At first, Ava Maree thought life in the wilderness would be unsurvivable without social media or online games — even if it was only for five days.
The 8-year-old Mosgiel Brownie is at Berwick Lodge this week, for the 2026 Ignite GirlGuiding camp, where cellphone reception is patchy at best.
But she is learning that life is actually more interesting without a connection to the outside world.
"I’ve been making lots of new friends and doing new things that I thought I couldn’t do — like abseiling, kayaking, long bush walks and the confidence course.
"I feel like I could look after myself out here if I had to, as long as I’ve got my backpack with some food in it.
"Yeah, definitely with food."
She said she had been so busy, she had not had time to miss her family, or even her cat and dog.
Ava is one of more than 150 Pippins (5-7 year-olds), Brownies (7-9), Girl Guides (9-12) and Rangers (12-17) from across Otago, Southland and Canterbury at the camp.
She said the camp was to prepare the girls for an upcoming jamboree in Hamilton next year.
"It will be our first jamboree in 11 years.
"So, as a group of leaders, we thought it was really important to get them some camping experience in a large setting, just so they can get used to that environment."
The main aim was to encourage the girls to step out of their comfort zones and give them confidence, by being away from home and doing new things with new people.
She said the camp also helped to teach them life, communication, survival and leadership skills and how to set personal goals and be independent.
