Welcome to Cubs

Parent's information pack - January 2013

billingescouts.org.uk

Cub Scouts, in various guises, have been part of Scouting since 1916. Originally known as Wolf Cubs, they represent the energy, optimism and cheerfulness for which Scouting is famous.Cub Scouts are aged between 8-10½ years old. They are the second section in the Scouting family in the UK. They enjoy new adventures while making new friends along the way. As well as regular weekly meetings, Cub Scouts also enjoy activity days, weekend camps and pack holidays. Boys and girls in Cub Scouts:

• go camping

• play games

• explore the outdoors

• try adventurous activities – such as climbing, sailing and archery

• meet people from their local community

• experience the culture of other countries

• keep themselves and others safe.

Welcome

Quick facts...• Cub Scouts meet in a group known as a Pack.• There are over 147,000 Cub Scouts in the UK, more than any other age

group in Scouting.• Girls have been able to be Cub Scouts since 1997.• All of our leaders are volunteers who give their time for free to make

Scouting happen.

Our Cub Pack meets once a week, on Thursday evenings. Pack meetings give us a chance to do all sorts of activities, play games and earn badges.

Our home...Most weeks, we meet at the Wesley Methodist Church at the bottom of Main Street in Billinge.

When we’re at the church you need to:

• arrive at 6.00pm;

• pick your child up at 7.45pm;

• always make sure that your child has a coat in case we are going outside that evening.

Occasionally we might meet at different times, or need Cubs to bring something with them for an activity, but we’ll always let you know at least the week before.

Staying safe...If you arrive before the Pack meeting starts, it’s really important that you don’t leave until a leader tells you it’s ok. We can’t take responsibility for the Cubs safety before the Pack meeting starts, and we wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt.

Adventures outdoors...Even when we’re meeting inside at the Church, we try to do as many activities outdoors as we can. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that Cubs have suitable shoes and coats for going out every week.

Pack meetings

Out and about...Sometimes we’ll meet somewhere else on a Thursday evening. Maybe we’re going swimming and meet at the baths, or for a trip to the cinema at Christmas.

It’s important that you check your emails and the website at least once-a-week to keep up to date with where the Cubs are and what we’re doing.

Answers to some frequently asked questions about Pack meetings...• Can my child walk to/from a Pack meeting by themselves?

In most cases we expect Cubs to be dropped off and picked up by an adult (see the next question). If you feel that your child is able to make their own way to/from meetings then we are happy for them to do so, but only if a parent has spoken to one of the leaders beforehand to let us know of the arrangement.

• Can another parent / adult collect my child from Cubs? Cubs must be collected from meetings by a responsible adult over the age of 18. If your child is going home with another parent, or an adult who the leaders don’t know, you must let us know in advance. We will not allow Cubs to go home with anyone who we don’t recognise, or with the parent of another Cub unless we know of the arrangement in advance.

• Can my child go home with an older brother/sister? Only if leaders are aware in advance (tell them when you drop your child off). It is your responsibility as a parent to be satisfied that the older brother/sister is responsible enough to look after your child properly.

• Can I stay with my child? Yes, of course! Parents are always welcome to come along to any of our Pack meetings - but expect to be asked to join in! If you want to stay regularly, why not get involved in our Helpers Rota?

What's it all about?

Our aim...In Scouting we aim to provide a balanced programme of activities to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.

A Balanced Programme...We achieve our aim by offering a Balanced Programme of activities for Cub Scouts to take part in. The activities we offer are based around six Programme Zones:

Over a period of time, Cubs will take part in an equal amount of activities from each Programme Zone. This makes sure that they get a fun and varied experience and continue to enjoy Cubs no matter how long they spend with us.

Cubs earn badges and awards by taking part in the Balanced Programme as well as for their own interests and hobbies.

Beliefs and Attitudes

Fitness

Global

Community

Creative

Outdoor and Adventure

The Promise and the Law...When young people join Cubs, they make the Cub Scout Promise. We call this getting invested, and it is when Cubs get their neckerchief and badges.

The Cub Scout Promise

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 Cub Scout Law.

The Cub Scout Law

Cub Scouts always do their best Think of others before themselves And do a good turn every day.

Out and about...

Ask any adult what they remember most about being a Scout, and they’ll tell you about camps and outdoor activities.We know that Cub Scouts love being outdoors. Whether it’s a week long camp at a Scout Activity Centre, or an evening playing games at the local campsite, the more time we can spend outside the better.

