Much of the Group’s success is down to the hard work of the leaders, who give of their time freely to plan and run weekly meetings, camps and other activities. They are supported in that work by the Group Executive Committee which is responsible for maintaining the Scout Hall and providing the camping and activities equipment used by the sections. For details of how you can help, please see the note titled How can I help? (A Guide for Parents).

In order to fund the maintenance of the Scout Hall (which the Group owns) and the purchase of camping equipment etc, the Group relies on fundraising activities such as the annual Jumble Sale, the Nearly New Sale and the Centenary Club etc.

The Group Executive Committee is responsible for maintaining the Scout Hall and providing the camping and activities equipment used by the sections.

In a typical year the costs involved in maintaining the Hall and purchasing equipment are:

This is equal to approximately £99 per young person.

Around £41 per young person is passed on to the Scout Association in membership fees. The balance is retained by the section for day-to-day running expenses (eg buying the craft materials used at section meetings). None of the annual subscription is used to help fund the cost of running and maintaining the Scout Hall and buying equipment, etc. The Group relies on fundraising activities to raise the £17,000 or so that that costs each year.

Your son or daughter needs full, smart uniform for the weekly section meetings. Details of the uniform will be provided by their Section Leader.

In the Scout Section young people will also need to change into activity dress for games etc on Thursday nights. The Troop activity dress consists of a Troop T shirt (available from the Troop, priced £5), shorts (which must be above the knee) and trainers.

For activities or camps, a kit list will be issued by the Section Leader. It is important for your son or daughter’s health, safety and comfort that he or she has ALL the equipment specified in the kit list. If you need any advice about buying equipment (eg where to buy it or what features to look for), the Scouters would be pleased to help.

The Scouters work hard to ensure that there should be no cause for complaint – but with sections running dozens of activities a year for up to 40 young people at a time, there is always the risk of the occasional slip up. If you have a complaint, please discuss it in the first instance with your son or daughter’s section leader. That will hopefully allow the issue to be addressed and resolved quickly. If however you remain dissatisfied, please speak to the Group Scout Leader.

Your son or daughter’s safety is our top priority. It is always the principal consideration when planning and running activities. All Section Leaders and Assistant Leaders undergo First Response training and this is regularly updated. There is a small first aid kit in the Hall and a comprehensive first aid kit is taken to camps.

The Scout Programme does involve adventurous activities – but these are always undertaken under appropriate supervision and where necessary your son or daughter will be provided with appropriate protective equipment.  Troop camps (except the winter camp) also involve Patrols doing their own cooking over wood fires. The odd bump or graze is therefore inevitable.

You will be asked to complete a medical form for your son or daughter giving details of any medical conditions, allergies and medication etc.