Nerang Scout Group Parent Handbook www.nerang.gcscouts.com.au Current as at 08 October 2020 © 2020 Nerang Scout Group Page 1 Contents Leader Contacts Page 3 Executive Committee Contacts Page 3 Group Leader Welcome Page 4 What is Scouting? Page 5 Australian Scout Promise Page 5 Australian Scout Law Page 6 Scouting is Fun / Scouting is Adventurous Page 6 Joeys Scouts (5 to 8 years) Page 7 Cub Scouts (8 to 11 years) Page 7 Scouts (11 to 15 years) Page 8 Venturers (15 to 18 years) Page 8 Rovers (18 to 25 years) Page 8 Adults in Scouting Pages 9-10 Assistance from Parents and/or Guardians Page 11 Camps and Outdoor Activities Page 11 Fees Page 12 Meeting Nights Page 12 Scouting Traditions Page 13 Uniforms Page 14 Youth Member Rules Page 14 Attachments: Badge Placement Diagrams © 2020 Nerang Scout Group Page 2 Leader Contacts Leader in Charge Stuart ‘Woody’ McConaghy 0407 751 197 [email protected] Cub Scouts Michelle ‘Kareela’ Adams 0409 709 449 [email protected] Trevor ‘Baloo’ Arthurson 0403 642 296 [email protected] Teagan ‘Panda’ Barritt 0481 252 420 [email protected] Holly ‘Koda’ Mirfield 0434 486 156 [email protected] Scouts Gary ‘Wallaroo’ Muller 0411 632 591 [email protected] Madeleine ‘Quokka’ Muller 0497 363 696 [email protected] Steve ‘Wolf’ Marshall (Region Commissioner) canis‐[email protected] Executive Committee Group Chairperson Position Vacant Group Secretary Jess Spaic 0411 141 328 [email protected] Group Treasurer Fiona Gold [email protected] Scouts Queensland - 32 Dixon Street, Auchenflower. Website: https://scoutsqld.com.au/ Email: [email protected] Phone: (07) 3870 7000 Scouts Australia – Website: http://www.scouts.com.au/ © 2020 Nerang Scout Group Page 3 Welcome! Welcome and thank you for wanting to become a member of the Nerang Scout Group. Our Group started in 1960, on public lands on the motorway side of Railway Street, adjacent to the original Nerang Railway Station. The Group shifted to the corner of Hope Street and the Nerang Connection Road and used a small school building moved to the site from Springbrook for many years. The Group then moved to its current location in 1983. The original Den built on our current site was built by the Evans family using apprentices as part of their training. The Den burnt down in 1996 after vandals broke into the building and lit the gas bottles stored inside. The current building was completed in 1998. Despite these many changes of location and setbacks, we are always working towards providing the youth members of the local area an alternative outlet for fun and adventure. Scouting is designed to provide your child with skills that will set them up for life, by building leadership and time management skills. Over their time with us, the Leaders are continually encouraging members to lead a team of their peers as their own skills increase. They are expected to push the boundaries of their own comfort zones and in time become our future leaders of tomorrow. Our guiding principle is to ‘learn while doing’ and to have a lot of fun along the way. The Group is a fully voluntary organisation; the Leaders and those involved on the Group’s Executive Committee do not get paid to attend the Section meetings and run the Group. We are all dedicated to making sure your children and yourselves are provided with the best leadership and mentoring through the training the Leaders need to attend. As much as your youth member grows within Scouting, so do the Leaders and those who form the Committee! For those that are a part of Scouting, there are many opportunities to build new friendships that can last the test of time. Members are provided avenues to work with others via larger events such as Regional Camps, state-wide Cub Scout camps (Cuboree), and the Australian Scout Jamboree. The ability to interact and be part of a larger community encourages harmony and tolerance to all within the organisation, while unknowingly building a network of friends both here and overseas. It can open new opportunities to explore the world outside and travel to other countries. As a supporting family member, we encourage you to meet with the other families and the Leaders. Our Group will only grow stronger through these interactions and continue to create a community family group. We are all excited to welcome you into our Group. Stuart ‘Woody’ McConaghy Leader in Charge © 2020 Nerang Scout Group Page 4 What is Scouting? Scouting is a world-wide movement that has shaped the development of youths and adults since 1908. It is open to both boys and girls, and to all faiths and religions. Scouts are in every part of our community; Scouts is the largest youth organisation in Australia and the world. The aim of Scouting