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Original poster

Shall I send DD to Rainbows?

24 replies

chicaguapa · 06/12/2006 19:52

Two girls in the road go to Rainbows which seems quite interesting. I wondered if it was worth sending DD.

She started Reception in Sept and turned 5 in Oct. She already goes to swimming classes on Weds after school. Is it just another something to do after school or a genuine must-do?

OP posts:

MrsMaloryTowers · 06/12/2006 19:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

chatee · 06/12/2006 20:03

i am a rainbow leader and i really enjoy the hour of fun we have each week(although it takes more time than that to prepare!!).Our rainbows seem to enjoy everything we do and we have a huge waiting list of girls desperate to join us..as some won't get in due to not enough adult volunteers .
Go along with dd and see the group, talk to the leaders...i hope you enjoy what you see...rainbows are the youngest members of girlguiding uk.....good luck

wheresthehamster · 06/12/2006 20:41

Agree with everything.

Apart from doing fun things like 'sleepovers' and making the dreaded jar of mincemeat for Christmas they become part of the bigger Guide family and the community.

Also mine did basics in road safety and first aid and hundreds of other things that 5 yr olds find interesting but with an emphasis on fun.

Original poster

chicaguapa · 06/12/2006 21:13

Have just spoken to the local Rainbow leader (don't waste any time do I? ) and there's only 7 in the group. DD needs help with making friends and being sociable so I think 7 in the group will be wonderful for her. She's going to start after Christmas and after 6 weeks we can decide if she likes it and wants to buy the uniform. Only £1 a week! What a bargain... I hope she enjoys it.

OP posts:

JollyOldSaintNikkielas · 06/12/2006 21:29

I do Rainbows, dd1 leaves at Xmas and dd2 started this term , both kids love it.We play games, crafty things, baking , lots of parties, a sleepover 1/2 times a year,we had a nativity at the weekend.We go on trips and meet up with other groups,we also did carol singing last weekend.

Skribble · 06/12/2006 21:37

I think scouts and guide groups are great orgainistations and the range of activities are good for developing all sorts of skills and self confidence.

DS is in scouts and one of the things he likes the most are the camps, brownies go on weekends away too but not usualy under canvas.

Lucycat · 06/12/2006 21:41

I've just managed to get a place at Rainbows for dd1 in January - she's already 6 so I now have to try and get a place at Brownies for when she's 7.

JOSN - do you recommend becoming a helper at Rainbows/Brownies?

I was a Brownie/Guide/Venture Scout for 12 years and got sooo much out of it that I kinda feel i should give something back iykwim

chatee · 06/12/2006 22:27

yes,please do volunteer to help out at rainbows or brownies- all organisations are so short of adult volunteers that many girls miss out on the experience(especially at rainbows as the adult:girl ratio is 1:5)
especially since you enjoyed the experiences as a child/young person---that's why we set up rainbows here, there was no unit for miles around so we (a group of mums)got in touch with guiding and the rest is history!!

fuchsia0703 · 07/12/2006 09:59

As an ex Rainbow Guider doing similar things to those already mentioned, I had a huge waiting list. If your DD isn't already down on a list and is aged 5 already, you may find she won't get a place but certainly ask. Definitely time to find out about Brownies tho'.

brimfull · 07/12/2006 10:06

another exrainbow leader here,I would definately recommend it.I think the guiding movement is great for girls,plus they go to camp when they're older,which they love .
Some girls don't take to it though.

fussymummy · 07/12/2006 10:28

My daughter loves rainbows.

They make some lovely things, make new friends, etc.

There's a huge waiting list at our one, and loads of kids are mising out.

I was talking to the leader a couple of weeks ago, and one girl who was really quiet and shy and wouldn't talk to anyone, has come out of herself so much.

She's only been going 6 weeks!!!!

Gives the girls confidence to join in with others.

kslatts · 07/12/2006 10:36

My dd1 is now 7 and left Rainbows in September to move up to Brownies, dd2 now starts rainbows after xmas and is very excited. In our area the waiting list is quite long so you may have to wait for a place to become avaliable.

