Parades

Includes: Processions, Carnivals, Remembrance Events, Community Outdoors, Land

Age:
4+
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Flags, music and marching make processions and parades special occasions.

Overview

Parades are public processions that follow a set route. They often involve costumes and music.

Parades, such as Pride or Remembrance Day, can be a great way to mark special occasions with young members.

Approved: 27 April 2022
Version: 1.1
C
ontent owner: Adventure team

Planning checklist

If you or another member of your leadership team is running the activity at an external venue/location, follow these extra steps:

  • Arrange for a home contact. Leave any route or other relevant details with your home contact and complete a home contact agreement form. Let them know about any changes to your plans.
  • Tell your commissioner.
  • Get a copy of the public liability insurance of the activity provider before you book.
  • Check you hold the relevant qualification (if one is needed) to run the activity and let your commissioner know you plan to run it yourself. If you aren't sure, speak to your local adviser to check.
  • Check with the venue that they have the correct equipment and, if needed, specialist clothing that will meet the needs of your group.
  • Get any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity not provided by the venue, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose.
  • Check that any equipment is suitably insured by the provider and agree what happens to the equipment if it gets damaged.
  • Ask for a copy of the venue's safety guidelines and risk assessment (if relevant).
  • Make sure you have the correct ratio of participants (girls, leaders and volunteers) to qualified adults (those running the activity if a qualification is needed). This is different to the ratio of leaders to girls.
  • Consider the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions and plan the session accordingly.

Some venues might ask for a disclaimer or waiver to be signed for each person taking part in the activity. This is something which parents/carers must sign on behalf of their child. You can do this along with the consent form. Parents and carers should be given sufficient information from the provider along with the waiver so they can make an informed decision to sign it or not. Leaders can only sign disclaimers and waivers for their own personal participation. 

If you're working with an external provider or external instructors to run this activity outside the unit meeting space, follow these extra steps. 

  • Arrange for a home contact. Leave any route or other relevant details with your home contact and complete a home contact agreement form. Let them know if you make any changes to your plans.
  • Tell your local commissioner.
  • Tell the activity provider about the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions that need to be considered when running the activity.
  • Choose a reputable and licensed activity provider (where applicable).
  • Check the qualified adults hold the correct qualification to be able to run the activity (see the information below).
  • Get copies of the instructor qualifications and public liability insurance of the activity provider before you book.
  • Ask for a copy of the providers' safety guidelines and risk assessment.
  • Make sure you have the correct ratio of participants (girls and volunteers) to qualified adults (those running the activity). This is different to the ratio of leaders to girls.
  • Check with the venue that they have the correct equipment and, if needed, specialist clothing that will meet the requirements for your group.
  • Source any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity not provided by the venue, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose.
  • Check that any equipment is suitably insured by the provider and agree what happens to the equipment if it gets damaged.

Some venues might ask for a disclaimer or waiver to be signed for each person taking part in the activity. This is something which parents/carers must sign on behalf of their child. You can do this along with the consent form. Parents and carers should be given sufficient information from the provider along with the waiver so they can make an informed decision to sign it or not. Leaders can only sign disclaimers and waivers for their own personal participation.

If you're organising your own parade or procession

  • Ensure that all adults are briefed about the specific details of the event including date, timings and duration of the event, starting and finishing locations as well as the proposed route, suitable clothing, contingency plan, assembly points and first aid provision.
  • Provide all marshalls and stewards with reflective, fluorescent or high-visibility clothing and make sure that the organiser can be easily identified among them.
  • Consider the participant’s ages and abilities and make sure that it is suitable.
  • Follow the highway code.
  • Consider the route carefully including making sure that it is a suitable length for the capabilities of the members attending, avoids main roads carrying heavy traffic.
  • Notify the police if the proposed route includes the public highway at least one week in advance. There is more information about this on the government website.
  • Follow any police advice or instructions given before or during the event.
  • Have plans in case of cancellation and ensure that everyone is notified.

If you're taking part in a procession with carnival floats

  • Girlguiding’s public liability insurance policy includes passenger liability cover as long as the carnival float is a flat-bed lorry or a tractor-and-trailer based vehicle.
  • In the carnival procession, members must walk at a safe distance behind the floats and have adult supervision.
  • Rainbows and Brownies transported on carnival floats must be seated and have an adult on the vehicle with them.

The ratios below are given as a maximum and ratios must be considered as part of the risk assessment, this may lessen due to any medical conditions, physical ability or other factors.

Leadership team ratio

As this activity will take place outside of your usual meeting place the leadership team adult to child ratio is mandatory.

  • Rainbows: 1:5 (minimum of 2 adults)
  • Brownies: 1:8
  • Guides: 1:12
  • Rangers: N/A

A higher ratio of adults to children is recommended for larger parades, processions or carnivals.

Forms