1St Much Hadham Scout Group

1st Much Hadham Scout Group www.1stmuchhadham.org.uk

Information for New Parents and Carers

Charity number XR 39259 Welcome

We are very pleased to welcome you and your child as Members of the 1st Much Hadham Scout Group. In joining the great adventure of Scouting we are sure your child and you will get a great deal out of the experience. This package gives you some basic information about Scouting and how this Scout Group operates.

So, what is scouting?

Scouting offers challenge and adventure to 400,000 young people aged 6-25 in the UK. We believe in helping our Members fulfil their potential by working in teams, learning by doing and thinking for themselves. We're working to make Scouting available to all and we're passionate about what we do.

Through the adventure of Scouting, young people get to take risks in a safe environment, and have their first taste of responsibility. We give young people experiences they’ll never forget. The sort of adventure scouting offers is the chance to experience something different and the opportunity to challenge yourself. When a Beaver Scout wakes up the morning after a sleepover or a Cub Scout has just got over his/her fear of heights by completing his/her first abseil - that’s adventure.

In Scouting, we offer a large range of activities. If we don’t have an instructor who can help we can normally find someone who can. But Scouting isn’t just about activities for their own sake. We encourage our young people to feel the buzz of the challenge and then reflect on what that means.

 Did they have fun?  Do they feel more confident?  Would they do it again?

All this is made possible by the efforts of 100,000 voluntary adult leaders. With award winning training and one-to- one support, we make sure that each one of our volunteers gets to make the best use of their skills and talents. It’s something different from the norm, and that’s why a lot of people like it. In fact, it’s what has made us the largest co-educational youth movement in the country.

As a member of this Scout Group we aim to give your child a positive, exciting adventure of a lifetime. We also expect your support in making your child’s time with us as exciting and as fulfilling as possible. We do ask parents to help out on a rota basis at weekly sessions, allocated times and dates will be emailed to you a week or so before the term begins.

Example of the type of support you could offer includes:

 Helping out on a day trip  Helping at camp  Attending sectional meetings on a rota basis e.g. a couple of times a term

Who can join?

Our Group is open to girls and boys. In our Group we support three Sections. They are:

 Beaver Scouts for 6-8 year olds  Cub Scouts for 8-10½ year olds  Scouts for 10½- 14 year olds

Where are we located?

You can find information about the Group online at www.1stmuchhadham.org.uk

You can find the Scout Hut on the footpath that runs alongside the Congregational Church opposite the Fire Station on the High Street. The Beaver Scout Section

We have one Beaver Scout Colony. Aged from 6 – 8 year olds Beaver Scout Colony meets on Thursday evening 17.45 to 18.45 at the Scout Hut.

. Beaver Scout Leader is: Assistant Beaver Scout Leader is: Assistant Beaver Scout Leader is: Muriel Manley Nick Jeffries Mobile: 07749 804466 Mobile: 07989 344365 [email protected] [email protected]

The Beaver Scout Promise:

I promise to do my best, to be kind and helpful and to love God. You will also hear the Beavers chanting the following at the end of each session: We are the Beavers yes we are We are the Beavers the best so far We are the Beavers we build our dam We are the Beavers of Much Hadham

The Beaver Scout uniform consists of a turquoise blue sweatshirt, turquoise blue polo shirt or t-shirt (optional but very useful in the summer), a pair of dark trousers or shorts and sensible footwear. A scarf will be provided by Section Leader when invested. Details of where to buy the uniform are listed at the end of this section.

The Cub Scout Pack

We have two Cub Scout Packs. Aged from 8-10½ year olds Wolf Pack meets on Tuesday evening 18.30 to 20.00 at the Scout Hut. Tiger Pack meets on Wednesday evening 18.30 to 20.00 at the Scout Hut.

. Wolf Cub Scout Leader is: Wolf Cub Scout Leader is: Assistant Wolf Cub Scout Leader is: Charlie Field Nick Jeffries Belinda Sitton Mobile: 07891 053458 Mobile: 07989 344365 Mobile: 07971 786123 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

The Cub Scout uniform consists of a green sweatshirt, green polo shirt, a pair of dark trousers or shorts and sensible footwear. A scarf will be provided by the section leader when invested. Details of where to buy the uniform are listed at the end of this section.

