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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

Does anyone send their ds to Beavers?

19 replies

gemmiegoatlegs · 18/05/2009 14:10

My ds is coming up 6 and i thought it might be useful to choose an extracurricular activity with a lot of variety as ds doesn't seem to have found his niche yet, IYSWIM

He is quite active but not especially sporty, and has a few concentration issues

What is Beavers really like (apart from the comical name?!) Do your kids like going? What do they have to do to earn badges?

OP posts:

Tamarto · 18/05/2009 14:13

DS1 went and DS2 still goes, it varies from group to group, but the website explains a lot.

Mine love/d it.

Doodle2U · 18/05/2009 14:14

The beauty of Beavers is that they do a wide range of things (if it's a well run group). Beavers can 'catch' the children who don't like footy or dancing or what ever the rest of their peers seem to focus on.

It usually means they meet other children from other schools too - which dilutes any probs they might be having at school.

Badges are things like The Friendship Badge...learning to give and take etc. It's all pretty low-level at Beavers, so it's interesting but not off-putting.

I'm the biggest fan of scouting in the world, for a number of different reasons but most of all because both my children gain so much from it.

Overmydeadbody · 18/05/2009 14:17

My DS is 6 and a beaver and absolutely loves it.

They do all sorts of different things, almost all badges are earnt through activities done together, they meet once a week in the evening and then have extra stuff organised for weekends.

What each set is like will really depend on the leader running it. I think you can go along for a session and try it out before committing.

My main issue with it is remembering all the events/where to take him/to sew on the bloody badges etc.

It has really improved DS's confidence.

abear · 18/05/2009 14:19

My DS is 6, nearly 7 and has been going to Beavers for a year. He loves it. They seem to do something different each week (pond dipping last week), and earning badges hasn't been a big issue or lots of work. There was a healthy eating one when they learnt what you'd expect and had to make a fruit salad, he got another badge for going to camp for a day and one for being in the Rememberance Day Parade. There seems to be a camp day at the weekend or a day out about every six months and he has come back from each event so happy, infact he comes out after every session extremely happy. I was worried as all the other children go to the same school so he was the only one who didn't know anyone but it has made no difference. As what they do at Beavers is determined by those who run it I think it important to get the right group. There is one near us which has a very staid reputation, whereas ours is lots of fun.

You should give it a go as it is very cheap (£6 a month for us), and you don't need to get the uniform until you have been a few times and know whether he likes it.

Seeline · 18/05/2009 14:22

My DS loves it. He only has 11/2 terms left now and can't wait for Cubs. It was the first out of school thing he joined - I hadn't been able to persuade him to join anything else. It very definitely depends on teh LEader, so if there is more than one unit in your area, ask around to find out which might suit your DS best. My Ds has done bowling, Kung Fu scooting/biking at the park, lots of rambles/walks around the local area, and has used the Scouts climbing wall several times. He has also been to the Panto, made musical instruments, performed entertainments, craft activites, and cooking. They also had a sleepover in tents in teh grounds. He has got at least 10 badges, all of which have been earnt through Colony activities. Go for it - he will love it!

bobblehat · 18/05/2009 14:22

My ds who is just 7 has been going for about 3 months and loves it. They do so much fun stuff, like looking at the stars, making paper aeroplanes, learning about their community and so on.

And if that's not reason enough, Bear Grylls has just been made Chief Scout.....

stealthsquiggle · 18/05/2009 14:27

Yes, and DS (6.5) loves it - activities for badges are very group-based with little/no home input required. He has done lots of fun stuff already and there is lots more planned for the summer. The original intention was for him to get some more local friends as he doesn't go to the obvious village school.

A friend who used to be a scout leader complained that Beavers has been over-sanitised but IME DS's group at least seem to still do a fair amount of getting wet and muddy (in a good way).

Now pretty please can someone who has more Beavers experience than me come and advise me on costumes for camp?

