answer some if not all of your questions, if you would like anytmore information please

    do not hesitate to contact the leaders at scouts or John (Skip).

    WHAT IS SCOUTING?

    Scouting is a worldwide movement with the aim of developing young people into responsible 

    citizens through a lot of fun, challenging and adventurous activities. Membership of the scout troop

    is open to both boys and girls in the age range 10-15. the underlying values of scouting are laid

    down in the scout promise and law and all young people who join the movement will work to

    develop these values.

    THE SCOUT TROOP

    Our Troop is divided into Patrols of 5 - 8 scouts,

    with a Patrol Leader in charge, and an Assistant Patrol Leader.

    Each Patrol is named after animals or birds. We have Otters, Peewits, Bulldogs , Stags, Badgers,

    Eagles and Wolves at the present time.

    The Patrol Leaders Council [PLC] made up of Patrol leaders and the adult helpers plan

    programmes and activities and run the Troop.

    Before a meeting of the Patrol Leaders Council the Patrol leaders meet with their Patrols to find

    out what the Scouts want to do at Troop meetings etc. This way all scouts get to say what

    they would like to do and the Troop tries to cater for all its members.

    WHAT DO SCOUTS DO?

    The Troop meets on a Thursday night from 6.45-9pm at Six Acres Community Hall, off Roman

    Road (behind Lidls). Click here to see a map

    A programme will have been planned for the evening comprising such

    activities as games, training, patrol activities etc. The programme is designed to help the scouts

    achieve their Awards and Badges.

    There are day activities which may include canoeing, hiking - day or night, climbing, pioneering,

    building bivouacs, caving, biking or an outing to a place of interest. There will also be numerous

    camps planned throughout the year.

    These may be in a building, in tents, in a shelter built by the scouts or in the open with a

    groundsheet and sleeping bag!

    Patrols may also arrange activities on their own without an adult in attendance. These activities

    are after training and when we feel that the scouts are confident in their chosen activity.

    The main aim of all our activities is to have fun.

    Scouting trains young people to take on responsibility for themselves and their activities.

   UNIFORM

   Uniform is worn to Troop Meetings unless you are told otherwise.

   Full Scout uniform is: Scout shirt and scarf, black trousers [school trousers] and black smart

   shoes. You can wear uniform before you are invested and if you are joining us from our Cub Pack  

   then you can wear your scarf.

   All uniform is available from the Scout Shop at Tangier [behind the Bus Station].

   Opening times are: Wednesday 7 - 9 pm  Friday 3 - 5.30 pm

   and the first Saturday of each Month   10 - 12 am

   INVESTING

   When you feel ready and have your uniform you can be invested into the Troop. This can  

   happen any time after your third week with us as you need to pass the Membership Award first.

   Your investiture is a special ceremony where you make your Promise in front of the Troop and

   you are presented with your Group scarf. Your parents are welcome to watch.

   WHAT WILL IT COST?

   All Scouts pay £6 per month [except August]. This money will help cover the cost of equipment,

   badges, activities etc. Half of the money goes to Scout Headquarters to pay the Capitation fee.

   This is an insurance for all scouts whilst taking part in any Scouting activities.

   The £6 should be paid on the first troop meeting of each month.

   Your investiture will cost £10. This covers the cost of your scarf, handbook, badges and woggle.

   The cost of camps and activities is kept to a minimum and you will be advised of any charges

   with the details of each activity.

    BADGES and AWARDS

    Your first Award is the Membership Award which you will receive when you are invested, along

    with District, County and Patrol Badges. You can then work towards eight Challenge Awards

    which are Community, Outdoor, Outdoor Plus, Creative, Fitness Expedition, Global and

    Adventure Challenge.

    There is also the Chief Scouts Gold Award which is the highest award you can earn in scouts.

    There are also over eighty other Activity Badges that you can work for , a few of which are:

    camper, hill walker; survival skills; artist; swimmer; cook; caver; climber; entertainer; musician;

    cyclist; circus skills; DIY; athlete; craft; astronomer; canoeist; master at arms and pioneer.

     Click the badges to see a full list of badges and requirments    

    LEADERS

    All Leaders in the Troop have been CRB police checked and must complete a programme of

    training courses. The training ranges from programme planning and camping skills to first aid and

    child protection.

    There is also the option of training for adventurous activities.

    Skip is qualified to take scouts:

    Hill walking; climbing/abseiling; caving; mountain biking and rifle shooting.

    I have been involved in Scouting for 25 plus years as both a Cub Scout Leader and Scout Leader.

    My wife has also been a leader for 16 years.

    My experiences of working with children comes not only from scouting. I have worked with

    troubled youngsters and currently work with disabled children as well as being a paediatric nurse

    on the Children?s ward at our local Hospital. I also have three children of my own.

    Hopefully you will be reassured that Scout Leaders are well trained working in their role within the

    Scout Movement which is the biggest and best youth organisation in the world.

    PARENTS