Having been through our waiting list process, you should have ended up here:
You will have been offered, and accepted a place in one of our sections, and been transferred to that section.
Your new section leaders will send you an email in time to start your new section, usually at the beginning of a term.
We have often had several questions from new starters, or their parents, so we have tried to answer them here:
When and where are the meetings?
Most section meeting are at our Scout Headquarters, located at 419a Warsash Road, Hampshire, PO14 4JX. This is within the Locks Heath recreation Ground. We share a car park with the Recreation ground, and the Sports and Social Club, so please be aware that it can get busy, particularly during fixtures. At other times, our meetings might be at other places we visit, from woods, to fire stations, to adventure facilities. We always try and keep evenings when we have new starters based at our HQ, so please try and attend your first session!
Times, and days of the week vary by section, but your new leaders will email you with these, together with the provisional programme for the half-term.
When do I pay?
Your first few sessions are free, to make sure that your child settles, and decides to join us. Our treasurer will contact you after 2-3 sessions with details of when, how, and how much to pay.
When do I buy Uniform? What Uniform do I buy?
Again, we know that uniform can be a significant expense, so we do not recommend that you buy anything for your child until you have decided that scouting is definitely for you and your child. Your leaders will tell you when it is time to buy your child uniform, and what to buy.
If not uniform, what should my child wear?
Our sessions tend to be fairly active – running around, crafts, cooking, painting, and lots of variety in activities. We recommend comfortable, weather appropriate clothing – tracksuits, shorts etc, and sensible footwear, usually trainers or school shoes. Open toes, crocs, or other shoes which might slip off aren’t a good idea. Sun cream during summer, and a warm coat in winter. We also suggest that clothes worn are of the older variety, that don’t matter if they get marked etc.
Are there any things we should/shouldn’t bring?
Most of our sections suggest that your child carries a water bottle, as this can make matters easier for us. We always have water/cups available though. Some of our sections might ask you to bring a Notepad and pencil, or any specific items for a scheduled evening, but if this is the case, the leaders will tell you in plenty of time.
Most section leaders will give you details of this, but in general, if it wouldn’t go to school, don’t bring it to us! Toys and games should be left at home. Electronics and other valuables should not come (if there is a need to for a specific reason, please discuss this with your section leader).
My child (or I) get nervous. Is it OK if I stay for a bit?
Yes, of course. We would ask that only one parent per child stays, and that you sign in and discuss this with the section leader. While you are welcome to stay, we ask that you either help (with all the children equally) or watch from a distance, possibly even staying in the kitchen. In our experience, most children will settle better if given some space, and our leaders are very experienced at helping new members settle in.
What happens at drop-off and pick-up?
So, each of our sections have slight variations on routine, but in general, arrive about 5 minutes before your meeting is due to start, and wait in the hallway. Your section leader will then open the doors, or otherwise invite you into the hall, when they have finished getting ready, In younger sections, you will then be asked to sign your child in, and any adults who are staying to sign themselves in. Likewise, Scouts are allowed to sign themselves in and out, as some of them walk or cycle by themselves.
If only one leader is available, you ay be asked to stay until another arrives, as for safety, we do not allow our adults to be alone with children. This will generally only be a couple of minutes, for example while unloading a vehicle etc. All our adults are volunteers, so there may be occasions when, for example, someone is late finishing work, or stuck in traffic, that the leader in charge may ask for extra helpers, but we try and stick to the rota for this as far as possible.
On your fist visit, the leaders will try and find the time to introduce themselves, and their team, and have a chat, but with anywhere up to 30 children, and only a small number of leaders, please be aware that complex questions may need to be asked at another time or by email!
Your child will be introduced to some of the other members of their section, and helped to get started.
At the end of the session, again, routines vary slightly, but aim to get to the hut at or slightly before the published finish time, and wait in the car or hallway. Again, the leader will invite you in, and, if you had to sign in, you must now sign out. You may be given letters, or verbal notices, and then can take your child home.
Although our team do try and stick to time as closely as possible, they sometimes over-run slightly, particularly with some of the more complex, or messier tasks. Please be patient, and where possible, allow your child to finish the session. If you need to be away particularly promptly, it can be worth letting the leaders know at the start!
What can I do to help?
As stated above, all our leaders are volunteers. We never have enough, and extra helpers are always welcome. Most sections run a parent rota via OSM, where you can sign up to help with a single session at a time, but we always need help, whether with a single session, occasional, or regular. Why not have a read of our volunteering pages, or talk to your leaders about getting involved?
