1. Troop Information 

This information has been put together as a reference for Scouts and their parents. It contains information about a host of relevant things about the Scouts, and about the 40th Scout Troop in particular. Print out a copy for future reference.

Contact us by email Scouts@stocktonbrook.org.uk

2. Troop Leadership

Click here to find out more about our Scout Troop Leaders.

The underlying values of Scouting are written in the Promise and Law. Scouts are asked to accept this as a list of values before they are invested as members of the Troop.

The Scout Promise

On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and to the Queen,
to help other people,
and to keep the Scout Law.

The Scout Law

A Scout is to be trusted.
A Scout is loyal.
A Scout is friendly and considerate.
A Scout belongs to the world-wide family of Scouts.
A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.

Scouts is a uniformed organisation. All Scouts are expected to wear uniform for Troop Meetings, when arriving and departing from camps and for other events such as Parades. Boys should take pride in their uniform and do their best to look smart. Uniform consists of:

Teal Scout Shirt Group Neckerchief - green with gold border (available from the Group) Leather Woggle Navy blue activity trousers Smart shoes (on formal occasions only) Scout belt Click the picture to see where the badges go. Uniform is available from Hi-Peak Leisure, Clough Street, Hanley

 

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5. Scout Meetings

The Scout Troop meets on a Friday night. Meetings start at 7:15pm and finish at 9:30pm unless otherwise informed. Scouts are asked to arrive by 7:10pm, so that flag break can take place promptly at 7:15pm. Some meetings may take place at venues other than at the Scout Headquarters, and parents are asked to make their own transport arrangements if possible. If this proves difficult then the Scout Leader can usually help find a lift. All Troop members are expected to attend regularly.

The Scouts in the Troop are organised into Patrols. Each Patrol contains up to 6 Scouts. New entrants to the Troop choose an existing patrol to join. Each Patrol has a Patrol Leader who is chosen by the Patrol Leaders Council in conjunction with the Scout Leader. The Patrol Leader works with the adult Leaders to plan the activities for the Troop. In addition, older Scouts help to train the younger members of the Troop. At camp, Patrols work as a unit, camping together and usually taking part in the activities on offer as a Patrol. If, for any reason, your son is unhappy in his Patrol please contact the Scout Leader.

Part of the appeal of Scouting is the provision of adventurous activities whether they be canoeing, climbing or a walk around a campsite in the dark. The Scout Association has strict rules regulating these activities and when appropriate, trained instructors are used for activities. As boys get older, they are encouraged to take a leadership role in the Scout Troop. This is always done under the overall supervision of the Scout Leader, again following nationally set guidelines. Generally, camps and events run for the whole Troop are organised with the older Scouts in liaison with the Leaders, whereas smaller Patrol events are organised more by the boys. In the documentation circulated to parents about particular events, the level of supervision will always be made clear. From time to time, training will be arranged in some outdoor sports, such as canoeing, to allow children to gain their own qualifications. On all Scout events, a first aid kit is carried and most Leaders are trained in first aid.

Scouts and parents are automatically sent information about camps and trips as soon as it becomes available. This is usually distributed at Scout meetings, but sometimes is sent by post. Please encourage your son to always give his letters to you to read with him.

One of the ingredients of a good Scout Troop is underlying discipline. All boys are expected to behave well and appropriately. This is essential and inappropriate behaviour will not be accepted. Generally, minor incidents will be dealt with by a telling off. More serious examples, such as bullying, will result in a boy's parents being contacted, and the boy possibly being asked not to attend Scouts for a period of time. These measures may seem obvious, but we feel it important that all Scouts are aware of what is expected of them. Patrol Leaders and other older Scouts in particular will be asked to set a good example to the younger members of the Troop. Safety within the Troop is our prime consideration.

Members of the Scout Troop are expected to take an active role in the activities of the Troop. The following should be considered the minimum commitment from a Scout:

It is hoped that Scouts will want to take advantage of the activities on offer to them. If Scouts have to miss meetings due to schoolwork or sports commitments, they should talk to the Scout Leader.

It is hoped that parents of Scouts will want to support their son's Scout Group. There are many ways in which this support can be given:

Scouting costs money. The Leaders do their best to offer quality Scouting for the lowest possible cost. The main source of income for the Group is the Membership Subscription paid by all members. Subs are currently paid on a monthly basis and are £10 per month. £5 of this amount is handed to the Group Council to cover the costs of heating, lighting and building maintenance. The remaining £5 goes to meeting the cost of running the Scout Programme. It also pays for your son's membership to the Scout Association and also for insurance.

Please make sure that subs are paid promptly at the beginning of each calendar month.

Occasionally, we may ask for a contribution towards activities undertaken over and above the 'normal' Troop night events. We hope parents appreciate the need for this to help meet additional costs of activities.

Scouting is for all children, regardless of their background. Financial help is available to allow Scouts to attend camps who would otherwise be unable to take part. Please contact a leader in the strictest of confidence if we can offer help in any way.