Useful Information for Parents & Carers

Welcome!

Whether you or your child(ren) have just joined, or whether you’re thinking about getting involved, the information on this page will hopefully be helpful.

You may also find the section pages useful for more details on on awards and activities.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, please do get in touch!

Who are we?

The Scouts is the UK’s largest youth organisation, and the world’s largest youth movement. We prepare young people with Skills for Life.

We are Stevenage Scout District, home to nine Scout Groups across Stevenage, Knebworth, and Datchworth. ‘Scout Group’s are the local units of Scouting where young people aged 4 to 14 are organised into sections (Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts) At District level we provide Scouting for young people aged 14 to 25 in the Explorer section and Scout Network.

Stevenage is one of the Districts that make up Hertfordshire Scout County, which provides wider support and guidance to local Scouting. Find out about how it all fits together here.

Who can join Scouting?

Scouting is open to all young people, regardless of background, gender, ability or faith.

We welcome children from age 4 (Squirrels) right through to age 18 (Explorers), and offer a flexible, inclusive programme that supports each young person’s development at their own pace. Young adults can be members of our Scout Network as well as volunteering with younger sections.

Find out more about the sections, their age ranges, and what they get up to here.

Why join Scouting?

Scouting offers young people the chance to:

• Make new friends
• Take part in outdoor adventures
• Learn practical skills
• Build confidence and resilience
• Give back to their communities
  Most of all, it’s fun! Whether it’s learning to light a fire, trying archery, or going on their first camp, Scouts gives young people unforgettable experiences that help them grow into capable, caring adults.

When many young people are struggling to find purpose and belonging, Scouts helps them develop skills, confidence and a sense of identity and optimism about the future.

We inspire positive futures and help young people find their place in the world by developing the character, employability and practical skills they need to succeed.

We are pleased to share the results of some employability research, conducted by Demos, which showed 74% of former Scouts feel positive about their career goals, compared to just 47% of those without extracurricular experiences.

How can I join?

There are several Scout Groups across Stevenage, each offering the same great programme. Most families choose a group based on location, friend or sibling ties, or meeting timings.

Let us know your preferences when you apply, and we’ll do our best to match you with a group that fits your needs.

The simplest way to register your interest is to fill out this online form. We’ll get in touch to connect you with a local group. If you’re not sure which section your child belongs to, don’t worry, we’ll help guide you.

If you have a preference for a particular group, you can still use the online form above, or you could also reach out to the group directly. Find out more about the various groups, their sections and meeting times, and contact details here.

If you have already filled in this form via the Scout Group locator on the national website, there’s no need to complete our form above.

Is there a waiting list?

Some groups and age sections are very popular and may have waiting lists, especially for younger age ranges. We’ll always be honest about current availability and offer alternatives nearby if possible. Volunteering can sometimes help speed up the process – Groups with more adult help can often take on more young people!

How much does it cost?

Each group sets its own membership fee (called ‘subs’), usually between £10–£15 per month. This covers weekly activities, badges, and membership of The Scout Association. Occasional extra costs apply for camps or trips if your young person wishes to participate in these, but we always aim to keep Scouting affordable and accessible. Financial help may be available, just ask in confidence.

What do Scouts wear?

Each section has a uniform — usually a coloured sweatshirt or shirt and a necker (scarf) in the group’s colours. Uniform is worn to show we’re part of something bigger, and to celebrate achievements like badges. Don’t worry if you don’t have it straight away — new members can try a few sessions before getting their uniform.

Please visit our local Scout shop at our District HQ, Poplars to purchase uniform. Uniform purchased here directly benefits Stevenage District Scouts.

Who runs Scouts?

Scouting in Stevenage is entirely run by unpaid adult volunteers, who come from all walks of life. Many used to be Scouts in their youth, some are parents, and others are new to Scouting. There are many different roles in Scouts and volunteers give as much of their time as they can to support Scouting in various ways. Some work directly with young people to deliver the Scouting programme weekly (you may know them as your Squirrel leader, Beaver leader, Cub leader aka ‘Akela’ etc.), others support behind-the-scenes. From weekly leaders to behind-the-scenes helpers, we’re supported by local teams, a District structure, and national resources to ensure every young person has a safe and high-quality experience.

All Scout volunteers are required to undergo comprehensive training. This includes essential modules in safety, safeguarding, inclusion, data protection, or first aid) and ongoing learning to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge for their roles, ensuring they can keep young people safe and support their development.

What activities do Scouts do?

Scouting is youth-led, supported by adults.

The programme varies by section and group, but common activities include:

• Team games and challenges
• Craft, science and cooking
• Community projects
• First aid, navigation, and outdoor skills
• Camps and sleepovers
• Adventurous activities like climbing, kayaking or archery
  It’s all about fun with a purpose — helping young people build confidence, independence and teamwork skills.

How can I help as a parent?

There are loads of ways to get involved — from helping at sessions, to running an activity, joining a parent rota, or supporting admin or fundraising behind the scenes. You don’t need to have experience or wear uniform — just enthusiasm and a willingness to help. Even giving an hour a month makes a big difference.

District Events

As part of Stevenage District Scouts, our young people have the chance to take part in larger events alongside other groups — from camps and hikes to competitions, adventure days and community celebrations. These events build friendships across the town and give young people even bigger adventures to look forward to.

Staying updated

Communications

Section Leaders will have their own preferred methods of contact that would have been explained to you when your young person joins. This would usually be emails for normal communications, or by phone in case of emergency.

Facebook

We have a public Facebook page which parents and supporters are encouraged to follow. We use this to announce up and coming District Events and to share general news. Some of our Scout groups also have private Facebook groups that are for their members only (Leaders, parents, and young people aged 14 and above as per Facebook policy). These are a great way for leaders to share photos, news, and get questions answered. They will vet all requests to join the Facebook groups, and regularly conduct checks of the group membership to ensure that only current members of their Scout Group are allowed in the group.

Online Scout Manager (OSM)

Some of our Scout Groups use Online Scout Manager (OSM) for administration. OSM has been designed by leaders for leaders – enabling us to do all of our administration in one simple, secure, GDPR-compliant system. Access is restricted to certain DBS-cleared leaders in the Group only.

The groups that have OSM use it to manage their membership register and monitor attendance and keep track of badge progress. Its full features include a Parent Portal which would allow you to access your child’s records and follow their progress, and see our programme and events, among other features. OSM is not currently used by the District.

Being safe and supported

Safeguarding

We know how daunting it can be for a parent or carer to send their child to an activity without them. And we know it doesn’t necessarily get easier as they grow.

Young people thrive in secure surroundings, at home and away. Wherever they go with Scouts, keeping them safe is our number one priority.

As a parent or carer, you might have questions about how we do this.

Find out more about safeguarding in Scouts.

Inclusion and diversity

Scouting is designed to be flexible to support all members to take part, achieve, and reach their full potential. Everyone is welcome, and in fact some of our leaders are specially experienced in supporting young people with special needs. Please let us your leader know about any special requirements that your child may have, including dietary preferences/requirements or if they would require additional help or support with any activities. The more information you can share with us, the better equipped we are to support the full participation of your young person.

Find out more about the Scout’s policy on Inclusion and Diversity, and the practical ways in which we deliver the Programme to those with additional needs and neurodiversity.