Hi and Welcome to the Scout Section

What Happens Next?

1st Camberwell South Scout Group Scout Section Introduction

Hi and welcome to the Scout Section.

Now that you are ready to move up into the scout section I’m sure you have plenty of questions you would like to ask us about.

For example…

 What do they do up there?  What activities do they partake in?  Who are the leaders?  Do we go on many camps?

This booklet has been assembled to help introduce the scout section to you as a new scout, and your parents / guardians, to help outline some of the mystery and excitement that the section offers to both boys and girls.

Scouting, even from the early years going through the various sections of Joeys, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and Rovers, offers knowledge and excitement from the varied activities available to the youth of today. The new scout learns new skills, responsibility and respect for themselves and those around them amongst other well founded attributes on which the scout law and promise are based.

We cover some important information over the next few pages so lets go and have a look …

– 2 – The Program

The ideas for the program are obtained from the scouts themselves and presented to the leaders either via a troop council or directly to the leaders.

Ideally, the program is then arranged or adjusted to become based upon the achievement badge system.

An important factor in making up the program is a balanced economic view. If all the selected activities involve expenditure, then a high possibility of isolating those scouts whose families cannot afford these types of activities is certain.

The Scout Association offers a wide variety of activities and venues at moderate rates to enhance the badge achievements ensuring every scout has the opportunity to do their best.

Troop Nights

The scout section meets on Wednesday night, commencing with Parade at 7.20 p.m. The hall is generally open from 7.15 p.m. and the evening concludes with Final Parade at 9.00 p.m. Each scout must be collected from inside the hall by a parent or guardian. Scouts are not allowed to walk home from the hall unaccompanied. Unless a specific activity is arranged, the use of a bike is not allowed unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The scout troop relies on volunteers to operate the group and sections within it. All leaders are required to attend training courses in their own time to learn and be able to provide a varied and educational program that provides for the demands of youth today.

If there are any concerns about any aspect of the activities or individual personal requirements or expectations, these need to be discussed with the Scout Leader or Assistant Scout Leaders so a suitable outcome may be achieved.

– 3 – Contact Numbers

Scout Hall: Ferndale Park, Glen Iris 3146 Tel: 9889 3934

DAVIDJO RASHLEIGHSHANKS

““BELLACHIPS””

ASSISTANTSCOUT SCOUT LEADER LEADER 6176 Britten Morack Street, Road, Tel.Tel. VermontGlen Iris, South, 3146 3133 98859800 9332 3645

STEVE PROSSOR

“DINGO”

ASSISTANT SCOUT LEADER 6 Irvine Street, Tel. Glen Iris, 3146 9889 1973

CHRIS WRIGHT

“LEFTY”

ASSISTANT SCOUT LEADER 94 Glyndon Road, Tel. Camberwell, 3124 9809 1543

Leaders

The ideal ratio of leaders to scouts is 1:5, therefore with every intake the scout section is looking towards enhancing the number of leaders to maintain this level.

The average life of a leader is five years and this obviously requires constant recruitment to maintain a balance. If the ratio / balance can be maintained, programming, activities, camps etc. do not have to be limited.

– 4 – One main criterion to a good cross section of leaders is a mix of both male and female representation. As the Scout Association encourages both boys and girls, then the support required from parents is also encouraged on the same basis.

As leaders we understand that not all parents would like this role. However, outside of becoming a leader, parent responsibility is still required helping out with either badge testing, scout nights, camps and activities away from the hall, with transportation and overnight support at camps.

If you are interested in becoming a leader and helping develop your child’s future, then contact the scout leader or any of the assistant leaders to discuss how a balanced program does not place enormous pressure upon them but allows an intimate association with their children and his / her peers.

Most leaders in the scout section are usually there because of their own child’s involvement. During this time they observe and gain a close relationship through those developing years that enhances the association together throughout life.

– 5 – Scout Uniform - Male

Scout Uniform - Female

– 6 – Patrol System

The patrol system is a major component of the scout troop. It gives each scout recognition within the troop of their particular patrol (Eagles, Kangas, Kookas, Magpies, Koalas, Parrots, Rosellas etc.) and helps support the structure as a whole. The Patrol Leader (PL) looks after the running of the patrol, with the Assistant Patrol Leader (APL) helping and taking responsibility in the absence of the PL. If a scout is unable to attend a meeting night then an apology should be rung through to the PL prior to the nights activities. The PL is responsible for the distribution of all notices within the patrol, especially if a member is absent from a meeting night.

