Boys Brigade or Beavers?

BeenieCat

I found a leaflet for a local group "Boys Brigade" held at a church one night a week.

I've been thinking of getting my DS signed up for Beavers, but wondered if anyone can tell me how expensive Beavers can be? I know it would be worthwhile, but i've heard the uniform is extortionate.

Not sure if i should 'trial' him at the brigade with a view to joining beavers later if it's the type of thing he wants to stick at?

I've tried contacting local Beavers to ask about prices but they are proving quite elusive at the moment!

Sarahlou_2

No advice sorry! - I'm also interested in my little one starting Beavers and was wondering at what age do they join?

BeenieCat

I believe it's 6! I was saying for ages i'd sign him up as soon as he turned 6 but it's been a few months now and i've not done it yet!

Spendless

I pay £2.50 a week plus there is a yearly 'subscription' of £20. Prices will vary area to area, as will the clubs themselves. I'm not overly impressed with the Beaver group my dd goes to, the one in the next village is far better (but has a waiting list as long as your arm cos of it). Can't help with uniform costs as my DD had hand-me-downs from older brother.

it was 6 to join, but I've recently been told that the age has changed to
5 3/4

broughy

for a start, I've had a look on the Scouts website, and the Beavers uniform doesn't seem hugely overpriced to me - you can have a look on scoutshops.com to see for yourself.

the Boys Brigade is an youth organisational in the same way that the Scouts is, they also have a uniform and take part in similar activities, although I would probably say that (from what I've seen of local groups) the Beavers/Cubs/Scouts do a lot more camping and outdoor type activites. the main difference really is that the Boys Brigade are a Christian organisation, which would possibly affect whether or not it was something you wanted your son to be involved in. I'd check out the website boys-brigade.org.uk, as well as the Scouts website scouts.org.uk, to see which you like the look of more.

as for the price of each, it varies depending on the individual units, so its something you really need to get in touch with the local units for!

Money_maker

Yes its 6. Prices vary according to where you live / your pack. Think it was £1 a week for mine. The tops were a little pricey (about £12 give or take). I think it would have been worth it if the fees had been trebled!! Mine are just about to go from scouts to venture scouts. They've been on numerous camps, sleepovers, night time walks, bowling, cinema, fundraising, parades etc. etc. and done all sorts of activities that you would normally pay an arm and a leg for.

DH was a boys brigade member - he enjoyed that. Parades and camp from what I remember.

BeenieCat

Spendless thanks for the guide to Beaver costings, the Brigade leaflet says £1 per week, it's a 2 hour session every Fri night.

Broughy, thanks for the Brigade link - site calls it a "Christian Youth Organisation" - and talks about the work they do within the community, i didn't realise this.
Is this much different to what the Beavers do? I'm not anti religion by any means but if it's strongly focused towards Christianity then i'd rather he didn't go there. I'm not a non believer, i just don't want to feel pushed into being a believer IYSWIM.?

My problem now is, there's so many different Beaver groups in my area that i have NO idea which one to approach... Wish i knew people who could recommend but i don't!

HelenKA_2

Please don't dismiss your Boys Brigade without going to see them in action and chat with the leaders. Each unit is run by individuals and as such each unit will be different. Many of them will be no more pushing of Christianity than the childs school, while some may be more actively attached to the Church.

If you don't have any friends with boys in any of the local packs I'd suggest you do the same for all the Beavers as well, perhaps start with the ones that you know meet at best times/venues for you.

choccymoose

My son attends the local Beavers that is affiliated with the sea scouts, I pay £6 a month plus one of fee of £20 a year, jumper is £12 but if you speak to your local leader there is usually someone moving up to cubs with a jumper etc going second hand. I am amazed at the amount of stuff he has done since joining in Jan 09 ( they can join ours the term before they turn 6 although he joined a little late because of the waiting list) we have been on 2 family camps, where there were activities provide from 8 in the morning until 10 at night, he is going again next week ( until they are old enough for cubs you have to camp with them, but it was only £15 per adult and £5 per child with all food and drink included) He has been rock climbing, on numerous hikes trips to the zoo, lots of bar - b-ques, kayacking, canoeing and sailing, shooting, absieing, watersliding, cliff rescue, and loads more. Next week for six weeks he has to attend both beavers and cubs for his transition time. Once in cubs during the holidays they take part in loads of watersports, it has really helped my son become more adventurous as he always had his head stuck in a book.
I have friends who's children go to other scout groups and they don't do anywhere near as much with them. As above poster say's go and visit some and see what they do

Choccy

natbags

Hi we pay £23 per term for Beavers for son who is 7 (can start here from 6) and my son loves it, does something different every week, meets a different social circle than school and comes home shattered - then early to bed !

Frith

I was bothered about the Christianity aspect of Beavers too but it seemed it was just a quick prayer at the end of each session. There is nothing else locally (lots of small villages around here) and son loved it.

(If anyone has any tips to explain away the effects of going to a C of E school, that would be useful!)

Was about £25 a term and I got my son's shirt off Freecycle!

L