Even when we can’t get outside there are still plenty of adventures to be had! We could be trying our skills on the local climbing wall, or visiting a local attraction to work towards an activity badge.

Here’s a taste of the opportunities your child can look forward to in Cubs:• chance to take part in at least four weekend camps a year;

• at least one outdoor activity every month - sometimes at the weekend and sometimes on a Thursday evening;

• regular chances to try new sports and adventurous activities - such as fencing, kayaking, ju-jitsu or boccia;

• the opportunity to take part in at least one longer camp (up to a week) while they are in cubs;

• 10-12 Pack meetings each year held outside at our local Scout campsite, Bispham Hall; and

• regular day trips and visits either at the weekend or during school holidays.

Keeping in touch...

Communication is key to you knowing what the Cubs are doing each week, as well as finding out about future activities so that your child doesn’t miss out.We use several ways to keep in touch with parents and carers of young people. These include the following:

Website - billingescouts.org.ukThe Scout Group’s website is where we put information about everything to do with Cubs. It is updated throughout the week and should be the first place you look for anything you need to know.

MyScoutMyScout is a secure online system that allows you to view the badges that your child has completed, see information about upcoming events and camps, and make payments for Cub activities.

Shortly after your child joins Cubs, you will receive an email allowing you to access MyScout. The email contains a link that is unique to you, so only you can access your child’s details. You will also have the opportunity to create a username and password to use so that you can access MyScout without having to click the link in your email.

MyScout has been developed by a Cub Scout Leader from Hampshire in his spare time, and is specifically designed for Scouting in the UK. If you have any trouble using it please speak to Mathew Sims, or use the ‘Help’ features on the site.

Email - cubs@billingescouts.org.ukAt least once a week you’ll get an email from us. This will contain any updates that have been published on the website in the last seven days, plus any other notices or information we think you’ll find useful.

Twitter - @billingescoutsFor quick updates, especially during activities, you can follow us on twitter.

Phone / TextIf you’ve given us your mobile number and told us it’s ok, we’ll occasionally send you messages by SMS text. This is really useful to send last-minute reminders or updates about changes to activities. There is no charge for these messages, assuming that your mobile network doesn’t charge you for receiving texts (eg. when you’re on holiday).

When you need to contact a leader...You can either send us an email, give us a ring (our phone numbers and emails are on the back of this booklet) or of course you can talk to us on a Thursday evening.

For all Cub activities, Scouting operates a scheme called inTouch. This makes sure that you always know how to get in touch with us if you need to. On a Thursday evening, you can contact us by ringing any one of the leaders’ mobile numbers (see the back cover). For other activities we’ll make sure you are given contact details so that you can get in touch with us at any time if you need to.

Please note that from 1st January 2013 we no longer routinely send out paper letters. All communications will be via email, on our website or through MyScout.

It is up to you to make sure that you keep your email address up to date, and check MyScout and billingescouts.org.uk regularly to make

sure that you don’t miss any messages about Cub activities.

If you do not have an email address you can get one online for free from many websites including Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft - ask for help if you need it.

Uniform...

Scouts have worn a uniform since the movement was founded back in 1907 but thankfully it’s changed quite a bit over the years!The current uniform for Cub Scouts is:

• Green Cub Scout Sweatshirt

• Navy Blue Scout Activity Trousers

• Smart black (or similar) shoes

• Group scarf (known as a necker) and woggle - that’s the plastic thing that holds the necker on. We’ll provide these when your child makes the Promise.

We expect this uniform to be worn for all activities, unless we tell you otherwise.

Where to buy uniform...Uniform can either be bought from Scout Shops Ltd (shop.scouts.org.uk) or a local supplier. The leaders, and other parents, will be able to help you if you’re not sure where to buy it from.

At the time of writing, sweatshirts cost £11.50 and trousers £16.00.

We have known some local retailers try to charge much more than this - please don’t let yourself get overcharged. Retailers should not be charging more than the prices available direct from Scout Shops Ltd at shop.scouts.org.uk, please tell us if they are.

We don’t want young people to miss out through financial hardship. If concerns about finances may prevent your child taking part in Scouting or some activities, speak to a leader, as some assistance may be available in confidence.

Money Matters

SubscriptionsThe membership subscription covers the cost of equipment and running costs of the group. There is also an annual membership fee paid to UK Headquarters for the day-today running of The Scout Association that includes insurance for all members.

