ADVENTURES are what being a child is all about – and that spirit has kept one Rainbow Guides group going for a quarter of a century.
The 1st Carlton Rainbow Guides is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Saturday with party games, singalongs and a teddy bears' picnic.
Founder Sheryl Colton, 42, has headed the group since its first days and said the "rewarding" work was all about offering the five to seven year-olds a chance to try new things.
She said: "It's all about giving them a chance to try as many things as possible. At that age, they love to have an adventure and we can give them that platform.
"We encourage the girls to always try their best and have a go at everything."
The group of 18 girls meet at St Paul's Church, in Church Street, on Saturday mornings and do crafts, play games, have sleepovers and go on trips.
Sheryl, 42, of Carlton, who also works as a school crossing patrol and midday supervisor, said: "I joined the organisation as a Brownie when I was seven and never left.
"I like to organise a variety of activities that I know the girls will love. This is a volunteering job for me but I juggle it well with my two other jobs."
Amy Rawdin, five, attends the group and enjoys cooking and playing games.
"In the whole world I like Rainbows the best," she said.
"Last time, I made apple crumble and I like to colour-in. We made Easter baskets and there were chocolates in them when we left."
Her mum, Sharon, of Gedling, also sent nine-year-old Alyx to the 1st Carlton group.
She said: "We send the girls there primarily because they love it and have such a lot of fun.
"Every time Amy goes, she just can't wait to go back.
"They also learn values like teamwork and caring for each other in a different environment to school.
Karina Williams, of Ernest Road, Carlton, sent her two daughters – Helena, seven, and Emilia, five – to Sheryl's group.
Karina said: "They do lots of different things like going on walks in the countryside. It gives them a well-rounded character from an early age.
"The leaders are great and are obviously having a good time, which makes it so much fun for the girls."
Some girls refuse to leave. Kirsty Jeffery Parker, 18, now volunteers as a Rainbow leader having gone through all the older groups – Brownies, Guides and Rangers.
Guide leaders are a rarity these days.
Girlguiding Nottinghamshire had 1,380 youngsters on its waiting list in February and is calling for volunteers to sign up as leaders to have a great time working with children and boost their CVs.
For more information, go to www.girlguiding.co.uk or www. stpaulscarlton.org.
