To not be happy about Brownies litter picking?

[ImNameyChangey]

I know it's part of what Brownies are about...to be public spirited and I do appreciate that it's important for them to learn about this sort of thing but the area around the Brownie hall is very large, open and is close to a lot of houses and flats.

It's an area with mixed social issues...on the one hand it's middle class but on the other there are people with drug problems.

My DD like many of the other Brownies is only 7 and giving her one glove and a bag and telling her to pick up packets etc isn't sensible imo. There could not only be syringes but dog mess and all manner of other nasty stuff.

I feel like I want to say something to the leaders about this.

Litter pickers are a good idea but even half-way decent ones cost £10-£12 each. And they need storage (space can be an issue) and maintenance. Given the lack of parental enthusiasm amongst most Brownie/Guide/Beaver/Cub/Scout groups for either fund-raising or helping maintain kit, it's just another helping of work for the few.

teatowel I think you'll find the fears about needles/dog dirt etc will go down drastically if the children are doing something 'nice' or 'fun' as opposed to community service. Even if it's on the same piece of green space.

Namey My contribution to this thread was entirely relevant and I find your response very rude. I'm now very sorry indeed to have bothered trying to offer advice and support to you. I've clearly gone about it in the wrong way but no-one can be bothered to explain to me how.

I'm leaving this thread in tears now. Thanks a lot MN.

(Yeah, I'm probably over emotional due to other difficult times in my personal life. Criticise away!)

Perm get a backbone. I have a disability which has been called into question on MY OWN thread and people like you come cruising in looking for sympathy! Give me a break.

Tea I disagree. The act of deliberately searching out litter is not the same as a scavenger hunt. The way our pack does them is very obvious...they leave obvious clues around...stuck to trees and so forth. it's nothing like crawling about in long grass picking up dirty refuse.

LeBearPolar the Scout Leaders did that at Gang Show the other day, changing a few lyrics of course.

permanently

Goodness, OP, was it really necessary to be quite so rude to Permanently?

DS2 is helping supervise Beavers doing a litter pick tonight. It will be interesting to find out how they go about it.

You really are very rude aren't you, OP?

No I'm not rude. Just tired of people banging on about my disability.

Would that be the disability that you first mentioned despite it being, as you say, totally irrelevant to the thread?

And actually, let's remember that no-one did put their hand in poo, prick themselves on a needle, or cut themselves on glass. So maybe the Leaders DID do due diligence and check the area beforehand

OP

You need to either talk to the leaders about your concern or let it go. Having just completed an epic risk assessment that considered death by drowning, being run over, death of a leader etc, the thought process is something that the leaders would be happy to talk through with you (bearing in mind that not all risk assessments will be written down.)

To Permanentlyexhausted and all you Guiders in hiding, please come and join us around the campfire, www.mumsnet.com/Talk/extra_curricular_activities/715087-Guiders-39-staff-room-tea-wine-chat-and-optional-dancing

If you want YOUR OWN THREAD you're probably best just to email yourself. If you post on AIBU, it suggests you want other people to join in.

Oh Barbarian I so agree! Things are so much safer when they are fun,

Just so you know OP my scavenger hunts are obviously different from your packs.What you describe sounds like a treasure hunt My scavenger hunts involve lists of things to find such as the longest piece of grass, the smallest leaf and (horror) a piece of rubbish. Or the girls can be given a piece of paper on which shapes have been drawn and they have to find objects in the environment that fit the shapes as far as possible. Some of the girls have been known to skilfully tear a crisp paper or wrapper to fit the required size. I also very much doubt that your daughter was encouraged to' crawl around in long grass picking up dirty refuse.' I would imagine that she bent over and picked it up.

Surely of all the places to go for YOUR OWN THREAD, AIBU is not it. It is the least likely place on all MN to get everyone passively agreeing with whatever you say.

And as BarbarianMum said, you opened the door to discussion of your disability by introducing it into the thread, so a bit much to accuse others of 'banging on about it' now.

Can I point out that geocaching (the planned activity that OP expected to happen) also involves wandering through the undergrowth and scrabbling around in long grass, sticks etc? Why was this more acceptable to the OP?

Permanently, your posts have been informative and measured. I'm so sorry you've been treated so badly by OP. I was a helper at Brownies for 4 years and know a little about how much work goes on behind the scenes.
OP has no reason to think the leaders did not check the area for danger beforehand. She introduces her disability as a reason she can't volunteer and then flames those who say the guiding movement us inclusive and welcomes all those who want to help.
You can't ein

OP
Read the thread, I used to be a brown owl,

Really - get the fuck over yourself.
Nothing happened, she is fine, and stop bitching about a group of people who provide (free childcare) a really wonderful experice for your DD, that you - point blank - refuse to even consider helping with.

DixieNormas - no, we don't. What is your point, in relation to what has been said on the thread about it?

OP did your dd come to any harm?

Ffs no one is disability shaming but those of us who work for the organisation in question can categorically state that IF a person wants to help we will bend over backwards to find them something appropriate and support their changing needs. the op stated her disability stops her volunteering we have said it only stops her if she chooses to let it. I say that as someone with a friend who runs a group who suffers with lupus and something else that's name escapes me but means her lungs are turning to cement. she comes as and when she feels up to it and does as much or as little as she feels able.

the op seems completely incapable of accepting that she is in any way unreasonable and is taking to verbally attacking anyone who disagrees with her

for permanently

thank goodness for the guiding and scouting movement, giving Childen an antidote to the overprotectiveness and preciousness which smothers their development in so many homes

Permenantly - I have re-read your posts and agree they are well balanced. I've been grateful for the support and friendship of guiders like you and would hate to think that you are upset. Guiding should be inclusive and you are quite right in stating that anyone can be accommodated. We have brownies and guides in the past with quite severe illnesses/disabilities and we've always tried to make sure they are welcomed and able to participate within the scope of what they are able to manage.
I guess I was just aware the OP was being questioned and seeming quite upset herself about her disability.

I hope you are ok.