Welcome to Ridgehaven Group

What is Scouts? as a movement for boys was started by What are the aims of Scouts? Lord Robert Baden-Powell after he returned from Scouting is a community affair. Scout Groups are the epic siege of Mafeking in the early years of last formed and maintained by the community because century to find the youth of the British Isles playing parents believe in the benefits and teachings that games which they were basing on his handbook for Scouting has to offer and want to make it available army scouts. to their children. And rightly so! He was persuaded to rewrite the book, renamed 'Scouting for Boys', and the Scouting movement Throughout all sections of the movement, the aim was begun. Later he used the jungle stories of is to encourage the physical, mental, social and Rudyard Kipling as a basis for the Wolf Cubs (now spiritual development of young people so that they known as Cub Scouts) specially adapted for the make take a constructive place in society as needs and abilities of younger boys. responsible citizens. We achieve this through: . These days the Scout Movement is by far the Voluntary membership of a uniformed world's largest youth organisation and there are group, which, guided by adults, is five sections - for ages 6 to 8, Cub increasingly self-governing in its successive Scouts for ages 8 to 11, Scouts for ages 10 1/2 to age groups. . 15, Venturers for ages 15 to 18 and Rovers for ages Commitment to a code of living expressed 18 to 25. (Note that Rovers are not usually in the Promise and Law. . associated with a particular Group, so there is no The provision of a wide range of attractive, Rover Crew linked to Ridgehaven. However many of constructive and challenging activities, our former members and current Leaders are now including opportunities for adventure and Rovers in some of the various Rover Crews in exploration both indoors and outdoors. . Adelaide). The provision of opportunities for leadership and responsibility. . Scouting has spread right around the world and is Learning by doing. . currently active in over 216 countries with more Encouragement of activity in small groups. . than 32,000,000 members. An award scheme which encourages participation in the full range of activities The Scout Promise has three fundamental parts - and provides recognition of individual duty to your God, duty to the Queen of Australia achievements. and duty to other people. We are not affiliated with It is a formula that has survived for over 100 years! any particular religion, nor are membership of a The principles of Scouting are proven to be just as church, a prerequisite of joining the movement. relevant today as they were when Scouting began Through our programs, we seek to encourage in in 1907. young people, attitudes which will stand them in good stead throughout the rest of their lives, such Who are Scouts? as initiative, self-reliance, responsibility, respect A Scout Group is the local area organisation that and consideration for others, with due regard for offers different levels of Scouting to various ages. A the level of development of the age group and of full Group consists of a Joey Mob, a Cub Pack, a individuals. Scout Troop, and a Venturer Unit. Each Mob, Pack, Troop or Unit is under the control Originally a 'boys only' organisation, the Scout of a person known as a Joey, Cub, Scout or Venturer Movement has progressively expanded its program Leader helped by Assistant Leaders and in Joeys and to include girls. In 1990 the movement became Cubs by Parent Helpers. The Group as a whole is mixed membership through all sections. managed and guided by a person known as the Group Leader.

As far as the question of who joins Scouts goes, that What does it cost? can be anyone and everyone. Past Scouts include A Scout Group is entirely self-funded. The expenses politicians, business leaders and entrepreneurs of a Scout Group are various. A somewhat major from all walks of life. cost is the purchasing of badges, certificates etc., (badges are presented as soon as they are earned Who are Ridgehaven Scout Group? and there is no call for parents to purchase their Here at Ridgehaven we are a very large and strong child's badges). Group consisting of 1 Joey Mob, 2 Cub Packs, 1 Scout Troop, and a Venturer Unit. We have over The Group must also meet the cost of maintaining 100 youth members, 21 Leaders, a committee of 20 all of our camping equipment in first class, safe adults, and are one of the three largest groups in condition as well as paying for and maintaining the South Australia. Scout Hall itself. Training leaders is another cost to Our size means that we can make the most of our be met and naturally we have electricity bills, funds to purchase good equipment, but the Section insurance and the like to pay. structure means your child will be in a smaller group and still have that personal interaction with a The Group's running costs are offset by Leader who cares about them. membership subscriptions. Each member of the Movement is registered with the State Who are the Leaders? Headquarters and is covered by insurance. The Leaders are mainly parents who were willing to put a bit of extra time into helping their children. Ridgehaven Fees – Per term Because of the fantastic leadership training that st nd Scouts offers to the Leaders, they have developed Current Members 1 Child 2 Child + their own confidence and skills, all the time helping Amount due each term $ 65 $ 55 the youth members do the same. In addition, when you first join, and each time your Who are the Committee? child advances to a new section, there are costs associated with the new uniform. These costs are Again, the committee is made up mainly of parents detailed on a separate sheet. Note Scarf, Woggle with a willingness to help the group. They make the and the Record book are presented by the group decisions on how the group operates, and how the during the investment ceremony and a separate bill budget is handled, as well as assist in fund-raising provided at that time. and help run special events such as the Group You will receive an account for fees each term. Camp. Please help our cash flow budgeting by paying your

