By Julia Pearlman

My weekly out-of-school activity was set in stone by my elder sister when I was two-years-old. "Here's the choice. You can either go to ballet or Brownies," said my mum, secretly wishing she would say Brownies (a lot cheaper). "Ballet!" replied my sister as she threw herself into a pirouette and sent a vase crashing to the floor.

So from the age of three to 11, I too went to weekly ballet classes. While my fellow friends sang songs, held talent shows, baked cakes and had pyjama parties with the Brownies, I was being slapped around the legs with a newspaper for not pointing my toes properly.

At the age of 13 I came across an exciting discovery - Scouts were letting girls in! I preferred the idea of green combats to the blue Guide's uniform and was keen to learn how to make knots - just in case I ever found myself on the top of a cliff without a harness.

For two years I wore my toggle and solemnly swore to do my duty to the God and to the Queen, yet I always had the feeling I missed out earlier on. So, 11 years after leaving Scouts here I am at Brownies to meet the volunteers who keep the whole thing running.

If you go down to the woods today...

This week the children have asked to have a Teddy Bears' Picnic.  "It's a lot of fun and there's always a lot going on," says Little Owl. "It's great to see a little Brownie turn into a big Brownie and then to a Guide, and so rewarding to see the girls change as the years pass."

I look around me and am amazed at the confidence of these children. They know exactly what they're meant to do and follow instructions impeccably. Brown Owl is just as I imagined her, like a Mary Poppins in combats with perfect sparkly teeth when she smiles, yet a firm tone for any naughtiness.

It's nearing exam time and Brown Owl has had to rustle up some last-minute volunteers after the student helpers called to say they were buried in their books. The weekly sessions have to have at least three adults on hand and as well as Brown and Little Owl, I meet a supply teacher, a mother of one of the Brownies, a Guide, and the big sister of a Brownie who has stepped in to help.

I'm intrigued by the supply teacher's enthusiasm, considering she spends the whole day with children, only to come back for more. "I really enjoy it," Sue says. "I mainly just come here and help out and it means I can really enjoy the session. I don't have to do as much planning at home as the Brown Owl has to, or I probably wouldn't have the time."

Brownies is part of Girlguiding UK, the largest voluntary organisation for girls and young women in this country with about 60,000 volunteers. "It's a bit worrying," Sue says, "because if Brownies don't get more leaders then some packs may have to close down. We seem to be going OK but often we can get a dip in numbers."

I sit on the bench quietly as they all gather in a circle to make their promise, sing songs, receive badges and wish happy birthday to two of the Brownies. I learn that even the most simple expressions has a special Brownie twist – 'well done' is clapping in front and then behind your back, accompanied by a chant of "well done, well done, well done".

Entertainment

I'm just getting comfortable and enjoying the entertainment when Brown Owl turns to me and invites the "girl from the internet" to join the circle. As long as I don't have to stand there with my hands up in a salute, I think. Yet they are all doing it and I would actually look sillier if I stood there rigid as a statue. Joining in is the name of the game.

It's inspiring see how the leaders give the children praise, encouragement and the chance to speak for themselves, providing activities that are both educational and fun.

I end my experience with the feeling that although I may be too old to be a Brownie, there's nothing stopping me from becoming an Owl one day. With children encouraged to come up with ideas for their sessions and trips out here and adventures there, it could be the perfect excuse for an hour-and-a-half of escapism from the stresses of adult life.

With this thought I slip off quietly and leave the girls and their teddy bears to enjoy their fairy cakes, cocktail sausages and sandwiches in peace.

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