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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Do Brownie groups differ a lot?

28 replies

BeccaGeej · 19/04/2023 19:39

DD is 8 and has been at Brownies for a year and a half. She's always moderately enjoyed it but never loved it. She loves getting the badges but doesn't really enjoy the meetings. She had a group of friends but they were all older than her so have moved up to Guides and she now feels she has no friends there. A couple of her friends from school go to other units and when I asked their mums if they enjoyed Brownies, they said they loved it but from what they were saying, their groups sound a bit more dynamic. DD's unit seems a bit disorganised, we never get a programme of events, never really know what badges if any they are working towards, she randomly comes home with badges sometimes that she wasn't even aware she was working towards! She often says they've just played games, rather than actually 'doing' anything.
DD is now saying she wants to give it up but I'm reluctant. She is an only and we really wanted her to try and develop a circle of friends outside of school. If she drops Brownies, she will only do school based extra curricular activities. I know all the leaders are volunteers so don't want to be too picky but I'm wondering if I should just let DD leave or whether I should enquire about her moving to a different unit if there is room but there's no guarantee she would make friends there either. Just worry she may come to regret it if she gives up.
Does her unit sound particularly disorganised or pretty standard?

OP posts:
redbigbananafeet · 19/04/2023 19:52

As it is run by wonderful volunteers of course they differ.

LittleCrackers · 19/04/2023 19:51

I would definitely recommend having a browse locally. Try speaking to other girls' parents at school if they attend other units, maybe?

Local to me, we have a lot of different units. One is very cookery based, I've found. One does more outdoor activities than most. Finding a leader who suits your daughter is helpful too, I liked our very outgoing leader as she brought my DD out of her shell.

Patchworksack · 19/04/2023 19:46

My daughter’s pack is very organised but her leader is area commissioner. They have a published program every term and do 2 theme badges per year so in theory if they stay in for 3 years should all be able to get Gold award if they do the corresponding interest badges at home. In addition to the evenings this term they have weekend camp and a Coronation funday, and in September there is a trip to London. So it might be worth trying a different one.