Getting involved with rainbows/brownies, what's it like?

[TaDuck]

I was a girl guide when I was younger (rainbows, brownies & guides) and I absolutely loved it. I learned so much and had a blast on all the trips, camps etc. Honestly one of the highlights of my childhood. This was in the 90s/00s though, so I was wondering has much changed with the girl guiding scene?

My own daughter is only 3 years old so won't be able to start rainbows yet but when she's old enough I'd love to become a leader and help out with planning, trips and all that. No idea where do start though, do they let parents get involved at the same unit their children are at? I've filled out DDs registration details on the website but they've said it might be a while before anyone contacts me so I thought I'd ask on here.

Is it relatively straight forward to get involved as a leader? What sort of things are involved?

Does anyone have girls who go these days and what sort of things do they do nowadays? Are camps still a thing?

Thanks!

No personal experience but we're on a waiting list for when mine is old enough, and at ours if you volunteer your child automatically gets a place, so I would assume it's fine to be at the same unit. Planning to send DH as scouting was similarly a highlight of his childhood.

Op, contact them and let them know you are interested I'm sure they will be delighted to have you as there is always a shortage. I'm sure someone who has done it will be along to let you know what you do as a leader.
@Wirdle I don't think they take men as leaders (unless they say they are women!).

I've been a leader, albeit with Guides, for over 20 years. I really enjoy seeing our young members have fun, challenge themselves and gain confidence and seeing them grow between their first meeting and their last as they move on to new adventures.
The Guide programme changed 7 years ago. Although it's packaged differently and the way awards are gained has changed the stuff that we actually do is still very similar (although maybe a bit updated)
It's an exciting time to join. We have some new interest badges launching this month and new uniforms next year.
If your DD wants to be a Rainbow I recommend registering her now and getting her on a waiting list as like many popular activities it's unusual to be able to get a place straight away.
There is a fair bit of bit of red tape around things like risk assessment and safeguarding but this is important as people are trusting us to look after their daughters. However there is currently a lot of focus about making systems easier for the volunteers. You also have a choice of training to be a leader or being a unit helper. Both are equally important. As are people who can only help once a fortnight or perhaps someone who can't do every week but can be a last minute stand in or help on a trip so we have enough adults.

Men can be unit helpers. There are a lot of male unit helpers married to Brownie leaders in our area.

I help every other week at my daughter's Brownie unit as a parent volunteer and have done for a couple of years. You need to be DBS checked and to complete safeguarding training which needs to be regularly updated. DDs unit have done camps and day trips - siblings can often come on the trips provided that a parent comes with them.

We have a dad who helps every so often, but it's correct that they can't be leaders (not sure about unit helpers?). We also have a couple of teenage boys who have done it as part of their DoE awards.

I rejoined Guiding when my eldest was rainbow age. They’re both brownies now. We’ve just had a weekend away at a PGL site where we did raft building, abseiling, zip wire, climbing wall and a silent disco - don’t listen to the people who tell you it’s only baking nd colouring in.

I love watching the girls grow, though I prefer planning to doing.

Get back on the website and register yourself as a volunteer, most areas are crying out for them and will snatch your hand off.