Waiting list policy
Many Sections across the District, especially Beavers, are full or close to full and so we operate a waiting list to enable parents and carers to register young people who wish to join a Section. This policy outlines how we offer places as they become available.
General notes:
- The age ranges for the Sections are Beavers: 6 to 8 years, Cubs: 8 to 10½ years, Scouts: 10½ to 14 years, Explorers: 14-18 years and Network: 18-25 years.
- Scouting is open to all young people (irrespective of gender, faith, ability, sexuality or any other factors). If a young person needs additional support in order to participate in scouting, this should be discussed with the Leaders, who will work with parents/carers to establish a plan of action.
- For a young person to be added to the waiting list, the following details MUST be supplied: full name, date of birth, address + postcode, and phone and email contact details of at least one parent/guardian. The easiest way to register is using the online forms (links at the bottom of this page).
- Young people approaching the Beavers joining age (6 years) may only be added to the list from age 4.
- If a young person waiting for a particular Section does not obtain a place in time to join that Section, then they will remain on the list for the next Section up.
- All Scout Groups rely on the efforts of our adult volunteers (Leaders, Assistants, Executive Committee etc), without whom they simply could not continue to operate. We always need more adult volunteers; therefore, we give a high priority to those on the waiting list who have an adult family member who is willing and able to take on a Role within the Group.
Priorities when allocating places
The following criteria are used by Groups when allocating places to young people in approximate order of priority (highest first). Nevertheless, please note that the allocation of all places is at the discretion of the Leaders within each Group:
- The young person is already a member of a Section in the Group and is moving up from the section below (i.e. Beavers to Cubs or Cubs to Scouts).
- A parent, carer or other adult family member commit to volunteering in one of the following roles: Leader, Assistant Leader, Section Assistant or Executive Committee Member.
- The young person is already a member of The Scout Association at a Group outside of Thames Ridge District and has recently moved into the District.
- If allocated a place, the young person will have at least one year within the Section being joined before reaching the age of moving up to the next Section
- The young person has a sibling who is already a member of the Group
- Lastly, the amount of time spent on the waiting list will be considered as a factor.
Enquiries
To request the addition of a young person onto our waiting list please complete our registration form on our website.
To discuss volunteering opportunities or our Admissions Policy, please contact the District Commissioner:
- by email: join@thamesridgescouts.org.uk
- by phone: 01235 250280.