Subscriptions of £10 are payable every month and this includes the annual membership fee. To pay your subscriptions you will need to set up a standing order (a little like a DirectDebit), the Group Treasurer (Kevin Finney) will contact you with details of how to do this a few weeks after your child joins Cubs..

If for any reason you are unable to pay by standing order, please speak to one of the leaders so that other arrangements can be made.

Other costsActivities, sleepovers, camps or day activities can be extra. You will be given plenty of notice for such events and details of additional payments required.

Financial helpWe appreciate that money can sometimes be tight. If you need a bit of help with the cost of a camp or if you want to spread the payments, then please discuss this with one of the leaders. We aim to be as flexible as possible and would rather know in advance if there are any concerns. We would never want to see somebody excluded from an activity due to the cost involved.

Gift AidGift Aid is a simple government initiative, which allows the group to increase the value of your donations at no extra cost to you. For every pound given we can get an extra 25 pence from HM Revenue and Customs, helping your donations go further. This will really help the group’s finances.

Ways to Pay for activities and eventsThe different ways that you can pay for Cub activities and events are:

• online through MyScout by DirectDebit from your bank account (this uses the highly secure GoCardless payment system from Royal Bank of Scotland);

• through your own online or telephone banking (ask for more details); or

• in cash (in an envelope marked with your child’s name please).

We regret that from January 2013 we will not be accepting payments by cheque. unless we specifically advise otherwise for particular events.

All payments are subject to terms and conditions relating to refunds and cancellations - copies of which are available on billingescouts.org.uk and at the end of this booklet.

Behaviour & Rewards

All young people are expected to adhere to the agreed Code of Conduct. Cubs will receive points and rewards for trying their best, taking part in activities, earning badges and generally behaving in the way we expect.

Code of ConductCubs

I promise to always:

• be friendly and polite to others;

• join in with games and activities;

• keep my hands and feet to ourselves;

• take care of my things and other peoples; and

• listen when others are talking.

Parents

I will always try to:

• bring my child to activities on time;

• tell the leaders in advance if my child is not going to be at a Pack meeting or activity;

• support my child in making sure they have the correct uniform;

• support the Cub Leaders in implementing the Behaviour and Reward Policy.

Leaders

We will always try to:

• provide fun and enjoyable activities for all the Cubs;

• be fair with all the Cubs and treat them all the same;

• tell the Cubs if they are doing something wrong, and give them chance to make a better choice.

RewardsThe Cub Pack operates a points system which is used to reward young people for taking part in activities, earning badges, winning competitions and for displaying positive behaviour. We reward those cubs with the highest number of points with prizes and/or special activities.

Weekly certificates and the Cub of the Month scheme are also used to reward young people where appropriate.

Unacceptable BehaviourWe would define unacceptable behaviour as, essentially, anything not in accordance with the Code of Conduct outlined above, though common sense and the leaders discretion will determine where behaviour becomes unacceptable in any given situation. Where incidents of unacceptable behaviour occur, the following process will be followed:

1. Reminder of expectations

If a young person is behaving in an unacceptable manner, a leader will ask them to stop and remind them of what acceptable behaviour would be and why. It is then expected that the young person will change their behaviour. Minor incidents such as this will not normally be communicated to parents.

2. Time Out

Where a young person continues to misbehave, or if the leader(s) involved believe that a warning is not sufficient due to the level of behaviour involved, the young person will be given a ‘time-out’ and will sit out of all activities for 10 minutes. Parents will be informed of this in writing at the end of the activity taking place.

3. Yellow Card

A Yellow Card will be given either where a young person continues to misbehave following a warning, or where the unacceptable behaviour displayed by a young person is more serious.

The Yellow Card will result in the young person being given a rime-out for a further period of 20 minutes. A leader will discuss the young person’s behaviour with them, with the focus being on supporting them to behave in a more appropriate manner.

Parents will be informed of the Yellow Card in writing at the end of the activity taking place.

4. Red Card

Red Cards are given if a young person receives more than one Yellow Card in any 24-hour period; if a young person receives three Yellow Cards in total whilst a member of the Cub Pack; or in incidents of extremely seriously unacceptable behaviour (eg. violence or bullying).

Repeated Red Cards will result in longer periods of exclusion and the consideration of other options.

