Engagement Team welcomed girls to take part in interactive activities, including the engaging Jackspeak session. These experiences offered insight into different careers and paths, helping girls to imagine future possibilities and see themselves in new roles.
We were delighted to receive and share a lovely video message from Assistant Chief Constable Trudi Meyrick of South Wales Police as part of Cityscapes event. Watch it here.
The theme of strong women was woven throughout the entire event, adding another layer of inspiration to the adventure. Many of the Goosechase challenges encouraged participants to uncover and learn about influential Welsh women, including Betty Campbell, Shirley Bassey and Helen Wyn Thomas, along with others who have helped shape Wales’ history and identity.
Learning for the future
Sustainability and problem solving were also key themes. With Repair Cafe Wales, participants explored how everyday items work by breaking apart objects that cannot be recycled, gaining a better understanding of materials and encouraging more mindful thinking about waste.
A City full of energy
Throughout the city, there was a constant sense of movement and excitement. Teams navigated from one location to another, sometimes pausing to take in a landmark or capture a moment for extra points, other times hurrying to fit in one more activity before time ran out. Laughter, encouragement and determination could be seen everywhere.
A shared experience to remember
What made the experience truly special was the way it brought people together. Girls supported one another, celebrated successes and embraced new challenges with confidence. Leaders and volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes and on the ground, ensuring every participant felt welcomed, safe and inspired. The support of partner organisations across Cardiff made it possible to deliver such a varied and dynamic programme.
Cityscapes Adventure was more than just a day of activities. It was a chance to build confidence, try something new and see the world from a different perspective. It was about teamwork, friendship and discovering what is possible when you step outside your comfort zone.
As teams completed their final challenges and checked the leaderboard one last time, there was a shared sense of achievement. Each participant left with new memories, new skills and a story to tell. Cardiff had become their playground, their classroom and their stage, all in one unforgettable experience.
A word from our president Tori James
“Cityscapes was a truly standout event for Girlguiding, showcasing the very best of what it offers: adventure, fun, friendship and learning. Taking place simultaneously across five UK cities, I am incredibly proud that Cardiff welcomed over 2,300 Girlguiding members to Wales for this exciting urban scavenger hunt.
It was fantastic to see the energy of our members as they explored the culture and history of our capital city and engaged with countless missions and challenges.
This event would not have been possible without our incredible Girlguiding volunteers, alongside the support of local partners and organisations across Cardiff, who helped create such a dynamic and engaging experience for our girls and young women.
Diolch yn fawr i chi gyd.”
Watch Tori’s video here
Tori James - Girlguiding Cymru President
Diolch
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this event possible. From our incredible volunteers and dedicated activity providers to the welcoming venues across the city, every contribution played a vital role. Special thanks go to our President Tori James and our Chief and staff team from Girlguiding Cymru, as well as the wider Girlguiding team, whose hard work, planning and support brought Cityscapes Adventure to life.
