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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

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Original poster

Beavers Blackmail?!

41 replies

cathbvr78 · 13/04/2018 12:26

Well, I just don't know what to think! My son has shown an interest in starting Beavers and turned 6 at the weekend. I emailed my local group and had a very odd email back.....they said they were full, but would be happy to put him on their waiting list (fair enough), then went on to say that if I became a volunteer however, they would look at his position in the list more favorably. I feel a bit offended really; it's not that i am adverse to helping - i help out at school when I can, but I really don't think it's appropriate to try and basically bribe people like this! Anyone else had any experience of this situation? Is this the norm? I haven't replied yet, as I'm still annoyed.

OP posts:

CallYourDadYoureInACult · 13/04/2018 12:27

This is completely normal.

youngestisapsycho · 13/04/2018 12:28

They're obviously desperate for helpers... so if you want to help, your son can have a place quicker. If you dont, then he just waits for a place. They're not bribing you.

iggleypiggly · 13/04/2018 12:28

I don’t think it’s bribery. They are offering you a place if you help out. Assuming that’s the norm? They can’t go over numbers without more help. I wouldn’t be offended or annoyed. If you don’t want to help then add him to the list.

Zeze247 · 13/04/2018 12:28

Yep it’s normal here too as if you help they can make the group bigger and more sustainable

Janleverton · 13/04/2018 12:29

Well the local group is probably full because loads of kids and not enough volunteers, so I can see where they’re coming from.

WeaselsRising · 13/04/2018 12:29

There is a nationwide shortage of leaders, who are all volunteers. It isn't a bribe. They can take more kids if they have more adults.

If you don't want to help out then you don't have to but you have to wait.

scaredofthecity · 13/04/2018 12:30

But they are dependant on volunteers to run.
If someone volunteers their time then of course they should have priority over a place. Without help they are unable to run.
I used to help out and really enjoyed it. Give it a go!

Believeitornot · 13/04/2018 12:30

Normal. It is a voluntary organisation and those who run the groups are not paid.

There are never enough regular helpers which makes it very difficult.

arewethereyetmum78 · 13/04/2018 12:35

Totally normal here. I run a brownie unit and got involved when I couldn't get my eldest daughter a place when she turned 7. It's usual her to put your child on the rainbow waiting list when they're a year old. I put my youngest on the waiting list at birth and she still only got a space because I was involved in guiding. Leaders children always get a space ahead of non volunteers. Try not to be offended but if one person volunteers through this approach they can then offer more children places.

BertrandRussell · 13/04/2018 12:37

Normal and sensible. They are desperate for volunteers.

FlaviaAlbia · 13/04/2018 12:40

That's normal. I'm not sure about beavers as I'm in a younger group but we need one adult per eight kids and the group leader doesn't count towards ratios, so that's three leaders for a pack of 16. One more volunteer can open up spaces that aren't there before.

honeysucklejasmine · 13/04/2018 12:41

Yep, normal. At that age, taking on one new leader means they can take up to 8 extra children. Yours, and 7 others.

Wh0Kn0wsWhereTheT1meG0es · 13/04/2018 12:42

Yes, normal. It's not briber, if you are going to volunteer your child will need a place to enable you to do so. Otherwise they just go on the waiting list.

Bitlost · 13/04/2018 12:42

Completely normal.

FrancisCrawford · 13/04/2018 12:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hmmalittlefishy · 13/04/2018 12:45

Surely it's down to the ratios? At the minute with the volunteers they have they are full
More volunteers = more capacity to take more children
It's beavers not some kind of corrupt back street organisation!

Lotsofplanetshaveanorth · 13/04/2018 12:47

How do you think it works? It’s a community... if you want your chid to have a spot stand up and help out others ... the full programme of activities, admin, safeguarding, aspirational youth work doesn’t happen without volunteers at every level. It’s not free babysitting

Lotsofplanetshaveanorth · 13/04/2018 12:48

Also if you are annoyed when you want him in perhaps it’s not for your family? Scouting is a big commitment and leaders don’t always get everything right ...

Original poster

cathbvr78 · 13/04/2018 13:07

Thanks for your input everyone. Seems like this is normal. In my defense, it wasn't worded particularly well and I must say I was a little bit taken a back. I'm afraid my little chap will have to go on the waiting list for now due to lack of time and ill health unfortunately (mine). Can i just point out again though, that I have absolutely no problem with helping out with these sort situations.....I work in a museum and totally understand the need for volunteers due to money constraints etc. If she had said 'we will out him on the list and you're more than welcome to help', I wouldn't have minded in the slightest.
Thanks again for all your comments :)

OP posts:

BertrandRussell · 13/04/2018 13:11

“If she had said 'we will out him on the list and you're more than welcome to help', I wouldn't have minded in the slightest.”

But that wouldn’t have been the position. If you were able to help, he would go to the top of the waiting list- and 6 or 7 other kids would have got places too.

Original poster

cathbvr78 · 13/04/2018 13:11

Quick message to Lotsofplanetshaveanorth......did I say I wanted a babysitting service?? No. The reason I have contacted them is because he has autism and it was suggested as something that may help him. He has been extremely keen to try it as well, which believe me is extremely positive. Please do not assume that I am a mother who wants to just palm her children off on the nearest 'baby sitter' so that I can put my feet up. Not my intention at all.

OP posts:

WillowWept · 13/04/2018 13:11

I'm not sure why you were "offended" but totally normal and understandable

BertrandRussell · 13/04/2018 13:15

Oh, and they don’t need volunteers because of financial constraints- they need volunteers because it is an entirely volunteer run organization. It’s not a case of volunteers helping out paid staff, like a museum or a school.

CuntPuffin · 13/04/2018 13:20

I find this a little bizarre actually. What if a parent volunteers in order to get a place, so they take on another 6 kids from the waiting list, and then it turns out that the child hates the activity and stops going? Is the parent obligated to continue for the sake of the others, or do they get kicked out? What happens if the parents circumstances change so they are no longer able to help, do the kids get kicked out?

With both my DS activities, they have got involved first, and once we knew they were enjoying it, we have volunteered as helpers, to the point where one activity takes up most of DH's spare time. And at certain times of year, most of mine too.

BertrandRussell · 13/04/2018 13:22

They wouldn’t take in any more children til the volunteer concerned had finished their training and was committed to the group. They aren’t talking about occasionally lending a hand, but being a proper trained leader.

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