Aim of the Scout Association:
to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, National and International communities.
Method: by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult leadership.

The Family of Scouting
Scouting is the largest youth movement in the world with over 26 million Members. It was started by Baden-Powell in 1907. In 2002 a major new programme was launched throughout all 5 sections. It is a voluntary organisation run by people who freely give up their time to organise weekly activities for young people. The uniformed Leaders undergo training and receive support from other Leaders in the area. In addition to the Leaders, there are skills instructors, helpers and administrators, committee members, fundraisers and so on. Within the UK, Scouting is sub-divided by County, District and Group. We are the 1st Group within the District of Sevenoaks, County of Kent. A Group contains several Sections to cater for different age ranges. The Group Scout Leader (GSL), also a volunteer, ensures the smooth running of all the Sections within the Group. The Group has 2 Beaver Colonies (Hicks Own and Braeside), 2 Cub Scout Packs (Hicks Own and Braeside) and 2 Scout Troops. A team effort and commitment is required from Leaders, Parents and young people to make it work.

District Events
Events are run within the Sevenoaks District which either involve Groups competing against each other, eg the Challenge Hike, Swimming Gala, Cross Country, or just joining in together to appreciate the bigger Scouting picture. District events are an important part of Scouting and children should be encouraged to participate as well as to gain points for their section. From some of these events, winners are chosen to represent the Sevenoaks District for Kent County events.

Membership Subscriptions
To help cover the cost of the premises, the resources needed to run the weekly meetings and to cover the national Membership subscription, each Scout Group makes a charge. Subscriptions become payable at the beginning of the term in which your child is invested. These are collected centrally by our Membership Secretary and you will receive a reminder direct. We may also ask you for a financial contribution towards various events during the year such as weekend camps or visits. If there are any funds left over after all expenses have been paid then these are held and put towards future events.

Car Parking
Please be considerate to our neighbours in Oakhill Road, i.e. do not block their drives even for a short time. Beavers and Cubs should be collected from the Hut. Scouts can make their own way up the hill and be collected at the roadside.

Group Executive Committee
As with any charitable organisation we are required to have an executive committee, comprising parents and leaders, to qualify for charitable status. The Executive Committee helps make decisions for the Group and ensures that the wishes of parents are taken into account. Parents fill the positions of Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer,Membership Secretary, Fundraising Organiser and so on. Committee meetings are normally held once each term.

Group Events
  • Our Annual General Meeting involves the whole Group, is very important to us and gives an opportunity for children, parents and Leaders to get together.
  • A Church Parade service is held twice a year at the United Reformed Church in Littlecourt Road (bottom of Kippington Road). It is designed by the Church especially for the Uniformed Organisations (Scout & Guide groups) and their families.
  • St Georges Day Parade: This is the biggest event in the District calendar, a very important opportunity to show the strength of Scouting to the general public and a time for all, young and old, to renew their Promise. It is a wonderful spectacle and very special to take part in. The whole District is expected to attend, all sections, parade behind the Campaigners Band to St Nicholas Church for a short service and then return.

    Parental Help
    Parents may be asked to help out at any time in their relevant section or for the good of the Group. Sometimes a parental rota is needed within a section during the term or a higher ratio of adults to young people is needed for certain events. There is also a Headquarters to maintain and occasionally working parties are required and there is always on-going fund raising for activities, equipment, maintenance etc.

    Look here for more information on helping out.

    Uniform
    All members of the Group should own a relevant uniform. Uniform must be worn to all Scouting events unless otherwise stated
    The Group T-shirts are available through your Section Leader. Otherwise uniform and the handbooks (Beaver Logbook, Cubs Powerpack and Scout Matrix) are available from the District Scout Headquarters, Jubilee Rise, Seal, Sevenoaks on Saturday mornings. The Scout shop will open on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Saturday mornings, 10am – 12noon, in the month during school term time only.  Please note that should a Saturday fall on a Bank Holiday Weekend or during school holiday breaks the Scout Shop will be closed. Please park in Childsbridge Lane, not Jubilee Rise (problems with the neighbours and the unadopted road). Uniform is also available at John Lewis, Horncastles in Sevenoaks and Dual Sports, 82a High Street Tonbridge (Tel: 01732 770373)