Tiger Cub Scout Leader is: Tiger Cub Scout Leader is: Assistant Tiger Cub Scout Leader is: Diane Austin Charlie Field Mobile: 07778 923236 Mobile: 07891 053458 [email protected] [email protected]

The Cub Scout Promise: I promise to do my best to do my duty to God and to the Queen, to help other people and keep the Cub Scout Law.

The Cub Scout Law: Cub Scouts always do their best, think of others before themselves and do a good turn everyday. The Scout Troop

We have one Scout Troop. Scouts meet on Thursday evening 19.00 to 20.30 at the Scout Hut. Aged for 10½- 14 year olds

The Scout Leader is: Assistant Scout Leader is: Assistant Scout Leader is: Assistant Scout Leader is: David Rouse Diane Austin Nicola Sell Andy Dowse Mobile: 07774 854515 Mobile: 07778 923236 Mobile: 07738 949895 Mobile: 07969 481039 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

The Scout promise:

On my honour, I promise that I will do my best, to do my duty to God and the Queen, to help other people and to keep the Scout Law.

The Scout Law:

A Scout is to be trusted. A Scout is loyal. A Scout is friendly and considerate. A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts. A Scout has courage in all difficulties. A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property. A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.

The Scout uniform consists of a long sleeve green shirt, a pair of dark blue scout trousers and sensible footwear. A scarf will be provided by the section leader when invested. Details of where to buy uniform are listed below.

How much does it cost to be a Member?

The Membership fees for the year starting in September to July are listed below. This can be paid termly or yearly and is reviewed each year. All invoices are emailed to parents at the beginning of each term. If you would like to pay yearly then please get in touch with Jane Gallagher at [email protected]

 For Beaver Scouts the costs are £24.00 per term or £72.00 per year  For Cub Scouts the costs are £30.00 per term or £90.00 per year  For Scouts the costs are £30.00 per term or £90.00 per year  For Yearly Insurance the costs are £12.00 per term or £36.00 per year

As part of the Government’s “Getting Britain Giving” campaign, major changes have been made to the Gift Aid scheme which allows tax to be reclaimed on any qualifying donation to charity, regardless of whether it is regular or one off. The payment of your Membership fee qualifies for this scheme. This means the Group can claim 28% of the Membership fee you pay from the Inland Revenue

By completing the form, at the back of this document, you can help Scouting in its work with young people. If you have any questions please contact our Gift Aid Coordinator and treasurer:

Jane Gallagher 67 Windmill Way Much Hadham Herts SG10 6BQ Home: Mobile: 07535 657743 [email protected] How can I get a uniform?

Uniform can be purchased at;

 Online by visiting www.scouts.org.uk/shop.  The District Shop is open on Wednesday Evenings (during term times) 19.00 to 20.30 at the 1st Thorley Scout Group HQ on Thorley Lane off Whittington Way.  John Lewis Stores  Kids Connection, Hertford  School Uniform Shop, Bakers Walk, Sawbridgeworth.  Fosters in Elsenham

Beaver & Cub Uniform Scout Uniform

The Structure of the Group

A Scout Group is led by a Group Leader and managed by a Group Executive Committee. To make sure the Beaver Scout Colony, Cub Scout Packs and Scout Troops all provide a continuous, attractive and adventurous range of challenging and exciting activities for your child the Leadership Team and Committee meet regularly over the year.

A Group Executive supports the Group. This Committee meets around six times a year to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of their appointment.