PeachyIsNowAChristmasFruit · 07/12/2006 10:39

Used to be a rainbow leader, before I moved.

FWIW we did have a large waiting list, but iy would go down quite quickly.

Its not a must do, nothing is, but if she's inclined towards the girlier end of the spectrum then she WILL geta lot out of it. We used to do a,olot on friendships, children around the worls, the environment etc- the sort of stuff schools long to do lots on but never have the time.

Ask the leader if she can observe a meeting, we used to find that gave the girls a good idea of whether they wanted to join or not.

Marina · 07/12/2006 10:42

Definitely agree with the whole idea of Rainbows for girls and Beavers for boys. Ds loves Beavers and it has done him the world of good socially.
A big appreciative thanks to the parents who give up their time to organise Scouting and Guiding activities

ChristmasisComing · 07/12/2006 17:44

Aren't both Scouts and Guides 'co-ed' now?

My dd is starting Beavers next term and I gather that Guides also take boys?

I chose Beavers for her as she is such a tomboy I think she will enjoy the activities more, and ds will also join when he is old enough.

Marina · 07/12/2006 17:46

It varies depending on local demand. I know there are co-ed Beavers nearby to us but where we are it seems to be Beavers for boys and Rainbows for girls...I'm ok with that. Our Rainbows are a feisty and energetic bunch

ska · 07/12/2006 17:56

Rainbows is great! My dd adored it and wnet on to Brownies last term very happily. I like that its girls only actually think it gives them some girly time she otherwise misses out on (has a big bro). Would advise everybody to get girls' names down early for all of these things as there often is awaiting list. i put her down at 2 for both Rainbows and Brownies! And helping out - you can be an occasional helper (like me) I do stuff when they need extra helpers eg going for walks etc. I can't committ every week because of work but they are happy to have me sometimes.

PeachyIsNowAChristmasFruit · 07/12/2006 17:57

From what I remember, we couldn't refuse a boy who wanted to jin, but none ever did. They were self segregating. Scouts tends to be a bit more open from what I have observed, perhpas their activities are more unisex? Not sure. Ina merica they're called girl scouts, maybe that has influenced it?

Original poster

chicaguapa · 07/12/2006 18:05

Well luckily the group here only has 7 kids so there's no waiting list and DD is starting after Christmas. I am going to spread the word at school to try and get more girls interested to build the numbers up. Apparently it was about to close last year until someone new took it over.

OP posts:

notagrannyyet · 07/12/2006 18:07

Scouting has accepted girls for several years now, but individual cub packs and scout troops did not have to take them until now. I think the ruling is (as of jan 070 that all scouting must be opened up to girls and boys. I may be wrong but I don't think the guides are following suit. Rainbows, brownies, and guides will remain girl only.

Our scout leader is very concerned about camps. He can't take girls to camp so unless mothers are willing to go there simply won't be any.

All my 5 sons have gone or are going through the scouting movement and the camps are what they enjoy/remember the most.

JollyOldSaintNikkielas · 07/12/2006 20:22

Our Rainbows is full atm but in Jan there is a gap in the waiting list as there is no more 5 yos as they are 3/4 so some people will be able to jump the queue.Locally for brownies you automatically get the next place(inorder of age) at the connected Brownies, unfortunatly that one is full so dd1 (and 6 friends!) will be changing to the neighbouring one.(actually nearer to our house!)

JollyOldSaintNikkielas · 07/12/2006 20:24

I really enjoy helping, its fantastic how much independance the kids get and thye are making new friends from other schools.

dancinggirl · 09/12/2006 11:48

My DD leaves Rainbows next week after 2 years She absolutely adored it and yes, I agree with MrsMaloryTowers, she used glitter EVERY week so be warned! Our local Beaver Colony is co-ed but for my DD there was no contest. She has 3 brothers so was desperate to do something without boys.

Smithagain · 09/12/2006 18:58

As far as I know, Rainbows/Brownies/Guides are all still girls only.

You have reminded me that our local Rainbow/Brownie leader hasn't returned my call about places. I wasn't sure if it was right for DD1, but now I think I'll chase it up!

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