Frequently asked questions
Scouts prepare young people with skills for life. We encourage our young people to do more, learn more and be more. Each week, we give over 460,000 young people the opportunity to enjoy fun and adventure while developing the skills they need to succeed, now and in the future.
How can my child benefit from joining Scouts?
In an independent survey of over 2,000 parents of Scouts, nine out of ten parents said Scouting is worthwhile and nine in ten said their children find Scouting enjoyable.
As your child progresses through Scouts you should be able to see signs of the impact their Scouting adventure has on them.
Parents tell us Scouting gives their children more confidence, responsibility and a broader set of friends. Scouting can help develop your child’s social skills and encourage self-sufficiency, and gives them access to activities and opportunities that may have been otherwise unavailable to them. A huge number of parents agreed that since their child joined Scouting family life was easier and they were ‘nicer children to live with’.
As your child progresses through Scouts you should be able to see signs of the impact their Scouting adventure has on them.
Parents tell us Scouting gives their children more confidence, responsibility and a broader set of friends. Scouting can help develop your child’s social skills and encourage self-sufficiency, and gives them access to activities and opportunities that may have been otherwise unavailable to them. A huge number of parents agreed that since their child joined Scouting family life was easier and they were ‘nicer children to live with’.
How much does it cost?
The current monthly fee for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts is £9 per month. All of the money generated from fees is invested into providing equipment and activities for our Scout groups. A standing order form for your child's fees is available to print here... Alternatively you should be able to set up a standing order with telephone or online banking, using the account number and sort code on the form. If you're eligible for tax Gift Aid, then we'd be very grateful if you could complete the bottom part of the form and hand it to a section leader.
| scouts_standing_order.pdf |
What do Scouts wear and where can I buy it?
Scouts wear a uniform depending on the age range. All Scouts (adults and young people) wear a coloured scarf or necker, the colour of which varies depending on the Group. Uniform can either be bought from Scout Shops or your local district Scout Shop. The Chorley Scout Shop is located in the District Centre and is open for the sale of uniforms and other Scouting items. It is located at:
Wright St
Chorley
PR6 0SL
The opening hours are:
Friday Evenings 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Saturday Morning 10.00am – 12.00pm (Noon)
Parents need to buy their child the appropriate shirt/jumper and the necker, woggle and group badges will be provided free of charge when your child is invested into the group.
Wright St
Chorley
PR6 0SL
The opening hours are:
Friday Evenings 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Saturday Morning 10.00am – 12.00pm (Noon)
Parents need to buy their child the appropriate shirt/jumper and the necker, woggle and group badges will be provided free of charge when your child is invested into the group.
Where do all those badges go?
Please click on the PDF below for our "where to put your badges guide"!...
| where_to_put_your_badges.pdf |
What about child protection?
Young people thrive in safe surroundings. We’re committed to ensuring that Scouting is both enjoyable and safe for everyone who takes part, along with providing parents with peace of mind.
All volunteers who help to run our activities give their time freely to help young people enjoy Scouting.
Leaders are interviewed locally and asked to provide references. Everyone working with young people in Scouting is asked to undertake a Criminal Record Check, sometimes known as a ‘police check’.
Code of behaviour
We have a clear code of behaviour which is given to all adults working in Scouting, regardless of their role. This is also included in the training that leaders receive and offers advice about how young people should be treated. We expect everyone to follow it.
If you volunteer to help out with an activity, you’ll be given one too, and if you would like to see a copy of the code of behaviour for adults, just ask any of your child’s leaders.
Training
We expect all leaders to take courses in basic first aid and child protection. Special training is provided for those taking young people away on residential events like camps and sleepovers.
Outings and camps
All leaders taking young people on outings or camps will give you notice in writing, ask for your permission and provide you with a method of contacting the group while they are away.
We will never ask to take individual young people away on their own or without another adult being present.
What to do if you have concerns
If you are unhappy with anything relating to your child’s time in Scouting you should raise it with your child’s leaders. If you would rather speak to someone else, please contact the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818.
The Scout Association also has a complaints procedure.
All volunteers who help to run our activities give their time freely to help young people enjoy Scouting.
Leaders are interviewed locally and asked to provide references. Everyone working with young people in Scouting is asked to undertake a Criminal Record Check, sometimes known as a ‘police check’.
Code of behaviour
We have a clear code of behaviour which is given to all adults working in Scouting, regardless of their role. This is also included in the training that leaders receive and offers advice about how young people should be treated. We expect everyone to follow it.
If you volunteer to help out with an activity, you’ll be given one too, and if you would like to see a copy of the code of behaviour for adults, just ask any of your child’s leaders.
Training
We expect all leaders to take courses in basic first aid and child protection. Special training is provided for those taking young people away on residential events like camps and sleepovers.
Outings and camps
All leaders taking young people on outings or camps will give you notice in writing, ask for your permission and provide you with a method of contacting the group while they are away.
We will never ask to take individual young people away on their own or without another adult being present.
What to do if you have concerns
If you are unhappy with anything relating to your child’s time in Scouting you should raise it with your child’s leaders. If you would rather speak to someone else, please contact the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818.
The Scout Association also has a complaints procedure.
My child has a disability; can they join Scouts?
