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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Anyone's daughter go to Rainbows?

83 replies

Scottishgirl85 · 07/02/2020 21:00

I have an almost 5 year old who has been on the waiting list for Rainbows for about a year. I checked today if she might have a place, and have been told she won't get in before turning 7 unless I become a helper, in which case she can start next term!

I went to Brownies and enjoyed it, but remember there being quite a heavy religious element, is that still the case?

Just trying to work out if it's worth me getting heavily involved in - essentially, is Rainbows a nice enough activity to commit to?

Thanks!

OP posts:
BottleOfJameson · 07/02/2020 21:04

My DS goes yo beavers and DD to rainbows and neither groups is at all religious. The only nod to religion was the beaver promise which was something like 'promise to love god' but you were allowed to exchange God for world. None of the volunteers are in the least religious.

Sparkle567 · 07/02/2020 21:05

My daughter does brownies as she’s 8, not religious at all.

Original poster
Scottishgirl85 · 07/02/2020 21:06

Oh this is reassuring! Thanks!
Does your daughter really enjoy it?

OP posts:
capercaillie · 07/02/2020 21:06

I’m a Girlguiding volunteer. Definitely no religion. I love volunteering as a brownie leader!

Orangedaisy · 07/02/2020 21:07

Rainbows is excellent if the leaders put the effort in. So you get out what you put in on your situation. Agree it’s nothing more than a nod to religion. I’d highly recommend it. I’m a guide leader, my dd is a rainbow.

FinallyMrsE · 07/02/2020 21:07

My incredibly shy 6 year old has been going to rainbows since September and she loves it.

Orangedaisy · 07/02/2020 21:07

Dd loves it.

wantedthejob · 07/02/2020 21:08

She could try beavers?

weebarra · 07/02/2020 21:09

No religion! Dd loves it.

bananaskinsnomnom · 07/02/2020 21:10

More a question of are you ready to commit? I was a brownie leader for 6 years and went through all the guiding groups myself. I think it’s a great organisation for children to be involved in. It’s a big commitment for leaders though and as my career developed I decided to step back.

Do you know what kind of level you would be helping at? As in would you just be turning up to be a pair of hands and a number for ratios or would you be expected to be involved in the planning and preparation, meetings etc? That’s what you should find out and then decide if it’s for you! I’m sure your daughter would love being a Rainbow! Is there space at any other unit or this your only option?

I’ve never really considered a waiting list for Rainbows! Is this how it is across the country anyone know?

user14572856389 · 07/02/2020 21:10

Rainbows (and all the other age groups) doesn't have any reference to God in the promise anymore.

BookWitch · 07/02/2020 21:10

I'm a rainbow leader, so a bit biased, but I would say it's worth it. My DDs are older now but they have got so much out of Girlguiding, new skills, trips away, camping, self esteem etc.

Someone will be along in a minute and say Scouting is better, because their DDs are more outdoorsy, but we do loads of outdoor stuff.

both are great organisations, but my experience with Girlguiding has been very positive.

Not religious at all

Happy to answer any questions you have

SmallestInTheClass · 07/02/2020 21:12

No religion at ours either. It was mainly an arts and crafts activity club with some games. That was just what our leaders liked to do, other groups have more variety in activities. My two DD both enjoyed it and went on to Brownies.

BookWitch · 07/02/2020 21:14

Re waiting lists, depends on area. Some areas have really long waiting lists and I have in the past.
At the moment I have a couple of places though.

toomanypasswords · 07/02/2020 21:16

One DD in Brownies, having been to Rainbows and one DD just joined Rainbows. Both love it. There is reference in Brownie promise to being true to 'my beliefs' but not specifically religious / leaning towards a particular religion. It is a great opportunity for them to learn new skills etc and enjoy various different experience - cinema trips, sleepovers, adventure activities etc.

RAINSh0wers · 07/02/2020 21:18

bananaskinsnomnom where I live you have to put your daughter down at 2 to get a place at rainbows so if you’re new to the area (we moved when she was 4) you have no chance! And then you can’t get into brownies either because they’re full. My DD is starting beavers in April, there’s actually quite a few girls who go from her school so she’s looking forward to it.

cate16 · 07/02/2020 21:18

I used to run a group, not al all religious, for us it was arts, crafts, cooking and games.

Original poster
Scottishgirl85 · 07/02/2020 21:21

Thanks so much everyone! They've said as a Parent Helper I'd need to attend once a month to help out - I'm sure I can do that. She said ideally they need an Assistant Leader but that's much more full on and I know I can't do that as I work full-time in a demanding job.

OP posts:
Original poster
Scottishgirl85 · 07/02/2020 21:22

Either option my daughter gets to skip the queue, otherwise it's a 2-year wait (and I registered her at age 3!)

OP posts:
Lazydaisydaydream · 07/02/2020 21:24

I was a brownie leader, the promise used to reference God but the line was changed to "to be true to myself and develop my beliefs" which allows for girls of all faiths and beliefs to join in. There isn't a religious element as such, but most of our local groups meet at church halls just because they are cheap places for hire.

Justajot · 07/02/2020 21:28

My DD went to Rainbows and it was the best activity she's done, out of many. There wasn't any religion. DD's Brownies is a bit meh and does have religion in it.

EstebanTheMagnificent · 07/02/2020 21:32

DD loves Rainbows and will shortly transfer to Brownies. I’m of the opinion that it’s very good for girls to spend time in structured single-sex environments from time to time and as there are no single sex schools locally Guiding is filling that gap for us.

Awrite · 07/02/2020 21:37

Another fan here. Helping out once a month is nothing. Could be a highlight of your month.

Single sex activities are so important for young girls.

Ciwirocks · 07/02/2020 21:41

My dd has just started rainbows, she is 6 and a half and was on the list from age 4! Other girls I know have walked into a group in the next area. My dd was adamant that she wanted this group though as that’s where her school friends go.

SallyWD · 07/02/2020 21:42

My daughter goes to Brownies and loves it. It doesn't seems to be at all religious anymore. They've removed all reference to God in the Brownie promise. Our Brownies has Muslim and sikh girls attending. Not religious or Christian as it was when I used to go.