Brownies... Questions re cost etc.

annaangeluk_2

My dd is 7 later this month and we've decided between us that she's going to join Brownies.

I'm just wanting to get a heads up re costs! Uniforms, subs etc. I've looked at the brownies website that lets you order the uniform online and truthfully I'm a bit shocked about how much some of the stuff is:eek: ! What do they have to have? I'm a working single parent and like most people at the moment money is tight but I still want dd to go and to have the right stuff!

As well as the weekly fees and uniform, are there any "extras" like the badges and any activities? I'm going to try and put a bit of money away each week to hopefully cover any extras.

On a different point, will I have to get involved with anything and do I have to stay with dd or can i go and come back later to pick her up?? I know it sounds awful but I hate staying for things like this. I am painfully shy and find sitting with other parents really hard. Thankfully dd is the complete opposite to me and will join in with everything! I try really hard not to show her how hard I find these things!

Thanks in advance for your help

Anna x

Rachel85

Its a long time since I was a Brownie, however I do remember that parents didn't have to stay. Subs were always kept as low as possible per week (and will vary between groups) and there may be extras for badges, trips, camp, etc although again these will be kept as low as they can!

As for the Uniform, have a look on e-bay or see if her chosen group sell of second hand Uniform. And remeber that she'll only be wearing it once a week so 1 pair of trousers plus a t-shirt and sweatshirt should be plenty.

emmajane1

Hi

i'd wait a few weeks and be sure she really likes it before buying any uniform.

The subs we pay for my dd are only £1.50 a week . they rarely charge extra for anything . I think £3 to have ameal out at xmas & £4 to go trampolining & you don't pay the £1.50 that week.

They don't charge for badges at our group & you don't have to stay - i'd be ahinderance witha 3yr old in tow anyway!

The uniform is dear so i bought big trousers cargo style & turned them up - 2 years & a huge growth spurt later they just about still fit 7 should do until summer (I got her second hand shorts for summer)

hth

Emma

chmmy

Ours is £20 per term which covers badges and activities on the night, but any days out like on Saturdays are extra. They also have a few fundraisers over the year which might need a few pounds. You might be able to start by buying the Brownie T-shirt or long sleeved top, and wear it with jeans/leggings/brown joggers and then collect some more Brownie uniform in time. (Ebay sometimes have it)
You wont have to stay, maybe just offer your mobile/home number handy on the first night, just in case (you will prob have to fill in forms at some point anyway).
Ive got one DD Guides and the other DD in Rainbows at the moment.

lainz

As a Snowy Owl I would suggest that you sign up your little girl with a unit and take it from there.

Basic Brownie uniform is a top (short sleeved would do winter and summer), warm top - the hoodie is very popular
and bottoms, most of the girls in my unit wear either the leggings or the cargo trousers. Check with the leaders, you may find they have some 2nd hand bits and pieces or can put you in touch with some parents of brownies that have left.

You will need to get a sash for the badges (and be prepared to do some sewing!) We don't expect our brownies to have their uniform until they take their promise which is normally about 4 weeks in and they obviously want to do it!

Subs are around £18 - 20 a half term - so about £2 a week.

You don't need to stay. Some units work a rota system of parents who help out, others like us don't. We sometimes need extra parents when we go to the firestation (funnily enough we were fighting the mums off for that one :rotfl: ) or swimming as we need the adult to child ratios.

Depending on your unit - they may do a pack holiday - this is normally a weekend away, we did one in a village hall and that was £20, but we do go to a guiding adventure centre with all mod cons and activities and that can be £60, but plenty of warning will be given.

Hope that helps you. I hope it will give you and your little girl some confidence and that you both enjoy it, it is one of the cheaper activities your children can do (plug, plug - although its leaders we need not the children!)

bestpud

Firstly, have you checked if the local pack has spaces? Some are heavily oversubscribed and I know dd went on the waiting list while at nursery, to get a place at 7. It would be awful if your dd got all prepared and then had to wait a while...

Secondly, they usually don't need a uniform until their enrollment and they take a few weeks preparing for that, so there is no need to buy a uniform from the outset. At dd's pack, they are not allowed to wear one even if they have it, although they may not all be that strict.

The subs are £2 week for dd and cover all the main activities and badges. They pay extra for camping but I don't know how much as this is dd's first year. The xmas party (hired a play centre) was £4 + a food contribution). They are taking part in a sleep over later in the year which is £10. Church services and the like are free except for the collection.

Imo, it is well worth it; they do all sorts with them during weekly sessions, even if she was to miss some of the extra stuff.

The uniform was expensive but I bought it new. John Lewis (online) was cheapest when I got hers - I used a voucher code as well which helped even more. It was about £40 before the voucher.

She has the hoodie (I think that is a must), long sleeved tee and cargo trousers. Oh and a summer cap. It is all very big on her as I have no intention of replacing it until I absolutely have to! I'm hoping to get away with one replacement during her three years.

Many packs have second hand uniform for sale and ebay is good too. Be careful not to get carried away though as some if it goes for more than it would cost new!

Oh, and you don't stay with them. They ask for volunteers if they are going anywhere but it is not essential at all.

Sorry, that was long; I hope it helps.

ct24

my dd is 8 and joined in september, she didnt need a uniform until the start of Dec. Subs are £10 a term and £19 insurance in January at our pack, and dd loves brownies. They did a day trip in october and we droped off/collected and it cost about £6 i think. You dont need to stay and there are a few forms to fill in.

Hope she enjoys it as much as mine.

josie_ann57

I would ask on your local 'freecycle' site, proved very useful for me when my son joined the air cadets and needed DPM uniform for camps.

katy-lou

It's been 10 years since I went to brownies so I cant help with regard to costs or anything but I just want to say at brownies I had some of the best times of my life

Janepig

Depending on where you work, you could ask around if anyone's selling any unwanted bits of uniform. We have a "bulletin board" on our computer system and Brownie Uniform is one of the things that I've seen for sale on there previously.

Jxx

LJM

my niece started brownies and didnt get a uniform for a couple of months,i got hers on ebay