Pageant contestants and the great outdoors aren’t something people generally associate with one another, but this past weekend, 31 girls vying for the titles of Miss Mississippi or Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen spent some time in the wild.

The women and teens spent time at Warner-Tully YMCA Camp in Port Gibson in order to fulfill a requirement for the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh award, which recognizes holistic excellence.

Miss Heart of Dixie’s Outstanding Teen Emily Tingle of Vicksburg said this was the first time the teens were invited to participate.

“We’re here for Duke of Edinburgh so we can finish out for our awards,” she said. “You have to put in hours for fitness, music, community service and adventurous journey, which is this.”

Tingle, a junior at Warren Central, said the contestants did archery and a ropes course and they made smores.

Miss Madison County’s Outstanding Teen Addison Crowder said she enjoyed spending time out at the camp.

“I’ve never been to Warner-Tully,” she said. “It reminded me of my summer camp. I’m a camp counselor during the summer.”

Crowder, a junior at Madison Central, said the experience was great for getting out some her pre-pageant jitters.

“I got to hang out with the girls, which was good because I was kind of nervous,” she said. “Now I know them, so it won’t be as bad at the state level.”

Crowder said the weekend was great for teambuilding.

“Ropes course was by far my favorite,” she said. “I like heights and I liked the challenge.”

Miss New South Arrielle Dale said she’s been competing in pageants since she was 6 years old, and this is her second time to go out to Warner-Tully for a weekend with the pageant.

“I love the outdoors, and I love doing a lot of different things, so this is fun, but not something I do on my regular schedule,” she said. “I’m going for the gold for Duke of Edinburgh this year, so I’ve been here since Thursday.

Dale, a student at the University of Southern Mississippi, said the requirements for the Duke of Edinburgh award largely fit into what the girls already do to prepare for Miss Mississippi.

“After this we have to log a year’s worth of physical activity, community service and a special talent,” she said.

“So that would be going to the gym, promoting our platform and doing community service for Miss Mississippi.”

The rain put a kink in some of this year’s outdoor activities, Dale said, but the girls had fun anyway.

“We didn’t get to do it this year because it was raining, but last year we ziplined into the lake — I really enjoyed that,” she said.

“Other than that, I liked shooting the rifles. That was fun this year.”

As for now, Dale said, it’s time to get ready for the pageant.

“It’s about 30 days out, but the teen pageant is before,” she said. “I’m excited for them, but that’s when reality’s going to hit, so I’m excited to see.”