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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Raindow or Brownies

49 replies

lexcat · 08/01/2008 16:41

DD whats to do raindow/brownies but how can I find out where me local group is?
She is 7 in April so should I wait till then and start her in Brownies or should I try and get into Raindows first.
Also any feedback on the groups and some of the things they do. It's been sometime since I was a Brownie and just remeber it been fun.

OP posts:

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FlameNFurter · 08/01/2008 22:00

That link told me that I couldn't submit an enquiry

How do I find out about local rainbows? (Bournemouth)

I fully expect to be roped into guiding again... my mum was Tawny Owl for years with Brownies (she gets 30yr old women calling her Tawny )

MaureenMLove · 08/01/2008 22:12

If you nip into a local church hall, I'm sure you'll find a contact for Guiding, Flame. Alternatively, try your Child Information Service at the council, they should have all the info you need.

MaureenMLove · 08/01/2008 22:13

I meant you should find a poster on the wall in the church hall, not just a Guider waiting with a note book and pen!

FlameNFurter · 08/01/2008 22:17

pmsl @ them waiting with paper and pen.

Chruch is 2 mins away, so tis easy enough. I went to guides there.

I am always wary that I will be struck with a lightning bolt when I go near churches

MaureenMLove · 08/01/2008 22:23

Oh me too! I am often found hiding behind a tree on Church parade Sunday, in the hope that all my Rainbows have forgotten and I can go back home to bed! Not good, when you've had a heavy Saturday night and you have to sit in the front pew, right in front of the Vicar!

Piffle · 08/01/2008 22:25

I have just emailed about Rainbows for DD who turned 5 in Oct...

FlameNFurter · 08/01/2008 22:28

lmao!

seeker · 09/01/2008 05:55

In our town, there are several Brownie packs - and some are better than others -might be a good idea to try and find out from other parents which one near you is most fun!

My dd is a Scout rather than a Guide - they seem, certainly round here -to be more adventurous and out-doorsy than the Guides. Ddd's friend has learned how to cook and serve a dinner for three (with napkins) - DD has learned how to make (and climb) a rope ladder and how to cook sausages on a campfire in the dark!

ScienceTeacher · 09/01/2008 07:14

I would say go straight to Brownies at age 7. It's not really worth joining Rainbows first, and it's not likely to give you any priority for Brownies in such a short time, as plans will already be in place for accepting new Brownies.

Also, if you joined now, it would cost you another £30 or so, as it is census time, and annual subs have to go to HQ.

I joined Brownies at the same time as my DD, as a unit helper. DD wasn't on the waiting list, so this was a way of fast-tracking her into it. It's not too bad being a helper - given that you have to do the taxi duty anyway. I don't want to get too deeply involved, although have volunteered to lead some badges.

bookwormmum · 09/01/2008 13:13

This thread has reminded me that I was supposed to order a Brownie jacket for my brother to give my dd for Christmas . Oh well, better late than never.

TheMuppetMuggle · 09/01/2008 13:22

I would love my DD to go to Rainbows when shes old enough, she'll be 3 end of March.
How do i go about getting her name down for our local group or even finding out if there is one?

TheMuppetMuggle · 09/01/2008 13:22

We live in Havant - Portsmouth

bookwormmum · 09/01/2008 13:32

Google 'Rainbows' or 'Brownies' - the national website will have a contact us section where you can register your area and someone'll email you your nearest contact. You just ring that person and go on a waiting list for a pack then.

MissusH · 09/01/2008 13:44

My dd started Rainbows in October - was as she only had to wait a few months.

She loves it while she's there but trying to get her out of the house when it's cold & dark is a nightmare...

Agree about the uniform - I was only going to get the t shirt but kind mil bought the tracksuit as well. The jacket is not too bad but I had to take 4 inches off the bottom of the trousers!!

Indith · 09/01/2008 14:02

I run a Rainbow unit. We have shed loads of fun, I only started it up last Easter and already have a waiting list

To the OP, Brownies these days do all sorts, what they do exactly will depend very much on the individual leader. The pack that my Rainbows feeds into is very outdoorst and active. They go on frequent pack holidays as well as doing daft things like holding indoor 'beach' parties at Christmas. The girls that come out of that unit and feed into the Guides are fantastic, enthusiastic, friendly, caring, outgoing...........

flame don't worry, I may be a rather lapsed pagan but I still think I'll be struck down, have managed to take the girls too church parade several times without incident so far

scienceteacher not stricly true about the cost. Yes it is census time but not all units ask the parents to pay it on top of subs, I factor it in and make sure I have a little money to carry over each term so I do not have to ask the parents for more money. In fact, most units should do this as it is not reasonable to ask the parents to pay more. Not all of them can afford it.

julesrose · 09/01/2008 14:43

What about Woodcraft folk? Don't know much about it but they sound lovely!

ScienceTeacher · 09/01/2008 20:45

The parents have to pay it, whether it is spread evenly over the year, or as a lump sum in January.

We do ours as lump sum, and I won't be getting much change out of £100, as I have girls in Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, and I get to pay my £20 as a helper

Tigi · 09/01/2008 20:54

Can I ask you rainbow/brownie leaders, did you have to do much training to run the group? i have helped beavers for a couple of years, and decided to do it 'properly' by being a leader, but am shocked at the amount of work that I need to put in ? courses for this that and the other (first aid, nights away, child protection (expected), finance, planning etc etc etc), before i become official! It's really put me off - especially as I do the job anyway, and most of the planning and resourcing ideas anyway!

MaureenMLove · 09/01/2008 22:35

Not a lot for Guiding. It seems a lot, when you look at the Training Programme, but most of it is 'on the job' training, so your mentor can just sign it off. You are obviously required to do paed First Aid and also attend one training evening suitable for your age group.

oliviaelanasmum · 09/01/2008 22:43

My dd1 has joined her local brownie pack as my mum is an assistant leader and she is loving it, she cant take her promise for a while yet as she isn't technically old enough but she loves it all the same

ScienceTeacher · 10/01/2008 06:25

We have training events. For example, we are having a district day in a few weeks where we sign up on various workshops.

Original poster

lexcat · 12/01/2008 11:59

Thanks to everyone I've now got the number of the Division Commisioner for my area. Also found out their are 4 brownie groups in my area and one has about two term waiting list.
Dd still loves the idea of been a brownie but is aware she may have to wait a bit.

OP posts:

Lucycat · 12/01/2008 12:07

Scienceteacher I'm also a Unit helper at Brownies as it meant that dd could get in (along with 5 other new Brownies) otherwise there weren't enough adult leaders - I also know exactly what you mean about not wanting to be too involved - there seems to be constant evening and weekend courses in our area for leaders/helpers that tbh I haven't got the time for at the moment, but at least I feel I'm 'doing my bit'

dd loves it, dh thinks it's all a bit scary

MaureenMLove · 12/01/2008 12:16

Unit funds pay for the census here too. Also worth noting that you wouldn't be excepted to pay for census twice. The census is to get numbers in Guiding, ot individual units. Therefore each girl pays once, regardless of which section they are in. I have a young leader who is a guide. She is paid for by her Guiding unit and therefore not pay for by me.

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