This section of the website is dedicated to providing details of how your youngsters can join our Group, the various people they will meet, what you can expect of us and what we expect of you and your children, as well as general information about our Group.

When Do Our Sections Meet?

Each of our Sections normally meet once per week during the school term. There are often opportunities for members to take part in events throughout the year. These might include day outings, camps and expeditions as well as a whole host of other activities. Detailed below are the normal meeting times for each of our Sections:

The Griffin Explorer Scout Unit is a District-based group that has a partnership agreement with our Scout Group and utilises The Parminter Scout Centre and other resources.

What Do Members Need?

For the first few meetings, your child needs nothing at all to experience the magic of Scouting. The Scout Association produces a range of uniforms for all age groups as well as an extensive range of books to support the development of members as they progress from the Beaver Scout Section through to the Scout Network.

The Section Leader will agree a time when it is suitable to purchase a uniform and start working on the Scout Programme.

He/She can advise on local outlets for uniform purchase and other materials. Additionally, Scout Shops Ltd operate a mail order service and can be contacted on 01903 766921 or at www.scoutshops.com.

What Will It Cost?

The 1st Sullington & Storrington Scout Group charges subscriptions ('subs') to cover - for example - costs of equipment and materials and the upkeep of The Parminter Scout Centre, our Group Scout HQ. These are payable quarterly, by cheque or Standing Order only, to the Group Treasurer. At the present time, the subscription rate is £30.00 per quarter.

Included within this quarterly subscription is the annual Scout Association membership subscription, which is paid to Scout Headquarters for the day-to-day running of the Association and includes insurance for all members.

An extra charge is normally required for special events, camps and other outings.

Gift Aid

If you pay tax, the 1st Sullington & Storrington Scout Group can use Gift Aid to claim 28p for every £1.00 you give in subscriptions or donations. All you need to do is sign the Gift Aid Declaration that is included with the membership application form. All the money will be used to benefit members of our Scout Group.

Medical / Dietary Information

It is essential that you inform the Section Leader if your child suffers from any medical condition or if they require any specialist medicines or treatment.

It is also necessary for information to be supplied to the Section Leader about any dietary need of your child. In the first instance, you should provide this information on the membership application from and, thereafter, update the Leaders if circumstances change.

Child Protection

It is the policy of the Scout Association to safeguard the welfare of all members by protecting them from physical, sexual, and emotional harm. The Scout Association takes all reasonable steps to ensure that, through relevant procedures and training, members and adults taking part in Scout activities do so in a safe environment.

Parental Permission

It is taken as understood that you give your permission for your child to take part in Scout activities during the normal meeting time. However, when your child becomes a member of our Group, in addition to providing the usual personal information, you will also be asked to provide permission for your child to take part in activities that may take place away from the Scout HQ.

In addition, you will also be asked to give permission for your child's image to appear in any newsletters, newspaper articles and on Scouting websites, such as this. In order to protect your child, we undertake never to associate a name with a picture and, unless the article so merits, never to use anything other than their first names.

Your permission is sometimes needed for specific events, camps and activities that may take place at a different place or time. You will be asked to complete a separate parental consent form in such circumstances.

Helping Scouting

The Scout Association is run by volunteers and it encourages parents and guardians to assist in the leadership team on a regular or occasional basis. Any support that you or your family can offer Scouting is welcomed, appreciated and valued. To that end, each new member is given a welcome pack which contains blank Scout Association membership forms and CRB forms.

Help is particularly appreciated with practical skills, outdoor activities, as well as with transport, equipment and fundraising. You may also be willing to assist occasionally with the Section meeting night, with administration and fundraising. In addition, you may also consider taking on a uniformed role within the Group.

If you require any further information, please contact our Group Scout Leader - Mark Owen - on 01903 745356.

Support Your Child

The Scout Association encourages you to support your child's involvement in Scouting activities:

• Please ensure that you deliver and collect your child at the appropriate times and place, as advised by the Section Leader. Always check that an adult leader has arrived before leaving your child. Please tell the Section Leader if someone different from usual will be collecting them. Members are never left unsupervised, but if you are persistently late, the Section Leader may ask you to make other safe arrangements for collection.




• Our members wear unforms to distinguish themselves and to make themselves clearly visible. The wearing of our uniform also services to instill a sense of pride in the Group and Scouting in general, as well as showing their individual achievements in the form of badges. Because of this, please ensure, unless advised to the contrary by the Section Leader, that your child wears full uniform (including top, neckerchief and woggle) to each meeting and that footwear is black in colour (all black trainers are acceptable) and clean. It is acceptable to bring a change of clothing and footwear for games and outdoor activities.




• Please ensure that you return forms and payment on time. If you have difficulties completing forms or making payments then please speak in confidence to the Section Leader.




• Please ensure that you inform the Section Leader of any change in the family situation that is likley to affect your child's behaviour. It is not necessary to give details. All information will be treated in confidence.