AIBU to be annoyed that my DD probably wont be able to join the Rainbows? (Brownies)

[RainbowGuides]

Have namechanged for this...

My DD who is 5 would like to join the Rainbows (younger Brownies), there is only one group operating in our local area. It is run from the local Synagogue and the girls that attend are all Jewish. I asked for an application and applied but was surprised to see that one of the questions asks about your religion and which synagogue you attend.

I questioned this and said we are not Jewish nor do we attend synagogue so would my DD get a place. I was told that I could apply and my name would be put on the waiting list however girls that were Jewish or attended the local synagogue would get priority. Meaning my DD would forever be on the waiting list as those that come on it after would be moved above her as they are Jewish IYSWIM and she would never actually be able to join.

My problem here is that the Girl Guides association is supposed to be a INTERNATIONAL programme that is open to girls of any religion, creed or nationality and is supposed to accept diversity and multi culturism. Their policies include equality and diversity. So why is it that the ONLY Rainbows unit in my area is only for those of the Jewish faith?

I did speak to someone at the local Brownies office and she did agree that it wasnt right and stated that if there is only 1 group in the area it is supposed to be open to all.

This is not a post slamming Judaism - so please no racial hatred posts. I just want to know if IABU to expect that this Rainbows group should take girls of any faith as that is what the Girl Guides is about and they are NOT following its ethos at all??

Definitely unfair. (So are faith state schools - but that's a whole other thread ... or many threads... )

I don't agree with not allowing dd to join rainbows, but must say it is not unfair when a faith organisation then expects you to at least losely follow their faith It s their gang surley - I wouldn't want to join lots of things - say the horticultural society, but wouldn't want to stop them liking gardening if that was their thing

I think the reason for jewish brownie groups (my DD is at one) is that they can't do camping on saturday and also only eat kosher food, so the synagogues allowed their own brownies/rainbow troupes so that the children wouldn't be excluded from saturday outings or from food at bonfires etc.

At my daughter's brownies, which is in our synagogue, there are girls whose parents are members of different synagogues, so I'd really question whether its the case that the membership is "closed" in that way (ie to members of that synagogue only). You might need to call up and pretend initially that you are a jewish member of another synagogue to "catch them out" to provide that the membership isn't closed.

FWIW my DD couldn't go to rainbows either, there wasn't a group that was convienient. DS1 wants to go to beavers, he'll hopefully go to one in a different synagogue (only brownies in ours) - he's on the waiting list, he's not 6 yet. I wouldn't send him to one in a church as I want him to be able to attend the camps and not have to take him own food to meetings etc.

We pay for a PA to take dd to beavers. It makes it exteremly expensive.

We had problems in my old unit with the leader insisting on girls attending monthly church parade, I never went as I do not have a religon. She was also funny about taking girls with SN

I ended up opening my own unit in a childrens centre we don't have association with any church and the building is totally accesible.

chundle - read my post, my request for dd which i put in for brownies when she was 5 was ignored i assume because we didn't meet the CHRISTIAN requirements that were on the form we filled in, it swings both ways. i agree with you, it does suck

Ben10isthespawnofthedevil Our Badger/Cadets has a number of children with autism as well as other disabilities (including one boy who is catheter dependent, which seems to be a big no-no else where, and requires 1:1 care).

Ben10. Contact your local badgers. I am a member of Sja and have been a badger leader and we work with young people with a variety of special needs and will always try to be open to all.

The group only exists due to volunteers and you can't force them to suit you they would simply not give up their free time and fold the group-sad for all.

The solution is easy. They are always short of leaders-become one and get a place-that is what parents have to do to get a place in our area.

There are only 3 volunteers at our Beaver pack and there are too many children for one to support him - it is in a very small room and his running, hitting, throwing etc when under stress does require extra support just for him. Unfortunately as she has 2 year old twins and her DH is very unhelpful, she wouldn't be able to attend with him.

I could volunteer and would be quite happy to work with my friend's son but DS has dyspraxia and SPD and is also being assessed for ASD and therefore being able to try to socialise with children of his own age by himself is very important he has no friends at school. He knows that the other children don't have their parents turning up and my DS doesn't need 1:1.

