Join the adventure!
Dear parents, friends and Members, whether you’re new to the Group or have been involved for a while, welcome. Scouting is one of the most rewarding and exciting activities that you and your family can ever be involved in.
Scouting has shaped the development of youth for more than 100 years. Scouts are in every part of our community and we are one of the biggest and most successful youth organisations in Australia and in the world.
The main aim of Scouting is to provide an adventurous, fun, challenging and inclusive program to youth everywhere which teaches life skills and leadership. With more than 17,000 youth members and 5,000 adult volunteers in Victoria alone, registration numbers are booming.
Another wonderful aspect of the program is that Scouts always work their hardest to provide support and service within their community. Participating in food drives, habitat revegetation projects, fundraising for charities such and first-aid volunteering at local events are just some of the places you might see Scouts doing their bit. Therefore playing a constructive role in society as responsible members of both their local and international communities.
Scouting is for everyone, and found everywhere, with more than 400 local Scout Groups across Victoria.
All welcome
More than 22,000 young people, and adults are part of Scouts Victoria, from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds. We’re diverse and inclusive, proudly supporting people with physical or intellectual disabilities so we can all enjoy adventurous activities.
“Consistent with the national and international principles of Scouting, Scouts Victoria is open to all young people without distinction of origin, race or creed. Membership shall be voluntary, without distinction of gender or abilities.”
– Scouts Victoria Youth Membership Policy 2016
All Ages
Scouting is all about the healthy development of young people, preparing them for a constructive and active life ahead.
From the time they start school, children as young as five can become Joey Scouts. Older children and teens can join us along the way, even if they haven’t been involved in Scouting before.
Scouts are aged from 5 to 25, and adventurous adults of any age are always welcome as new Leaders.
Gender
Girls have been Scouts in Australia since the 1970s, and all our activities are equal opportunity. More than a third of our youth members are female.
Gender diversity is also supported and respected.
Additional needs
We welcome members with physical or intellectual disabilities, and we’ll include you in as many activities as possible. Some of the Groups specialise in activities for Scouts with disabilities, while all of them will do their best to make you feel welcome and included.
You can probably help us learn some useful skills too. Scouts have tried their hands at reading Braille and communicating with Auslan sign language. Some have even tried painting their Leader with a paint brush held in their feet!
We want to broaden our understanding of your everyday challenges, so we can help remove the barriers.
Backgrounds
Scouts come from many different backgrounds and cultures.
Many Scouts were born overseas or raised by parents who’ve retained traditions from other countries. All new members are welcomed into the Group and treated with respect.
Inclusiveness and diversity are values at the heart of Scouting activities. Members from different ethnic backgrounds can help their group learn about cultures, languages and spiritual beliefs. Younger Scouts might start a conversation through tasting foods from different nations. Older Scouts are encouraged to appreciate social and political differences at a deeper level, preparing them for travel or career.
Religion
Scouts Victoria welcomes members from all religions and we encourage the spiritual development of our members.
It’s true that Scouting was founded on traditional Christian values, and Sir Robert Baden-Powell often referred to God. But, as the movement grew, his writings and speeches referred to all religions.
In the century since then, we’ve continued to adapt and evolve, welcoming all faiths. The Scout promise refers to “my spiritual beliefs” instead of “God”.
Financial and family difficulties
Families come in many different forms, and all young people deserve a chance to shape their own future.
Scouting delivers exciting, low-cost activities to children and youths who might not otherwise be able to enjoy them. We develop life skills through learning opportunities outside the education system. We provide structure, friendship and support, encouraging members to challenge themselves.
If your family is having a rough time, Scouting can provide young people with important breathing space outside the home to be with friends and enjoy achievements. If you’re doing it tough financially, we can often help out with financial hardship programs.
Being a Member
Core to Scouting is the Scout Promise and Law. Between each section: Joey Scouts, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers, the Law is different – more age-appropriate, but the Promise remains constant:
Core to Scouting is the Scout Promise and Law. Between each section: Joey Scouts, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers, the Law is different – more age-appropriate, but the Promise remains constant:
We recognise that each of our Members has different obligations and priorities beyond Scouting. School is paramount and we strive to support School and other activities rather than compete with them. We also understand that our Members have many other demands on their time and we work with Members and parents to ensure that they balance them all.
Join today!
New Members are welcome to attend at our Hall on the relevant Section meeting night with your first 3 nights free! Conditions apply.
Head to the membership enquiry page to get in touch.
What do we do?
At 1st Point Cook, we are an exciting and dynamic Group. From term to term, we have a fun and challenging programme. Scouting is 100 years old, but is also relevant in the 21st Century.