On a rotating basis each patrol becomes the duty patrol for a meeting night. It is the duty of the patrol to break the flag in the Opening Parade, lower the flag at the conclusion of the meeting, lead the troop in prayer, and sweep and tidy the hall. Each patrol is required to maintain and clean their individual patrol rooms.

Buddy System

Similar to that offered in junior / primary schools today, the “Buddy” system provides the new scout with a contact person in the same patrol with whom he / she can relate to on an age basis.

The buddies ensure the new scout is kept up to date with program activities and helps untwine the web of badges and activities to make both the new scout and their parents comfortable with the scouting system.

Uniform

The scout uniform is similar to the cub uniform and following the investiture as a scout some changes are required to the badges & their position. All the cub achievement badges need to be removed along with the boomerang badges, the six colour patch and any sixer /seconder strips.

If the Yellow cord was gained the badge stays on the uniform & needs to be positioned at the bottom of the left sleeve and the cord is worn until the Pioneer Cord is achieved.

– 7 – The Scouts are expected to wear uniform to all section nights, complete with scarf. Our troop does not require a scout hat to be worn, but a sun smart hat is required for all outdoor activities.

On most external activities away from the hall only a scarf is required to be worn to and from activities. This indicates their participation in a recognised Scouting Association function.

– 8 – Badges

As badges are gained and awarded they need to be sewn onto the uniform prior to the following weeks meeting night. This indicates achievement levels and displays to the other scouts the variety of activities available.

The badge system operates on three levels; Pioneer (Red), Explorer (Blue), and Adventurer (Green). Each level once completed gains a shoulder cord of that colour with the Green cord being the highest achievement in the scout section which gains the scout the Premiers award which is presented each year to scouts and they are able to wear this badge throughout Venturers signifying the effort made.

You will need to purchase a copy of the green “Australian Scout Handbook” which will tell you what you will need to do for each award level and maintain a record of progress. This book must be taken to each scout night and outdoor activity to ensure an up to date record is maintained.

Cords The requirements to gain the three cords are as follows:

 Pioneer Cord — Pioneer Badge, 1 Challenge Badge and 1 Patrol Activity Badge  Explorer Cord — Explorer Badge, a total of three Challenge Badges, 1 Patrol Activity Badge & 1 P.A. Bar  Adventurer Cord — Adventurer Badge, a total of five Challenge Badges, 1 Patrol Activity Badge & 2 P.A. Bars

Target Badges Target badges are obtained when the Patrol attends activities designed to enhance the scout’s development and responsibilities across the three levels, and covers the following areas: Air activities, Campcraft, Citizenship, Construction, Emergencies, Environment and Water Activities.

Challenge Badges Challenge Badges are there to encourage the development of individual hobbies, pursuits and interests. The range available is as follows: Agriculture, Animal Keeping, Anthropology, Arts, Australian Heritage, Collection, Communication, Community, Crafts, Entertainment, Music, Outdoor, Science, Sports, Technology and Trade.

– 9 – Camps

The scout section usually camps under ‘canvas’. This may range from lightweight nylon dome tents through to canvas auto tents depending on the time of year, number of scouts attending and the duration and focus of the weekend.

All parents / guardians are most welcome to come to camps and enjoy the weekend activities.

Each term the program tries to allow for at least two weekends away with one of these being a troop camp, which we expect the majority of scouts to attend. On these weekends we organise a variety of activities and challenges that will enhance the individual scout together with patrol based aspects, which encourage the team environment. Troop camps focus on badge and achievement levels; learning cooking, campcraft, navigation etc.

Each camp requires preparation of gear, menu, transport and personal items.

Usually the gear is prepacked into trailers on the Sunday morning or Wednesday night prior to departure. Once packed the trailers will need to be stored safely in a scout member’s driveway until departure the following weekend, either Friday night or Saturday morning. Parental involvement should extend across all scout families with the storage and towing of the trailers to the various camps.

Upon return from camping activities, all attendees are expected to return to the hall following the conclusion of the camp to unload and pack away those items used from the Q store. If the gear or tentage is wet this will require these items to be hung up inside the hall to dry prior to putting away on the following scout meeting night.