account promptly. What is the uniform? Naturally with scouting being fundamentally an Essentially the uniform consists of: outdoors-based program, there will be from time to Uniform shirt time pack holidays, camps, hikes etc., normally over Scarf & woggle 2 or 3 days, which your child will no doubt want to Navy or stone pants attend. Closed shoes The cost of these activities is an extra expense to Uniform shirts are available from the uniform yourself but you can be sure that we work hard to department, upstairs in the 'Scout Outdoor Centre', keep the price of such activities to a minimum. 192 Rundle Street, Adelaide. (you can also check Likewise some of the activities that your child takes out their website at http://www.soc.com.au). Talk part in are cheaper than normal, because the to your Leader about getting a uniform. Section fees are sometimes used to subsidise the We also have polo shirts and windcheaters with our cost. own Ridgehaven logo on the front and back. These Please note that we do everything we can to keep are good for more casual functions where a uniform the fees as low as possible, to make it accessible to is not needed. Samples of these are usually on more people. I am sure that if you compare these display, if you want one then ask your Section fees with most sporting groups you will find they Leader. are quite cheap.

What if we want to leave the group? Please note that while Joeys spend the majority of You are under no obligation to stay if you want to their meeting nights at the Scout Hall, as they leave for any reason. (Naturally we would prefer progress to Cubs, Scouts and Venturers they will you to be honest as to why you are leaving, to help spend more and more time away from the Hall for us improve if necessary) Because fees are paid one activities, and all Sections have some away term at a time, the most you stand to lose is the activities. term fees. If you are leaving because you are moving to a different area, then talk to your Leader If it is feasible, we always like to consider car- about transferring to a new Group if you want. pooling to and from away activities, especially camps. Then it is possible for a parent to only have How do we join? to do one trip while another one can bring youth members back. (This is a good reason to get to Your child has been invited to join our Scout group. know other parents in the Group) For the first three weeks he or she will be a 'new chum', and will be automatically covered by for insurance. Assisting with the running of meeting nights This particularly applies to the Joey and Cub After the initial three weeks, your child must decide sections. There are occasions when the Cub Leaders definitely whether or not he or she wants to be a can do with an extra pair of hands, eyes and ears. If Joey Scout// Scout/Venturer. On the we call for a little extra help, it is good to know that fourth week, we will invest your child into the there are parents willing to assist. Movement. Before this, you will be required to complete a form registering him/her with the Scout In the Joey section, parents play a vital role in Association of SA. maintaining an effective adult/child ratio. While the Leader and helpers run the activities, it is much easier for them if parents help out. Joey parents are What is expected of parents/carers? also expected to attend any camps or sleepovers The most important aspect of parent involvement is that the Joeys do, at that age they are not expected the encouragement you give to your child. The boys to be alone. and girls who get the most out of Scouting are those who put the most into it. All children have With all that said, bear in mind that one aspect of times when they need a gentle push, and certainly the development of youth members is times when they need some help. This is where you independence. Remember to give them space if come in. they want to do something by themselves, even if they make mistakes. If your child wants to do some test-passing or earn a badge, please go through the requirements and check that he or she has the knowledge needed and Fundraising and Working Bees that all aspects of the test are covered. If your child A condition of your child's membership of the hasn't done anything for a while, you may need to Ridgehaven Scout Group is evidence of your offer some extra encouragement to get started. The support, by participation in fundraising activities pride on their faces when they come to the front of and working bees for the Group. the parade to receive their badges makes the effort well worthwhile. Fundraising is used to purchase capital items for the Group. This enables fees to be kept to a minimum. Since Scouts is a voluntary organisation, we do rely The most common forms of fund-raising are: heavily on parent support. If you are not prepared BBQs – some places like Bunnings offer community to give this support, perhaps you should reconsider group a chance to run a BBQ outside their store. your decision to have your child join. This is a great way for us to raise funds, and parents only need to offer an hour or two each to make it The support given will depend on the individual work. circumstances of each family. Areas in which Bottles and cans are also a major source of revenue regular help is needed are as follows:- for the Group. Please collect your cans and bottles and those of family and neighbours and leave them in the trolley by the gate. Transport Occasionally we need to transport the children to various activities included in our program. Joining the Parent Committee What can I expect from the Group? This is not a very onerous task - the really hard work Now, what's in it for you and your child? You can of building the Scout Hall and providing major reasonably expect that your son or daughter will be resources has already been done by past in the hands of capable and caring leaders who committees. have a commitment to providing a stimulating and interesting program designed to assist children to It really only involves a monthly meeting and develop into self-reliant and responsible members helping to manage and maintain the resources of of the community. our Group as well as the occasional social activity. It is expected that every family will be represented on Scouting was started by Robert Baden-Powell to the committee for at least one term (normally two cater for children's sense of adventure and love of years) during their child's Joey / Cub / Scout / independence and to channel these characteristics Venturer career. Don't leave it until your child is into appropriate activities which will equip them for almost ready to leave before you volunteer to help. later life. Our Leaders follows those same principles to encourage growth whilst staying within the Becoming a uniformed leader framework of a safe environment. Leadership is not for everyone, but if it interests you, please speak to any one of the Leaders. They Leaders take the task of fulfilling the aims of will tell you that they get just as much fun out of it scouting very seriously. We undertake to take every as the kids, and a very real sense of achievement reasonable care of your child when you entrust him and of doing something worthwhile for the or her to us, and to do our best in partnership with community. you, to help your child to develop to his or her full Remember, there is no such thing as a professional potential. . Most Leaders used to be just a mum or dad like you, but the Scout Association provides We have all undertaken thorough training, and we wonderful training that turns laymen into leaders - give freely of our time and efforts to enable us to and without leaders we wouldn't have a Scout do this. We would not do it unless we were Group for your child to join! convinced of the value of Scouting in the lives of our children. We hope that after your child has Do you have any special skills that might be been with us for a short time, you will be likewise convinced. useful? Occasionally we have need of a welder, electrician, plumber or other trade, and it is useful to know who can do what. Let your child’s Leader know, particularly when we start to plan working bees. Who do you work for? Some large companies offer to help with fund- raising for community groups if they have an employee involved there. Again, let your child’s Leader know.

