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Group
Parent Information 2008
Welcome to Scouting!
Since 1990 we cater to both boys and girls.
Around the world in over 27 countries we
have over 25 million members, catering for
kids from 6 to 26 years of age.
We are the largest youth organisation in the
world by far.
Wherever you travel around the country or
world, your son or daughter can join in
activities where they are!
Place photo here of Scouting activity –
something a little unusual to capture attention if
possible, remembering a photo which is in crisp
focus, bright colours, with Scouts in the
foreground rather than a distance shot
Aims of the Scout
Association
Physical
Intellectual
Social
Spiritual
Emotional
Development of Youth Members
So they can take a constructive place in society as
responsible citizens, and as members of their local, national
and international commuinities
Your Scout Group
Group Leader
Group Council (made up of Group Leader
and Section Leaders)
Sections
Cub Scouts (meet Tuesday)
Scouts (meet Wednesday)
Venturer Scouts (meet Monday)
Group Committee
(made up of Group
Leader, parents and
interested parties)
Scouts – What is it all about?
A youth member aged 6 to 26 years old Scout
While learning to be a Scout, your child “New Chum”
Once all the learning is complete, he/she is ready to be
invested (taken formally into the movement) at an
investiture ceremony
He/she will be put into a Six or Patrol (Cubs or Scouts – A
group led by a Sixer or Patrol Leaders).
Your Scout will soon be able to explain our left handshake
and parades.
At investiture, please feel free to take video/photos and
invite friends/family, it is a brief ceremony normally at the
beginning of our normal meeting where the Scout makes
his/her Promise agreeing to live by the Cub or Scout Law
Cub Scout Law and Promise
Cub Scout Law
Cub Scouts are loyal
and obedient. Cub
Scouts do not give in
to themselves
Cub Scout Promise
On my honour
I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to my God, and
To the Queen of Australia
To help other people, and
To live by the Cub Scout Law
Note: The words “The Queen” are optional
Scout Law
A Scout is Trustworthy
A Scout is Loyal
A Scout is Helpful
A Scout is Friendly
A Scout is Cheerful
A Scout is Considerate
A Scout is Thrifty
A scout is Courageous
A Scout is Respectful
A Scout Cares for the Environment
Religious Policy
Scouts are expected to have a belief in
God.
We pray together as a Section at opening
and closing ceremonies
Scout’s Own is a quiet time of devotion
put together usually by the older Scouts on
camps and may include things such as
songs, prayer, bible readings, personal
thoughts and quiet reflective time
Leaders
Thoroughly checked, all hold “Blue Cards”
Volunteers – please support in their endeavours
Undertake regular training to keep up to date with Scouting
guidelines and procedures – in their own time, sometimes at
their own expense
Adult Support Members (wear green scarf and woggle and
join parade), are parent helpers who have undertaken some of
the same training as Leaders, but opt not to go into uniform –
deserve the same respect as uniformed Leaders
Place photo here of Scouting activity – something a
little unusual to capture attention if possible,
remembering a photo which is in crisp focus, bright
colours, with Scouts in the foreground rather than a
distance shot
Principles of Scouting
Duty to God
Duty to Others
Duty to Self
These three things are
represented by the
three fingers of our
Scout Sign and Salute
New Chums – Nuts and Bolts
New chums are new friends who are taking 4-6 weeks to learn about
Scouts before officially joining
Parent/Leader discussions are especially encouraged during this time –
please feel free to ask questions
Uniform/badges not worn during this time
Subs not required until week after investiture
New Chums do not participate in “grand howl” during Cub Scout parade,
or salute flag
Relevant books to support your child’s journey can be sourced through
your Leaders or the Scout shop, providing details/levels for badge work
and make a great investiture gift from proud parents.
A BP bag (standing for our motto Be Prepared) is another handy gift –
draw string bag for holding band aids, 40 cents for making emergency
phone call, pen, notepad, jumper, subs, books, notes, subs, first aid kit
etc.
What is a Parent’s Role in Scouting?
Encourage completion of badge work
Encourage adoption of Cub/Scout Law & Promise
Encourage participation as fully as possible in the
entire programme
Encourage respect for Leaders, and Scouting in
general
Be aware of Adult-Youth ratios which must be
maintained. 1-8 while at Den, 1-6 when out and
about, 1-4 during water activities. If you notice
the ratio is not right, please stay on until other
adults arrive to avoid the activity being cancelled!
Uniform
Scouts Australia have recently adopted a new uniform
which is in a “phase in” period ending this year, consisting
of a navy shirt with strips down arms in appropriate
colours for your child’s section (yellow - Cubs, green Scouts & maroon - Venturers), button through with collar
or polo style
Navy webbing belt with silver buckle
Choice of navy, black or tan shorts, skirt, pants, any
suitable with belt loops
Closed in shoes
Scarf and woggle
A Scout hat is available in several different styles, while
not part of the formal uniform, a hat is required for
outdoor activities.
