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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Beavers/ Cubs - what is your group like? New group very different from old one...

15 replies

Chimcha · 16/04/2018 19:38

I've recently moved and DS has moved Beaver groups, we've gone from one which was very much like a youth club - sort of drop off, go and play - DS loved it - to one which is really focused on badges and activities. We've had the summer plan sent through and each date is linked to at least one badge. In fairness it looks great in terms of the activities camp building, cooking on fires, treasure hunts, a full camp organised, water sports etc but I'm surprised at the difference. DS has been doing Beavers a year and has 4 badges where as most of the Beavers in this group have their whole arm covered already. Its a much bigger group with their own hut and minibus. They had an Easter day of activities in the holidays and I'm a bit worried he is going to feel left behind in this new group, he's already saying the group is very different to his old one and they are all in their teams already. I'm not criticising the group, just surprised by how different it all is when I'd assumed it'd be the same (or at least similar) and wonder if I'm better off trying to find another group instead if DS isn't going to be happy. Which is more the normal for Beavers?

OP posts:
titchy · 16/04/2018 19:41

New one sounds much better than the old one and more like the beavers I'm familiar with. They love badges and activities and it's good to encourage them to work towards their badge and see the result of their endeavours on their sweaters.

LouLouLove · 16/04/2018 19:46

My LO has been doing Beavers since Jan and sounds more like your new one. We have a full schedule of weekend trips, sleepover camps etc where they will do activities to earn badges and he already has 6 badges which he loves getting. Every few weeks is focussed on working towards a different badge together during the group and then there are extra curricular badges they can work on themselves eg Hobbies, Personal Achievement etc. We've only known it this way so assumed it was how they all are. Hope he settles into and enjoys his new group, and growing collection of badges :)

Chimcha · 16/04/2018 20:02

Thanks - this is my experience with any type of the scouts so wasn't sure what to expect - sounds like this is the more normal group then...

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BikeRunSki · 16/04/2018 20:05

Ours is more like your new group, save ideas and enthusiasm, quite badge focused, pretty outdoory, at least 2 camps a year.

Glumglowworm · 16/04/2018 20:12

I’m a Guide leader not Scouts. But the new group sounds much better to me! Guiding and Scouting are more than just another youth club, they should be working towards badges and doing activities in line with the official program, games too of course, but not just games (or just craft which is a criticism sometimes levelled at girl Guiding)

The nature of Scouting and Guiding being volunteer led means there will be big differences in what groups offer, even though there’s a standard program we should all follow. Different leaders have different skills, some may have too many non-scouting commitments to be able to run events beyond the weekly meetings.

A guide unit in my area had a leader who is very into outdoor activities like canoeing and climbing, she’s a qualified instructor and she’d been doing it for decades so has accumulated all the equipment. Whereas my group has to hire an instructor to do canoeing or climbing because none of us have those skills, which makes it far more expensive so is something we can’t offer as frequently. Other units dont have leaders with the required qualification to take girls away overnight so have to find another unit to team up with.

LittleOwl153 · 16/04/2018 20:17

Groups can vary massively but one thing that sets guides/scouts apart from a general youth group is their programme. A good group - in my view - is like your new group.
He should not feel like he's behind though - if this is the case talk to his leaders and see what they suggest. Are the summer meets a kind of come if your around? I used to do this when I ran brownies - each summer meet was a self-contained badge or achievement.

mrsmainz · 16/04/2018 20:19

I'm the treasurer for our beaver, cubs and scouts, and the 2nd one sounds like ours.
Each section has a camp (some more than 1) and we do loads of stuff with them too.
We also have our own hut and minibus 🤔

SamPotatoes · 16/04/2018 20:39

Our cubs is very active but not focused around the badges particularly- it's more about a new experience or having fun than a badge. They split into patrols most weeks and each will do a different activity. Some are just plain fun (Laser quest, beach barbecue), some are new skills (orienteering, kyaking) and some are practical (first aid, fire safety). There's a good mix of treats, skills, traditional, outdoor and indoor activities.

I'm in awe of our scout leaders- endless patience and imagination.

monkeychickenpig · 16/04/2018 20:42

Beavers are great
I love scouts and was in them for years. Camping is a lot of fun. The badges will promote your sons self esteem and motivate him to try new things.
The new group sounds great, embrace the facilities and encourage your son.
He is probably feeling unsettled in general having just moved too.

fiorentina · 16/04/2018 20:43

I help with Scouting admin and the second one is more like it’s expected to be. Working for badges and giving a variety of experiences would be expected in the leaders planning. Hope he enjoys it.

TokyoSushi · 16/04/2018 20:46

Ours is like your new one, DS loves it!

Chimcha · 16/04/2018 20:51

I should be fair to the leader, she's been great in trying to help him settle, he has a 'buddy', she purposefully themed an activity around his hobby on the easter day and she makes sure he's ok. I just think he's found it a big step change and he's a sort of 'like things to stay the same' type pf lad. I will stick with it - the leader emailed me after the easter day to see how he'd enjoyed it and other ideas she had to make him feel settled (it's his birthday soon and she wanted to do a cake and happy birthday if he'd be happy for example). He's had a new school, new home and new Beaver group all in very quick succession.

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theothersideoftheworld · 16/04/2018 20:58

My ds went to Beavers for the first time tonight. He’s 5. When I walked in the leader was telling the kids that she needed new leaders but the older kids needent think it would be them as some of them were stupid.
She spent the whole session telling them off. Told them all to shut up at one point.
She was chewing gum and one boy said ‘I like gum’ and she said ‘tough...I wasn’t offering you any’

I take it this is not normal? My son isn’t going there again, she just shouted at them the whole time!!

Chimcha · 16/04/2018 21:02

Oh goodness theotherside my son's new or old group were nothing like that. I don't think thats normal at all! In all honestly the new leader has bent over backwards to accommodate DS and the group are lively but full of fun!

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theothersideoftheworld · 16/04/2018 21:22

I’m going to email the leader tonight and say he won’t be going back and why. They didn’t really go out of their way to include him either and my ds said at the end he didn’t want to go again

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