The following is a list of the various sections of our Group, their meeting nights and their Section Leaders.

Section Meeting day Start time Finish time Leader Joey Scouts Monday 6.00pm 7.00pm Stacey Hardaker (Rikki) Cub Scouts Tuesday 6.30pm 8.00pm Wendy Simpson (Akela) Cub Scouts Wednesday 7.00pm 8.30pm Colleen Bennett (Chill) Scouts Friday 7.00pm 9.00pm Huw Williams (Pinaroo) Venturers Friday 7.00pm 10.00pm Justin Greet

Group Leader Val Mott (Ninkerie) Committee Chairperson Vicky Zappia

– following is a brief description of some of the regular events and terms you will hear. Glossary

Note that some of these are for one Section only, some are for the whole Group.

Anzac Day – our whole Group provides a guard of honour for veterans in Hoporee – a weekend camp for Joeys and their parents from all over the the Tea Tree Gully ANZAC Day Dawn Service. This takes place at the state. Note that sometimes a Hoporee and Cuboree will be held together Memorial Garden (Corner North East Rd & Memorial Drive) and is followed as a joint event. by a cooked breakfast of bacon & eggs at the Scout Hall. Some of the

Venturers will sometimes assist in the overnight vigil at the Adelaide War Memorial the night before. Jamboree – the major event for Scouts that happens every 3 years somewhere in Australia. Thousands of Scouts from all over come together for about 12 days of fun and activities. Just talk to a Scout who has been! Australian Scout Medallion – the highest award a Scout can earn.

Mud Skipper – our boat that is available for rowing and sailing. It will Branch Hike – Scouts from various Groups all join in a weekend hike, get regular use, particularly in the warmer months, and the Scouts usually in Mount Crawford. They need to carry full backpacks up to 20% of especially take part in rowing regattas and sailing days. their own body weight. Each patrol must carry between them at least one tent, sleeping bag, trangia (lightweight stove), and all their food, as much as their weight limit allows. More experienced Scouts are teamed with Neckie / Scarf – scarf worn by all members, it identifies what Group you newer ones to guide and teach them. The patrols must hike between are a part of. It is held together by the woggle. checkpoints and spend two nights at the designated campgrounds, completing activities along the way. Pioneer pole – a wooden pole up to several metres long, used for making bridges, flagpoles and other constructions. Citizenship Ceremony – Scouts occasionally help as ushers at the Citizenship Ceremony held by the TTG Council. Q-Store – our stock of equipment for use in camps and activities, including tents, gazebos, BBQs, gas bottles, ropes etc. City Ramble – a Scout treasure hunt, often conducted in the city. The Q-store is managed by the Quartermaster, who has overall responsibility for the equipment.

