girl guides

[trinityrocks]

anyone have any experience????
do you think my DD1 (5) would enjoy or benefit from it?????

I thought that they had to do Brownies first? My DD1 has enjoyed Brownies and DD2 will start Brownies in September. DD1 will go on to Guides in September. I enjoyed it as a child. I think most people judge things like Brownies on their own childhood experiences. The benefit for my girls is a good club where they can make things, meet people and work towards badges... they love that.

At age 5 they do Rainbows, which comes before Brownies and Guides. They have to be 7 to start Brownies and 10/11 i think to start guides.

Dd1 has just started Brownies and she loves it. Dd2 is on a massive waiting list for Rainbows.

Normally they goto Rainbows at 5 then I think its age 7 for Brownies (my daughter goes now and loves it) then I think its about age 10 for guides. I would put her name down soon for whichever group as sometimes there is a wait.

i have a leaflet that says girl guides from age4, we are scotland maybe it's different or maybe it's not real girl guides???

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My dd enjoyed Brownies and they seemed to do a lot on working towards badges, being community minded etc.

However, when she went Guides the most memorable activities were camping (thumbs up for that), a visit to the fish and chip shop and a trip to the bowling alley. She never seemed to do much community spirited things so I enquired to the Guide leader who said they don't do the badges anymore.

I was surprised and quite saddened by this as I was always of the impression that's what the main aim of Guides was (well it was in my day anyway). I eventually stopped her going as it just seemed to be a glorified meet-up with her mates - not a bad thing you might say - but she can do that in her own time and I don't pay for the privilege.

I don't know if this is the same for Guides in all areas or if it was just a case of bad management at my dd's particular group.

Does anyone know if Girl Guides can sometimes be a bit of a class divider? I saw a group of brownies the other day - all of them had extremely "cool" clothes and looked rather well-to-do, except for one who was wearing the less cool version of the uniform (maybe second-hand?) and looking distinctly left out...

It's 4 in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales is 5 years.

my experience of brownies and guides is that it mixes classes. in some cases where schools are very class divided it can be the only place where girls from different socio-economic backgrounds mix.

all units also try to help girls with less money in a discreet way so they never have to miss out on trips etc.

Ours is one of only two in the country. DD enjoys it up to a certain point, but, wants to leave because 'they don't do enough for the environment, all we do is have parties!'. I should point out that there have been two since it's inception (3 months ago) and all that clean up the world twaddle will last about 10 minutes in her world anyway. During the three months since it was started, 8 weeks have been summer holidays.

As a unit Guider... guides is open to girls from each and all ethnicity, class, socio economic group etc. Guides are aged between 10-14. They may join at 10, 11,12, 13 etc.
They may stay for as little as one week, although we would like them to stay for the whole 4 years. Some in my group have continued with the unit to become Young Leaders in their own right and some are helping a newly established Rainbow unit. To join Guides, you do not need to have been a Brownie or a Rainbow. If you are a member of a feeder Brownie pack, you still have to contact the guider to ask them to reserve you a place at Guides. Some Brownies do not go on to Guides. Guides devise their own program with guidance. They work together in Patrols. Some patrols choose to do badges, some Go for its some just like to hang out and play games. Everyone is encouraged to join the camp fire circle for songs. Like an adult meeting we have a break for a drink and a snack. Guides runs for between 1.5 - 2 hrs depending on your Unit.