A Guide for New Members and their Parents

1st Stotfold Scout Group are part of the Biggleswade and District. Our members are aged between 6 and 8, and they take part in an active, exciting, fun, and adventurous programme of activities.

Uniform

The Colony uniform consists of:-

• Turquoise sweatshirt
• Navy Blue Activity Trousers
• A green and yellow neckerchief with woggle - to be supplied when invested

Uniform may be purchased from our second hand shop run by the Scout Supporters, or from one one of the local Scout Shops. Download a uniform information sheet with prices.

Click here for Beavers Position of Badges on Uniform Diagram

Camping and Sleepovers

Beavers can do sleepovers in the Scout HQ and is certainly very different from school trips! It's a chance to try some special activities that cannot be done at regular Pack meetings.

Your youngster may have the opportunity to take part in a sleepover. We've have run several sleepovers for the Beavers and have taken place at the Scout HQ. We have a work force of leaders and helpers over the weekend and they take on the responsibility to look after the Beavers as if they were their own large family of youngsters.

The Leaders will often need to take along extra adult help to assist with catering or equipment.  This extra help may be Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Instructors (for special activities) or parents/guardians to help with general supervision.

Money Matters

Making Payments
We would be grateful if any payments, whether they be by cash or cheque, are placed in a sealed envelope with details of what the payment is for, and who it is from, on the front of the envelope.

Subs
Subs are collected each week, and are currently at £2.00 per week.  This money covers:-

• Annual fees to District, County and National bodies for insurance and leader training. Unfortunately, the group don't get to see a penny of this money.
• A small amount of the subs are kept by the group to cover running costs such as electric and water bills and the purchasing of equipment.
• Badges.
• Equipment needed for Pack meetings. To Top

Leader Contacts

If you have any problems or queries, please don't hesitate in contacting any of the leaders. You can find there details on the Who, When and Where page. We are there to help you and your child.

Also, if you are interested in helping out with the Colony, or doing something else to help with the Group, lease contact us.  There are no payments for being a leader or helper, but what you get out of it is much better than that - seeing the children having fun and enjoying themselves.

The Scout Group is supported by the Group Executive Committee.  The role of the committee is to organise fundraising events to maintain the Group and to purchase new equipment.  If you can spare a little bit of time - a couple of hours one evening a month for a meeting, plus a few extra hours to help at events - please make yourselves known to one of the leaders. To Top

Health/Contact Information

We have personal information forms that we require to be filled in. These will give us all the information required should there be any need to contact parents or for medical purposes.

The forms list contact information and medical information. You will be given the relevant forms when your child starts at cubs.

What is Beaver Scouting?

In October 1982, The Scout Association introduced 'Beavers' for 6 and 7 year old boys in response to a growing demand within the Movement for such an optional activity to be available at the discretion of Scout Groups.

Provision for this age range had, in fact, existed for some years in a number of countries. Beavers started in Northern Ireland some 15 years earlier and, later, there were similar approaches in the Republic of Ireland, Australia, Canada and New Zealand and in some European countries. Some informal projects also developed in places in Scotland and England. Initially, Beavers were not full Members of the Movement. That did not happen until April 1986 when they became a recognised training Section and took the title of Beaver Scouts. In 1991, girls were admitted to the Beaver Scouts for the first time. The Beaver Scout Programme was extensively overhauled in 1995.

In the United Kingdom, Beaver Scouts wear a grey sweatshirt, a turquoise or Group scarf, with a maroon plastic woggle to hold it in place. Their Promise, which is appropriate for the age range, is, - 'I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love God'. Beaver Scouts meet in 'Colonies', usually once a week. Beaver Scouts have the opportunity to work in a variety of groupings, sometimes called Lodges. The Colony normally comprises a maximum membership of 24. However to meet local short or long term circumstances, this number maybe increased with the agreement of the Executive Committee and the District Commissioner. The Beaver Scout Motto is 'Fun & Friends' which describes the ethos of the section.

