Below are the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions with regards to young people and adults in Scouts. If we don't answer your question below, feel free to contact us.
Young People
[simnor_accordion][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="Do you take boys and girls?" onload="closed" text="Yes, we have boys and girls in Beavers, Cubs and Scouts"][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="How do I add my child to the waiting list?" onload="closed" text="To register your child on our waiting list please Contact Us, providing their full name, date of birth, full postal address and contact phone number. We do have a waiting list policy which describes how any spaces which become available will be allocated. Please note your child must have had their 4th birthday to be able to add them to the waiting list."][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="How will I know when a space becomes available?" onload="closed" text="We will use the e-mail address you provide to confirm that a space may soon be available, asking you to confirm your child is interested and for you to complete the form required. Once this has been completed and returned we will be able to confirm a start date for your child."][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="Will my child be able to go camping?" onload="closed" text="For Beaver Scouts we normally have 1 or 2 Sleepovers locally every year, mostly just for one night. Sometimes we are in buildings and sometimes we are in tents at suitable campsites.
Cub Scouts can go away for longer periods, usually over the course of a weekend, and sleep in tents or buildings. We have our own tents, which adults pitch for them, and usually aim to camp at least twice a year. All cooking is done by adults in our own Mess Tents on a series of stoves. Camps can be anywhere in the country. Scouts can camp for longer and, whether it’s a Group tent or their own, are expected to pitch their own tents and to do some of their own cooking.
Our Scout Troop is very active and camps range from a few days locally to a week or longer much further afield."][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="Will they earn any badges?" onload="closed" text="In all Sections certain parts of the normal term programme will contribute to a badge provided the child (a) turns up and (b) actually takes part / completes the activity. This is recorded on record sheets for each child. Many badges actually then require at least one item to be completed by the child outside of the normal weekly meeting. This might include things like taking part in an annual RSPB bird watch, writing a report, drawing a poster or keeping a record over a given period of time. So a child might do 3 out of 4 things at weekly meetings but if they don’t complete the final requirement and bring it in (for example a poster) they simply won’t earn the badge. To see the badges available please see the Badges & Awards page."][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="How do parents know what’s going on?" onload="closed" text="Once a child joins the Scout Group a parent will be provided access to our website. Before the start of every term we place the full term programme for each Section on the website, but we do strongly recommend it is checked each week in case of changes. We also add news, write ups and photos to our website, and add dates ahead for diaries to the calandar."][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="What age range is in each Section?" onload="closed" text="Our youngest section is Beavers, which you can join from 5 and 3/4 years old. Then there is Cubs, which goes from 8 to 10.5 years old. Scouts are between 10.5 and 14 years old. At 14, Scouts are offered the chance to become an Explorer, who meet in St Ives, and/or become a Young Leader."][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="Why are all the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts expected to attend Remembrance Parade?" onload="closed" text="All the leaders appreciate the effort made by the youngsters in keeping their scouting Promise by taking part, as in doing so they show that they understand just a small part of what it means to be a Beaver, Cub or Scout. In today’s busy world it is good to see that, for just a few hours on just one day a year, other activities such as football, rugby, swimming and more can be put aside – because without those who we remember none of us would have the opportunities we take for granted today. It’s also great to see whole families coming along to join us."][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="If a meeting isn't at Scout HQ why can't you arrange transport?" onload="closed" text="This matter is a tricky one for us due to Scouting rules, car seat legislation and insurance so isn't always possible. We can hire minibuses / coaches but that adds a lot to costs. Offering to take children in other parents cars is not something we can arrange but... if you do have a problem with an event or activity please let the Section leaders or me know and we'll put you in touch with other families who might be able to help."][/simnor_accordion]
Adults
[simnor_accordion][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="What’s a Parent Rota?" onload="closed" text=" All families with children in our Group are expected to take their turns on a parent rota so that we have enough pairs of hands, there are rotas in both Beavers and Cubs, although adults are welcome to help in any Section and more often. You might find yourself helping with anything from a visit to a Firestation through to some messy science fun. The main thing is to come along and get stuck in - it's meant to be fun for us adults too. It usually works out about once or twice per term. To help regularly or take part in nights away adults are required to undergo Scout Association and DBS checks."][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="How can I help support the Scout Group?" onload="closed" text=" The fun only continues because of all the help and support we get from the adults involved. There are lots of ways every single family can help no matter how much time they can give or what skills, if any, they may have. To find out more, please see the Get Involved page."][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="Is it true that for uniformed roles training takes up lots of time?" onload="closed" text="The simple answer is no. The training is now 'NVQ' style. For some roles only a few modules are needed and even if going into uniform you have up to 3 years to complete all the training. Many modules involve a DVD and / or a workbook so don’t need to involve a course. Some modules can be signed off simply by showing what you already do at work or at home. Even if courses are required many are run of an evening, or perhaps several over a day. Courses are a great way to meet people who are in similar roles."][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="What does 'Scubes' stand for?" onload="closed" text="That’s 'Sc' for Scouts, 'cub' for Cubs and 'be' for Beavers – and is pronounced 'Scoobees'. It’s also the name of our regular newsletter"][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="Why don’t you send out much printed information?" onload="closed" text="At any one time we have around 85 –100 families, some with children in 2 or more Sections. As all the adults involved work we simply don’t have the time to print everything off (even if it then ever made it home…). It would also use a lot of paper and cost the Scout Group money we would rather spend on the fun! Instead we ask people to make full use of the web site and to check e-mails, replying as required."][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="What is the subscription money for?" onload="closed" text="This money mostly goes towards the cost of running each Section, and is allocated by the Leaders. The money goes on things like the cost of badges the children earn, Sections supplies (for things like crafts with the Beaver Scouts or balsa wood with the Scouts), ingredients when cooking and for things like sponsoring a Bald Eagle at a Sanctuary. It may also be used towards the cost of certain activities such as entry fees or to subsidise trips out. The rest of the money goes towards the annual membership fee we have to pay to District/County/ Scout Association each year for each person in our Scout Group and general running costs. "][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="Why does the Scout Group expect youngsters and their families to help raise other funds?" onload="closed" text="The subscriptions, and Gift Aid income, do not cover the entire cost of all that we do. We feel it’s really important to try and involve all our youngsters in fundraising, so that they understand you get out of life what you put in. At the end of the day no matter what we spend the money on every single child in our Group benefits in some way – for example even those currently in Beavers will need to sleep in our tents when they become Cubs and later Scouts! We’re sure those who have helped raise money sleep better in those tents knowing they helped pay for them!"][simnor_toggle accordion="1" icon="" heading="How is the fundraising money spent?" onload="closed" text="Some of the money goes on training for all the adults and Young Leaders. Every Uniformed Leader is provided with a set of uniform. Certain courses for the Leaders require a fee to be paid e.g. First Aid, Food Hygiene. We also maintain a discretionary fund to ensure all members of the Group can take part, irrespective of personal ability to pay. Sometimes a specific fundraiser will be used to help towards a certain event – such as a big camp. The rest of the money is mostly spent on equipment – anything from a play parachute to tents, cooking pans to gas stoves and first aid kits to compasses."][/simnor_accordion]
