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Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does Scouting Cost?
Subscriptions
The Scouts, Wolf Cubs and Beavers all pay a membership subscription that is paid each term, there are three terms per a year. Currently, the Beavers pay £10, the Wolf Cubs pay £15 and the Scouts pay £20 per term. The Association does not have a capitation fee scheme for each member like some other Scout associations, all subscriptions are for the running of the Scout Group.
Uniform
Uniquely the Scouts’ uniforms remain the property of the Scout Group, Scouts pay an initial uniform lease deposit of £30 and then receive a full Scout uniform, included in their term subscriptions is a part payment for the replacement of parts of the uniform as they grow out of or parts that wear out. If a Scout decides to leave the Scout Group, provided he returns the uniform in a good laundered condition, he will receive £20 back from the initial leasing deposit paid. This way the Scout Group can ensure that, regardless of economical or social status, Scouts will have a smart uniform appearance, something that they take pride in wearing, as well as assisting with good family budgeting. We believe that smartness, equality and discipline go hand in hand, something that Baden-Powell, we believe, would have fully supported.
Beaver and Wolf Cub uniforms are supplied by the BBS & BGS uniform supplies, and purchased by completing an order form obtained from the appropriate Section Leader with cheques made payable to the BBS & BGS Association. Beaver and Wolf Cub uniforms currently cost approximately £35 for the full uniform made from good quality materials; cap, jumper, neckerchief, woggle, socks and garters. Grey school shorts are part of the uniform but not supplied by the Association, these can be cheaply purchased from your local school uniform supplier shops.
Camps and Expeditions
These are charged depending upon the camp and expedition being undertaken. However because the Scout Troop requires that all Scout members take part and support these activities, the costs are keep to the minimum. A week's camp will usually cost in the region of £100.00 and a weekend camp £20.00. A camp bank system is run by the Scout Troop to help save towards camps and expeditions.
Fund Raising
Fundraising always involves the Scouts, Wolf Cubs and Beavers who are encouraged to do good useful turns for others (Bob-A-Job and similar) or take part in Scout Group organised fund raising events. We do not fund raise for the sake of it but usually only for specific projects, otherwise our normal subscriptions cover day to day running expenses and the majority of equipment replacement or provision.
Are Your Leaders Trained and Insured?
All leaders attend the ‘Wood Badge’ training scheme recognised as the standard training for leaders in all Scout associations throughout the World. Currently all leaders except two have undertaken their ‘Wood Badge’ training to various levels in their appropriate Sections, with three leaders having completed their full ‘Wood Badge’.
All members are insured through our insurers as noted in the about section of our Scout Group website.
How Do I know My Child is Safe in this Scout Group?
All leaders are subject to CRB checks and certifications as required by the BBS & BGS Association.
The BBS & BGS Association promotes the sponsorship of member group by local bodies such as their Church, School or similar, who will be knowledgeable concerning those persons running the Scout Group.
Our Scout Group is a family orientated friendly group, almost all the Scout leaders being well known in the community having lived there for many years, leaders that are well known and take an active part in the local churches. The Group Scout Master is one of the most experienced Scouters, if not the most experienced within the area and much respected, having been in the Scout Movement as a Wolf Cub, a Scout, Senior Scout, Assistant Scout Master and Scoutmaster within the village before starting the 2nd.Goring & Streatley Scout Group.
The Scout Group holds annually, either a Mother and Son/Daughter or Father and Son/Daughter Weekend Camp all run strictly on traditional Scouting camping lines and standards, so apart from being great fun, very competitive, this gives parents the opportunity to really get to know the Scout Group leaders.
The Group Scout Master has also previously been a member of the British Red Cross, holding some of their highest awards for a Junior Member, during his time in the Red Cross he also encouraged and lead camps for disabled children. Hence the Scout Group has no hesitation in accepting disabled children who can achieve great skills in the traditional and flexible Scout training that we offer to suit the member.
Do You Go Camping?
Camping is an essential element of traditional Scouting, the Scout’s training is designed to be put fully into practice at the annual Scout Troop camp, the pinnacle of the Scouting year. Scouts camp in Patrols under the leadership of their Patrol Leader and Patrol Seconder, hence Scouts are required to attend camps so as not to let down their Patrols and leave them shorthanded. Every Scout should want to camp.
Both the Scout and Wolf Cub Sections go camping under canvas (in tents). Beavers are considered too young to go camping and we consider that this leaves a greater expectation for them to look forward to when they become Wolf Cubs.