This will result in parents being telephoned to collect their child from cubs, and the young person being excluded from cubs for a period of time. On the young person’s return leaders and parents will meet to discuss how to prevent the situation reoccurring.

Young People with Additional NeedsIt is recognised that all young people are different, and some will require additional support from the adults around them in order to achieve the same standards of behaviour as their peers. Provided information and support from parents is forthcoming, the leaders will do everything they can to support those young people who fall into this group. However they will still be required to abide by the same code of conduct and rules as everyone else and will remain subject to the same procedures, rewards and sanctions as their peers.

More informationThis document is a summary of the full Behaviour & Rewards Policy and Procedures which is available to view online at billingescouts.org.uk or by request to the Cub Scout Leader.

If you have any concerns, questions or queries about the policy please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Ways to Help

Helpers’ RotaOur Scout Group is growing which means we are able to offer the friendship and adventure of Scouting to more local young people which is fantastic! This does mean that we need more adults to volunteer their time to make a difference in their community.

We want to invite you to experience the fun and adventure that Scouting can offer your children, as well as offering the opportunity to make a difference by helping our Scout Group thrive. We fully understand that you may not be able to help on a regular basis which is why we operate a “Helpers’ Rota.”

A rota means you can make a difference and help without having to do so every week, if lots of parents are on the rota then your commitment may only be once or twice a term.

The more parents we can get involved the more exciting our activities and

events can be.

The rota is managed by Jason Reece, who contacts parents at the start of each term to arrange the rota for the coming weeks.

As a helper on the rota you will be asked to assist with games and craft activities and support the Cubs to participate in activities.

If you’re interested in joining in, speak to Jason on a Thursday night, or get in touch by phone or email - the details are on the back of this booklet.

Six-Week SchemePerhaps you’ve had a go on the Helper’s Rota and enjoyed yourself, or maybe you’d like to help out in a bigger way, but you’re not sure if its for you. If that sounds like you then you might like to take part in the “Six-Week Scheme.”

The idea of the “Six-Week Scheme” is that you can help out at Cubs for six weeks as a member of the leadership team with no long-term commitment.In that time you can get as involved as you like - taking the opportunity to find out about being a Cub leader by seeing what Cubs looks like from a leaders point of view.

When your six weeks is up, there is no commitment. You can walk away no strings attached, or if you enjoyed your time as a leader you could take on a more permanent role helping every week, or even as a regular thing every few weeks.

If you’d be interested in taking part, speak to any one of the leaders on a Thursday night, or get in touch with us using the details at the back of this booklet.Please remember that you will need to complete an Enhanced DBS Disclosure to take part (the DBS is what used to be called the CRB).

Payments Policy

The following conditions apply in respect of all payments made to the Cub Pack unless you are advised otherwise in writing in respect of a particular activity or event.

Non-refundable paymentsAll payments that are made to cubs are non-refundable. This means that should your child not take part in any activity once you have paid for it you will NOT be able to get a refund.

In particular you should note the following points (this is not an exhaustive list):

• A refund will NOT be given if a young person (or adult) who has paid to take part in an activity fails or is not able to take part in all or part of an activity - for example due to illness or injury. If you feel that this is a matter of concern you should consider taking out insurance to cover such eventualities.

• A refund will NOT be given should a young person (or adult) not be able to take part in an activity that has been paid for due to them having been excluded from Cubs under the provisions of the Behaviour and Rewards Policy, or under the provisions of the relevant sections of the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.

Cancelled activitiesShould a planned activity be cancelled by the Cub leaders, or we are unable as a Pack to participate, we will refund any monies paid towards that activitiy as soon as we are able to do so.

Exceptional circumstancesIn the most exceptional circumstances the Cub Scout Leader will consider reunding monies paid for an activity where a young person (or adult) is not able to take part. Such refunds will only be given in the most exceptional circumstances, will be at the sole discretion of the Cub Scout Leader and will be made as a gesture of goodwill only on a case-by-case basis.

billingescouts.org.uk

Contact UsThe Cub Pack is run by a team of volunteers, if you need to contact them then please use the following contact details:

Mathew Sims• Phone: 0151 324 2250

• Mobile: 07963 849 286

• email: mathew.sims@billingescouts.org.uk

Sean Naylor• Mobile: 07870 654 522

• email: sean.naylor@billingescouts.org.uk

Jason Reece• Mobile: 07721 604 140

• email: jason.reece@billingescouts.org.uk

And don’t forget our website...

billingescouts.org.uk