About Scouting

What is the program?

A good program includes lots of different adventures, lots of time in the outdoors, and has significant input from the youth members themselves. A basic part of the program is the Award Scheme – the badges that Joey Scouts earn toward their Promise Challenge, Cub Scouts toward their Grey Wolf, Scouts toward their Australian Scout Medallion, Venturers toward their Queen’s Scout award, and Rovers toward their Baden-Powell Rover Scout award. Details of these are set out in handbooks and on websites. Or ask your child’s Leader for information. And while many strive for these peak awards, they’re not for everyone. Some youth members are happy to enjoy camps, weeknight meetings and occasionally achieve badges.

Scouts Australia is currently transitioning toward a new program, One Program for all Sections – Joeys, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and Rovers – where the skills learned in younger Sections are built on at each level.

What is the uniform?

The basic uniform is the shirt and scarf (which is usually held together by a woggle, often a piece of leather). The shirt is available from The Scout Shop (scoutshop.com.au) for $36.95 for Joeys to $51.95 for Rovers. The scarf is usually supplied by your Group. (Every Scout Group is proud of its own colours.) Check with your Leader if you also need to order a woggle ($3.95) and belt ($14.95).

What is the cost?

Every Scout Group charges an annual (or term-by-term) fee which covers the annual fee payable to Scouts Victoria, and a Group fee to cover costs such as rates, power, equipment, insurance, Leader training, and more. This varies from Group to Group depending on local factors such as how much fundraising the Group does, other financial pressures (eg hall maintenance). Annual fees in Victoria range from $300 to $500+.

There is also the cost of activities such as camps. These are kept as low as possible because we usually use our own campsites and Leaders are unpaid volunteers. Major events held every few years (like Cuboree and Jamboree) cost more because of the scale of the program and entertainment, but most Groups work together to lower the individual cost, through fundraising. Financial issues should not be a barrier to any child being a Scout. If you have any concerns, please speak with your Group Leader to discuss payment options.

Values

Scouting is a values-based organisation.

The Scout Promise and the Scout Law underpin this. Every member of Scouting in the world makes the Scout Promise when they first join Scouting, and at major milestones in their Scouting journey. This includes an undertaking to live by the Scout Law. The Scout Law is a simple code for living. The Scout Promise comes in two forms, and members choose which version they wish to make. That is, the version which best aligns with their beliefs. Both versions include a pledge to ‘help other people’, as helping others is a fundamental value of Scouting.

Our commitment to child protection Child Safety Team

Scouts Victoria is a Child Safe organisation. We take a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse or neglect. We also celebrate and value diversity amongst our members, regardless of their gender, sexuality, race, religion, or ability. Scouts Victoria is dedicated to ensuring that we develop the appropriate culture and supportive environment to make Scouting a safe place for young people. Here are some of the things that we do to make our organisation safe for children:

Every adult member (anyone registered as a member and over the age of 18) is required to hold a Working with Children Check (WWCC). This includes our volunteer Leaders, Adult Helpers, Rover Scouts and staff. Key office bearer roles with access to information are also required to hold a Working with Children Check.

In addition, all Leaders and Adult Helpers are required to undergo a National Police Records Check every three years, and, when applying for membership, must provide three referees, even if they are already a member of Scouting. Referees are asked about the applicant’s suitability for the role. Our Adult Members must also uphold our Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct and our Child Safe Scouting Commitment. Any breach of these codes can result in a termination of membership. Our adult members must review and reaffirm their commitment to these codes every 12 months.

All adult members are required to undertake training, including training in Child Safe practices, so they know what to do if a young person discloses abuse, harm or neglect, and how to adequately support the child or young person. Child Safe training has to be renewed every three years.

Other aspects of Child Safe Scouting include:

• Two adult leadership’ – At least two adults should be present when working with youth. In some cases, more are required.

• ‘Within sight, out of hearing’ – Adults are expected to avoid any situation where they are alone with a child, except where strictly necessary. When a one-on-one conversation is necessary this should be in sight, but out of hearing.

We empower our young people through Youth Leading and Adult Supporting. Youth members are active participants in decision-making in Scouting. This encourages them to have confidence that they will be heard. Any reports of child abuse, harm or neglect are taken seriously and dealt with promptly, reported to relevant authorities, and corrective action undertaken. The safety of our members is our highest priority. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure this.

How to report

Anyone can report any incident of unacceptable behaviour to our Child Safety Team immediately on 1800 870 772 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or email us at [email protected] The safety of our members is our highest priority. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure this. To find out more about how we create a Child Safe organisation, visit the Child Safe Scouting page on our website, www.scoutsvictoria.com.au

Unacceptable behaviours

It is important that the young people in our care are safe, and that they feel safe. It is also important that adults are safe. The following behaviours are unacceptable by Adults in Scouting.

• Any form of physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, cultural, racial or religious abuse

• Entering an area where children are changing or showering, or entering youth members’ tents or sleeping areas on camp when young people are in bed (without a valid reason, such as an emergency)

• Transporting an individual youth member alone (unless their own child, or in an emergency)

• Communicating one-on-one with youth members outside of Scouts through text messaging or via social media

• Developing special relationships, including one on-one catch up sessions for missed Scouting activities

• Distributing inappropriate materials via any channel

• Engaging in discussions with young people that are not age-appropriate

• Encouraging the use or consumption of alcohol, smoking, or use of illicit substances by youth members

• Being under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances while undertaking duties as an Adult in Scouting

• Behaving towards a youth member in a manner that makes them uncomfortable

• Breaching the Scouts Australia Code of Conduct.

