Youth enquiry response - suggested text

Hi,

I am delighted your child has shown an interest in joining our scout group.

Scouting gives young people confidence, a sense of purpose, life values and outdoor skills that are hard to find anywhere else – we call these skills for life!

We are an active group which provides regular weekly meetings at XXXXX, during term time as well as activities, various camps and day trips. There are three scouting age groups (we call these sections), within the group which cover all ages from 6 to 14½. Each section has its own programme of activities suitable for its age group.

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Our beavers colony meets on XXXXX evenings from XX:XX to XX:XX.

Boys & girls join beavers when they are 6 years old and remain in the section until they are 8.

The beaver motto is 'Fun and Friends’ and this is very much the focus throughout the weekly meetings. beaver scouts enjoy making friends, gaining badges, playing games, going on local visits and helping others.

Our cub pack meets on XXXXX evenings from XX:XX to XX:XX.

Boys & girls join cubs when they are 8 years old and move up to scouts when they are 10½.

There are lots of challenge awards and activity badges for the cubs to achieve. The cubs usually take part in at least one camp a year and a number of pack, group and district activities.

Our scout troop meets on XXXXX evenings from XX:XX to XX:XX.

Boys & girls join scouts at 10½ and move on to explorers at 14½ years old.

Scouts work for a number of challenges and activity badges with the ultimate achievement being the Chief Scout’s Gold Award. There are a number of camps throughout the year and the opportunity to try numerous activities such as canoeing, cycling, archery, shooting, cooking, climbing, abseiling and hiking.

All our leaders and supporters are volunteers who give their time freely to help young people enjoys scouting. Our leaders are interviewed locally and are asked to provide references. Everyone working with young people in scouting is required to undertake an enhanced disclosure and barring (DBS) check.

All our leaders have training which covers a wide range of topics including how to plan activities and games, safety and safeguarding young people, first aid, working with young people, scouting for all, running residential events (such as camps and sleepovers), and general data protection regulations (GDPR), amongst lots of other topics.

Put the volunteer in your C.V.
We have over 5000 young people in our 94 scout groups and 23 Explorer Scout Units across Wandsworth, Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Royal Greenwich. These are run by over 1500 volunteers. But, with more adult help we can provide the adventure of scouting to even more young people in our community.

Volunteering with scouting is easier than you think. Whether you can spare an hour a week, month or a day a year, we have lots of opportunities to get involved, both working with young people and behind the scenes. We provide full support and training and you can experience the fun, friendship and adventure of scouting for yourself, all on a flexible basis.

You don’t need to be Bear Grylls to join us and you don’t need to have been a scout when you were younger. You don’t even need to know how to put up a tent. Our door is open to people of all ages, genders, races and backgrounds, and we’re only able to change lives because people like you lend a hand.

You may think that you have nothing to offer but you'd be surprised! Being part of scouting is great fun and it goes without saying that helping young people can be one of the most rewarding things you can do. Plus, it looks great on your CV!

Why not  find out for yourself and take our 4 week challenge visit www.southlondonscouts.org.uk/4-weeks to find out more.

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We also encourage parents and family members (over 18), to lend a hand as and when they can at their youngster’s beaver, cub or scout meetings. We also run a fantastic scheme for young people aged 14 to 18 who are interested in helping out, called the young leader scheme, and this is also a great way to complete the service part of their DofE award.  

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For more information speak to the leaders when you see them - after all, what have you got to lose!

We really look forward to seeing you at our next weekly meeting, where we will provide you with information about registering as a member and we can answer any questions you may have.

Regards

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