Frequently Asked Questions
Want to know something about the Scout Section? Have a question that has been bugging you for a while?
Then send it in to us at bc.scouts@sa.scouts.com.au and we will try and come up with an answer for you - even more, we will post the response to this site with any relevant links etc so they can be viewed by all.
FAQ have been categorised on this page to assist in finding them!
FORMS AND ADMIN
Q. Re use of A5 – Do I need to fill it in and get signatures every time we leave the Hall?
A. You do NOT need to use the A5 when
your activity is within the "normal Scouting environment". This
means (apart from Hall and Yard), the immediate locality of the Scout Group -
local Park, suburban streets within any main road "boundaries" - in which small
scale activities take place - such as a treasure/scavenger hunt, mapping local
features, a game in the Park. These activities would not need an A5, but
obviously would need to meet safety standards of supervision, as do all our
activities.
Q. Do I need to get the parents to sign a Y4 form every time we leave the Hall?
A. A Y4 is NOT required when the youth
members will be leaving the Scout Hall in Patrols, remaining in the local area (the
normal Scouting environment), and will be shadowed or accompanied by
leaders, or when a series of manned checkpoints are in place around the route
they will be taking. E.g. all walking down to the local park to play some
outdoor games, or in Patrols doing some supervised local mapping or
photo-orienteering, or following an easily followed trail with supervised
checkpoints.
Q. Is there any current labour-saving software for Award Scheme/badge recording?
A. We are going to develop this – BC Communications has done this for his Cub Pack, and he is going to work on a Scout Version.
A spreadsheet showing each Target Badge
level on the same page (Pioneer, Explorer, Adventurer) is on ERICA
at
www.erica.sa.scouts.com.au/?QuickFind=H7FSR which will mean you
don’t have to keep turning pages when you program.
Q. How do I find Scout Section information and resources on ERICA
A. There are a number of ways to find information in ERICA. You can browse documents via the menu on the left hand side.
For example, if you want Scout program ideas, click Program Ideas, then click Scouts. This will then give you all the documents that have been tagged as being for Scout Program ideas.
If you are looking for something specific, use the right hand side search box to search for a document (eg Y4 form).
Need more information or help? Email
erica@sahq.scouts.com.au
Q. How can I get all these forms – signed, the A5 in particular – I can’t scan and email them like some people do.
A. You do need to be a bit organised. I suggest you either get the GL to sign at your Group Council, or ask them to visit the troop, which they should do occasionally anyway. Regular Group Councils assist linking youth members between sections, and help leaders coordinate camps, equipment and are a good sharing occasion. If your Group doesn’t have them regularly, ask your GL, or if necessary have a word with the DC.
You can get the DSL signature at your
District Mindari, which again, ideally, should happen regularly. If neither of
these works for you, go back to what we all used to do, post forms back and
forth, and a reply-paid envelope speeds up the reply.
SCOUTING PROGRAM
Q. Why are we wrapping Scouts in cotton wool…how can we put the challenge back?
For instance, what camping and hiking can Scouts do without leaders present?
A. Safety Standards and Procedures stipulates that lightweight Patrol camping and/or hiking can be carried out without having a leader alongside.
However, there are conditions which you must check, and these most certainly include good preparation of the Patrol by the leader, in the manner of Cohen Cup or Branch Hike. A leader should visit, and there needs to be a backup plan for retrieval of the Patrol or individuals at any time – “adult assistance is within easy reach if required.”
SS&P says that the Scout Association encourages “youth members to camp without full-time adult supervision at the earliest time consistent with due regard for health and safety.”
The Branch Scout Section is providing
supervision for Patrol camping at Woodhouse (need not be lightweight) on a
number of weekends between May and September – see
here for details.
Q. Can you please advise what award badges stay on the uniform. Eg once the scout has their pioneer badge and then starts the explorer level targets, do the pioneer level targets come off or do we just keep sewing everything on?
A. I would think the most sensible thing to do is as the
Explorer level Campcraft and Citizenship badges are awarded, they replace the
red ones - so keep the red ones on till they need to be "upgraded." If a
different elective Target is done at Explorer level, add it and keep the Pioneer
one that is unique. The Explorer badge replaces the Pioneer one, as does the
cord. There isn't room for all the Target badges, so keep on the highest level
achieved in each topic.
EVENTS
Q. Why did you change Cohen Cup and Hike dates?
A. We wanted more time to review and
revitalise the Hike, which has begun. Days are longer in late September which is
much more pleasant for bush camping, and also allows hike start time to be more
spread out without a fear of darkness falling before all hikers return.
Q. The Branch Hike clashes with the final night of Gang Show.
A. We are aware of this and are sorry
for those who will miss out on one of the events. We know the rehearsal and
performance dates for 2009, and are planning to avoid these when planning Branch
events in the future.
Q. Why is the Cohen Cup at the Showgrounds?
A. For the Year of the Scout, we wanted to do something different that would challenge the Scouts. We are theming the event to build more fun into this challenge, and will be using some of the Showground areas beyond the Oval for activities. The Farmers’ Market on Sunday morning will bring some spectators, and also an opportunity for Scouts to maybe buy some lunch ingredients as part of the challenge.
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