Whether in the bush or on the Internet, we can guarantee experiences that no other organisation can deliver. Over the last year, our members have undertaken an expedition to Canberra, survival training, rock climbing, navigation, treasure hunts, hiking, and bike riding, Winter Olympics, pirate-themed camps and much, much more!
Our activities span personal and interpersonal development, community service and awareness of our culture and heritage. As a Member of 1st Point Cook, you will explore your creative, physical and mental capabilities, how you work as a team member, and also explore your spiritual awareness.
One of the most important parts of Scouting is how we promote the independence of our Youth Members. As they progress through Joey Scouts, Cubs and Scouts, more and more they choose, plan and run what they want to do. This framework is underpinned by an award scheme that encourages participation in a wide range of activities and provides recognition of individual achievements.
To support the young people, we are lucky enough to have both experienced and new members of our Leadership Team: balancing enthusiasm and energy with knowledge and experience.
What does it cost?
First things first: It is our fundamental belief that nobody should miss out on Scouting because they can’t afford it. If you’re struggling financially, you can talk to one of the Leaders in confidence to discuss options.
Scouting is a non-profit organisation. We receive no external funding: public or government. We rely on term fees, fundraising and most recently, have sought grant aid to minimise costs.
When you first join, we ask each member to pay a one-off $240 membership fee to cover the administration costs of a new membership. From your second term onwards, we ask you for a fee of $130 a term. Beyond week-to-week activities, the fees cover general running costs, insurance, hall costs, and maintenance.
Beyond that, there’ll be very reasonable payments for external activities such as camps or other special events and activities. We make every attempt to keep these costs as low as possible. However, major events and expeditions can add significantly to the costs unless we are able to offset through fundraising activities.
Talking To Us
Generally speaking, we will provide you with programme and week-to-week information by email. However, we believe that two-way communication is essential. We recognise the importance of your feedback and also how critical it is for you to understand what we are doing. We want you to feel that we’re approachable and responsive to any concerns you may have.
Your first point of contact is the Section Leaders (Leader that is running the Night) and their teams, will be able to address many queries or concerns you may have. In addition to being available at the Section meetings, you can get in touch with them using the contact details below.
Kelli (Kooka) is the Group Leader, and is available to help with any information. She is there not only to talk to you about any specific or individual questions you may have but is also happy to take the time talking about administration, Group plans, and the ‘bigger picture’.
Supporting us as an adult
As adults, our focus is on supporting our Youth Members, and as they move through Scouting, to plan and deliver fantastic programs themselves. We encourage them (and ourselves) to think beyond their perceived limits to achieve objectives bounded only by their imaginations. Nothing should be impossible!
At 1st Point Cook, we believe that our strength is in a triangle between our Youth Members, our Leaders and our parents. For all three, we’ve learned that the more you put in, the more you get out.
Being an adult in Scouting is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. We work hard to create an inclusive, friendly and supportive environment. The more adults we involve, the easier, fun and rewarding it will be for all of us!
Like many of the clubs and sporting activities kids take part in, we expect you to support the running of the Group. We know from experience that the more you are involved, the more your own child will benefit.
We realise the demands upon you and your families. We want you to commit only the time that you can afford and there are many ways in which you can do so. We invite you to become a Committee Member, Parent Helper or a Leader.
As a Parent Helper, you will support the leaders either at Mob, Pack or Troop meetings and perhaps some activities outside of the Hall – perhaps a weekend camp or two or another activity. We ask all adults to undertake a Working with Children and police check before helping us.
As a Leader, beyond the Working with Children and police checks, we will ask you to take the Scout Promise and Law and also to undertake a programme of training over your first year. This training is nationally accredited (including Certificate III/IV in frontline Management) and you have the support of not only your local group, but District, Local, Regional and National resources in undertaking the training. Because we recognise its importance, we bear the full cost of this training.
If you’re not able to assist as a Leader of Adult Helper, we’d like you to join our Group Committee, where you will help us plan and run fundraising, publicity, or maintenance of our equipment and facilities. The Committee is growing, but still needs more members. There is a lot to do, but it’s not all hard work. There’s a real team spirit.
You don’t need to be a parent or guardian. Today, more people are considering undertaking Community Service than ever before. More and more this is seen as increasing one’s employability. Scouting and the support of 1st Point Cook is a worthwhile and satisfying way of achieving this.
We’re frequently asked whether Leaders and helpers are paid. The answer is no: all Leaders and supporters are volunteers and receive no payment. We do it either because we’re parents ourselves or have been Members in the past and recognise the benefits of the Scouting to young people.