Brownie Programme Update Tips and hints at using the new

Brownie programme

Created by Diane Card April 2014

The new Brownie resources are now available and will be in use

from September 2014

The structure of the programme itself hasn't changed and the Brownies still

develop in three areas: You, Community and World.

You

A Brownie develops her: • understanding and awareness of

herself • relationships with family and

friends • skills and achievements • confidence and personality • beliefs, morals and values • self-esteem and self-worth.

Community

A Brownie develops her:• understanding and awareness of the

communities in which she lives• level of practical action in those

communities• knowledge of how she can

contribute to her communities• understanding and awareness of her

relationships with people in her communities

• enthusiasm to use her skills to contribute to her communities and to improve relationships.World

A Brownie develops her:• understanding and awareness

of the world in which she lives• knowledge of and interest in the

world• knowledge and understanding

of World Guiding• enthusiasm to use her skills

locally for the benefit of the wider world

• understanding of how she can improve her world.

The 3 programme areas

New Resources

Brownie AdventuresThis book replaces the Brownie Adventure and Brownies Adventure On books so that all the information and guidance a girl needs during her time in Brownies is provided in one resource.

It is designed to be used principally in the meeting place, and as a ‘handbook’ of information about Brownies.

It will also provide a clearer picture for parents and Leaders to understand what a Brownie’s experience should be like.

Brownie Adventures has an easy-to-use structure. We hope that making it more user-friendly for the girls.

The new book has three sections

The new book has three sections:

• Adventure (guideline age group 7 to 8)• Adventure on (guideline age group 8 to 9)• More adventures (guideline age group 9 to 10).

Each section has specific clauses for the Brownies to complete to earn a badge

BadgesEach section features a badge for Brownies to work towards, similar to the current Adventure badges.

The syllabus for each badge is clearly explained and there is space for Brownies to record their progress when working towards it.

Each section has activity suggestions linked to You, Community and World that Brownies can use to complete the various badge clauses.

The Brownies and Leaders are free to choose other appropriate activities to meet clauses.

The three badges – Adventure, Adventure on and More adventures – have been designed so that a girl may achieve a badge over a year of taking part in a balanced and varied Brownie programme that employs all the Five Essentials.

Becoming a Brownie

Becoming a Brownie remains as a resource for new girls joining Brownies.

It is fairly similar to the current book with just minor updates to ensure it complements the new Brownie Adventures book .

It still contains the Promise and the Brownie story, and provides new girls with a simple introduction to Brownies.

Brownie Badge Book

The Brownie Badge Book has been redesigned but the content remains the same, with only minor updates to some badge syllabuses.

Please note that the badge syllabuses are constantly reviewed and updated regardless to ensure they are always relevant and appropriate for the girls.

The latest version of the Badge Book and the Brownie websitewww.girlguiding.org.uk/brownies/badges

will always have the most up-to-datesyllabuses.

Brownie Adventures Bag

The Brownie Promise Box has been replaced by a Brownie Adventures bag.

This sling bag has been designed to match the revised resources.

The Badges

• Each section on the book has several clauses the Brownies need to complete to earn their badge

• The Brownies do not need to complete the clauses in any particular order.

• As the Brownie completes each clause she should record what she has done on the record page at the beginning of the each section.

• Leaders may also want to maintain their own record of the Brownie’s progress.

Adventure

• I found out about the Promise and had a Promise Celebration. • I did my best to keep my Promise• I did at least one interest badge• I went on an adventure away from our meeting place• I did an activity with girls from another unit• I took part in a Pow-wow to help decide what happens at Brownies• I took part in three You activities• I took part in three Community activities• I took part in three World activities

Adventure on

• I did my best to keep my Promise• I did at least one new interest badge• I went on an adventure away from our meeting place and helped

decide what we did• I did an activity with girls from another section• I put forward ideas in a Pow-Wow to help decide what happens at

Brownies• I took part in three new You activities• I took part in three new Community activities• I took part in three new World activities

More Adventures

• I did my best to keep my Promise, and helped a new Brownie understand it too• I did at least one interest badge where I learned something new• I went on an adventure away from our meeting place and helped other Brownies

while I was there• I did Brownies Go For It!• I helped plan an activity at Brownies• I took part in three new You activities• I took part in three new Community activities• I took part in three new World activities

Some FAQ’s

QuestionCan a Brownie move on to the next badge without completing the previous badge?

Answer• Yes, but girls should be encouraged and

supported to complete each badge.

Question - Can my whole unit do the same activity from the book?

Answer• The activities within the book have been designed to be

undertaken by an individual, by Sixes or other small groups, or by the whole unit.

• All Brownies can join in the activities even if some may not record it towards a badge if they are doing the activity just for fun.

• The activities can be adapted to suit all abilities and count towards all badges.

Question What about girls who are part way through the current Adventure or Adventure on badges?

Answer• Girls may continue with the current syllabus, or

can start the appropriate new syllabus, using activities from the new or old books.

QuestionDo Brownies need to complete the badge clauses in a certain order?

AnswerNo, the clauses can be completed in any order and there may be occasions where two clauses are completed during one activity, for example an interest badge might be gained during an adventure day with other Brownies.

Useful areas on the Girlguiding Website

Additional Leaders information • http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/pdf/Brownie_Programme_Update.pdf

5 facts about the brownie adventure• http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/members_area__go/whats_happenin

g/news_stories/5_facts_about_brownie_adve.aspx

If you need additional help or information or would like to have a Skype training session on the new resources

please get in touch

Diane Card – BGIFC Brownie Adviserbgifcbrownies@gmail.com