We Scout – but why

should you?

Whatever your age, there is something for everybody, as well as a chance to meet up with your mates, have a laugh and do lots of exciting activities. Scouting helps you learn lots of new and amazing skills – and you get to earn badges and rewards along the way. We have different sections depending on how old you are - they are: 6 to 8 years of age - Make friends and try new indoor and outdoor activities - generally, children can join from the age of 5¾. 8 to 10½ years of age - Learn practical skills while having adventures with friends - you have to be eight years of age to join the Cubs 10½ to 14 years of age - Build confidence, resilience and a sense of adventure - you can join between the ages of 10½ and 11 14 to 18 years of age - Take the lead, work together, and embrace new experiences - you can join the Explorer Scouts or become a Young Leader between the ages of 13½ and 15. 18 to 25 years of age - Hone employability skills and achieve top awards - you can move on to, or join the Scout Network between 17½ and 18½ - it’s a great way to stay in touch when at University or away from home; however, membership ceases on your 25th birthday. Eighteen years or older - everyone has something to give, and you could use your work or hobby skills to help us by becoming a Leader, an Assistant, or a Helper - why not join us?

Meetings

Usually, members wear their uniforms when attending meetings held at the Scout Den in Combe Lane. The day and the time of the meetings are given in the section details on this website. If a meeting is not held at the Scout Den, for example, a cookout or swimming. However, you will usually be told about the arrangements and the type of clothing to wear, at least the week before. Members are expected to regularly attend meetings and events and keep to the standards required by their Section; otherwise, their place may be withdrawn and be offered to someone on the waiting list.

How much does it cost

The main costs of being a Beaver, Cub or Scout in our Group are subscription costs, uniform costs and costs for some major activities such as camps. The current monthly subscription is £12. The majority of the Group's income comes from subscriptions managed through an automated online system, Online Scout Manager (OSM). TThis arrangement makes it much easier to pay subs – no need to remember to dig out your cheque book or do online banking. It is all automated once you have set it up, which is a speedy and easy process. Scouting is about everyone being able to join the adventure and don't want young people to miss out due to the cost. If you're concerned about the cost, please speak to us in confidence; there may be assistance available.

Joining Scouting

We aim to offer a place at the earliest opportunity; however, Scouting is very popular in our area, which unfortunately means we can't always provide a place to a potential member as soon as we would like to. Therefore, to be transparent and open, we have defined how we will offer places to young people from our Joining-in List. In the first place, please provide us with details of your child by clicking this (mobile users click here). Doing this will take you to a short form on the Online Scout Manager (OSM) system that we use to record our members; and will automatically add your child to our Group's 'Joining-in' List. You will then receive an email to confirm it. When a place is available, the appropriate Leader will contact you and make arrangements for your child to go to their first meeting, meet the Leader, and see what happens at a meeting. It will be necessary for you to fill out a Young Person Information Form to register them with The Scout Association at his stage.

Everybody is welcome

We follow the equality, diversity and inclusion policy of The Scout Association. We are open to all young people aged 6 to 17 years, subject to places being available and sufficient adults in the section to run safely and successfully. Adults aged 18 years and above are encouraged to participate appropriately in the Group’s activities as volunteers. We are open and accessible and treat young people and adults respectfully without prejudice or discrimination, including racism, sexism, diversity and homophobia, so they feel equally valued and able to make the most of their lives, whatever their identity or background. We are committed to being fully inclusive by making reasonable adjustments to support young people and adults with additional needs or disabilities, including those with autism, so everyone can access Scouting and progress within the movement. As far as reasonably possible, we do this by enabling people of all abilities to participate in our activities at the same level. With young people, this is achieved by developing a positive relationship and working in partnership with their parents or carers to identify their child’s needs and plan any support needed. In particular, by pinpointing the parts of Scouting their child may enjoy or find beneficial and any aspects they may require additional help with. Once established, we apply these identified needs and support strategies at our meetings, which their parents or carers routinely attend and work alongside our leaders to ensure their child is at ease, has fun and gains the skills to succeed. Download our Inclusivity Policy

Uniform

Scouting is a uniformed organisation and all Beavers, Cubs and Scouts are required to wear the appropriate uniform. However, it is worth waiting a couple of weeks to make sure that new members are settled and that Scouting is for them before buying a uniform. Wedmore Scout Group wear a lemon-coloured scarf with a red border, which was added to mark 100 years since it was started. It also has the Group's ‘Isle of Wedmore’ badge on the back of it. Sometimes called a ‘necker’, the scarf and woggle that holds it in place, are presented to the young person at their investiture into the Colony, Pack or Troop. Although the Group provides these initially, you may have to pay for replacements any of these are lost. Locally, Dean’s shop at Cheddar stock a good range of Beaver, Cub and Scout uniform items. Additionally, uniforms can be purchased from the official Scout Store, which can supply all your uniform and Scouting supplies from their website or by telephone (01903 766921).

Investiture

When a new member is ready to join officially, they make their promise during a short ceremony called an ‘investiture’; where they receive the Membership Award to show that they belong to the world-wide scout movement. The Promise is based on the shared values of all scouts, but has a number of variations in wording, depending on each young person's personal faith and beliefs, which the Leaders are happy to discuss with each new member. We ask that all members to learn their promise off- by-heart, as it is important that they try their best to live by it. However we understand that people can get nervous when having to speak in front of others, so during their investiture they will be asked to repeat their promise after a Leader. The Beaver, Cub and Scout sections of this website have downloadable sheets that provide information about the investiture ceremony; as well as details of the Promise, Law and Motto that are applicable.

How we manage our Joining-in List

The Group keeps to the equal opportunities policy of The Scout Association, and is open to all young people, aged from 6 to 14 years; subject to places being available, and there being sufficient adults in the Section for it to be run safely and successfully. We operate a single Joining-in List for the entire Group; which includes anyone who wishes to join and is waiting for a place to become available within the appropriate Section; including young people moving into the area. So, this means that if a young person is unlucky not to obtain a place in one Section, they will be held our Joining-in List for the next age group; where they will generally be offered a place once they are less than six months of reaching the starting age of that Section. There is no need to reapply for each Section. Places within Beavers, Cubs and Scouts will be allocated in the following priority order; subject to the young person being able to spend at least six months in the appropriate Section, before reaching the age that they will have to leave that Section: • Young people who are already a member of the Group, moving up to the next Section, i.e. moving from the Beaver Colony into Cubs and from the Cub Pack/s into Scouts; • The children, or grandchildren, of Leaders and full time helpers who invest time in helping to support Wedmore Scout Group; including new adults joining the Group in these roles; • Young people moving into the area who are already a Member of the Scout Movement; • Young people living in Wedmore, and the villages and hamlets of Bagley, Blackford, Clewer, Cocklake, Crickham, Heath House, Latcham, Mark, Mudgley, Panborough, Sand and Theale; or within the remainder of the BS28 postcode area; • Young people living outside the BS28 postcode area, but who have a sibling in the same Section, or one of the other Sections; • All other young people. Within these groups, priority will be allocated according to age, and the length of time they have been on the Joining-in List. If a young person fails to meet the standards required by their Section then their place may be withdrawn and be offered to someone on the waiting list. In particular, this means regularly attending meetings and events; but also includes other factors, such as behaviour and paying subscription fees. Download a copy of this policy