Brownies - a parents view. (Brownie Guides)

Member Name: jazzypinkpuppet

Product:	Brownie Guides
Date:	10/02/09 (91 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Boosts childrens confidence and life skills

Disadvantages: none at all.

My Daughter Sophie has been a Brownie for just over 3 years. She had been a Rainbow since she was five and it was a natural transition to become a member of the Brownies.
We are lucky in our area to have three brownie packs very close together and although they are all run to some sort of guidelines there can be a vast difference in the childrens experiences depending on the 'owls' in charge. I would recommend talking to other parents and letting your child visit the different packs to see what suits their needs. Some packs have little or no waiting list and you can join straight away, others like the one my daughter attends has a waiting list of two and a half years. So bear this in mind and get your childs name down early.
There are different styles of uniform, shorts, leggings, tracksuits, t shirts, jumpers. They don't need it all just a bottom and a top and their sash. It can be quite expensive I would think approx £40 for one girls uniform you can get it in John Lewis and other independent school uniform shops. It is very good quality and washes and lasts a long time.
Brownies has given so much confidence to Sophie, she has made so many freinds from all different schools in the area and everyone is equal.
There are many activities, themed nights and trips to take part in, and the yearly pack holiday where the girls have so much fun cooking, playing games, camp fires etc ..
Brownies is a motivational tool too, as the girls can get badges for different activites like swimming, cooking, crafts. These are sewn onto a sash which the girls wear for parades or when new girls make their 'promise'. This is when the girls decide that they want to become brownies there is a little ceremony for them, it is very sweet.
The subs vary between the different packs and it depends on what size hall they hire and different activites they do. I pay £14 per term, so about £1.50 a week which is exceptional value for money. But my friend pays £32 a term, so it can vary quite a lot. Trips and holidays are extra but never expensive. A four day holiday including all food, accommodation and activities cost £35.
There are also different awards and honors to strive towards, Sophie was named Brownie of the year. It was so special for her and boosted her self esteem no end.
It will be her last year this year as she moves up to guides. But her brownie memories and life skills it has given her will help her in her future a great deal.

Summary: Girls really do have more fun.