The Scout Association is committed to being inclusive of all young people, regardless of ability or disability and has a clear Equal Opportunities Policy. There is flexibility within Scouting and all Scout groups should make reasonable adjustments wherever possible to support the inclusion of young people with disabilities or additional needs.
Scouting is delivered by adult volunteers and is not a statutory provision (such as the education system, for example); however we endorse systems of supporting our volunteers with inclusion. We encourage volunteers to meet with the parents/carers of the young person to discuss their individual needs and plan support strategies. In some locations, there are also volunteers specialising in supporting inclusion. However, despite this and the best efforts of our volunteers, there may be situations where a particular Group does not have the capacity or resources to meet the needs of a young person or make the reasonable adjustments necessary. In such instances, local volunteers can work with the parents/carers, to find an alternative Group.
You can contact the Scout Information Centre who can provide information and put you in touch with local volunteers, to discuss and find out about local Groups. If further support or information is required, you can contact the Diversity and Inclusion team at Headquarters on [email protected]
Scouting is delivered by adult volunteers and is not a statutory provision (such as the education system, for example); however we endorse systems of supporting our volunteers with inclusion. We encourage volunteers to meet with the parents/carers of the young person to discuss their individual needs and plan support strategies. In some locations, there are also volunteers specialising in supporting inclusion. However, despite this and the best efforts of our volunteers, there may be situations where a particular Group does not have the capacity or resources to meet the needs of a young person or make the reasonable adjustments necessary. In such instances, local volunteers can work with the parents/carers, to find an alternative Group.
You can contact the Scout Information Centre who can provide information and put you in touch with local volunteers, to discuss and find out about local Groups. If further support or information is required, you can contact the Diversity and Inclusion team at Headquarters on [email protected]
Is Scouts a religious organisation?
No, the Scout Association is an inclusive and values-based Movement. Membership is open to young people and adults of all faiths and beliefs, including the absence of an affirmed faith, humanists or atheists, who share our values. Our values are integrity, respect, care, belief and cooperation. A key element of the programme is spiritual development and exploring different faiths, beliefs and attitudes. There are a range of variations to the promise (a commitment made by all members), to account for different age ranges, faith and beliefs and nationalities (including those who are stateless).
Is there a planned programme of activities for Scouts?
Yes. Behind the fun of Scouting, there is an educational programme that was reviewed and launched in January 2015 following extensive consultation with our leaders and young people. While each Group will undertake different activities, the main programme themes are Outdoor and Adventure, Skills, and World. Group Leaders are trained to deliver this programme.
My child is moving up a section; what do I need to do to help them prepare?
When the time comes to move up to the next age range, a young person can have mixed feelings: excitement at moving on, sadness at leaving friends behind. Making the transition as smooth as possible goes a long way to helping your child settle into their new section.
First of all you need to check what the process involves with your child’s current Section Leader as it can vary locally. You might need to put your child on a waiting list for the next section or, in some cases, it may happen automatically.
You should also ask whether the new Section Leader will be in touch or if you have to contact them first. Also be aware that meeting times and places may be different in the next section.
If your child has friends in their section that they want to move up with, make sure that the section leader knows about this so that they can help if possible. This could also be a good opportunity to arrange sharing transport to and from meetings.
First of all you need to check what the process involves with your child’s current Section Leader as it can vary locally. You might need to put your child on a waiting list for the next section or, in some cases, it may happen automatically.
You should also ask whether the new Section Leader will be in touch or if you have to contact them first. Also be aware that meeting times and places may be different in the next section.
If your child has friends in their section that they want to move up with, make sure that the section leader knows about this so that they can help if possible. This could also be a good opportunity to arrange sharing transport to and from meetings.
I don’t feel I have any suitable skills; how can I get involved?
Parents can volunteer and help in many ways; you don’t have to be a regular Bear Grylls. You might have first aid knowledge that you could teach the group, or you might be able to teach our Scouts a thing or two about DIY.
If you’re good with accounts you could be Group treasurer, or if you’re a culinary whizz you could run cooking sessions with the young people. Everyone has a skill (whether you know it or not) and we can make use of it.
There's no pressure to continue as a helper or leader afterwards, but hopefully we'll be able to inspire you by showing how easy and rewarding it can be to volunteer with Scouts.
If you’re good with accounts you could be Group treasurer, or if you’re a culinary whizz you could run cooking sessions with the young people. Everyone has a skill (whether you know it or not) and we can make use of it.
There's no pressure to continue as a helper or leader afterwards, but hopefully we'll be able to inspire you by showing how easy and rewarding it can be to volunteer with Scouts.
We’re moving to a new area, can I transfer my child to a new Scout Group?
If you're moving to a new area, transferring to a new Scout Group can be great way of helping your child settle in and make friends. You should let your child's current leader know as soon as you can that you're planning to move.
When you know where you're moving to, you can contact the local Group directly.
You can also call the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818. They will be able to put you in touch with a Group in your new area.
If you're moving abroad, the Information Centre will be able to give you the details of the Scout organisation in that country.
When you know where you're moving to, you can contact the local Group directly.
You can also call the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818. They will be able to put you in touch with a Group in your new area.
If you're moving abroad, the Information Centre will be able to give you the details of the Scout organisation in that country.
