Local rules over what interest badges can be done at what age (GGs)

[InterestBadgesGirlguiding]

Does anyone else have this?

My DD is a Brownie but I also volunteer with the GGs but do not have the leadership qualification (I’m waiting until my own DD is a bit older).
Helper is only allowed to be done once the Rainbow is 6. Speaking Out, Charities and Jobs are only allowed to be done once the Brownie is 9.

Campaigning is done once the Guide turns 12.

No restrictions on Rangers though.

It’s apparently to make sure the Girls understand the badge fully but also so they don’t get themselves into any bother. District Commissioner says it also means if they’ve done enough to get their Bronze/Silver/Gold (or are too far away from the next big award) they can do that/those Interest Badge(s) in meetings so they don’t get bored before moving sections.

Does anyone elses division/district restrict like this? And do the scouts do the same with their badges?

I’m not really sure how I feel about it, in one breath I can understand why the DC does it that way, but can also see it must be a bit frustrating for the Girl if they really want to do a particular Interest Badge but can’t because they’re not the right age.

Rainbow & Brownie leader here, plus also a DC. I really dislike these kind of local rules. They undermine the entire girl-led, free choice element of the programme. I'd consider escalating to Div Comm or County Comm to be honest as it's pretty unfair in the girls in the district compared with everywhere else in the country.

Not done like that at my DD's units (she's done Brownies, Guides and Rangers). Girls have completely free choice in interest badges. All interest badges should be age appropriate for the entirety of the age range.
What happens if girls do badges out of turn...?

@Beamur In my DDs unit nothing, they still get awarded. In the unit I volunteer in, they have to wait to be the appropriate age to have it awarded although there is some discretion, I help with guides so if an almost 12 year old did campaigning we'd probably award it.

When I did Cubs and beavers ( leader) there were no restrictions on interest / activity badges .

I've been on guiding for nearly 20 years in different counties and divisions and have never heard of this! It runs completely against the girl led values. I'd be raising it as an issue tbh.

What bother are they going to get into doing an interest badge? I'm sure these badges have been carefully thought through to be suitable for the age range of the section.

Not done like that at our Brownies unit. Girls can do which badge they like when they like.

Brownie Leader of 30+ years and I’ve never ever heard of this. Interest badges are for the girls to choose as they wish. How bizarre.

I would take this above the dc, this is wrong. The badges are aimed at the age of the unit. I would expect my 4yr old rainbows to be able to do the same as the 6yrs olds but they may present it differently. For example on the construction badge I would expect photos or pictures from 4yr old but from the 6 more writing.

The helper badge can absolutely be understood by a 4/5year old. They can feed pets, lay table, put clothes away. They understand giving things away to other children (donation) or selling books. (They might not like it!) They know what a bug hotel or bee hotel is! Ridiculous and restricting.

The Brownies / rainbows should not be "getting bored" enough to be doing interest badges solely in unit time. They could look at umas, plan and lead an evening themselves. Challange themselves to learn a new skill. So many options.

Division Commissioner here. I have never, in decades of Girlguiding, and with regular contact with leaders throughout the country, heard of such a thing. It is completely wrong and against very clearly stated principles (“essentials”) of Girlguiding and published information in badge books.

If I could help you directly I would, but please would you contact your county or region commissioner or office and explain this? You should be able to find contact details online easily enough.

Our brilliant volunteers are very much valued, but it is also critical that they adhere to policies and principles. This issue can be easily resolved with minimum fuss or detriment to those concerned and to the benefit of our young members.

I can only answer your Q about Cubs/Beavers (I don't have a Scout yet!). They have activity badges, which sound the comparison of Brownie interest badges, and skills badges (the core ones which are all needed to also earn bronze/silver/gold Chief Scout Award - the top badges for each age grouping). Some of the Activity badges and most elements of the Skills badges can only be done as part of the pack's weekly sessions, so are reliant on being part of a unit which gets out and about as well as actively tries to ensure each child has the opportunity to earn the Chief Scout award. Other badges can be done completely at home, with evidence uploaded to the portal.
In terms of the ages that they can do a specific badge, there are no rules. With Beavers, I've found all the badges are possible to complete regardless of age (obviously, as a PP, the ratio of drawing/photos/writing will depend on the DC's age and ability, but this is fine). For Cubs, which is for 8-10.5yo DCs, although all the badges are open to complete whenever you can provide the evidence, some are definitely too tricky for my 8.5yo at the moment and are clearly aimed at the older members of the pack. Eg the Chef badge requires you to plan, prepare, cook, serve, and clear away a 2 course meal as one of the elements - DD could do this with close supervision, advice and possibly a bit of help with any difficult parts, but not independently yet. For the Cyclist badge, there are elements that would be very tricky for an 8yo, such as demonstrate mending a flat tyre, but they can get the badge without doing any of that if they earn their Bikeability level 2 - this isn't done in schools here until year 5 or 6, so most wait it out and get it the 'easier' way.