What term is given to the adult in charge of a Brownie pack?
Brownies are part of the Girl Guides (or in the US, Girl Scouts) Organization for girls aged seven years old to ten years old. Brownies, were started by Lord Baden-Powell in 1914. Originally they were called Rosebuds, but were renamed by Baden-Powell after the girls had complained that they didn't like their name. Their name comes from the story "The Brownies" by Juliana Horatia Ewing, written in 1870. In the story two children learn that children can be helpful brownies instead of being lazy.
Brownies work in small groups called sixes. Each six is either named after Fairies or woodland creatures and is led by a Sixer and has a Second as deputy. Brownies work towards interest badges which require the girls to complete many different activities.
Traditionally, the adult leader in charge is called Brown Owl with other leaders being named after different owls.
More Info:
en.m.wikipedia.org
What are your thoughts on this subject?
26 Comments
Leapy Lee
For everyone commenting on here that the Brown Owl term isn’t familiar to the, it is a British Commonwealth term, and after lol the Scouting movement was founded in the UK. The American branches are only adaptations of the original
Patricia Cairns
Anne Tisdell, I grew up in the UK, specifically Scotland, in the 50s and I can assure you that Brown Owl was indeed what we called the leader.
Merri Sillery
Learned something new today. I was a Brownie, Girl Scout, Cadet, Senior and eventually Leader but that was in the US. I wish I had known this when I was active, I could have used it in my teachings. I will pass this knowledge on to a current leader and maybe we can start a trend of learning about scouting in other countries. Thank you Hazel.
Leapy Lee
tbear, I believe it is a British Commonwealth thing, and that is where the Scouting movement originated
tbear
Leapy Lee, thank you, Lee! I didn't know that! I thought my memory had left me! I didn't remember any of the explanation and my daughter was in brownies! 😊👍
John McLardie
Fran Graybowski , it's a term which has been used since the fifties at least. Probably older.
tbear
Doesn't sound like anything I knew when I was in the brownies! Must have been different back in the stone age (1940's) But I'm also talking about the U.S. 😊👍
Leapy Lee
Jas Newman, not sure what your point is here, but the Scouting Movement started in England in 1908. The American Scouting Movement started in 1910 after Baden Powell visited the US. Who he learned skills from is immaterial to the argument. End of story.
Jerry Edwards
Anne Tisdell,
Maybe because your mom was the leader of an updated, more modern adaptation?
Jerry Edwards
Jas Newman,
Yeah, here we go again. Americans trying to take the credit for something that's not "originally" their idea.
So, because Napoleon Bonaparte was taught French politics by Monsieur Blanc (alright, so I made that bit up) he was not the master tactician, after all.
All credit should go to his teacher, instead?
Jas Newman
Leapy Lee, Not to take anything away from London-born and Home-County-raised Lord Baden-Powell, but he was taught scouting by American Frederick Russell Burnham. The Illustrated London News hailed Burnham as: "The King of Army Scouts." Queen Victoria invited him to dine with her and spend the night at Osborne House. King Edward VII decorated Burnham and awarded him the Distinguished Service Order. So you may want to rethink your comment about "only adaptations of the original."
Morton Bartlett
Leapy Lee, Yep the world does exist outside the US
Wyla Reedy
Cub scouts and boy scouts. Learned a lot and had fun. Was proud of my Merit Badges.
Merri Sillery
Char, I understand that. I was only stating that it was new to me (with vast scouting experience) and I will pass it on to my replacements.
Char
tbear, that's the key Brown Owl is UK ..
Char
Merri Sillery, but in on the UK it's what they call the leader there.
Char
Leapy Lee, OK I wondered I was a GS for a bit didn't remember the Owl part. Now I know why also didn't know it came from UK so thanks
Howard Groopman
Kind of obvious, but I really don't give a hoot.
Linda Carr
Been a Brownie Leader and a Brownie Trainer ... Never have I ever learned this or taught it.... Guess it was never in the USA...
earlepg
Grant McIntosh, As I did when I tried the boy scouts. As an adult, with my son wanting to try the scouts, I ended up serving the BSA in many seniior adult leader positions for twelve years.
gracelind
never been a brownie but got the answer by guessing.