6 to 8 years - 4.45pm to 5.45pm

Beavers are open to both boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 8 years. From Beavers progression can be made within the group to Cubs (8 to 10 ½ years), Scouts (10 ½ to 14 years) and Explorers (14 to 18 years).

Uniform

All Beaver Scouts wear a uniform. This consists of group neckerchief, a turquoise sweatshirt and/or a turquoise t-shirt. The sweatshirt and t-shirt can be purchased at either the Scout Shop (which is situated in the grounds of the Coopers Hill Community Centre – open Monday evening 7.00pm to 8.00pm term time only) or at the School Uniform shop in town.

The group neckerchief and Beaver Book are purchased by you from us and cost £10.00. They will be presented with a woggle at the investiture.

Investiture

This will take place after your child has attended at least three meetings and is in possession of his/her Beaver sweatshirt or t-shirt. By this time they will have learnt:

You will receive an invitation to attend your child’s Investiture at which they will receive, after reciting their promise, their group neckerchief, woggle and their first badges.

Opening Ceremonies

Each beaver group has a traditional way of welcoming all the Beavers to the meeting. This is known as 'GATHER LOGS'

• The Beaver leader calls out 'gather logs' and stands in the middle of the hall.
• The Beavers make the largest circle they can as if they were going away to gather logs to build a dam.
• The leader now calls 'build a dam'.
• The Beavers then take five steps inwards (holding hands if appropriate).
• The Beavers then call out H-E-L-L-O.
• When in a circle they shout 'Hello' and the leader replies 'Hello Beavers'.

Closing Ceremonies

• The leader stands in the middle of the room and calls 'build a dam'.
• The Beavers form an orderly circle around the leader.
• The leader gives out any final notices or gives out any badges.
• Any letter, handicraft or anything to be taken home is then distributed.
• When the leader is happy that everyone is ready and the meeting has finished, the leader says 'Goodnight Beavers'.
• The Beavers reply 'Goodnight'.

8 to 10 ½ years - 6.00pm to 7.15pm

Cubs are open to both boys and girls between the ages of 8 to 10 ½ years. From Cubs progres is made to Scouts and Explorer Scouts.

Uniform

All Cubs wear a uniform. This consists of group neckerchief, a green sweatshirt and a green polo-shirt. The sweatshirt and polo-shirt can be purchased at either the Scout Shop (which is situated in the grounds of the Coopers Hill Community Centre – open Monday evening 7.00pm to 8.00pm term time only) or at the School Uniform shop in town.

The group neckerchief and Cubs Handbook are purchased by you from us and cost £10.00. All Cubs will be presented with a woggle at the investiture.

Investiture

This will take place after your child has attended at least three meetings. This is a formal welcome to the pack. In general, this will take place at the end of a pack meeting. The pack will stand in a circle with the Cub Scout Leader. Each new Cub will in turn be invited up front to make their promise. The Cub Scout will recite the promise after the leader (Akela). Akela will then present the cub with his group scarf, woggle, group badges and handbook. The cub will then shake hands with Akela.

Opening Ceremonies

Each Cub pack has a traditional way of welcoming all the Cubs to the meeting. This is known as the Grand Howl

• The Cubs are called to form a semi-circle around Akela.
• Akela then stretches out his/her arms to the side and lowers the arms - this is the signal to begin.
• The pack squats and shouts "Akela We'll do our best".
• The lead cub stands and say "Cubs, do your best".
• The pack stands up, salutes and says in return "We will do our best".

Closing Ceremonies

• At the end of the meeting all Cubs for a semi-circle.
• Any notices to parents, reminders about church parade, summer camp, etc. are given out at this point.

Other Activities

Through-out the year, the Cubs are invited to join in a variety of extra activities. These include district lead events e.g. football tournament, district quiz and Cub activity days; or group based activities e.g. summer camp. Information about these events are sent out via cub post and reminders are given at the end of each meeting. A termly newsletter is also sent out.

10 ½ to 14 years

Starting at 7.30pm and ending at 9.00pm

Information and image about the Scouts

14 to 18 years

Meetings begin at 7.30pm and finish at 9.00pm

Information and image about the Explorers

Other Information

The Scout Motto

"Be Prepared."

The Scout Handshake

All members of the Scout Movement shake with their left hand as a sign of friendship.

The Scout Sign

This is made by all members of the Scout Movement when saying their promise.
The thumb and little finger of the right hand are held down together and the three remaining fingers point straight up with the palm facing forward.

Subscriptions

Subs are paid on a termly basis and are at present £20.00 per term. If you have more than one child in the group then subs would be £18.00 per child.

There is a one off charge of £10.00 upon your child starting. This is payment for a group necker and handbook. If your child already has a necker but does not have a handbook, this can be bought for £3.50.

Church Parade

We occasionally attend church parades where we parade as a group with our flags. Full details will be issued prior to the events.

Personal Contact Details

A personal contact for needs to be completed in order to comply with Scout regulations.

Group Committee

This is made up of parents from within the group and their main functions are to constantly review thet the group is conducting a varied programme along with raising funds to ensure the subscriptions are kept to a minimum.

If you would like to know more about the Group Committee then please ask one of the Leaders for more information.

If you have any questions, please see the contact page.