Frequently Asked Questions
We meet at our Scout Hut on Love Lane, Bridgnorth, WV16 4HD
We meet weekly during term time, but there are also some activities during the school holidays and at weekends. We have several different age groups and times in the week as follows:
Squirrels (4-6 years): Wednesday 4 to 5pm
Beavers (6-8 years): Mondays and Thursdays 5 to 6.15pm
Cubs (8-10 ½ years): Monday 6.30 to 8pm, Tuesday 4 to 5.30pm or Wednesday 5.30 to 7pm
Scouts (10 ½ - 14 years): Tuesday 6.30 to 8pm and Thursday 6.45 to 8.15pm
Explorers (14 – 18 years): Wednesday 7.30 to 9pm
Yes, all our Scout Leaders are trained and DBS checked as part of their onboarding process to becoming a leader. We adhere to the Scout Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) book which sets out how we operate and safeguard our young people.
Yes, our Charity number is 1201204.
We have a Board of Trustees to support volunteer line managers, so that they can carry out their role of supporting leadership teams to provide a great programme for young people. If you would like to know more about the Board of Trustees please contact: chair@bridgnorthscouts.org.uk. More about what the Board of Trustees is responsible for is summarised here: Trustee basics | Scouts .
Our Group Scout Leader (GSL) oversees all our Scouting Leaders and sections including Beavers, Cubs and Scouts and can be contacted at gsl@bridgnorthscouts.org.uk
Becoming a Scout is a very popular activity for young people and for the enjoyment of everyone our groups have a maximum number they can accept. Please use our contact form if you would like information on joining.
Yes, your child will be able to come along free of charge for a couple of weeks to try out Scouts. During this settling in period your Section Leader will give you information about subs, buying uniform and details of when they will be invested into the group.
That’s great and as our Group is run by volunteers, we welcome help from many of our parents. All our volunteering is flexible and varied to suit the needs of our different volunteers. For example, you can go along to a meeting to share the skills you have, go along on trips and camps, help out at meetings. There are also roles behind the scenes too. To find out more please get in touch by contacting: gsl@bridgnorthscouts.org.uk
Yes. All Members are covered under our Personal Accident and Medical Expenses Policy.
Membership fees are currently £12.50 per month over the whole year. This fee covers the cost of membership of the Scout Association, the running costs and upkeep of our Scout hut. Trips, camps and activities are usually charged separately. Cost should not be a barrier to anyone taking part in Scouting and we do have a hardship fund, for further information you can speak to the local Section Leader in confidence.
Yes. Behind the fun of Scouting, there is an educational programme which includes: Outdoor and Adventure; Global; Community; Fit for Life; Creative; and Beliefs and Attitudes. Group leaders are trained to deliver this programme. We also have Skills Instructors at 8th Bridgnorth Group and in Shropshire County Scouts who we can draw on to help deliver activities that require specialist expertise such as Archery, Climbing, Caving, Kayaking, Canoeing and Hill and Mountain walking.
Shropshire Scouts oversees about 3000 young people and 500 volunteers and is headed up by a County Commissioner Shropshire Scouts | Skills for Life. 8th Bridgnorth Scout Group is part of the Shropshire Severn and Teme District Shropshire Severn and Teme Scout District | Skills for Life (shropshiresevernandtemescouts.org.uk), one of three Districts in the County.
As Scouts we’re guided by the values of integrity, respect, care, belief and co-operation. We are not professionals, although we aim to always maintain professional standards, unfortunately mistakes can happen. In line with its values, The Scout Association recognise its responsibility to deal fairly, constructively, and consistently with complaints from members and non-members, including parents and carers on behalf of themselves or their children. If you have a concern or would like clarification on a matter then an informal conversation with your Scout Leader may suffice. If you feel this is not sufficient then please contact the Group Scout Leader gsl@bridgnorthscouts.org.uk for a confidential conversation which may require a more formal complaints procedure to be followed as set out here: Making a complaint about Scouting | Scouts
If the complaint is a safeguarding issue, then this should be reported to the District Commissioner immediately where the HQ safeguarding team will also be informed and their formal processes will be followed. The DC can be contacted at: DC@shropshiresevernandtemescouts.org.uk