Place photo here of Scouting activity – something a
little unusual to capture attention if possible,
remembering a photo which is in crisp focus, bright
colours, with Scouts in the foreground rather than a
distance shot
Membership Fees
Scout Association membership fees of $........ per
year (as of 1.4.08) are payable to Branch and
cover membership and insurance. Unfinancial and
uninsured members are not permitted to attend
Scouting activities.
Group fees and levies to keep the ……………….
Scout Den running cover den maintenance,
electricity, leader’s training and general running
costs, and are set each year at the AGM according
to the expenses and level of fundraising.
Currently set at $....... per term/year.
Calendar – what do we do?
Caption describing some
typical Scouting camp or
excursion pictured above
Section meetings usually
run during state school
terms
Sleepovers
Pack/Troop Holidays
Patrol Activities for
Scouts
District activities
ANZAC Day
Dawn/Citizens Services
Den Clean ups
Excursions
Parade
Opening and closing parades an important
part of evening, treat with respect
Prayer on both parades. Boys expected to
remove hats as a sign of respect
The Australian flag raised during meeting,
all invested members in uniform salute flag
Sign In
Parent/guardian to sign in/out Scouts at Den and on all
activities
Scouts arriving after Parade has started stand to one side
until invited by Leader to join Parade. Latecomers may
join prayer and salute flag from wherever they are in the
Den
Scouts are not permitted to leave the den/activity until
signed out. This is a safety requirement as sign in sheet
used as emergency checklist
Advance notice (prior to start of activity) required if Scout
to be collected by anyone other than parent/guardian.
Standing arrangements welcome
Please ensure Leaders are aware of developing custody
arrangements.
Place photo here of Scouting activity – something a little
unusual to capture attention if possible, remembering a photo
which is in crisp focus, bright colours, with Scouts in the
foreground rather than a distance shot
Badge Work! The hard part?
Record books available form
Leaders/Scout Shop, provide details of
badge work
Badge work not compulsory, helps your
Scout get the most from their Scouting
Our policy is clear that Leaders/Adult
Support Members do not sign badge work
for their own child.
Fully completed and signed permission notes with fees MUST be returned to Leader
by the DUE DATE. Forms not in, no go.No refunds after closing date
Arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time for camps
Contact phones numbers (around the clock) must be given to Leaders
Closed shoes must be worn at all times, sometimes a second pair of shoes suitable
for wearing in water are required.
Clothing/equipment listed on form must all come, feel free to add extra warm clothes
in the cooler months. T-shirts must have sleeves, skimpy clothes not suitable – be sun
smart
Medication in pharmacy packaging and letter must be given to Leader for camps,
Cubs are not to carry any medication including Panadol and puffers
Expensive toys not to come
No extra food, sweets – this can cause illness or worse for allergic/diabetic children
No spending money required unless told otherwise
Dilly bag – simply draw string bag required for plate, cutlery etc
Clearly name all items if you wish them to return home!
Place photo here of Scouting camp – something a little
unusual to capture attention if possible, remembering a
photo which is in crisp focus, bright colours, with Scouts
in the foreground rather than a distance shot
A shot of youth members and parents in fancy dress, or a
themed event works well here for a bit of light relief as it
is getting a bit heavy by now
Behaviour
Rudeness, disobedience, excess roughness and inappropriate
language not tolerated. Time out is enforced. If behaviour
persists, parents will be phoned with expectation of collecting
Scout from activity IMMEDIATELY
Scouts sent home from offsite activity or camp do so at parent’s
expense and fees will not be refunded
On camp or at the Den, difficult behaviour will be met with a
request to spend time out, a request which will be repeated if
necessary
A third time the Scout will be requested to phone home in the
presence of the Leader to explain why Mum/Dad need to pick
him/her up immediately
Parent Involvement
An expectation of the voluntary Scout Association is that
everyone shares the load.
There are positions in the Scout Group which must be
filled for us to deliver a program to your child
Den clean up dates, baking for camps, fundraising come
to mind
Particularly, the Group Committee and AGM where very
Scouting family should be represented.
It is expected that at least one person from each family
donate some of their time to share the load
We currently have positions for ………….
………………. ……….here’s you chance to ask the
question – which of these areas is of interest to you?
Most people will wait until they are directly asked rather
than respond to generic call for help. ……….. ……….
…….
What to expect in Scouts
Youth leadership
Less leader involvement in
the programme
Greater say in what you do
More adventurous activities
– rock climbing, more camping,
archery, sailing
Jamboree – thousands of Scouts gather from around
Australia and the world every 3 years for the biggest
camping experience of your life!
Contact Details
Your information booklet has contact details
for your Leaders, the Den, and the Group
Leader who oversees all the Sections of the
……………………….Scout Group
Make this photo of something really challenging that a
parent would perhaps not currently imagine their child
doing – I have used an abseiling shot – gives you the
opportunity to discuss the longer term future of
Scouting in the child and family’s life and the range of
opportunities for personal growth.
Parents can begin to see Scouting as a lifestyle –for the
whole family
Thankyou for entrusting
your child to the Scouting
movement
We look forward to creating
wonderful memories with your child
and watching them grow and develop