The Beaver Scout programme and activities are based on four Activity areas, these are:

1. Beaver Scouts Learn about themselves-exploring their feelings and developing good habits of health and personal safety.
2. Beaver Scouts get to know people- Finding out about people in their family, the family of Scouting, and the local community and wider world.
3. Beaver Scouts explore- discovering the exciting world of science, nature and technology, exploring the natural and man- made world
4. Beaver Scouts care- growing in their love of god and responding to the needs of others, the local community and the wider world.

The elements of their activities do, indeed, aim towards having fun and making friends and there is an exciting spicing of adventure and achievement. The project approach is also used but with every encouragement for the individual to make their own personal contribution.

The 'Scouts help others' principle of the Scout Movement's ethos is readily accepted by boys and girls of Beaver Scout age so that appropriate community service is possible right from the start.

Beaver Scout Leaders are appointed under the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Association and are men and women between the ages of 20 and 65 who are in sympathy with the aims of Scouting. Assistant Leaders may be appointed from the age of 18. Parents and Helpers are a valuable asset to the running of a successful Beaver Scout Colony.

In April 1986, there were already over 60,000 Beaver Scouts in the United Kingdom and in the 1997 Census, there were 133,245. To Top

What do we do?

What do Beaver Scouts really do?

Beaver Scouts will enjoy a great deal of fun and adventure whilst in the Colony.  They will also have opportunities to gain awards and badges.  These awards are given in recognition of the effort made by each youngster at their own level of development and understanding.  The Beaver Scout Programme includes such activities as:-

• Sleep overs
• Caring for the environment
• Model making
• Cooking
• First Aid
• Exploring
• Helping others

The Training Programme

A number of badges are available for the Beaver Scouts to recognise their progress through the Colony. These are as follows:

• The Beaver Scout Membership Badge- to be awarded at a Promise ceremony after four to six weeks in the Colony.
• The Beaver Scout Badges- there are two Beaver Scout Badges issued by the Beaver Scout Leader after consecutive periods of six to eight months of taking part in an active and balanced Colony programme.
• The Beaver Scout Challenge- this is an optional award for individual Beaver Scouts. If attempted, the Challenge should be completed during the last few months in the Colony. It is based on the four Activity Areas.
• The Cub Scout Membership Award- Beaver Scouts should begin working for the Cub Scout Membership Award between four and six weeks before transferring into the Cub Scout Pack.

You may ask the question

"How do I find out about these activities/events?"

The mailing service tends to be via your youngster with letters and notes. We now use this web site as a  newsletter which contains general information about the Scout Group and its activities.  However, if at any time you are not sure about the arrangements for a Pack activity, do have a chat with the Leaders after a Pack meeting or contact them at home.

You can sign up for the e-mail newsletter service here. This will give you copies of the notes handed out to boys on and evening, sent to you by e-mail. To Top

Do You Want to Help?

Your youngster may come home from a Beavers meeting and say "I need a picture of a Panda for Beavers!"

Your youngster expects you to be interested and will get much more out of Scouting if you are prepared to offer your support.  There are lots of ways in which you can help, for example:-

• Offering a skill or hobby to train or test the Beaver Scouts for awards and badges
• Helping prepare refreshments for a Group or Colony event
• Helping transport Beaver Scouts to events and outings or move kit to camp
• Supporting the Scout Group Executive Committee to help them raise funds and manage the Scout Group.

The Group Executive Committee

Each year, the Scout Group elects an Executive Committee consisting of a number of parents and various Leaders in the Group to carry out the day to day tasks of running the Scout Group.  They are responsible for purchasing equipment and maintaining Group property.  The function of the Group Executive Committee is also to support and help the Scout Group Leader carry out his or her role in maintaining an effective and successful Scout Group.

What do you gain from helping?

You will have the opportunity to meet a variety of new people and make a real contribution to help your local community.  Please do not be shy to offer your help and if you feel you have any skills to offer to the Beaver Scout Pack please contact your Beaver Scout Leader.  By playing your part and supporting your child you will share the enjoyment, friendship and fun of the family of Scouting. To Top

The Beaver Promise and Motto