This #TimeToTalkThursday is the final week of the Connect theme in our 5 Ways to Better Wellbeing Series.  This week we highlight the connections made on a recent MissAdventures bikepacking experience.

MissAdventures is a volunteer led project aimed at encouraging girls at high school in the Scottish Borders to take part in more physical activity in the outdoors.

Led by Aneela McKenna, from Mòr Diversity, and Caroline McKaig, a high school teacher at Peebles High School and Chair of MissAdventures, eight teenage girls set out on a two-night bikepacking experience.  The girls came from different areas and didn't all know each other. 

Caroline told us “it was really amazing to see the girls coming together and forming friendships”. MissAdventures “also like to really highlight the importance of connection with the outdoors and nature on our trips, spending all day in nature makes you feel fantastic”.

Talking about why connecting is important, Caroline said:

“most of the girls didn't know each other and regularly ride in a mostly male environment.  The girls themselves commented on how great it was to meet other girls and to ride in a group of like-minded souls who wanted to experience adventure. It took the girls a little while to warm up and get to know each other, but by the end of day two they were splashing in the river and having a laugh together. That is our aim at MissAdventures, to create a community of girls who like to ride and show them just how many others are just like them”. 

Caroline went on to highlight the positive impact this connection has had on those involved, where the girls have “a realisation that there are lots of other girls out there that want to do adventurous journeys on bikes. (They have) a newfound confidence in their abilities and of course new friends”.

Thank you to Caroline and Aneela for sharing this story of connection and we look forward to hearing about more MissAdventures events in the future!