Information for Parents
Young person information form
We use the young person information form as part of our joining process, it allows us to collect useful information about young people joining Explorers.
We may ask you to confirm the details provided on this form annually to ensure that our records are up-to-date. You can download and complete a new form whenever you need to update any information.
Where and when we meet
We regularly meet, every weeks on Thursday evenings between 6:00pm and 8:00pm (occasionally we’ll run longer sessions).
We meet in two places depending on the activities we have planned: 2nd Beaufort Scout Hall, Ebbw Vale and Victoria Scout Campsite, Ebbw Vale.
Occasionally we’ll meet elsewhere if we have specific activities or events planned, but we’ll let you know in advance. Our programme gives details of the times and location of our meetings and activities.
2nd Beaufort Scout Hall
2nd Beaufort Scout Hall, Cambridge Gardens, Ebbw Vale, NP23 5NW
Victoria Scout Campsite
Victoria Scout Campsite, Hall Street, Ebbw Vale, NP23 8UF
Where and when we meet
We regularly meet, every two weeks on Monday evenings between 6:00pm and 8:00pm (occasionally we’ll run longer sessions).
We meet in two places depending on the activities we have planned: 2nd Beaufort Scout Hall, Ebbw Vale and Victoria Scout Campsite, Ebbw Vale.
Occasionally we’ll meet elsewhere if we have specific activities or events planned, but we’ll let you know in advance. Our programme gives details of the times and location of our meetings and activities.
We are temporarily meeting at Mount Pleasant Church in Ebbw Vale while work is undertaken as Beaufort.
2nd Beaufort Scout Hall, Cambridge Gardens, Ebbw Vale, NP23 5NW
Victoria Scout Campsite, Hall Street, Ebbw Vale, NP23 8UF
Membership fees
| Yearly | Termly | Monthly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSA Membership | £ 54.00 | £ 18.00 | £ 4.50 |
| Unit Subscription | £ 60.00 | £ 20.00 | £ 5.00 |
| Total | £ 114.00 | £ 38.00 | £ 9.50 |
We offer a one month trial period for all new members joining the unit, or moving-on from Scouts.
During this period we do not charge any membership fees. After the first month your child will become eligible for membership fees.
As Scouts we need to pay annual membership to The Scout Association (TSA) (including levies paid to the Scout District, Area and Scouts Cymru).
The annual membership fee covers:
- Membership of The Scout Association
- Insurance for Scout activities in the UK
- Organisation and unit administration
We charge subscription to our unit to cover the costs of running the programme, buying and maintaining equipment, supplying badges and awards and other related running costs.
All our leaders are volunteers so all the fees you pay go towards directly supporting our young people.
Weekend activities, trips and camps usually incur additional costs. Occasionally, we may need to charge more for a meeting, for example if we are visiting somewhere that charges.
We always try to keep the costs of any activities we run as low as possible, and encourage fundraising for those that are more expensive.
If we run any higher-cost activities we will create a payment schedule to help make it more affordable.
Some awards administered by third-party organisations, such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, may incur registration fees.
It is our policy that no young person should miss out because of financial hardship.
If you feel that you may struggle with membership fees or payments for camps and trips you can speak to the leaders in confidence, we’ll do our best to help and discuss the options available to you.
We will send reminders out where payments have not been made, if payments continue not to be made following this we will take steps to rescind your child’s membership.
If you are facing financial hardship please speak to the leaders in confidence.
Uniform
Explorers wear a beige shirt or blouse with their badges sewn on, which they pair with their unit scarf (necker). On formal occasions and ceremonies, they also wear navy-blue uniform trousers or skirt.
Explorer shirts and blouses can be bought online from Scout Shops. You can also buy optional Explorer branded clothing items from Scout Shops.
The unit scarf (necker) is available from the leaders.
Once your child has a uniform and starts earning badges you’ll need to know where to sew them.
This handy diagram show where the badges need to be placed.
When your child has finished with their uniform, consider donating your uniform back to us so that we can offer these to new and existing members needing new uniform.
This can help those who may have financial hardship and is also good for the environment.
Keeping young people safe
Young people thrive in secure surroundings, at home and away. Wherever we go, we’re serious about keeping them safe.
The Scouts have a clear code of behaviour that everyone is expected to abide with, known as the ‘Yellow Card’. This code is shared with all adults who interact with young people – regardless of their role – and is included in the training leaders receive.
Safeguarding and Safety are two key policies that anyone involved in Scouts must work to. You can see the full policies in the Scouts Policy, Organisation and Rules:
The District Explorer Scout Commissioner (DESC) is responsible for overseeing and supporting volunteers in the Explorer Scout unit.
The District Explorer Scout Commissioners is responsible to the District Commissioner (DC).
If you’d like to contact the DESC or DC, ask the leaders for their contact details or speak to the Scout Information Centre on 0345 300 1818.
If you’re unhappy with anything relating to your child’s time in Explorers, you should raise it immediately with the leaders, no matter how trivial it may seem.
If you’d rather speak to someone else, contact the Scout Information Centre on 0345 300 1818.
If you would like further details about safety or safeguarding please speak to the leaders or visit the ‘Keeping young people safe’ pages on The Scouts website.