New Starters Sections At 12th Lewisham North Scout Group we run three sections: Beavers (age 6-8), Cubs (aged 8-10.5) and Scouts (aged 10.5 to 14). Uniform When you join the group it’s fine to turn up in your own clothes for the first few weeks. Once you have settled in your section leader will ask you if you are ready to be invested and make your promise. At this point you will need to get a uniform. Beavers: Official blue polo shirt and sweatshirt (not the casual hoodie) which you sew your badges onto. Cubs: Official green polo shirt and sweatshirt which you sew your badges onto. Scouts: Official green shirt which you sew your badges onto. All sections should wear plain dark trousers if possible. We keep a stock of second hand uniform items so let your leader know if you need one of these and what size. Alternatively you can purchase new uniforms from a variety of places including the Scout store. The scarf and woggle are provided by us and will be handed out as part of the investment ceremony. Badges During your time at Scouts you can earn a variety of badges. Some we work together on at our weekly meetings or away at camps and events. Some you can work on at home. There’s never any pressure to do badges. You can do as many or as few as you like. But for those up for a challenge, there are loads of exciting badges to aim for, such as the Chief Scout's Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards – these are the highest awards that Beavers, Cubs and Scouts can earn. And for those going even further, the Queen’s Scout Award is the top achievement for young people in Scouts. Cost The first term's membership is free. After that costs are around £42 per term (with a discounted rate for siblings). Activities and camps are extra. Scouts is designed to be accessible and affordable. Nobody should feel excluded from activities because of money worries. If concerned about costs, adults should speak to a leader in confidence, to see what they can do to help. In most cases, support is available to make sure nobody misses out. Who leads Scouts? Each section is led by trained adult volunteers who are on hand to share their skills and keep everyone safe. The Scouts themselves have the chance to shape what they do and work with adult volunteers to plan better programmes. They also have the chance to take the lead on elements of their Scouts experience, developing leadership skills in a supportive and encouraging environment where they can learn from their mistakes. For more detailed information on Scouting in general please visit the official Scouts website.