is to encourage the physical, intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development of young people so that they take a constructive place in society as responsible citizens, and as a member of their local, national and international communities. Scouting provides a series of fun and exciting adventures for active young people. Designed to build their confidence and ability. The completion of each set of requirements is marked by badges of progress from the Promise Challenge Badge (Joey Scouts), the bronze, silver and gold boomerangs in Cub Scouts, through the pioneer, explorer and adventurer level badges within Scouts, to the Queen’s Scout Award (Venturers) and the Baden-Powell Award (Rovers). Scouts Australia recognises that what we offer is as relevant as ever, and can help young people navigate their way through modern life. From as young as 5 years old, our members are introduced to our values at the first step in the Scouting journey – learning the Australian Scout Promise and the Australian Scout Law. The Australian Scout Promise There are two versions of the Australian Scout Promise. Individuals may select which version they wish to make. On my honour, I promise To do my best, To be true to my spiritual beliefs, To contribute to my community and our world, To help other people, And to live by the Scout Law. OR On my Honour I promise that I will do my best To do my duty to my God, and To the Queen of Australia, To help other people, And to live by the Scout Law. © 2020 Nerang Scout Group Page 5 The Australian Scout Law Be Respectful Be friendly Care for others and the environment Do What is Right Be trustworthy, honest and fair Use resources wisely Believe in Myself Learn from my experiences Face challenges with courage Scouting is Fun! Scouting is definitely fun, and it also prepares young people for life in the adult world by teaching responsibility for their own actions and progress. These achievements lay a solid foundation for the success of our future Australia leaders. Don’t tell the kids they’re learning; they think they’re just having fun. Scouting is Adventurous! Each year, all Sections of Scouts learn to share responsibilities and to live with each other through adventures set in the outdoors; camping, abseiling, caving, horseback riding, fishing, rock climbing and diving are just a few of the exciting experiences that a Scout can achieve in their time as a youth member. They are also provided opportunities to attend larger events, such as: • Cuboree – a biennial Cub Scout Camp in QLD that runs for 5 to 6 days • Australia Jamboree – a triennial Scout Camp that runs for 11 days and provides over 100 activities. Approximately 10,000 members attend these events. • World Jamboree – a triennial Scout Camp in a host country attended to by over 23,000 members • Australian Venture – a 2-week Venturer Scout camp similar to a Jamboree • Rover Moot – for the older Scouts both in state and across Australia. There is never a dull moment and you can be assured your youth member will return bigger and better for their experiences. © 2020 Nerang Scout Group Page 6 Youth Member Sections Joey Scouts (5 to 8 years) Joey Scouts can start at age 5 and would normally progress to the Cub Scout Section at around 8 years of age. The linking process would start around seven years and six months, depending on their individual readiness socially and intellectually. The objectives of the Joey Scout Section are to have fun while learning. A Joey Scout will develop their own identity, responsibility, personal expression, as well as learning to share, a sense of belonging and the understanding of their law and promise. Joey Scouts learn by singing, dancing, storytelling, games, play acting, doing craft, mixing with others, as well as taking part in camps and outdoor activities. All of which will expand their understanding and acceptance of the Joey Scout Promise and their experiences in their theme of ‘Helping Other People’ (HOP). The highest award a Joey Scout can achieve is their Promise Challenge Badge. Nerang Scout Group does not currently offer Joey Scouts; however, expressions of interest are always welcome, from both potential youth members and Leaders. Cub Scouts (8 to 11 years) Cub Scouts would start at around their 8th birthday and normally progress to the Scout Section at around 11 years of age. Cub Scouts are able to commence their linking process at around 10 years and six months, depending on their individual readiness socially and intellectually. The main objective of the Cub Scout section is to cater for the taste and enthusiasm of the small child based on their natural developments tied together with a code of morals.