FAQs

How can my child benefit from joining Scouts?

I don’t feel I have any suitable skills; how can I get involved?

We’re moving to a new area, can I transfer my child to a new Scout Group?

My child is moving up a section; what do I need to do to help them prepare?

What are the promise and uniform requirements for moving up?

How much does it cost to send my child to Scouts?

Is there a planned programme of activities for Scouts?

What regulations and policies govern the leaders and helpers in Scouting?

What are the regulations for Scouts carrying knives

How can my child benefit from joining Scouts?

In an independent survey of over 2,000 parents of Scouts, nine out of ten parents said Scouting is worthwhile and nine in ten said their children find Scouting enjoyable.

As your child progresses through Scouts you should be able to see signs of the impact their Scouting adventure has on them.

Parents tell us Scouting gives their children more confidence, responsibility and a broader set of friends. Scouting can help develop your child’s social skills and encourage self-sufficiency, and gives them access to activities and opportunities that may have been otherwise unavailable to them. A huge number of parents agreed that since their child joined Scouting family life was easier and they were ‘nicer children to live with’.

I don’t feel I have any suitable skills; how can I get involved?

Yes!! Parents can volunteer and help in many ways; you don’t have to be a regular Bear Grylls. You might have first aid knowledge that you could teach the group, or you might be able to teach our Scouts a thing or two about DIY.

If you’re good with accounts you could be Group treasurer, or if you’re a culinary whizz you could run cooking sessions with the young people. Everyone has a skill (whether you know it or not) and we can make use of it.

There's no pressure to continue as a helper or leader afterwards, but hopefully we'll be able to inspire you by showing how easy and rewarding it can be to volunteer with Scouts.  Please get in touch with the group if you or your business could help in any way.

We’re moving to a new area, can I transfer my child to a new Scout Group?

If you're moving to a new area, transferring to a new Scout Group can be great way of helping your child settle in and make friends. You should let your child's current leader know as soon as you can that you're planning to movem and subject to available space at 1st Benson, they may be able to fit straight in.  If theold group uses Online Scout Manager, and there are places at 1st Benson, it is possible to transfer all of their records and achievements straight across.

When you know where you're moving to, you can contact the local Group directly.

You can also call the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818. They will be able to put you in touch with a Group in your new area.

If you're moving abroad, the Information Centre will be able to give you the details of the Scout organisation in that country.

Like most Scout Groups, 1st Benson is very popular as is normally over-subscribed.  The policy for allocation and priority of places is laid out in the Group Constaitution (link on Useful Information page).  The current policy is as follows:

Preference for a youngster joining the Group in Beavers or any other Section will be given in the order set out below:

1. Those progressing from one of our sections to another as part of the normal “moving on” procedure within Scouting

2. Children of Warranted Leaders / Adult Helpers wishing to join a section other than by “moving on” from a previous one

3. Young people moving into the area who were members of a recognised Scouting Group at their previous location of residence

My child is moving up a section; what do I need to do to help them prepare?

When the time comes to move up to the next age range, a young person can have mixed feelings: excitement at moving on, sadness at leaving friends behind. Making the transition as smooth as possible goes a long way to helping your child settle into their new section.

First of all you need to check what the process involves with your child’s current Section Leader as it can vary locally. You might need to put your child on a waiting list for the next section or, in some cases, it may happen automatically.

You should also ask whether the new Section Leader will be in touch or if you have to contact them first. Also be aware that meeting times and places may be different in the next section.

If your child has friends in their section that they want to move up with, make sure that the section leader knows about this so that they can help if possible. This could also be a good opportunity to arrange sharing transport to and from meetings.

What are the promise and uniform requirements for moving up?

The requirements for uniform and promise making varies from section to section for a member who is moving up.  In general, there will be a transition period arranged where a member attends both sections in their last month or so before they move up.  This should be arranged by the section leaders, but please feel free to ask.  During this transition period, the member will wear the uniform of the section they are leaving.  Once the transition has been completed, the member will officially leave the junior section and, if they have completed the Moving on Award, they will be ready to be invested into Cubs, or in the case of Scouts, they will have a little bit of additional work to do before they are ready to make the new promise.  The group necker will not be worn by the individual until the promise has been made, although group badges can we worn on the new uniform.  If an individual has been awarded a Chief Scouts Badge in a section, this can be worn on their uniform in the next section (until a higher badge has been awarded).  Additionally, any staged activity badges such as First Aid, Swimming, Camping etc, are also transferable onto their new uniform.  Details of the requirements for the moving on badges can be found on the Scout website https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources.  To get to the detail, click on the link, select the section the individual is moving FROM, select "Badges and Awards", then select "Core Badges".

How much does it cost to send my child to Scouts?

1st Benson Scout Group try to keep costs to a minimum. Subs are currently £30 per term (3 terms a year).

Terms: January-Easter, Easter-July and September-December

Subs can be paid via Online Scout Manager (as a one-off termly payment or by Direct Debt) or cash (in a named, sealed envelope). They must be paid within the first 2 weeks of term unless a specific arrangement has been made with a leader or the treasurer. Failure to pay subs within the first 2 weeks of term, without prior arrangement, will mean that a child may be removed from the section nominal role and their place could be given to someone on the waiting list.  

Bank transfers can be made using the following details (note the new details)

Barclays sort code 20-45-45, account number 63585905

Please ensure the name of your child is included in the reference along with what is being paid for ie camp, subs etc.  Please note that we do not accept cheques for payment.

The subs cover utility costs for the hall (electricity/water), badges, the first neckerchief, group equipment (camping gear etc) and the majority of the weekly activities.  Occasionally, if a section decides to do something a bit more expensive on an evening the leaders may ask for an additional modest contribution which will have been subsidised by the subs.  Camp fees are not normally included in subs and if your child wishes to attend a camp, the fees, plus a contribution towards food and fuel costs will be required.  These will be notified before the start of the camp.

Cost should not be a barrier to anyone taking part in Scouting and if this is an issue, you can speak to the Section Leader in confidence.

Is there a planned programme of activities for Scouts?

Yes. Behind the fun of Scouting, there is an educational programme that was completely redesigned in 2001 following years of work with educationalists and youth workers. While each Group will undertake different activities, the main programme areas are: outdoor and adventure; global; community; fit for life; creative; and beliefs and attitudes. Group Leaders are trained to deliver this programme.

What regulations and policies govern the leaders and helpers in Scouting?

The Scout Association follows a document called Polices, Organisation and Rules (POR) and this is the guidance and policy for all activities.  The aim is to ensure Scouting is carried out as safe as is practical.  The POR can be viewed by clicking HERE.  Leaders will consult the policy, guidance and regulations contained in this document before organising and conducting an activity.

What are the regulations for Scouts carrying knives?

Knives have often been used by scouts during the course of activities and their use is governed by law, Scout Association Policy and common sense.  A summary of the legal regulations governing the law can be found HERE and the Scout Association policy can be found HERE.  The policy for scouts at 1st Benson is that carrying knives for scout activities is acceptable, but will be carefully controlled.  Scouts are only to use a knife when they have been given permission to do so by a leader for a particular activity.  At all other times, knives should be safely stored away in a pocket or bag.  If a scout abuses the privilege then the knife will be confiscated and given to the parent at the end of the evening or activity.  If there is any inappropriate behaviour with a knive, the leader will confiscate the knife and the scout will be banned from ever using a knife during 1st Benson Scout activities.

Further Information

As a parent or member of the scout group there are likely to be many questions due to the varied nature of the activities we undertake.  Please email or speak directly to one of the section leaders if you can't find the information in the FAQs section or elsewhere on this site.