– 10 – Menu

Camps vary as to whether food is provided or if BYO is required. Notification will be given out for each camp. For example:

 Leaders may purchase menu items and add a cost per head to the camp fees.  Patrol leaders may set the menu items for the patrol and purchase those items from the supermarket at a predetermined cost per head.  Scouts may purchase their own individual supplies for the camp.

Scouting activities do not allow alcoholic beverages to be consumed by any person, either leader or adult helpers when attending any scout function.

Transport

All external activities require help from parents/guardians to transport scouts to and from the hall or designated place. The Patrol Leader (PL) is required to arrange transport for his/her patrol and following the conclusion thereof, return to homes as required.

Having the parents/guardians each taking a turn to transport scouts to/from activities helps support the PL in the successful organisation of activities. As previously mentioned under the title Gear the same system of sharing the duties of towing and storing of trailers applies.

– 11 – Sample Menu for a Weekend Camp

Saturday Sunday Breakfast Cereal and Milk Porridge Sausages, Eggs & Bacon Pancakes Toast Toast Honey / Vegemite Honey / Vegemite Coffee / Tea / Milo Coffee / Tea / Milo Morning Tea Cake Cake Fresh Fruit Fresh Fruit Cordial / Milk / Fruit Juice Cordial / Milk / Fruit Juice Lunch Soup Hot Dogs Cold Meat Bread Tomatoes Tomatoes Lettuce Lettuce Cheese Fresh Fruit Fresh Fruit Cordial / Fruit Juice Cordial / Fruit Juice Afternoon Tea Cake Fresh Fruit Cordial / Milk / Fruit Juice Dinner Beef / Chicken Stew or Roast Beans, Peas, Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes Instant Pudding Custard Cordial / Milk / Fruit Juice Supper Toasted Raisin Bread Milo

Extras: Margarine Tomato Sauce Snack Bars

– 12 – Sample Personal Gear List

Camp Uniform: Scarf to be worn to and from camp

Clothing Jumpers (old) 2 Skivvy or thermals 1 Shirts 2 Singlets 3 Shorts 2 Socks (pairs) 3 Underwear 3 Handkerchiefs Jeans 2 Pyjamas or tracksuit

Boots, Desert Boots or Heavy Shoes Sunsmart Hat - Not just a baseball cap style -

Toiletries Towel (keep in a Soap toilet bag) Hair brush/comb Toothbrush & toothpaste

Eating Dinner plate (Plastic or melamine material (keep in a Small plate with scout’s name on it) dilly bag) Bowl Mug Tea towel Knife, fork, spoon, teaspoon

Sleeping Ground Sheet Lilo / Stretcher Sleeping Bag Blanket

General Waterproof jacket Notebook Torch Pencil / pen Camera Insect repellent Plastic bag (for dirty clothes) Sunscreen 30+

NO NO NO Sheath Knives Radios Computer Games

NO NO NO Gas Lighters Bad Moods CD players

– 13 – The Scout Association of Australia Victorian Branch

Special Activity Permission Form

My son / daughter ______has permission to attend ______

______from ______to ______

I agree to meet the expenses of my child being returned home by any officer, servant or agent of the Association accompanying him/her and then returning to the location of the Activity or by collecting my child from the Activity personally. I understand that such an arrangement me be necessary due to illness, injury, or if in the opinion of the Leader in charge, there is non co- operation of any description by my child.

In the event of accident or illness, I authorise any officer, servant or agent of the Association to obtain on my behalf at my expense such urgent medical assistance, treatment and nursing, hospital and ambulance service as may be considered appropriate by officers, servants or agents of the Association and (should it be advised by a duly qualified medical practitioner that it is necessary) to authorise a general anaesthetic. This clause also includes any dental treatment urgently required

I further agree to pay upon demand by the Association all such medical, hospital and other fees and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the Association in such circumstances other than such fees and expenses recoverable under the Policy of insurance taken out by the Association.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS Give details of where you can be reached during the period of this activity, and also the name & telephone number of at least one, and preferably two, other persons to contact if you are unavailable.

______

Signed: ______(Mother, Father, Guardian)

Date: ______

– 14 – Notes

Forthcoming Jamboree to be held in Woodhouse, South Australia 5th - 15th January, 2004

– 15 – Compiled by Dingo - April 2002