Rainbows..is it worth it?

[PigTail]

I seemed to have been cajoled into taking DD to Rainbows for the first time this week. DD is keen to go, partly because she will see two friends she knows from nursery, and a neighbour, none of whom she goes to school with. All of these girls mothers have been badgering me to send DD to Rainbows, and then one Mum actually signed DD up.

I don't mind taking her, but she has two brothers who do after school activities, and attends after school club until 4.30pm each day, which means combined with her swimming lesson the week is pretty much packed out and tea time is becoming a mad rush most days.

So is Rainbows really worth another evening of mad rushing around? I'm feeling a bit bah humbug about it, and think she probably wont do anything she wont do school and after school club.

[cece]

Surely if other mums are doing it too then you could share the drop offs and pick ups?

[PigTail]

Yes, we probably will share drop offs and pick ups with one other mum, but what if DD decides she wants to do tennis or violin...I'm thinking maybe learning a specific skill is a better use of our rushing around than Rainbows. Or am I missing something?

[LaVieEnTechnicolor]

I am a Brownie leader so obviously have a point of view.

Rainbows is about having fun and learning some basic life skills so, yes, your daughter could get something from it, even though it's not about one skill like tennis or violin lessons. Have a look at the information for parents and carers on the Girlguiding UK website. Around here, there's an acute shortage of Rainbow units and so the few girls who get to join are very keen and love it.

[brimfull]

You'll be glad when she's a Brownie and she goes to camp for a week... for £50
I was Rainbow leader (had to start a troop to get my dd in) , it is great fun and girls that age love it. Guiding is a great thing for a girl to be involved in.

[notnowbernard]

My dd loves it

[LaVieEnTechnicolor]

Yes, relative cost - how many tennis lessons would you get for £20, which is about the average for a term at Rainbows? - is another thing to consider. There's also a lot to be said for doing something with friends from outside school (although obviously that does not have to be Rainbows/Brownies).

[CointreauVersial]

Rainbows/Brownies is cheap as chips, and my dds loved both. It's particularly good for us, as they don't go to school in the village, so it's an opportunity to make local friends. A good pack will do all sorts of activities, walks, crafts etc.

Second the Brownie camp - four days/three nights away for £25 - bargain-a-mundo! Roll on Easter when they'll both be going.