Clean Up Australia – as a Group we clean up a local area, usually Stevens Reserve near the Scout Hall, on the Sunday morning of Clean Up Queen’s Scout Award – the highest achievement in Scouting, earnt Australia Day. before a Scout turns 18.

Cohen Cup – a competitive camp for Scouts where they are judged on RSMG – Ridgehaven Scouts Modbury Guides is a combined committee to many aspects of their camp craft. Led by an experienced Scout, they camp manage the building we use. Please note that the western end of the from Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon with Leader supervision (for building is used by the Guides, we only use it in certain circumstances with safety reasons) but no help. They are judged on their skills, safety, their approval. cleanliness, cooking, teamwork and ability to work and plan for themselves. They must plan their camp and menu and do their own Scout HQ – the Scout headquarters in South Australia, located at 211 shopping, usually on the Thursday night. Glen Osmond Road, Frewville.

Cuboree – a weekend camp for Cubs (without parents) from all over the Scout Outdoor Centre – the Scout shop in the city. This is the place to state. go for uniforms, camping gear, and other related items. Before you go, check them out online at http://www.soc.com.au Dilly bag – a bag each youth member takes on some camps, usually containing a plate, bowl, cup, cutlery and tea towel. On many camps you TTG Pageant – as a group we take part in the Tea Tree Gully Pageant. will be expected to take your dilly bag to all meals, and wash and dry your We march in the parade from Tolley Road to Westfield TTP with a float that own gear. has a Scout theme.

District events – sometimes the various groups within the Adelaide Woggle – the leather piece holding the scarf around the neck. Foothills District combine to provide one big event. For example, all Joeys Mobs might join together for an evening event, or all Cubs might join for an Woodhouse – located near Piccadilly in the Adelaide Hills, this Scouts activity. property of 54 hectares is the setting for many camps and events. It is approximately 40-45 minutes driving from Ridgehaven. Galatea – our boat used for sailing only. Wreath Making – in readiness for ANZAC Day, we attend the RSL Hall Gang Show / Comedy Capers / Scouts Shouts – the three in Tea Tree Gully and make wreaths, some of which will be laid at Dawn branches of Scouts in SA that offer opportunities to take part in the Service. performing arts. All three are open to Scouting members to audition and perform once a year. The rehearsal period is once a week for up to 4 Apart from all of the above, there are all the activities that are months or so, so it is a major commitment of time and effort, but well planned on an ad hoc basis, from games, hikes, rowing, sailing, worth it. Ridgehaven has many youth members in these shows, as well as rock-climbing, gliding and lots more. For more info on any of these parents and Leaders who help out. things, please ask your Leader. They may or may not know the

answer, but they can at least point you to the right person to Grey Wolf Award – the highest award for Cubs to earn. speak to.

Group Camp – an activity run once a year combining Joeys, Cubs, Scouts As you may gather from the above, there is a large element of & Venturers all together in one campsite, running from Friday night until community involvement with our group. We aim to teach youth Sunday afternoon. The Leaders and Committee Members join together to members to get involved with their local area and to be willing to run the camp (bearing in mind there are usually over 100 people attending). The youth members are split into patrols, led by a Venturer and give back. usually teaming at least one or two members of each Section into one group to work together for the weekend in various activities. Some youth There is also a large element of activity, we want youth members members might also camp in tents for the weekend, depending on to get out and do things! numbers attending and the venue facilities.

UNIFORM - DRESS CODE

Ridgehaven Scout Group Committee has agreed that our youth members should wear navy pants.

Recommended clothing includes: Unacceptable clothing: Navy slacks Denim jeans Navy pants Labelled pants Navy shorts Coloured pants/shorts/cut-offs Navy skirts

Appropriate footwear should also be worn, e.g. sneakers.

The official Scout uniform includes stone coloured pants, and these would need to be worn on Official occasions, but for Section Nights, District activities and Group activities, navy is appropriate and does not show marks.

There are occasions when Scouts go out and do not need to wear full uniform. On these occasions the Group Shirt is preferred as it is more casual and can also identify them when out and about. Talk to you Section Leader or the Group Leader if you want to know more.