Adults in Scouting also commit to our Code of Ethics. Anyone can report any incident of unacceptable behaviour to our Child Safety Team immediately on 1800 870 772 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or email us at [email protected]

Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct is a personal commitment. Its purpose is to protect all members of Scouting. It applies to all members over the age of 18, regardless of location and role, when engaging with young people and adults in any form.

This includes face to face contact and using technology such as online formats. Parents and guardians who wish to actively participate in Scouting activities must also follow this Code.

I will set an example that I would wish others to follow. Therefore, I will:

• respect the dignity of myself and others.

• demonstrate a high degree of individual responsibility.

• recognise at all times that my words and actions are an example to other members of the Movement. act at all times in accordance with the Promise and Law, Code of Ethics and this Code of Conduct, thereby setting a suitable example for all.

• not use the Movement to promote my own beliefs, behaviours and practices where these are not compatible with Scouting Principles.

• adhere to the Scouts Australia Child Protection Policy and provide a safe environment for youth members participating in the Scout Program, their parents or guardians and visitors.

• report any conduct seen or heard that does not comply with this Code of Conduct to the appropriate Scouting person.

Help your children get the most from Scouting

Scouts Victoria provides:

• basic program - badgework

• major events like Kangaree, Cuboree, Jamboree

• adventurous activities (abseiling, canoeing, sailing, and many more)

• program resources (publications, apps)

• campsites (including ski lodges)

• Leader training (for adults)

• insurance

• marketing

• fundraising support

• communications

• legal support

Your local Scout Group provides:

• Adult Leaders (volunteers who are screened, police-cleared, trained)

• The local program

• Support like the hall, gear, finance

There are many ways parents can help their children get the most from Scouting.

These include:

• Read the Award Scheme book for your child’s Section so you can support and encourage them to gain badges.

• Act as a supervisor for badgework tasks that your child has to do at home.

• Encourage your child to participate in activities like camps, adventurous activities, District activities, State and National events, which form a significant component of the Award Scheme.

• Help out with transport. Driving a carload of kids to or from a camp can be an entertaining insight!

• Helping with fundraising to keep the cost of Scouting down

Your Scout Group is like the local franchise of the worldwide Scout organisation. Who is responsible for the local Scout Group? We are. The local community. Now that your child has joined Scouting, you are a part of the broader Scouting family. Welcome! We encourage you to become involved in activities and programs. There are very few organisations where pare are able to participate fully in activities alongside their children, Scouting is one of them.

Parents and guardians sometimes wish to attend ongoing activity evenings (more than the occasional visit every couple of months) or an overnight activity. Just like our volunteer Leaders, to help us ensure young people’s safety, all adults need to get a Working With Children Check, with Scouts Victoria listed as the organisation you are working with.

Other ways that parents help their local Scout Group include:

• volunteering as Leaders

• volunteering as Adult Helpers (screened, less training, not uniformed)

• enjoying helping out on weekend activities

• volunteering on the Group Support Committee (usually meets monthly)

• helping with occasional fundraising, maintenance etc

When parents help their Scout Group, the Leaders are free to focus on delivering great program to the Joeys, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and Rovers. If you want Scouting to be a great experience for your children, please help your Group be a great Group

We’re playing on the same team

Scouting is a friendly and welcoming activity. All youth are welcome to join. Participation is not restricted to those with existing skills and ability. All get a turn at leadership and the chance to develop their skills.

And all can earn “trophies” - our peak awards like the Promise Challenge, Grey Wolf, and others. Parents are also very welcome to participate.

In fact, they are integral to the success of the local Scout Group and your child’s Scouting experience. Parents and Leaders, and others who lead the local Scout Group, are on the same team.

Many parents are Leaders and Adult Helpers.

Most Leaders are parents . Parents can even be “out on the field” playing beside their kids - attending Cuboree, Troop camps etc

But, while tempers might get heated on the sidelines of sport, this is never OK in Scouting. It is never OK for adults or children to raise their voices at others in Scouting. No matter what the issues, we sort them out as friends, with respect and honesty. And sometimes we need to get assistance when there’s a problem. We also want our interactions to set a good example for young people.

How to talk with the Leaders

Sometimes parents and caregivers have questions or concerns. The first point of contact is the Leader of your child’s Section - the Joey Scout Leader, Cub Scout Leader, Scout Leader or Venturer Leader.

Our volunteer Leaders are committed - like you - to your child enjoying and benefiting from their time in Scouting. Please be aware that meeting nights are busy - sometimes it is difficult to have a detailed conversation during or immediately after the meeting. You may like to give them a call or even offer to catch up for a coffee!

Of course, if there is a safety issue, you should get the attention of your child’s Leader immediately, and let them know.

If you still need information or your child’s Section Leader is unable to help, the next contact is the Group Leader of your Scout Group. Your Group Leader is the most senior local Scouting volunteer, responsible for all the youth members and Leaders in all Sections of your Group. If that doesn’t work out - or the Group Leader is unavailable – you are welcome to contact our State Office on 8543 9800 and we can put you in touch with your local District Commissioner, the senior Scouting volunteer who coordinates all the Scout Groups in your local area.