OT: Sparks - Girl Guides

[KerriMc]

Hello

Just wondering if anyone's daughter has been in Sparks before. I am thinking about putting my 5 yr old in it and wondering if it is a worthwhile activity. I was in Brownies when I was younger, but I am sure it has all changed since then. She is a crafty, music kind of kid, so I think it may be something she would like. Any thoughts and opinions would be great

Thanks
Kerri

 

[MouseGirl]

Both of our daughters were in Sparks and then Brownies, and just loved it. Since Sparks is for younger girls, it's got a lot of fun activities (crafts, singing, games) and is not really focused on badge work, etc. If our daughters' experiences are any indication, I think your daughter would enjoy it very much.

 

[amw]

My daughter loves it too. Basic crafts, songs, running around. They studied countries around the world, hiked around our local pond. Everyone gets the same badges -- more for decoration really. My DD loved selling the cookies. Who says no to a five-year-old? We sold out our 2 cases just going to 20 houses

I didn't realize how important Sparks was until I hosted a birthday party at my home for her class of 16. When we played games, I found the boys were louder and more dominant and that the girls were shrinking to the back of the room. The boys tend to be a bit more competitive at this age. At Sparks, all the girls participate and shout and laugh, and no one hangs out on the sidelines.

It's not as cheap as when we were kids. I think there's a registration fee of $75/year. Plus dues (which we pay twice a year instead of weekly -- something like another $100 ? Can't remember). And, we have to pre-purchase 2 cases of cookies twice a year -- $192 total, but you get it back if you sell them all.

 

[bev r.]

My daughter started in Sparks and continued to 2 years of girl guides. When she got older the interest became dependent upon the Girl Guide leader and the types of girls in the group. In the last year the Leader was not very organized, and my daughter became bored. There were also a couple of girls with discipline issues that caused some frustration for her. Other than that all of her other experience with the group was fun, especially the camping trips when they are older. I think in Sparks they did a sleepover.

 

[maddiel]

Both my girls started in Sparks. DD6 is going into her second year of Sparks and loves it. Her unit is a combined Sparks-Brownie unit. DD13 is in her second year of Patrhfinders and her 9th (!!) year of Guiding. She was fortunate to spend 10 days this year at a national camp in Guelph earlier this summer. She plans to be a junior leader after Pathfinders.

Guiding can be a very empowering experience for girls, but like someone else said, it depends on the leaders. We've had very good years and so-so years.
It is a little cheaper here - $65 registration fee, $1 a week dues and 2 cases of cookies to sell - but we generally have to pay extra for their camping/major field trips.

M.