Scouts

Wednesdays 7:15 – 9:00pm

The Scout section is for boys and girls, aged 10½ years to around 14½ years old (maximum 15 years old).

 

Scouts are provided with the opportunity for personal growth through challenging and exciting activities in a safe, fun and youth-driven environment.

 

1st Glen Iris runs a very busy program which includes games and activities like swimming, canoeing, rock climbing, ice skating, cooking competitions and archery. There are usually two or three weekend camps every term. These include activities such as camping, pioneering skills, hiking, snow camps, mountain biking, surfing, canoeing, survival skills, rogaining and various competition camps.

 

All scouts become members of a patrol where they get to work as part of a team to plan and execute activities. Here they can learn about leadership and the importance of teamwork. Within the patrol all members regardless of age get to have their say. Every experience will involve a new challenge and scouts will support each other on the way. They will have the opportunity to Plan>Do>Review> things independently with their patrols and will take more responsibility for themselves and others.

 

The scout youth leaders plan the term program based on input from all youth members. Adult leaders assist the youth leaders to facilitate the term program. Camping in the outdoors as a Patrol or with the whole troop is a key part of our program and scouts are encouraged to attend at least one camp per term. Every three years we participate in the Australian Scout Jamboree which is a camp that brings thousands of Scouts from all over Australia together for 10 days of awesome fun. You’ll make lasting friendships and create memories that will stay with you for your entire lifetime.

 

Scouts also gain a lot of valuable life skills such as confidence, resilience, leadership and responsibility.

 

Life in Scouts is never boring!

Term-1 Program 2020 – Scouts

Starting and Finishing Times

 

Wednesday nights 7:15pm-9:00pm

 

All Scouts are expected to be on time to meetings and other activities, as a late start can mess up the timing of a night’s program. Ensure you are there promptly to pick up your Scout at the end of evening.

 

If your Scout is unable to attend on any Scout night, please contact your Scout Leader by email (scouts@1stgleniris.org.au) or phone.

 

What to Wear on Scout Nights

 

When your Scout first joins, we recommend that he/she wears comfortable clothes such as shorts/pants, t-shirts and boots/runners.  He/she will be doing lots of running around, so dresses, skirts, thongs or sandals are not suitable.

 

Once your child is invested into the Troop, they must wear a Scout uniform, which consists of a Scout shirt (with green sleeves) and the 1st Glen Iris scarf (for details, see Uniform).

 

Investiture

 

After your child has been coming to Scouts for about 6 weeks and he/she decides that Scouting is for them, they are invested.  This means they become a full member of 1st Glen Iris.  Your Scout will be required to make the Scout Promise and know the Scout Law at their investiture (they can repeat after leader if preferred).

 

Parade

 

At the beginning and the end of every meeting, we hold what is called parade.  These are the official parts of the night and it is very important that Scouts respect this time.  During opening parade, the Australian flag is broken and saluted.  The closing parade consists of the presentation of badges earned, announcements and reminders, the lowering and saluting of the Australian flag.

 

Badges

 

When your Scout is invested, they will be presented with a number of badges that need to be sewn on to their shirt (see Badge layout). 

 

Scouts can also earn badges through the Scout award scheme, with the ultimate award being the Australian Scout Medallion.  These are detailed in the green Scout Record Book (known as the Green Book).  You will need to purchase a copy of the Green Book at a Snowgum store or online via The Scout Shop website.

 

Patrols

 

Each Troop is divided into Patrols, with one of the older Scouts being Patrol Leader and assisted by an Assistant Patrol Leader. Their role is to help the younger Scouts in their Patrol. The patrols are named after Australian birds or animals: magpie, rosella, wombat etc.

 

Troop Council

 

The Troop Council is an advisory body, whose members, as representatives of the Scout Troop, pass on the program and activity suggestions of the scout members. It is also a valuable medium for informal discussion on issues which may be affecting the smooth running of scout meetings. It is an excellent training ground for the patrol leaders. Troop Councils enable the Leaders to ascertain and meet the needs of the Scouts. Just as important, it gives the roles of the patrol leaders a sense of importance and status, resulting in a good team spirit and overall troop co-operation.

The Troop Council members are:

 

• Scout troop leaders
 
• Patrol leaders
 
• Assistant patrol leaders

 

Troop Council generally meets once per term usually before a normal Scout night. 

 

Major Events

 

Jamboree – a Jamboree is held in Australia every four years. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience of around 10 days non-stop fun and activities. Up to 16,000 Scouts and leaders attend from many countries around the world. There are World Jamborees held in a different country every four years also for 14-18 year olds.

Scout Hike – an annual, state-wide hiking event for around 1000 scouts. It is to encourage all scouts to get out and experience hiking and lightweight camping.

