Letters to the Group Leader

1. Can girls join Scouts?

2. What’s the purpose or aims of Scouts?

3. My daughter is 13, and was never involved in Scouts or Guides. Is it too late for her to join?

4. Can I be sure the activities are safe?

5. If Scouting was started last century, is it still relevant today?

6. What’s a parent helper?

7. Can anyone become a leader?

8. Why do we have to pay fees?

9. Since being retrenched, things are pretty tight, and I’ve just received my annual account. What should I do as Jack loves going to Scouts?

10. I would like to help Akela, but I work rotating shifts. Is there any other way I can help?

11. Can children with disabilities join Scouts?

12. Can I buy a uniform second hand?

13. How does the Group raise funds? I’m tired of having to sell raffle tickets, chocolates and wondered if there are alternatives?

14. If I become a leader, how long do I have to commit to, and what will it cost?

15. If I become a cub leader, and my daughter goes up to Scouts, do I have to stay in cubs?

16. Why does the G.L. want to interview my son and I before we join the Group?

17. What time does Joeys start?

Can girls join Scouts?

Girls have been welcomed into Scouts since 1988, when the association changed its name to Australian Scouts. This move was made to bring Scouting into line with community attitudes with respect to gender issues. Where girls are involved in a section, a female leader, or at the very least, a female parent helper participates in the programme.

What’s the purpose or aims of Scouts?

The aims of scouting are to encourage the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual development of our youth members. From this aim it is hoped that the youth member will be prepared to take his/her place in our society as a responsible citizen, understanding what he or she can do for the betterment of society in general.

My daughter is 13, and was never involved in Scouts or Guides. Is it too late for her to join?

In a word “no!” You can join the relevant section at any age. The leaders will provide your child with the skills that are required to start working her way through the sections award scheme. Scouting is learning by doing, and your daughter will pick up the required skills through participation in activities on the night and such things as camps, hikes, and district events.

Can I be sure the activities are safe?

All adult leaders exercise a “duty of care” when it comes to all activities both in and outside the hall. All activities are approved by the Group Leader to ensure that they are safe, appropriate for the age group and those attending. In the case of adventurous activities, the parents are advised of the details, and the youth member will only participate if parental consent is given. This is usually done in the form of a notice advising the details of the event, and a request for an authorising signature from the parents.

If Scouting was started last century, is it still relevant today?

Given the challenges of modern society, changes in family structures, workplace insecurity, Scouting is perhaps even more relevant as it offers young people the ability to grow and mature within a structured framework. Scouting provides this structure in a balanced and secure format. As our young people continue to bombarded with magazine articles and other marketing pressures telling them they are adults and that they have the ability to spend money and make other choices freely, Scouting allows them to be challenged, but at the same time enjoy their youth. In many of the activities they simply have fun as kids, but see that the leaders, who despite being adults, are also having fun, and surprisingly can listen and talk to them. As they progress through each of the various sections, they are given varying and increasing responsibilities, and through this develop important life skills. Many of these skills are way in excess of what they or even their parents thought they could achieve.

What’s a parent helper?

A parent helper is a non-uniformed adult who assists in the section programme, but only after having a thorough police clearance. No adult is allowed to participate in activities on a regular basis until such time as they have completed this process. Generally this is defined as being in the hall more than once a term.

Can anyone become a leader?

The simple answer is yes, however they must pass through a series of checks and balances to ensure they understand the responsibility such a role undertakes, and the requirements for training etc. These include interviews with the sectional leader and then the Group Leader, the police clearance, and then onto an interview by the local District Personnel Committee. This process ensures that we are getting leaders of a high quality and who have appropriate skills and motives for wanting to become leaders. All leaders must abide by a strict code of conduct. Ask the G.L. or your child’s leader if they can show you a copy of this code of conduct.

Why do I have to pay fees?

Scouting is a voluntary movement, but even so there are expenses to be paid in running and maintaining the hall, equipment maintenance etc. The fees make a contribution towards these costs. Compared to other activities involving young people, the fees are much lower than most sports, and these are only run on a seasonal basis, whereas Scouting covers all 4 terms.

Since being retrenched, things are pretty tight, and I’ve just received my annual account. What should I do, as Jack loves going to Cubs?

In this instance ring the G.L. He can work out some options for you, and no one else will know the reasons. This is quite a normal procedure. Economic matters outside their direct control, affect many families, at sometime. The treasurer will simply be told of the mechanics of the options and not the purpose behind them. Be assured that the G.L. will treat this matter with confidentiality and sensitivity, and your phone call won’t be the first or the last that he receives on this matter.

I would like to help Akela, but I work rotating shifts. Is there any other way I can help?

There is a wide range of areas in which you could help. These range from being a parent helper, assisting in transport when required, making teaching aids, organising events, fund raising, buying the badges and lollies, etc. Simply ask Akela what needs to be done, given your time restraints, and I’m sure your offer will be most welcomed.

Can children with disabilities join Scouts?

Depending on the degree and nature of the disability there is a good chance that such a child could join a section, if there is a vacancy. Naturally special care would need to be taken to ensure that the leaders of the section could accommodate the needs of such a child. There are Scouting groups for disabled children, and these groups are staffed with those leaders who have the special skills, and are equipped to handle youth members with disabilities. In our region we have such a group and they regularly participate in District events. Ask the G.L. for further details.

Can I buy a uniform second hand?

The Group Committee sells second hand uniforms, as does the regional office. Ask any of the leaders for details.

How does the Group raise funds? I’m tired of having to sell raffle tickets, chocolates and wondered if there were alternatives?

1^stBaden Powell Park raises the extra funds it requires by delivering telephone books twice a year, usually in May and November. With everyone in the Group helping, we distribute about 10,000 books each time. It is a lot of fun and a great way to get to meet others in the Group.

If I become a leader, how long do I have to commit to, and what will it cost?

We ask for a minimum commitment of 3 years, so that the Group can cover the costs of paying for the uniform and all the training. In our Group we are specially lucky as many of our leaders have stayed on after their own children have left Scouts, and so have many leaders with over 10 years service. As to the cost, Scouting shouldn’t really cost you anything, except for fuel getting to the hall and the odd phone call. An expense reimbursement system is available for out of pocket expenses.

If I become a Cub leader, and Jenny goes up to Scouts next year, do I have to stay in Cubs?

This is a yes/no type of question. As a sectional leader you are part of a developing team, that individually and collectively build relationships with the cub pack and the cubs parents. Leaving will have an affect on this relationship. The other thing to consider is why not let your daughter go on to Scouts by herself? She is at an age that she would probably appreciate the independence that this would give. At cubs she had a parent who was a leader, does she now want the same in Scouts. Talk it over with the other leaders, your daughter, and the G.L. They all want what is best for you and your family. Remember in scouting the priorities for leaders are: family, job, Scouts. Review your situation with this and the Scout Law and Promises in mind, and I’m sure you will find the answer best suited for yourself.

Why does the G.L. want to interview my son and I before we join the Group?

The interview is so that the G.L. can make sure that you and your son both understand what Scouting is all about, your role in the Group, and to complete your son’s application to join Scouts Australia and 1^st Baden Powell Park Scout Group. The G.L. signature on the blue “M1” form completes this process.

What time does Joeys start?

Check the link to Meeting Times. Last time I looked it was 6.30 PM, but this is when the programme starts, so try and get there about 5 minutes earlier.

Send any queries to the Group Leader by : Email

Updated: 16/06/00

N.B. The above questions and answers relate to questions asked over a period of time. All names are fictitious, and have no connection to any person or persons currently or previously associated with the Group.