The Group Chairman is: Katie Dowse Lansdale Westland Green Little Hadham Herts Home: 01279 841058 Mobile: 07854 413909 Email: [email protected]

The Group Treasurer is responsible for providing financial information to the Group Executive so they can manage the Group finances. The Group Treasurer is: Jane Gallagher 67 Windmill Way Much Hadham Herts SG10 6BQ Mobile: 07535 657743 Email: [email protected] The Group Secretary is responsible for the effective administration of the Group. The Group Secretary is: Kelly Gabriel Gabriel’s Honey Farm Widford Road Much Hadham Herts SG10 6EZ Mobile: 07951 645235 Email: [email protected]

The Group Scout Leader is responsible for liaising with Beaver, Cub and Scout Leaders. The Group Scout Leader is: Alison Whenman 14 Windmill Way Much Hadham Herts SG10 6BH Home: 01279 842714 Mobile: 07792 861852 Email: [email protected]

Together the Executive Committee is responsible for:

 The maintenance of the Group's property and equipment;  The raising of funds and the administration of the Group's finance;  The insurance of persons, property and equipment;  Group public occasions;  Assisting with the recruitment of Leaders and other adult support Keeping Children Safe

It is the policy of The Scout Association to safeguard the welfare of all Members by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm. All adults working in an unsupervised capacity with young people in this group have completed a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) form. The Scout Association is committed to:

 Taking into account in all its considerations and activities the interests and well-being of young people  Respecting the rights, wishes and feelings of the young people with whom it is working  Taking all practical steps to protect them from physical, sexual and emotional abuse and  Promoting the welfare of young people and their protection within a relationship of trust.

Child Protection and Codes of Practise

Why do we have a parent rota to help at sessions? As part of the child protection policy at least one parent or guardian must be present at each session. It is very important that you attend your allocated session (this will be emailed to you each half term) or swap with someone else if you cannot make it. It is not necessary to hold a valid CRB if classed as an occasional helper on our rota, although if parents are willing to help more regularly or attend camps with us, you need to have a CRB check. We will issue you with the relevant forms to be filled in before a camp. All Leaders and Committee Members are CRB checked.

All adult Leaders and regular helpers have been issued with a copy of the Scout “Young People First” codes of behaviour document. Some examples of do’s and don’ts are:

 DO treat everybody with dignity and respect  DO set an example you would wish others to follow  DO treat all young people equally – show no favouritism  DO plan activities that involve more than other person being present, or at least are in sight and hearing of others  DO follow recommended adult/young people ratios for meetings and activities  DO allow young people to talk about concerns that they have  DO not trivialise abuse  DO not form a relationship with a young person that is an abuse of trust  DO not permit abusive peer activities e.g. initiation ceremonies, bullying

If you would like to see the full codes of behaviour leaflet please speak to your relevant section leader or Group Scout Leader – Alison Whenman. And finally

We aim to make your child’s time with us as exciting and rewarding as possible. To do this we run a range of challenging and interesting activities both on camp and at our weekly meetings that require us to seek your permission before we undertake them with your child.

To enable this Scout Group to operate - and to communicate with its Members - it is necessary to maintain records about them. This will include keeping details of name, address, date of birth, contact telephone numbers. We will also be keeping details of your son’s/daughter’s progress through Scouting (badges gained etc.). Information held in our Scout Group may be shared from time to time within Scouting including the Headquarters of the Association.

Legislation came into force in March 2000, which covers the protection and processing of personal data. Adults and young people have the same rights under the Data Protection Act 1998. The Act covers paper based (as well as computer based) information. Certain information is classed by the law as ‘Sensitive Personal Data’. In a Scouting context this may include information about your son’s/daughter’s:

 health (to ensure that we are prepared for medical emergencies it is important that we hold relevant information)  disabilities (to ensure a safe integration of your son’s/daughter’s participation in activities, details of any disability need to be known)  religious or similar beliefs (this will help us ensure that we make appropriate arrangements when necessary)

To hold this information we will need your explicit consent. This can be given by completing the Vital Information/Joining Form. All information will only be used in connection with your son’s/daughter’s Membership of the Scout Movement in the United Kingdom - this will include membership management and communications.

Any of the information provided will not be passed to any third parties outside the Scout Movement without your consent.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Kelly Gabriel Scout Secretary [email protected]

For weekend or week long camps you will get information detailing the activities your child will be undertaking and information relevant to the event.

All our uniformed Leaders have appropriate first aid training.