All the details!

When Do Our Sections Meet?

Each of our Sections meets once a week, during term time. However, there are often occasions when there will be additional meetings, such as days out, camps, and fundraising events.

  • Beavers Monday 6:00 pm – 7:00pm
  • Cubs Wednesday 6:30 pm – 8:00pm
  • Scouts Friday 7:30 pm – 9:30pm
  • Explorers (run by Potters Bar & District) Monday 7:30 pm – 9:30pm

What Do Our Members Need?

For the first few meetings, your child needs nothing to enjoy the experience of Scouting. We recommend that they do not wear their Sunday Best to the meetings, as their clothes may get a little dirty.

If, after a few weeks, normally half a term, they want to continue attending, the Section Leader will let you know and you will need to buy a uniform so that they can then be invested into the Group and the Family of Scouting.

What Will It Cost?

We charge subscriptions to cover the running costs of the group, rent, electricity, running our minibuses, replacing our equipment and many more things. It does not cover our Leaders’ wages, as we are all volunteers. We charge £45 per term per child.

If you are a UK Tax Payer, we can use Gift Aid to claim back 25p in the pound from the Government for your subscriptions and any donations that you may make. Please ask your child’s Section Leader if you have not yet completed one and/or look out from an e-mail from OSM.

There will be additional charges for things such as camps, special events or outings, and you will receive information beforehand either in hard copy or by e-mail.

Although we maintain a strong link, the Explorer Unit is not part of the Group and you should contact the Explorer leadership team to discuss costs etc. Please see the Explorer section for contact details.

Dietary & Medical Information

It is important that you let your child’s Section Leader know of any medical condition that your child may have, or any medication that they may take.

You should also inform them of any special dietary needs, or food allergies they may suffer from. We often include food items within the programme, and if, for example, your child has an allergy to, or intolerance of, Gluten, we will ensure that we do not use any wheat products, or provide a Gluten free alternative.

It is of particular importance that we know of any medical or dietary needs if your child goes on camp, so that arrangements can be made to cater for them.

Child Protection

It is the policy of the Scout Association to safeguard the welfare of members by protecting them from all types of harm. The Scout Association takes all reasonable steps to ensure that, through relevant procedures and training, members and adults taking part in Scout activities do so in a safe environment.

Parental Permission

By enrolling your child in the group, you have given permission for your child to take part in Scout activities during the normal meeting time. However, when your child becomes a member of our Group, in addition to providing the usual personal information, you will may be asked to provide permission for your child to take part in activities that may take place away from the Scout HQ, such as camps, days trips, swimming galas etc.

In addition, you will also be asked to give permission for your child’s image to appear in any newsletters, newspaper articles and on Scouting websites, such as this.

Support Your Child

The Scout Association encourages you to support your child’s involvement in Scouting activities:

  • Please ensure that you deliver and collect your child at the appropriate times and place, as advised by the Section Leader. Always check that an adult leader has arrived before leaving your child. Please tell the Section Leader if someone different from usual will be collecting them. Members are never left unsupervised, but if you are persistently late, the Section Leader may ask you to make other safe arrangements for collection.
  • Our members wear uniforms to distinguish themselves and to make themselves clearly visible. The wearing of our uniform also serves to instil a sense of pride in the Group and Scouting in general, as well as showing their individual achievements in the form of badges. Because of this, please ensure, unless advised to the contrary by the Section Leader, that your child wears full uniform (including top, scarf and woggle) to each meeting and that footwear is black in colour (all black trainers are acceptable) and clean. It is acceptable to bring a change of clothing and footwear for games and outdoor activities.
  • Please ensure that you return forms and payment on time. If you have difficulties completing forms or making payments then please speak in confidence to the Section Leader.
  • Please ensure that you inform the Section Leader of any change in the family situation that may cause difficulties. It is not necessary to give details. All information will be treated in confidence.