I'm not sure that she could afford a PA to attend Riven but will suggest that she sees how much it would be as sounds like a good compromise - esp as the swimming teacher is away on mat leave.

Alternatively will get her to find out about Badgers. Thanks ladies

Sorry for hijacking the Jewish/Rainbows thing BTW

ben10, it's worth checking with your district hq, some have a sn troop, I know we do here.

It's always disappointing when you see people who have been the victims of discrimination decide to do a bit of their own.

Thanks Ninja. Will ask them tomorrow if there is a SN troop/pack.

Good to hear all these endorsements for Badgers, DS only started about 6 weeks ago :).

Sorry I haven't read the whole thread (baby waking is imminent) but have you spoken to the District Commissioner about setting up a new unit? It's really not as complicated as people think and particularly for Rainbow age it can be a commitment for one night a week as Rainbows don't do as many extra activities as Guides etc (as far as I know - I've only ever been a Guide Leader). If you can get a couple of other Mums who might be interested in becoming leaders it might be a good idea - it sounds like your area could do with another unit. You can also ask for a parent helper each week (which can include Dads, Grandparents etc) to help with running the meetings.

I do agree that this sort of closed sponsorship is divisive and not what Guiding is about but I also understand that having some income for the unit is desirable particularly if you're in an area where funds are lacking.

I'd speak to the Rabbi of the synagogue.

Have only read the OP (forgive me) but this doesn't sound right at all. I know that Brownies and Guides are usually expected to attend a place of worship now and again as a group, but the organisation itself is not a specific faith-based group AFAIK, (as proven by teh fact that there are 'Jewish' Brownie groups, and therefore it is inclusive as an organisation) and should not exclude anyone on the grounds of their faith - or lack of.

If your family were Muslim or Jewish for example, and you applied to your local Brownie group which happened to have links to a Christian church because it served the majoriity in the area, and you were told you were at the bottom of the list I am quite, quite sure you could kick up merry hell. I cannot imagine they would even attempt to do it, TBH.

i second woodcraft, i loved it

Fellatio
As has been mentioned further up the thread, Christian guiding groups can and do prioritize Christian or their associated church membership, it's reasonably common in areas of high demand.

Never encountered this before, even as a LEader who had her unit actually absed within the interior of a Church- I;d never have even asked about faith.

We did Sunday Church Parade but some kids came, some did not, that was fine. Heck in these days of alternate weekend parenting many couldn't come if they wanted. So be it then.

Much as I love Rainbows, I;d be looking at Cubs/ Beavers; ds2 adores cubs, or St Johns (was never a BAdger but I was a Cadet and great times were had)

DD has a physical disability - was taken at rainbows no issue.

Is at a local C of E church, DD isn't C of E. Her friend from school who is Muslim has joined.

Promise is to love my god.

Rainbows are run by volunteers - my friend was told her DD would never be a rainbow - wait list too long- she will be Brownie age before she reaches top.

My little girl is a total girlie girl and she loves beavers. About a third of her group are girls. She's just just had her first sleepover and earned her one night away badge. They cover diverse range of activities from cooking and crafts to hiking and nature. The theme for the past few weeks was castles and the group had a medieval re-enactment group in. The whole group made swords and her sword came home decorated in pink gemstones. I highly recommend Beavers to anyone who's child of whatever gender, religion or schooling, is keen to do something outside the home. They can start before 6 under certain circumstances - something to do with when their birthday falls but I can't remember the details.

I run a Rainbows Unit with a friend of mine. Luckily another unit set up in our village, otherwise lots of girls Rainbows age wouldn't be able to join. In our unit, if the mum is prepared to help out with a view to becoming a Guider herself, then her dd will be guaranteed a place. That means you can then take on another 5 girls, as it's a 1:5 ratio. You DON'T have to be a practicing [any religion] to join Rainbows/Brownies/Guides, and it certainly should make a difference as to whether or not a girl "gets in"! It's a lot of hard work running any kind of Guide unit, but it is worth it in the end! [I hope]!!