© 2012 1st Bingham Scout Group

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1st Bingham Scout Group

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The 1st Bingham Scout Group has been growing steadily for several years. We are the 2nd largest Scout Group in the Rushcliffe District and 3rd largest in Nottinghamshire. At the time of our annual census in 2001 the Group comprised two Cub Packs, 2 Scout Troops and a Venture Scout Unit with a total membership of 78 young people (between 8 and 25 years old). The current census (Jan 2011) shows two Beaver Colonies, two Cub Packs, three Scout Troops, and an Explorer Scout Unit (successor to the Venture Scouts) with a total membership of 162 young people (aged 6-18yrs).

We currently have waiting lists for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

We are an active Scout Group that likes to get out and do the traditional Scouting things as well as adding in the modern and up to date.

Our biggest event of the year is our annual Group Camp (held over the May Day bank holiday weekend) – in recent times over 100 people camping under canvas for the weekend for three days of fun and activities.

We run a number of fund raising events throughout the year including stalls at the Bingham Summer and Christmas Fairs, bag packing in local shops and we run a Christmas Post service.

One of our biggest problems in running the Group is our lack of a suitable, dedicated meeting venue.

We meet at a variety of premises around Bingham: Wykeham House; Church House; the Methodist Church; and Carnarvon School. This means that sections cannot even share the simplest things like games equipment or a Union Flag. The Group has been exploring with the Town Council and others the possibility of leasing some land on which we could build a dedicated Scout headquarters, so far nothing has come of this, but we continue to try.  

There are also about 25 adult volunteers (both uniformed members and parent helpers) who run the various sections.

Unfortunately, this is rather less than we really need. Enquiries from parents who want their youngsters to join continue to come in and we now can't satisfy all of those requests. The only way forward is to find more adult help and open extra sections for all of the age groups.

We need people who are interested in working with children of any age group, people who would like to help children enjoy interesting activities and develop their life skills. Potential volunteers shouldn’t be put off because they know nothing about tying knots or lighting fires; the young people learn these skills and so can you! All we need are responsible and interested adults who can give up some time – and the amount of time and the level of involvement can be varied to suit.

Volunteers don’t have to be parents of youngsters in the Group – in fact they don’t need to be parents at all, just be over 18. No special skills or experience are needed – training will be provided. If these roles working directly with the young people don’t appeal help is also needed with administration (looking after records, finance etc) or occasional help with particular sessions.