Who are Rainbows?

Rainbows are the youngest members of The Guide Association (Girlguiding UK) aged between 5 and 7 years old.

Rainbow Units have a recommended maximum of 18 girls per Unit. This ensures that each individual is given as much attention and help with everything as possible. They also have a ratio of one adult to every five Rainbows.

Rainbows usually meet for one hour, once a week during term times.

 

 

What do Rainbows wear?

Rainbows usually wear a red and pale blue polo shirt, red trousers (with pale blue stripe down the side) and a hooded jacket or a tabard. These are available from Guiding Essentials or locally, which the Rainbow Leader can tell parents about.

 

 

What happens at Rainbows?

After a girl has started at Rainbows, she will be given her "Ready for Rainbows" booklet. This will introduce her to Olivia, and will help prepare her for when she makes her Rainbow Promise. At this time, she will be given her Rainbow Promise badge.

When a Rainbow makes her promise the whole unit joins in with her so that it’s not at all scary.

 

 

 

The Rainbows promise is

I promise that I will do my best
to love my God and to be kind and helpful

Being a Rainbow is all about having lots of fun. At Rainbow meetings the girls can do many things. They play games, follow trails, make things, sing songs and sometime even do some cooking! Sometimes Rainbows go on outings to special places, they even have parties! There are always exciting things to do, and it is great making lots of Rainbow friends.

 

 

 

This is the official Rainbow Song that can be sung at the start of each meeting. There are also actions to go with it.

 

 

The Rainbows Song

Look at the world around.
Learn everything you can.
Laugh as you go along.
Love this world of ours.

Look, Learn, Laugh, Love.
Rainbows have begun.
We're all here now.
Come and join the fun.

 
Rainbows finish their meetings with this song which is very similar and so easy to learn.

 

 

The Rainbows Ending Song

Look at the world around.
Learn everything you can.
Laugh as you go along.
Love this world of ours.

Look, Learn, Laugh, Love.
We've had lots of fun.
Bye bye Rainbows.
Sleep well everyone.

 

 

This is Olivia, the Rainbows will meet her in most of the publications

In some Units, Olivia often goes home with a Rainbow after the weekly meeting.

 

 

 

Rainbow Chat

A Rainbow Chat is held whenever the Leader thinks it is necessary. It can be used to plan what the Rainbows would like to do during the term. Or sometimes the Leader might decide to hold a Rainbow Chat to talk about a special event or Overnight that might be planned.

 

 

Rainbow Roundabouts

Rainbows can earn one of three Roundabout badges by choosing one activity from each of the four sections of the Roundabout. They decide together what they would like to do and the Leader notes down the ideas so that she can incorporate them into the Rainbow programme. They can decide to complete more than one idea from the four sections on the Roundabout mat if they wish.

 

 

Pot of Gold

Around her 7th birthday, a Rainbow will be given her Pot of Gold book so that she can prepare for leaving Rainbows and joining Brownies. The book contains her Pot of Gold Challenge and includes many fun things to make and do. With the help of her Guiders she will plan her Pot of Gold Party.

The Pot of Gold Party is usually the last Rainbow meeting that she attends. It is a great chance to choose a favourite game, song or activity. At her last meeting, she will receive her Pot of Gold badge and her special leaving card.

See also: Rainbow Adviser page
For further information please contact admin@girlguidingbsg.org.uk