Is it True that Girls are not Accepted?
The BBS & BGS Association was the first Scout association to admit girls, others followed many years later. Our Scout Group accepts and welcome girls to join, in past years we have had over 50% girls to boys in the Scout Troop, the ratio does vary. We find that girls enjoy Scouting activities and compete at an equal level to the boys.
I Hear that Traditional Scouting is Boring; is that so?
Baden-Powell took the best ideas from other youth organisation at the time plus his experiences in the army, and there is no doubt that he came up with a thoroughly well thought out programme of training and education. These ideas are still as prevalent to-day as they were then, in fact they are still used in education, other youth organisations, the armed forces, etc.
The training programme set by Baden-Powell permits great flexibility within a set course and framework, you can make this as interesting and as challenging as you require. The traditional Scout Group carries out activities the same as any other Scout association. Some Scouts who have left our traditional Scout Group have been so inspired, enthused and with great competence gained, have undertaken even great adventures, hiking and cycling around parts of the World; another became a vet treating alligators in the Everglades in America; a simple bridge building pioneer exercise for one Scout meant that he was leaps and bounds above the other applicants for Sandhurst Army Officers Training College, the last I heard he was a Major, to mention just a few and all have acknowledged the great fun and skills gained from traditional Scouting.
If you think that traditional Scouting might be boring, come along and try and keep up with us.
Have You Any Space for me to Join?
Currently we have vacancies in all sections. See the appropriate Section in this website for the updated position in this regard.
Leaders and adult helpers are always welcome to join and assist.
I’m in Another Scout Group in Another Association but I Think that your Scout Group Will be Better for me, May I Join?
In the past we have had many Scouts from other Scout Groups come along and joined and found that they could soon settle into our friendly Scout Group and yes, any badges and awards you have gained elsewhere will be acknowledged by us and the appropriate badge or award in our training programme given without further testing. Please follow this link for information on joining.
I’m an Adult, how do I Get Involved as a Leader?
We are always looking for new leaders and helpers, or those offering specialist training and examiners. It is so simple, either complete an application form, or e-mail Skip or telephone and he will take it from there.
If I Miss a Meeting, is that a Problem?
Each week or in advance the Section leaders compile a programme for that week’s meeting, so if you find that you are unable to attend a simple telephone call or e-mail to the respective leader and alternative arrangements can be made. Of course we all have things that crop up from time to time, but obviously the more leaders and helpers that we have to more easier it is to accommodate these occurrences.
What is the Scout Group's Catchment Area?
The scout group does not have a catchment area per se, the scout group welcomes anybody who wishes to join. However, it should be noted that a typical weekly meeting usually lasts an hour and a half so travel time may be a factor for you to consider. We are located in Streatley so attract members who live in Streatley, Goring (-on-Thames), and surrounding towns and villages such as Lower Basildon, Woodcote, Littlestoke, Cholsey, Wallingford, Newbury, Henley-on-Thames, and Compton. Some of our current Scouts attend state schools such as The Downs School, and Theale Green; and independent schools such as The Oratory School, Wellington College and Abingdon College. Some of our current Cubs attend state school such as Streatley C.E. Primary School; and independent schools such as Abingdon Preparatory School, and Moulsford Preparatory School.
Did Baden-Powell not say that "Scouting is a movement, because it moves forward. As soon as it stops moving, it becomes an organisation and is no longer Scouting"? Therefore should you not move with the times?
No, Baden-Powell did not say that; it is one of the biggest misquotes in scouting. It is claimed to be a quote from Baden-Powell but those that quote it never have a proper citation. The closest source actually says this:
"A Scout officer came to me the other day with a scheme for organising the Movement on a better footing than hereto. It involved a certain amount of expense in offices, whole-time secretaries, etc. [...] in this more centralised and ordered system a far more accurate record could be kept of the development, a more regular standard of efficiency among Troops could be set up, and a better general supervision maintained."
"My dear chap! But you have not got the hang of Scouting.
We
are a movement not an organisation."
Baden-Powell, 'The Scouter', July 1921.
Therefore, the quote actually means something quite different, Baden-Powell is objecting to scouting being a top-down organisation with paid staff. The BBS and BGS has no paid staff and its structure is faithful to how Baden-Powell envisaged a movement. Of course there are other Scout Organisations both in the UK and other countries that make up the Scout Movement.
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