Cessnock City Scout Group
- What ages do the Scout Sections apply to?
- Can girls join Scouts?
- What does it cost to join Scouts?
- Must my child wear a Scout uniform?
- When and where are the meetings held?
- Can my child try Scouts first? If so how much does this cost?
- What is this Prohibited Employment Declaration (PED) form, and why must I sign it?
- Why must I supply medical information?
- What kind of medical information do you need?
- Is the information I supply confidential?
- Are the Leaders trained?
- What checks are done before someone becomes a Leader?
- Do you take Joey Scouts away on camps?
- Do you take Cub Scouts away on camps?
- What kind of sleeping arrangements are there at Scout Camps?
- I have concerns about the safety of my child with a certain Leader, what can I do?
Got a question not covered here? Contact us to get an answer, and if it is a common question we will add it to this FAQ page too.
What ages do the Scout Sections apply to?
Scouts Australia caters for youth from the age of 6 years. The relevant Sections and ages are:
- Joey Scouts - 6 to 8 years
- Cub Scouts - 7½ to 11 years
- Scouts - 10½ to 15 years
- Venturer Scouts - 14 to 18 years
- Rover Scouts - 17½ to 26 years
- Leaders - 26+ years
As you will notice, there are overlaps in the age ranges (e.g. Joeys up to 8 years but Cubs start at 7½ years). This allows some flexibility for youth joining during this period.
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Can girls join Scouts?
YES! The old days of "Boy Scouts" is long gone. Scouting is now open to male and female members from 6 years of age.
What does it cost to join Scouts?
This can vary from group to group. Presently the fee for all Sections of Cessnock City Scout Group is $55 per term. This covers insurance and the cost of badges, scarf, and weekly activities.
Camps and other events may incur additional fees to cover meals, transport, camping fees, etc. These costs are usually advised well before the event, with attendance at the event optional. Large events such as Jamboree, Cuboree, etc, that can attract a significant fee will often be preceeded by fundraising activities to help pay these fees.
Must my child wear a Scout uniform?
Yes, Scouts is a uniformed youth movement and all members, once joined, must wear a uniform to meetings, camps, and other activities as advised. The current uniform consists of a dark blue shirt with a Section colour across the sleeve, yoke and collar, plus a blue or moss-green belt, Group scarf and a woggle. The Section colours are:
- Joeys - Tan
- Cubs - Yellow
- Scouts - Green
- Venturer - Maroon
- Rovers - Red
- Leaders - none
Use the links at the left to visit the Section pages to see more information on the uniforms.
Uniform items can be purchased from Phil's Trophies in Gateshead, or any Snowgum store. Visit our Links Page to find links to these suppliers. Shirts generally cost between $29.95 and $39.95 (up to $49.95 for Venturer, Rover and Leader shirts), with belts between $14.95 and $16.95. (check suppliers for current prices)
When and where are the meetings held?
Meetings are held at the Cessnock City Scout Hall, corner Maitland Road and Henderson Ave, Cessnock. Meetings are held during the school terms only, at the following times:
- Joeys - Wednesday 5.15 to 6.15PM
- Cubs - Wednesday 6.30 to 8.00PM
- Scouts - Tuesday 6.30 to 8.30PM
- Venturers - Sunday 6.00 to 8.00PM
Can my child try Scouts first? If so how much does this cost?
Yes! In fact it is highly recommended that they try for at least 4 weeks first before they decide whether or not to join. It costs nothing to come and try, unless your child attends any camp or event during this period in which case you would need to pay any camp or event fee. Casual clothes should be worn during the trial.
What is this Prohibited Employment Declaration (PED) form, and why must I sign it?
The Prohibited Employment Declaration (PED) is a legal form created by the NSW Government. It is used by people that may have contact with children, to declare that they are not prohibited from working with children due to past convictions or current violence orders. ALL PARENTS that may drop off or pick up a child are required to sign a PED form. This is to help ensure the safety of all youth members.
If you aren't sure whether or not you are a prohibited person you should seek legal help as it is an offence to make a false declaration. You can find more information about the PED and prohibited persons by visiting the NSW Commission for Children and Young People website - click here to see this information.
If you would like further information about Child Protection in Scouts, click here to download our Parent Guide.
Why must I supply medical information?
Just like your childs school, it is vitally important that our Leaders know of any health or medical related issues your child may have. In an emergency seconds can make a big difference, and having up-to-date information on hand could save a lot of time at the most crucial moment. For example, if your child is allergic to bee stings, a reaction to a sting could happen very quickly and if Leaders know of this allergy they can take steps to try and limit the chances of your child being stung in the first place, or if they receive a sting the Leaders will know that the child is allergic long before any reaction starts, allowing them to make suitable arrangments (e.g. get epi-pen, call ambulance) before it becomes a full blown emergency.
What kind of medical information do you need?
Obviously Leaders need to know about any health issues such as:
- Allergy to medications (e.g. penicillin, morphine, etc);
- Allergy to foods (e.g. nuts, etc.);
- Allergy to other items or substances;
- Medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, etc.);
- Regular medication (including dose and what for);
- Disabilities or special needs.
It is also vitally important that Leaders know of any conditions such as ADHD, Asperges, etc, including any medication regime. This will allow the Leaders to better understand the needs of your child and ensure that they get the most out of their membership in Scouts Australia.
Is the information I supply confidential?
Yes. Information is not shared with anyone other than the Section Leader, and only relevant information is shared. The medical information remains on file for reference when needed, with important conditions advised to the Leaders at time of joining. Information about any medical or health condition is not shared with any other member or any person other than the parents/carers, without the prior consent of the parent/carers. Where medical information is needed for attendance at a camp or event, the organising Leaders will issue their own medical information form rather than accessing the information on file. This ensures that you know who the information has been given to, and also ensures that the information is current.
Are the Leaders trained?
Yes, all Leaders undergo training by Scouts Australia. Section Leaders and Group Leaders attend 3 camps for basic training, plus a period of in-service training, before they are appointed as a full Leader. Until this is completed a fully appointed Leader must always be in attendance with the trainee Leader.
Associate Leaders only attend 1 basic training camp, however an Associate Leader may not be left in charge of youth without a fully appointed Leader being present.
What checks are done before someone becomes a Leader?
Before an adult is accepted for membership they undergo a Police background check and a Working With Children criminal history check. It is only after these checks have been completed, and the person cleared, that they are accepted for membership and may commence their training and service with the Group.
Do you take Joey Scouts away on camps?
No. Joey Scouts can only attend a camp if it is a family camp, and then they must camp with their parents or carers.
Do you take Cub Scouts away on camps?
Yes. Cubs, Scouts and Venturers are regularly taken on camps. The number and complexity of camps increases with each Section, to reflect the capabilities of the older youth.
What kind of sleeping arrangements are there at Scout Camps?
The vast majority of camps consist of sleeping in tents. Male and female youth members are always placed in separate tents, with Leaders also sleeping in separate tents nearby. Toilet and shower arrangements allowing male and female youth and Leaders adequate privacy are also an important part of every camp.
I have concerns about the safety of my child with a certain Leader, what can I do?
If you have genuine concerns about any Leader you can make a confidential report to Scouts Australia - NSW. The NSW Branch has a special team, consisting of three commissioners, whose task is to oversee child protection and support members. This team, under the leadership of an Assistant Chief Commissioner, is made up of individuals whose special qualifications are allied to the task.
Within 24 hours complaints are acted upon and a decision made to refer the matter on to DoCS - the Police or, if appropriate, dealt with under the team’s supervision. Complaints can be sent to: childprotection@nsw.scouts.com.au