Frequently Asked Questions
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Thinking about joining the adventure? You’re bound to have loads of questions about Scouting – we’ve tried to answer some of the most common ones below, but if you can’t find the answer please get in touch! Age Ranges Beaver Scouts 53/4 - 8 Cub Scouts 8 - 101/2 Scouts 101/2 - 14 Above 14 your child moves up to Explorer Scouts. The local Explorer unit is run by Colchester North District. |
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When do we meet?
We have three, age specific, sections at 2nd Langham. To find out more about each section please click on the Sections heading above.
Our usual meeting times are:
Beavers – Wednesday 17:00 - 18:15
Cubs – Wednesday 18:15 - 19:30
Scouts – Wednesday 19:30 - 21:00
Times may vary due to activity, location, etc. If you would like to come along and visit us please get in touch.
Will my Child be Safe?
All our leaders undertake DBS (formerly known as CRB) checks, and a strict appointment procedure is followed. Leaders undertake extensive training, covering areas such as Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Challenging Behaviour, etc. The group has clear behaviour policies which are followed, and we follow the Scout Associations “Young People First” safeguarding procedures. A qualified first aider is present for all activities and appropriate first aid equipment is available whether we are in the hall or out and about.
Scouting encourages young people to take sensible risks in a controlled way. Your child will climb trees, light fires and learn to use knives, as well as taking part in a number of adventurous activities. We recognise that minor injuries are an inevitable part of childhood, but follow risk assessments and operating procedures to ensure that all activities are as safe as possible.
Can Girls join Scouts?
Yes! Girls have been apart of the Scout movement since 1976. Our leader team is also mixed.
Does my child have to go Camping?
A key part of Scouting is going away from home on residential “nights away” trips. These are a mix of camps, indoor sleepovers, and expeditions. Typically Beavers will be offered two nights away from home each year, Cubs will usually be offered 3 nights away experiences each year and Scouts will be offered 5 or 6 nights away experiences each year.
Whilst attendance at camp is not required it is strongly encouraged, and is a core part of the programme. Over the years we have found that young people who do not attend the camps miss out on a huge part of the Scouting Experience. If you have any concerns about your child attending camps, or about paying for them, please do talk to us!
Is Scouting a Religious Organisation
The Scout Association is an inclusive, values-based movement, which means we are made up of members of different faiths including those with no faith, and identify ourselves with no one faith exclusively. Membership is open to all individuals who share our fundamental values and are willing to make a commitment to them, expressed by our Promise and Law. Different Versions of the Promise are available to suit different faiths or those who have no affirmed faith. For more information please speak to your Section Leader.
Will I be expected to help?
We are a family-orientated group, and encourage all family members to get involved. Whether its helping occasionally as part of our parent rota, supporting trips or camps, or taking on a more regular leadership role, we are entirely dependant on volunteers to run our weekly section meetings. Behind the scenes we are also supported by an active Executive Committee and fundraising team.
Volunteering for the group is very rewarding, and can be great fun. We run a range of social events for parents and families throughout the year, and its a great way to make new friends – for the adults as well as the kids!
Is there a waiting list?
Unfortunately we are limited in the number of young people who can join us, not by our venue or resources but by the number of volunteers we have.
It is well worth adding your child to our waiting list from an early age to increase your chances of a space being available when they reach joining age, and we recommend that wherever possible all children join us as Beavers at age 6, and work up through the group.
You can find out more about how our waiting list works, and what to expect by contacting us here
How do we Get Involved?
Get in touch with us today!
How is the Group Managed
Scouting has a defined management structure. Each Section is managed by a Section Leader. All the sections, along with the group in general, are managed by the Group Scout Leader – who in turn is line managed by the District Commissioner.
The group is a registered charity, and as such is managed by a board of trustees known as the Executive Committee. This committee is made up of leaders, parents, and community members– find out more!
We have three, age specific, sections at 2nd Langham. To find out more about each section please click on the Sections heading above.
Our usual meeting times are:
Beavers – Wednesday 17:00 - 18:15
Cubs – Wednesday 18:15 - 19:30
Scouts – Wednesday 19:30 - 21:00
Times may vary due to activity, location, etc. If you would like to come along and visit us please get in touch.
Will my Child be Safe?
All our leaders undertake DBS (formerly known as CRB) checks, and a strict appointment procedure is followed. Leaders undertake extensive training, covering areas such as Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Challenging Behaviour, etc. The group has clear behaviour policies which are followed, and we follow the Scout Associations “Young People First” safeguarding procedures. A qualified first aider is present for all activities and appropriate first aid equipment is available whether we are in the hall or out and about.
Scouting encourages young people to take sensible risks in a controlled way. Your child will climb trees, light fires and learn to use knives, as well as taking part in a number of adventurous activities. We recognise that minor injuries are an inevitable part of childhood, but follow risk assessments and operating procedures to ensure that all activities are as safe as possible.
Can Girls join Scouts?
Yes! Girls have been apart of the Scout movement since 1976. Our leader team is also mixed.
Does my child have to go Camping?
A key part of Scouting is going away from home on residential “nights away” trips. These are a mix of camps, indoor sleepovers, and expeditions. Typically Beavers will be offered two nights away from home each year, Cubs will usually be offered 3 nights away experiences each year and Scouts will be offered 5 or 6 nights away experiences each year.
Whilst attendance at camp is not required it is strongly encouraged, and is a core part of the programme. Over the years we have found that young people who do not attend the camps miss out on a huge part of the Scouting Experience. If you have any concerns about your child attending camps, or about paying for them, please do talk to us!
Is Scouting a Religious Organisation
The Scout Association is an inclusive, values-based movement, which means we are made up of members of different faiths including those with no faith, and identify ourselves with no one faith exclusively. Membership is open to all individuals who share our fundamental values and are willing to make a commitment to them, expressed by our Promise and Law. Different Versions of the Promise are available to suit different faiths or those who have no affirmed faith. For more information please speak to your Section Leader.
Will I be expected to help?
We are a family-orientated group, and encourage all family members to get involved. Whether its helping occasionally as part of our parent rota, supporting trips or camps, or taking on a more regular leadership role, we are entirely dependant on volunteers to run our weekly section meetings. Behind the scenes we are also supported by an active Executive Committee and fundraising team.
Volunteering for the group is very rewarding, and can be great fun. We run a range of social events for parents and families throughout the year, and its a great way to make new friends – for the adults as well as the kids!
Is there a waiting list?
Unfortunately we are limited in the number of young people who can join us, not by our venue or resources but by the number of volunteers we have.
It is well worth adding your child to our waiting list from an early age to increase your chances of a space being available when they reach joining age, and we recommend that wherever possible all children join us as Beavers at age 6, and work up through the group.
You can find out more about how our waiting list works, and what to expect by contacting us here
How do we Get Involved?
Get in touch with us today!
How is the Group Managed
Scouting has a defined management structure. Each Section is managed by a Section Leader. All the sections, along with the group in general, are managed by the Group Scout Leader – who in turn is line managed by the District Commissioner.
The group is a registered charity, and as such is managed by a board of trustees known as the Executive Committee. This committee is made up of leaders, parents, and community members– find out more!