Mixed activities for DD starting all girls school?

[duriandurian]

Hi, I am looking for suggestions for possible casual activities for my 8yo Y3 DD. She is about to start at a small all girls school for Y4 having always previously been in mixed education.
We are pretty certain that this is the best school option for her, despite the earlier than ideal segregation (gentle, fun, nurturing non pushy school as opposed to her current target mad school and others locally which are a bit league table bonkers).
She is a keen swimmer and all others in her class are boys and we'll get her into club sessions soon. Also on sea scouts waiting list (insanely popular here despite being landlocked). Her lovely judo instructor runs mixed classes and she will have to give up her girls only class because of time tabling so I'll try to get her to attend.
Any other suggestions? She does have a younger brother and older boy cousins. I just don't want boys to be a mystery to her.
Thanks!

[EduCated]

Rookie lifesaving, when she’s at the right level of swimming.

Junior Parkrun, though it’s perhaps not the most social thing.

Generally have a look around to see what clubs there are locally - the slightly more ‘alternative’ ones like rock climbing, kayaking, coding clubs (try your local library) etc (as opposed to things like football and dance) are more likely to be mixed, and remain so as she gets older.

[duriandurian]

Thank you. That is an interesting idea re: left field activities and life saving and rock climbing were both vaguely on our radar. Will investigate further. Appreciated.

[redcaryellowcar]

My ds (7) goes trampolining and because of the safety aspect to they end up chatting to the others in their group between turns, so oddly it's more sociable than I imagined.

[duriandurian]

Hmmm, I did trampolining when much younger (recommended by an ed. psych.!) and we weren't allowed to chat or interact. Sounds like things might have changed in the thirty odd years since then...

[Whapweasel]

Fencng? Our club takes them from 7, more boys than girls but definitely mixed.

[duriandurian]

Brilliant. Will investigate. That's meant to be a nice confidence builder too I think.
Thanks all.

[BigGapMum]

Cubs? Ours has a slightly higher percentage of boys than girls, but girls fit socially within the group well.

[MrsBertBibby]

Fencing is nice, but it tends to get a bit overtaken by the "Olympian in waiting" crowd, so it quickly becomes an activity where unless they are giving up all weekend and multiple weeknights, they can't keep up with peers. My son enjoyed it, but elected to pack it in because everyone else was getting so intense.

[Imchlibob]

Is there a woodcraft folk near you? That's definitely very sociable

[Toofle]

Forest School Camps.

[reluctantbrit]

Cubs and then Scouts. Our meets are girls/boys only but all camps and outside activities are mixed plus all holiday meetings are mixed as well.

[Whapweasel]

MrsBertBibby, obviously that was your experience at that particular club. DH is a fencing coach and his clubs are not like that at all.

[EduCated]

reluctantbrit Where are you that you have single sex scout meetings these days?

[duriandurian]

Woodcraft folk looks good.
I thought fencing was so unpopular at one time that Bruce Dickinson the iron maiden singer had to compete for the U.K.? Maybe that is the 2012 effect coming into play.
Will investigate forest school camps too. Thank you. I just want very casual regular weekly socialising so it isn't a big deal. Tbf pretty much all of her birth cohort diaspora with whom we remain in touch are boys so guess those meet ups will help too.
Thank you.
And also for not castigating me re: choice of school. We have been mulling over it for a year but I really think it will be the best option for her.

[Mary19]

Kayaking? www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/canoe-near-you

[RedSkyAtNight]

Music? Good age to start an instrument. Either group tuition or private lessons + a music group on top.

Depending on where you live, she's getting to the age where DC "play out" - certainly round us all the local children just hang out together - so you could encourage that.

[Seeline]

Drama group? Good for confidence too.

[duriandurian]

That's a point. We have just (today) had an offer accepted on a house. We are compromising on space to get a home on a road with really strong community feeland lots of other kids. So that will help- if it all goes through.

[Whapweasel]

I thought fencing was so unpopular at one time that Bruce Dickinson the iron maiden singer had to compete for the U.K.?

Well, it's more that he was/is really good - at one point he was Top Ten in the UK and so easily up to standard. But just rather busy .

It's what's given him the thighs for spandex . Not that anyone should wear spandex really, but I defy anyone to look better in it than Bruce.

[BackforGood]

I was going to say cubs too. If the waiting list isn't viable for her at your local Group, ask for details of other local groups.
Through the Cubs / Scouts Explorers, she can try so many of the other things listed.

[laptopdisaster]

yes definitely cubs, I started my daughter in Beavers instead of Rainbows specifically because she was at a girl's school

[duriandurian]

Ohhhhh, I had visions of the Olympic bosses trawling disconsolately around rock festivals trying to recruit anyone who pointed the mic in a suitable theatrical manner...

[BottleOfJameson]

Ahhh was about to mention cubs and see that it's already been suggested.

[duriandurian]

Yes. Sea scouts appears to be the only game in town here but I will see if there are other Cubs as well.
I looked up Forest School Camps too which look bonkers but fun in a nice 1970s kind of way.
I am feeling a bit less worried about her social isolation with all these options so thank you.
Will off to order her new straw boater (summer months, felt for winter obvs...).

[Monkeymonstermum]

Tennis?
Local clubs here certainly mix them at 6...presume they continue to at 8. Also it’s a great game for social aspects in later years...

Golf?