FAQs

How can I volunteer to help?

Our Scout Group is run entirely by volunteers and we are always greatful for anybody who is able to spare even the smallest amount of time to help us support our young members.  In addition to adult volunteers, 14 to 18 year olds can also join our Young Leadership scheme, which is very popular with those working towards a Duke of Edinburgh's award.  If you are interested in any of the below oppurtunities, please Contact Us and we will be in touch shortly. 

Do I have to live in Kimpton to join the group?

Definitely not! Although we have a mixture of members from Kimpton, Whitwell, Breachwood Green and the surrounding areas. If you think you live outside of this area and are interested in joining Kimpton Scouts, please Contact Us.  If we are not able to offer you a place, we will be able to give you guidance on how to find a suitable alternative group.

What is available for 1st Kimpton Scouts once they reach 14?

Once a Scout reaches 14, they can join an Explorer Scout Unit, which they can attend until the age of 18.  There is also an opportunity to help support the next generation of Scouters by joining the Young Leadership Programme. Our nearest Explorer Unit is Wheathampstead and Kimpton (WAKSU), which meets on a Tuesday in Wheathampstead. Explorer Scout Units are managed by our District and WAKSU is not part of 1st Kimpton Scout Group.

My young person is on the waiting list, how will I know when they can join?

Beavers in Kimpton tend to join the term after they turn 6. If your young person is under 6 at the time they join the waiting list, you will receive an e-mail the term before they are due to start to confirm their place. If, for any reason, there is not space for them to start at this time, we will contact you to let you know.

If you join the waiting list for an older section, we will be in contact as soon as a space becomes available.

At what age will my young person go up to Cubs/Scouts/Explorers?

In Kimpton, Beavers normally move up to Cubs the term after they turn 8, Cubs normally move up to Scouts the term after they turn 101/2 and Scouts normally move up to Explorers the term after they turn 14. We will contact you the term before they are due to move up with further information.

If there is not space for a Young Person to move up when they are due to, often they are able to stay with their current section for an additional term. If this happens, or if we think there is another reason why you may want to consider delaying the move for an additional term, we will contact you the term before they are due to move up.

How much does it cost to join/attend?

Although 1st Kimpton Scouts is run by volunteers, running the Scout Group costs money. We therefore charge a termly subscription to cover the cost of the following: 

You should receive a termly reminder to pay your subscription. Payment is made via the Online Scout Manager Parent Portal. 

Our current subscription rate £35 per young person a term.

There may be additional fees for trips and camps.

If you are worried about being able to pay the subscription fee or to attend a trip or camp, please contact us and we may be able to help. 

Can I join if I haven't been to a younger section?

Yes you can.  If you are aged 6-18 you can join the relevant section for your age, whether or not you have attended any younger scouting sections, e.g. you can join Scouts even if you weren't previously a Beaver or Cub. If we don't currently have space in the relevant section, we can add you to our waiting list.

What is the uniform?

All sections wear uniform to weekly meeting, the only exception being new members, who wear their own clothes until invested. 

Uniform details for each section are provided below. Most uniform items can be purchased from the Scout Store, Beats School Uniforms, Stevensons and other retailers.  The exceptions to this are the Kimption scarves, woggles and red t-shirts, which are purchased directly from us (please Contact Us to purchase).​

It is important that you DO NOT purchase the standard Beaver or Cub t-shirts, as they will not wear these to section meetings, instead they wear the red Kimpton t-shirt.​

If you think the cost of uniform would prevent you from joining, please contact us and we'll do what we can to help.

All Sections

From us:


General:

Beavers

Cubs

Scouts

How do I get a new Kimpton T-Shirt, Scarf or Woggle?

Neckers are ordered directly from us, as well as woggles for Beavers and Cubs.  Your initial neck tie and woggle are free of charge, but replacements may be charged at cost. To order a replacement neck tie or woggle, please Contact Us.

What badges can I do?

You will do a wide range of badges as part of your weekly meetings and on day trips and camps.  You can also do badges at home that represent your interests and things you would like to learn.  

If you want to see which activity badges you could so at home and full list for each section is available on scouts.org, however, please let a leader know before you start working towards a badge, so that they know how you will be doing it and just in case it is already planned for the programme.

You will notice that some of the activity badges are called 'staged'. Young people can obtain these badges in any section, those as a guideline Beavers tend to aim for level 1, Cubs for level 2 and Scouts level 3 or higher, though this will depend on which is the most appropriate challenge level for each young person.

Scouting is for all and badges can be adjusted to account for the individual circumstaces of a young person. The leaders will be more than happy to adjust badge criteria where required.

Where do I sew on my badges?

The scout.org website has the latest information on where to sew your badges: