FAQ

What age groups can join?

We welcome Young People aged 4 to 18, divided into Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers to suit different age ranges.

Are you open to girls and boys?

Yes, all Young People are welcome

How can I sign up my child?

Simply visit our Contact page and fill out the registration form. We’ll guide you through the next steps.

What activities do the Scouts do?

Our Scouts enjoy everything from camping and hiking to crafts, community projects, and learning essential survival skills.

Our Scouts enjoy everything from camping and hiking to crafts, community projects, and learning essential survival skills.

What sections do we run?

We have a Squirrel Drey (ages 4 and 5), a Beaver Colony (ages 6 and 7), two Cub Packs (aged 8 to 10.5), two Scout Troops (aged 10.5 to 14) and two Explorer Units (aged 14 to 18).

When do sections meet?

Our sections meet throughout the week for the latest details

Where do we meet?

Our Scout Centre is an excellent facility with hall, side room, kitchen, toilets and storage; not forgetting plenty of outside space with both fire circle and fire table.  In the last three years we have successfully attracted £50,000+ in grants that have enabled us to revamp many aspects of the centre including installing a new kitchen, replacing all the windows, improving insulation, erecting a new perimeter fence, sanding and sealing the hall floor, installing new rear and side outside lights, developing a ‘fire table’ in the garden, internal decoration, new front doors and upgrading the rear fire door and the alarm systems. Our next , longer term project, is to revamp the toilets.

How much does Scouting cost?

To be part of our Scout Group currently costs £7.50 to £10.00 per month (depending on section), to include membership/insurance, contribution to hall costs, weekly activities and any badges that are achieved. Extra weekend and day events may involve additional charges, but we always endeavour to keep these to a minimum. A small increase of approx £1 per monthly is likely soon due to increased operating costs.

What does our program look like?

Whichever section your child joins, our program contributes towards a mixture of skills and achievement badges alongside having lots of fun. Whether cooking, crafts, fires, games, pioneering etc onsite or hiking, camping, games, cycling etc offsite Scouting helps build Skills For Life. We actively encourage parents to join in, and although we are fortunate in having a large team, we always welcome more support, whether in your child’s section or another. In addition to weekly section programs, we also run joint ‘all sections’ activities at least twice a term and include bonfire night, summer BBQ, night hikes, ice skating trip and attending the annual District Camp in June.

How does Scouting build Skills for Life?

We give young people experiences they will never forget. The sort of adventure we offer is the chance to experience something different and the opportunity for young people to discover their potential. When a Beaver Scout wakes up the morning after a sleepover, or a Cub Scout has just got over their fear of heights by completing their first abseil, that’s adventure.  

Through the adventure of Scouting, young people get to try exciting activities in a safe environment and have their first taste of responsibility, and as part of our program, we encourage older members to support young sections, whether as part of termly joint events or as part of an award or badge they are working towards, particularly as part of the volunteering element of Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Do we have to wear uniform?

All Scouting sections are a uniformed activity, and we do ask that all members acquire a jumper or shirt. These are available in online at Scout Shops, Sheffield Scout Shop or Glasgow Scout Shop. Second hand shirts and jumpers may also be available via our Swap Shop, Amazon or from a former member. As a Group we provide a Group necker and woggle to members upon investiture, after approx three months. We do not insist on any specific trousers, members are free to wear track bottoms, shorts, walking trousers, jeans etc as appropriate to the weather and activities. You are also invited, but not required, to purchase a Scout Group hoodie from Coniston Corporate.

Do you any second hand uniform?

We have a small but successful uniform Swap Shop. If you have any old uniform to donate or are looking for a particular item, please contact us.

What can you tell me about the leaders?

All our adventures are made possible by the efforts of our dedicated team of hard-working adult volunteers. Our training scheme and one-to-one support ensures that each of our volunteers gets to make the best use of their skills and talents. All our leaders are DBS checked, have completed first aid, safety and safeguarding training, and many have further training and permits such as nights away, hillwalking, water sports and climbing.

How can I get involved?

It’s easy for you to get involved. There are many ways in which you can support us and your child, whether as a trustee volunteer, skills instructor, regular volunteer, becoming a leader etc, but we do ask, as a minimum, that each Scout family supports the Group by assisting occasionally as requested by the leader team, probably just once or twice per term.

What about safety?

Our policies, rules, code of behavior and advice on child protection and safety are there to ensure our young people stay safe while they enjoy themselves and learn. All our member data is stored using Online Scout Manager, which is a fully GDPR compliant data store and you will sent an activation link to input your child’s details.

Can you help me with the cost of Scouting?

We believe that Scouting should be available to all, irrespective of finance. We control costs as much as possible and offer what we think is excellent value for money. We also have an Inclusion Fund, funded by a small levy on subs, to enable us to offer support to families who may be unable to pay for subs, uniforms or camps. We have previously supported attendance at District Camp and contributed to subs. If Scouting is a financial challenge to your family, please contact your section leader and we will see how we can help. Although we will need to review any application for support, we will ensure your confidentiality as far as possible.

Where do I put badges?

Uniform should be worn to all meetings unless informed otherwise by leaders. Badges should be placed as follows on uniforms.