Guides costs HELP

[BakeryChaney]

How much does girl guides cost?
I know it varies from place to place but if you are a leader, volunteer or parent can you tell me how much you pay please? Trying to get a rough figure before committing. And how often? Termly, weekly, monthly?
TIA everyone.

£30-£40 per term locally. Camps range from cheap-as-chips overnights through £100 for a 3 night camp including transport and everything all the way up to several hundred for 10 days in Switzerland - but that’s was once in a (Guiding) lifetime experience.

Some groups rarely camp, others do it 3 or 4 times a year… it basically depends on the leaders. Ask around, and choose the local group that best suits your child.

It’s also worth considering a group with girls from different schools. Less important in Rainbows years, but by the time friendship groups start having problems (preteens!) it’s really very handy for girls to have pals outside of the power dynamics in the schoolyard. I know that was a lifesaver at times!

I’m immensely grateful to the Guiding and Scouting organisations. They’ve provided all my kids with some amazing experiences, opportunities and support.

Mine has been in Rainbows in two areas as we relocated. She absolutely loves it and it really helped her when we moved - boosted her confidence hugely.
First one was £25 a term, second one £20 but that's just gone up to £22.50. That's for about 10-12 meetings.

There an annual £32 for central costs (census payment).

We had a one off £2.50 to cover virtual sleepover costs.

I mostly got uniform passed on for free. Only had to buy a badge sash and badge book.

We charge £30 a term for Brownies. It works out as less than £3 per session. If you struggle to afford it, many areas have a hardship fund and will subsidise for you.

@BakeryChaney if you can't afford the fees let the leader know, we have hardship funds available to help give opportunities to all girls not just those that can afford

We pay £35 per term for Guides (3 terms per year that roughly follow school terms).

Uniform is easily sourced secondhand on eBay / Vinted / Marketplace etc.

Very occasionally there is an additional small charge for a meeting - I think once a year they go swimming or to a water sports centre for canoeing / SUP and once a year at the end of the summer term they go in a trip to the dry ski slope or Clip n' climb type places (about £5 - much cheaper than it would usually cost to go to these places). These trips are in lieu of the usual weekly meeting.

There are sometimes (maybe twice a year) extras on weekends / or evenings when they don't normally meet, such as a trip to the theatre or a theme park. Again, these are much cheaper than the usual fees for such a trip as the venues usually offer huge discounts for guides / scouts on certain days. We pay around £15 I think. Nobody would be excluded if money was an issue and they have funds to cover the cost for families experiencing hardship.

Finally camp is very low-key and so costs around £50 for the weekend. Just a few tents in the regional guiding campsite and campfire food / BBQ and a few activities during the day.

We charge £25 a term, going up to £30 in September. If finances are an issue then speak to leaders. We never turn away a girl because she can't afford it. District often had funds to support girls for example. Our unit has also occasionally waived subs for a term. I have also had some parents who pay extra to support another guide anonymously.

£2.50 per weekly session.

Ours is £35 per term.
uniform they have a big load of second hand stuff that people help themselves to and then give back when they leave / move up.
we’ve not had any other costs yet.

Army Cadets is free (£15 joining fee), the uniform is free (and brand new) and camps are regular and cheap. DDs have been on a £15 camp (Fri-Sun in barracks) and have a £10 camp coming up (Fri-Sun but in tents). DD2 is doing DofE Silver and all the activities are part of cadets. It's cost me £23 for her bronze DofE.

I know you asked about guides, but it's worth considering all the options 😊

Ours is max of £100 a year, it's about £30 a term. Weekend holiday camps are about £40. All uniform we've bought has been second hand.

We pay £2.50 a week payable at the beginning of each term. Then we pay around £30 each February for the annual subscription/insurance cost. There are trips but most of DD's are free or very little cost. Uniform you can buy 2nd hand if you like.