Scout Group Gears Up for New Session

As summer comes to a close, the 185th (Burnside Church) Scout Group is preparing to kick off its 2024-2025 session with a host of exciting activities and events planned for young members. The group, which serves children from Squirrels to Explorers, is set to resume meetings in September, and leaders are eager to welcome everyone back.

Leadership and Meeting Times

Group Lead Volunteer, Gordon Argo, and the dedicated leadership team have been hard at work planning the year ahead. New meeting times for each section have been announced:

Squirrels: Mondays, 6-7 pm
Beavers: Mondays, 6-7 pm
Cubs: Mondays, 6:30-7:45 pm
Scouts: Mondays, 7:45-9:30 pm (fortnightly)
Explorers: Mondays, 7:45-9:00 pm (fortnightly)
Parents are encouraged to contact the respective section leaders with any questions.

Changes in Leadership Titles

The group has implemented new titles for leadership roles this year. Gordon Argo’s role has transitioned from Group Scout Leader to Group Lead Volunteer. All section leaders will now be known as Section Team Leaders, while assistants will be called Section Team Members. These changes aim to better reflect the collaborative nature of their work.

Subscription Updates

Due to rising costs of badges and increased capitation fees, the group has made the difficult decision to adjust the subscription rates for the coming year. This will cover various activities, badge distribution, and other necessary expenses.

Fundraising and Community Support

Fundraising remains a key focus for the group, especially in light of the challenging economic environment. The Parents’ Social Committee, established last year, has been pivotal in organizing events such as the April coffee morning, which raised over £1,000. The next event, a family race night, is scheduled for September 14th, and tickets are still available.

Parents are also encouraged to join the “Easy Fundraising” initiative, which allows the group to earn donations through regular online shopping.

Call for Volunteers

With several leaders facing limited availability, the Scout Group is actively seeking new volunteers to help maintain the program’s quality and ensure proper safeguarding during meetings. Anyone interested in volunteering is urged to contact the group.

Registration and Administrative Reminders

Parents are reminded to log in to the Online Scout Manager (OSM) to update their child’s details and complete the Gift Aid form, which helps keep subscription costs manageable by covering essential expenses like insurance and venue fees.

For more information, or to get involved, visit the group’s website.