 

CareMonkey Profile

 

CareMonkey is an automation platform for online forms, medical records and out of hall trip management. All of our Scouts and Leaders have CareMonkey profiles that are only shared with appropriate people such as leaders and first aiders. You will be sent a link to fill out a CareMonkey profile for your Scout. Please complete it as soon as possible.

 

Bullying Policy

 

Just as in school, bullying will not be tolerated on any level.  We encourage the Scouts to speak to a Leader if they witness or experience bullying.  Scouts that engage in bullying practices will be spoken to by Leaders and may be placed in time out.  In the unlikely event that this behaviour continues, avenues such as a break from Scouts may be exercised.  Scouts is a safe environment for everyone.

 

Leaders and Committee

 

Your Leaders are all volunteers.  They willingly make time on a weekly basis, and often on weekends, to plan and execute a fun and adventurous program for your Scout.  To become a Leader, they have participated in a number of training courses, all in their own time.  Scouting Australia is an accredited training provider.  Leader Training is recognized as a Certificate 4 accreditation.  Being a Leader is very rewarding and loads of fun.  We are always looking for new Leaders, so please consider volunteering to join the team.

 

Likewise, the 1st Glen Iris Committee is made up of volunteers.  The strength of our Group stems from the Leaders and the Committee.  The Committee is another great way for parents to become involved in their Scout Group, ensuring that our kids have a strong and active Scout Group.

 

If you are interested in becoming a Leader, a regular Parent Helper or a member of the Committee, please talk to our Group Leader or one of your Scout Leaders.  If you have any particular skills or hobbies, we are always keen for parents to demonstrate or assist in the running of a night to highlight new skills/hobbies to our Scouts (and leaders) – please let us know.

 

Fundraising

 

The 1st Glen Iris Committee is able to keep the registration fees affordable by holding fundraising events throughout the year.  All Scouting families are expected to participate in these, so that the whole Group benefits.  These funds are used to replace equipment, to maintain the Scout Hall, to provide badges and scarves for our members, as well as keeping the registration fees down.

Australian Scout Promise 

On my honour, 

I promise to do my best, 

To be true to my spiritual beliefs, 

To contribute to my community and our world, 

To help other people, 

And to live by the Scout Law. 

Australian Scout Law 

Be respectful 
Be friendly and considerate 
Care for others and the environment 

Do what is right 
Be trustworthy, honest and fair 
Use resources wisely 

Believe in myself 
Learn from my experiences 
Face challenges with courage 

The Scout Award Scheme provides the main focus for Patrol and Troop activities and gives suitable recognition to Scouts for achievement. Following a Scout’s Investiture, they complete the Scoutcraft Badge and then may earn Targets to become a Pioneer, Explorer and Adventurer Scout. Target requirements provide for going places and doing the adventurous, appealing things that Scouts enjoy, including camping, hiking, exploring, swimming, boating, track and field, fitness activities, and environment projects and practices, usually in the company of the Patrol or other Scouts.

 

Australian Scout Medallion

 

The Australian Scout Medallion is the highest award in the Scout Section. It is considered the pinnacle of Scouting at this stage.

 

To earn the Australian Scout Medallion a Scout must:

 

• Participate in a Scout Leadership Course at any time after completion of the Pioneer Badge;
• Demonstrate an active leadership role in Scouting;
• Achieve the Adventurer Cord.

 

Venturer Scout Link Badge

 

The Venturer Scout Link Badge links Scouts to the Venturer Scout Section and is the next step in the Scouting journey.

Scout Uniform

Scouts are expected to wear their Scout uniform to all meetings unless advised otherwise.

The standard Scout uniform consists of a blue shirt (Scouts Australia logo embroidered on pocket) with green shoulders and collar, a scarf and a woggle. The 1^st Glen Iris scarf and all badges are provided by the Group and you need to provide the rest. This includes pants or shorts in a neutral colour (eg beige or khaki), and runners or closed shoes (no thongs or sandals).

Scouts are “Sun Smart” and need to wear a broad brimmed hat or something similar when participating in any outdoor activities.

For more formal occasions, eg, ANZAC Day parade, the uniform is worn with a plain pair of blue or beige pants (no jeans or tracksuit pants) and a pair of black or brown shoes. If a belt is worn it must be the official Scout belt.

Scout shirts can be purchased in person from the Snowgum Factory Outlet (1702 Dandenong Rd, Oakleigh East), or online via The Scout Shop website. Occasionally, the Group has 2nd hand shirts for sale.  Please check with a leader if this interests you.

Scout Badge Placement

All badges need to be sewn onto the Scout shirt in specific locations. The diagram below* shows the correct placement.

Please fill the Form to join the team.