1st Stotfold Scout Group are part of the Biggleswade District. Our members are girls and boys aged between 10½ and 14, and they take part in an active, exciting, fun, and adventurous programme of activities. We camp several times through the year.
Uniform
The Scout uniform consists of a shirt, neckerchief with woggle, trousers and belt.
• Dark green long-sleeved shirt
• Navy Blue Activity Trousers
• Group neckerchief (yellow and green) and woggle
• Brown leather belt with buckle bearing the Scout Badge should be worn with trousers when the shirt is worn and is optional for use under the sweatshirt.
There is also an Activity Uniform for the messy and active activities. This uniform is a 1st Stotfold Scout hoodie and the navy blue uniform trousers.
Uniforms can be purchased from the Scout Shop at Boyd Field, which is open on a Tuesday and Thursday evening between 7:00pm to 8:30pm. See here. This is our local shop and proceeds go back into the Biggleswade District, so support it if you can.
They are also available on-line at The Scout Store.
Camping and Sleepovers
Camping is an important part of Scouting and we try to organise several camps every year. These are usually at weekends, or during the school holidays. Our summer camp, which is seen as the main camp of the year, is during the school summer holidays, lasts a week, and is away from the local area.
Money Matters
Scouts are charged subs which are currently £20 per half-term which covers normal weekly meeting costs, insurance, upkeep of the Scout Hut and the troop administration costs. Camps are charged in addition to this, as are special meetings such as bowling, skiing, karting and most weekend activities.
Making Payments
Payments are made online to the Scout Group bank account, we administer these through a system called Online Scout Manager (OSM) via direct debits.
Leader Contacts
If you have any problems or queries, please don’t hesitate in contacting any of the leaders. You will be given their contact details when your child joins Scouts or you can use the email address of the Group Scout Leader (GSL) on the Contacts page. We are there to help you and your child.
Health / Contact Information
We have personal information forms that we require to be filled in. These will give us all the information required should there be any need to contact parents or for medical purposes.
You will be emailed the relevant forms when your child starts at Scouts, or given them on the first evening, and increasingly sections are moving over to this information being held within OSM where it can be filled in online and edited by parents / guardians. An additional form that is likely to be given out or requested to be filled in online deals with Gift Aid (the Scout group is a registered charity and subs can be claimed as Gift Aid, please fill in these forms if you are able to as this is a valuable source of extra income to the group).
Please return these forms / complete online as soon as possible.
When attending a camp you will be asked to complete a permission to camp form. This asks for more detailed information required for a camp.
What is Scouting?
Scouts were started over 100 years ago, by Sir Robert Baden-Powell. He was a soldier, and got the idea while he was serving in the African town of Mafeking. He brought this idea home to England after the war, and tried it out with several groups of young boys from all over the country, and from different walks of life. This ended up with him organising a camp on the now famous Brownsea Island.
The old fashioned approach of ‘DYB DYB DYB’ and wide brimmed hats went out of the window at the review of Scouting in 1964, so we won’t make you wear silly hats unless you want to.
Scouting still remains one of the biggest movements in the world.
Scouts is the next step on from Cubs and in Scouts you will participate in activities which will test you to the limits both mentally and physically. The leaders will try to encourage you to do this as much as possible, but in the end, it is down to you to show us what you can do.
“It is a movement, because it moves forward. As soon as it stops moving, it becomes as Organisation, and is no longer Scouting” — Sir Robert Baden-Powell.
What do we do?
Scout activities are a combination of learning and having fun. They learn about themselves and how to look after themselves, they get to know people from their local community. They find out about life in other countries and explore through organised activities. They care by helping those around them.
he Scout programme and activities are based on six Programme Zones, these are:
- Scoutcraft & Adventure
- Global
- Community
- Fit for Life
- Exploring Beliefs & Attitudes
- Creative Expression
It is by participating in a Balanced Programme that the Scout experiences Scouting. The Balanced Programme provides opportunities for growth and development in Six personal development areas. These are:
- Body
- Mind
- Faith & Belief
- Relationships
- Community
- Surroundings
“How do I find out about these activities and events?”
A programme and information pack is e-mailed out 3 times a year giving both parents and Scouts a detailed programme showing all the organised events for the next few months.
If you are not sure about the arrangements for a Troop activity, do have a chat with the Leaders after a Troop meeting or contact them.
Do You Want to Help?
Your child may come home from a Troop meeting and say “I need to know how to build an open fire for camp!”
Your child expects you to be interested and will get much more out of Scouting if you are prepared to offer your support. There are lots of ways in which you can help, for example:-
- Helping prepare refreshments for a Group event
- Helping transport Scouts to events and outings or move kit to camp
- Supporting the Scout Group’s social events, Annual General Meeting, and Open Evenings
- Supporting the Scout Group Board of Trustees to help them run the group and manage the Scout Group
- Joining the Supporters Association which helps raise funds for the group
The Board of Trustees
Each year, the Scout Group elects a Board of Trustees consisting of a number of volunteers to carry out the strategic tasks of running the Scout Group. They are responsible for purchasing equipment and maintaining Group property. The function of the Board is also to support and help the Group
Each year, the Scout Group elects a Board of Trustees consisting of a number of volunteers to carry out the strategic tasks of running the Scout Group. They are responsible for purchasing equipment and maintaining Group property. The function of the Board is also to support and help the Group Leader carry out his or her role in maintaining an effective and successful Scout Group.
What do you gain from helping?
You will have the opportunity to meet a variety of new people and make a real contribution to help your local community. Please do not be shy to offer your help and if you feel you have any skills to offer to the Beaver Scout Colony, other sections or Trustees please contact your Beaver Scout Leader or the GSL (the email address is on the Contacts page). By playing your part and supporting your child you will share the enjoyment, friendship and fun of the family of Scouting.
The Scout Promise and Law
The Scout Promise
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to God and to the King
To help other people
And to keep the Scout Law
The Scout Law
A Scout is to be trusted
A Scout is loyal
A Scout is friendly and considerate
A Scout is a brother to all Scouts
A Scout has courage in all his difficulties
A Scout makes good use of his time and is careful of possessions and property
A Scout has respect for himself and for others
