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Joining Scouts

Step 1: Are you in the right place?

Any boy or girl between 10 years old and 14 years old can join Scouts. If you're older than 13½ though, you might want to go straight to Explorers, the next section up.

Will you enjoy it? Probably. Try it and find out. We probably do more stuff than you realise, and we probably do some stuff that you already enjoy. There's a chance to do some mountain biking, team sports, adventure racing, water sports, motor sports, climbing and loads of other cool outdoor stuff, as well as the camping and other traditional Scout activities.

Guide? You can do Scouts AND Guides. They're on different days. We'll let you come for free in your Guide uniform for a while so that you make your own mind up if you want to join for real. We're a bit more outdoorsy than the Guides. The best way to see the difference is to come along. (Ask someone who's tried... we've got several girls who have switched.)

Step 2: Contact us... or just turn up!

We meet at the hut at the Impington Village College Sports Centre, between 19:15 and 21:00 on Monday nights. (Postcode for your SatNav is CB24 9LY.) You can just turn up, that's okay. If you want to be sure (because we're not ALWAYS at the hut!), then mail me, gregharewood@histon-scouts.org.uk or call or text me on (07973) 795871. I'll try to get back to you within a couple of hours.

Step 3: See whether you like it

Come for a few weeks and try it out. There are a few things that you can't do without joining, like canoeing, climbing and so. But mostly, don't worry, we'll warn you if there is something you might miss out on.

Somewhere along the line, we'll explain the Scout Law and Promise to you. It's pretty simple, but it's something that all Scouts share and it makes the "Scouting Family".

Step 4: Pay!

"Subs" are £33 a term (from Sept. 2010). You can join at any time though, we'll work something out. And we often meet in the holidays as well as in term time. Just in case you get bored of being at home. Activities, like camps, are usually extra. We prefer cheques, which you can hand over to a Scout Leader, payable to "1st Histon Scout Group".

Step 5: You're going to need a uniform!

You can buy a uniform at the local Scout shop at 195 Perne Road in Cambridge [map]. They have limited opening hours. You might prefer to get some stuff at ScoutShops online. The only thing you NEED to buy is:

  • Teal green Scout shirt

We'll give you:

  • A green and gold scarf
  • A Scout record book

You may want to buy:


Step 6: Promise

Finally, now you've decided you're sticking with us, it's time to make the Scout promise. We call this "being invested", and when you've done it you get to wear the Scout Membership badge on your new uniform.

The Scout Promise is:The Scout Law is:
On My Honour, I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to God and to the Queen,
To help other people
And to keep the Scout Law		 A Scout is to be trusted.
A Scout is loyal.
A Scout is friendly and considerate.
A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts.
A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.

By the way, we have other versions of the promise if you're not Christian or not British. :-)

Step 7: Enjoy!

Enjoy Scouts with your mates, earn some badges and make sure you put camp in your diary. Tell your mates and get them to join too. You can also write for Trout Scoop, our very own newsletter! Break some records. You can spend every single evening on Scouts if you really want. We do!!