Joining the Group

There are two classes of membership; Youth (under 18) and Adult. An adult can join the Scout Association as a Supporter or Provisional Leader without cost after they have obtained clearance through the Disclosure System and undertaken a foundation level training course. Leaders and Instructors then need to go before an appointments board and carry out relevant training for their potential role.

Youth entry is much more difficult because the Group is likely to be full. Currently we run one Squirrel Drey with a theoetical maximum of 24, two Beaver Colonies with a maximum of 24 in each, two Cub Packs with similar maxima, a Scout Group with a max of 36 and an Explorer Unit with a similar maximum. Our Drey started Jan 2024 and is limited by the leader ratios required. Physically our hall is normally too small for more than 24 youngsters[1]. Retention rates are such that the vast majority of Beavers who enter at 6 become Cubs at 8, most Cubs become Scouts at 10.5 and most Scouts become Explorers at 14. Even with the normal flows we often breach our maxima for periods of time, and realistically, unless the parents of the young person offers services to the Group such as taking up a leadership role in a section with a significant need, the chance of a young person joining at anything but Beaver level is small to very small.  

A parent who wants a child to join either the Drey or Beavers can be put on the Waiting List at age 4 for entry at around 6 as spaces appear. Sadly if the child has not been offered entry by the age of seven then they will not normally gain entry. We have found that if those over 7 join, it effectively halves the length of time in the Beavers and doubles the flow. This then forms a growing bubble in the Cubs (potentially 12*2.5 over the maximum in each pack). This bubble is then passed on to the Scouts (after 2.5 years). Growth eventually stabilises  at well over the maxima.

As spaces appear the Leaders have agreed the following ranked criteria

Squirrels Parental contribution, Sibling in Beavers.

Beavers: Transfer from another colony because of parental house move; Sibling already in Group; Age under 7; Parental Contribution; Time on Waiting List.

Cubs: Transfer from 1st Helensburgh Beavers[2], Parental Contribution, Transfer from another pack because of parental house move, Sibling already in Group, Waiting List (very unlikely)

Scouts: Transfer from 1st Helensburgh Cubs, Parental Contribution, Transfer from another Troop because of parental house move, Sibling already in Group, Waiting List (very unlikely)

Explorers: Transfer from Scouts in Helensburgh Area[3], Transfer from another Unit (parental house move), Parental Contribution.

If you want to apply to join either as an adult, a young person or on behalf of a young person, please complete the Contact Form.

[1] Scouts normally use the adjacent Guide Hall as well.

[2] Whist Monday Beavers normally transfer to Tuesday Cubs and Thursday Beavers to Wednesday Cubs this is not fixed; Beavers can opt for the alternative if space is available.

[3] Explorers are the responsibility of the District and after completing Scouts may join any Unit in the District