Seeline · 18/05/2009 14:32

Oh yes - I forgot to mention the getting wet and muddy bit. Definitely a favourite pasttime for DS!

littleolwinedrinkerme · 18/05/2009 14:40

Hi my DD goes to Beavers and also loves it (yes she is a bit of a tomboy!) - I echo all that has been said above - including asking them for a sewing badge.....

stealthsquiggle · 18/05/2009 14:52

Winedrinker there is one girl in DS's colony - and I could easily see DD (and other younger sisters of beavers/cubs) choosing beavers over rainbows when the time comes.

Original poster

gemmiegoatlegs · 18/05/2009 16:32

I didn't even know girls could join! That's ace!

well,i got the email saying he is eligible already, even though he is not quote 6. i am hoping he will improve in confidence as he is very tentative at the moment. he doesn't generally like being left, at parties and so on, but if the venue is (usually) the same I'm sure he'll get used to it.

There was something on the form about parents giving their time - eeek! what is expected of me? I am so useless at sporty stuff, crafty stuff and a lot of other stuff!

OP posts:

stealthsquiggle · 18/05/2009 20:59

Don't worry Gemmie - I ticked lots of 'willing to help' boxes on DS's registration form but have yet to be called upon to prove it - beyond a few cakes for a sale.

The only problem we had was that DS read all the blurb and promptly burst into tears saying he couldn't do Beavers because he wasn't always kind (it's part of the promise)

muggglewump · 18/05/2009 21:08

My DD chose Beavers over Rainbows. There's quite a few girls in her colony.
They've done a fair bit and often have outside guests in. They had our GP the other week and were in the local paper after their sponsered comic releif event

It's only £50 for the year here which they will let you pay off between September and Christmas and I've only had to pay an extra £10 once for the panto, though that was optional as is the fun day in June which is £7. DD absolutely loves it.

Other activities are just too dear for me although she does country dancing that's free after school once a week.

Kbear · 18/05/2009 21:14

Another "yes it's great" vote here. DS joined when he was 7 (took me a year to talk him into it) and he loves it. They do loads of badges (without really realising it!), visited fire station, police station, army museum (lots of marching LOL), had visitors from road safety, also lots of events with the cubs and scouts too.

I help there most weeks, just make the drinks and clear up usually,another pair of hands when it gets messy (like tonight's chocolate hedgehogs project!) - the leaders do need parents to contribute their time sometimes which will give you an idea of what goes on.

skramble · 20/05/2009 00:07

Each colony will vary in how they tackle activities etc, will depend on the leaders, some do loads of games other lots of crafts.

my DS is now in Scouts having come up through Beavers and Cubs, his favourite activities seemed to have been day camps, whole unit on one camp site, scouts stay 2 nights, cubs one and the little beavers go one day and get totally manky and exausted.

Plonker · 20/05/2009 00:17

My dd started Beavers a few weeks ago ...she's loving it

Clary · 20/05/2009 01:00

we love Beavers

The groups will vary depending on leaders.

Ours is basically lots of boys (and one girl - DD ) haring about the woods or doing craft or tasting different foods or having someone show them first aid etc.

Some badges they do in-meeting (eg cooking, first aid, etc) others @ home eg ICT, swimming (well not at home but YKWIM).

Eg swim one they had to tread water, swim 25m etc. ICT make a poster about Beavers and use a CD rom - etc.

yes agree with doodle, pretty low-level for this age group. Yes, good thing is pals across the ages and schools. And it's cheap - ours is £19/term

beetlemum · 21/05/2009 20:29

i can't wait till DS1 is old enough for beavers

bruffin · 24/05/2009 10:50

It does all depend on the leaders and what they put into it. My DS has only a few months left as a scout now but he started as a beaver when he was 6 and has loved every minute of the last 8 years.
Our beaver leader is an amazing woman and has is so organized. She also does family nights where parents come in to help with cooking or gardening and lots of day trips.

I would warn you that popular packs have long waiting lists, so if he is nearly 6 there may not be a space for him.

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