Brownies incident stopped me singing, starting to see how messed up it was.

She may not have been that entertaining. Tbf unless a child is an incredibly talented singer, they aren’t that entertaining.

Then what’s the point ? What do they gain? An expectation that they will be rewarded merely for turning up and being seen to make an effort? Its worthless.

If your cakes are shite you shouldn’t get the badge.

Perhaps they should abolish the badges completely as they don’t actually mean anything.

She performed and entertained in front of an audience. It was what was asked of her. She should have had a badge. It wasn't a singing competion.

Of course you shouldn't be awarded a cooking badge if your cooking is making people sick. Then you have to try for it again and do better.

In our GG group you can practice and improve your journey - and then be awarded the badge.
It's more about your development towards the goal and badge than a competition. GG isn't a competition.

Adding to my post... This sort of thing hardly helps build resilience and surely creates young adults who crumple at the first real life set back.

I don't actually agree with that though as what have they learned and improved upon? I earned my hostess badge with my fairy cakes, tea and nicely set out tray. Would have been a swizz to awarded it otherwise.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'not that hard to work out'. I asked whether you would have been awarded the badge had you not met the criteria. By 'encouraged to try again', I assume you mean you aren't awarded the badge but can retake it? I'm not British and I've never been a Brownie or Guide. My only comparison would be music exams.

Did they not explain to you that you might not get the badge or was this the beginning of the ‘participation awards’ system?

If it has put you off singing, why would you send your own children though (assuming Squirrels is a branch of the same organisation)?

I went to Brownies for a couple of weeks when I was a kid and then was forced to join Guides - it took me a whole year to get thrown out. I wouldn’t want anyone I cared for to be involved in the organisation.

Was the solo performance part of the award given simply for standing up and singing a hymn? Google says: The vintage Girlguiding UK Brownie Entertainer badge required a Brownie to plan, rehearse, and perform a short entertainment item—such as singing, reciting, or a small play—for an audience, demonstrating performance skills and self-confidence before a local tester

When I was at school, in year eight or nine, the drama teacher said that my speech was adversely affected by having big teeth. Even though I had had my braces just taken off. It made me self-conscious and put me off public speaking for life and I am 55!

When I was 11, in the 60’s, my class all had to sing solo for a music teacher. She asked that I never bought my singing voice near her again 😂😂😂

Yes.
If you do this - you earn your bagde.

What a bunch of old witches! It was your idea to do the show! Your enthusiasm that got the whole thing up and running. It doesn’t matter that you can’t sing well, you got up and did it! You entertained.

I agree that badges shouldn’t be given out just for turning up, but you did so much more than that. I’d have given you the badge.

I think by 8 you should know that nobody is good at everything. I mean people keep banging on about effort. Iy does not take a lot of effort to open your mouth and obliviously sing out tof tune

It's not about competing, it's about learning things, working at things, challenging yourself, actually achieving something.

I think some of the judges are alive and well... and here on Mumsnet posting replies.

Oh my.. I could have written your post almost word for word. Except during the rehersal she told everyone that someone was singing the wrong note. She told us to hold the note and walked along the rows till she came to me! I was mortified.. and like you everyone looked at me during the performance..
I know I can't sing but get great pleasure singing to my children and now my grandsons.
Solidarity..

Brownies isn't a competition.

An eight year old isn't a young child. Children can achieve a lot at that age. I think it's a real shame that having a go at something is seen as enough to earn a badge - how about encouraging children to really work at something until they've achieved something real?

Jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled all these things I love so well! 😁

This is shit, I'm really sorry. We give everyone a badge if they're there when we do the badge work. Even if their attempt isn't great it still gets a badge because it's about the trying not how great they are.

Yup .54. Unable to sing in public after auditioning every primary school year for the choir and being the only child who did so to never get in (very small village school).I was good at recorder so for shows I had to mime or sit round the back and wait to come out to play. The auditions were awful as the teacher would tell me I was dreadful!Bloody Mrs Jackson. Such a mean woman.

It takes much more courage to sing a solo (however bad!) than to play the spoons. Given how young you were, of course you should’ve had a badge.

I knew I couldn’t sing as a 12 year old so went for a trial singing lesson, purely so I could sing Happy Birthday etc without it destroying people’s ears. The teacher waited for me finish a very nervous demo then said, ‘You’re never going to be an opera singer, are you,’ then looked me in the eye and watched me flush and squirm.

There are occasions where people need to know they can’t sing (X-factor, big headed people with no talent) and occasions where you have to be a bit kinder (young children and people with no confidence as it is).

You be encouraged to try again. Not that hard to work out. Cooking is a skill to work on.

But OP did entertain. She met the criteria for her bagde.

As a scout leader or girl guide leader you should help the child to achieve a goal and
not fail them. If they don't get it right first time you help and guide them to try again.

With proper management from the leaders everyone child (guide/scout) should be able to earn a badge if they make a real effort and are willing to try again if necessary.