Program FAQ
How Much Does the Program Cost?
The 2012-2012 Registration fees are as follows:
Spring Registration Early Bird! Ends June 28, 2011
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- Regular Youth Fee $165.00 Fee paid in full by June 28, 2011
- Second Youth Family Member $135.00
- Third Youth Family Member $ 85.00
- Fourth Youth Family member - No Charge for fourth or more youth member of a family
- Family Maximum $385.00
Fall Registration Early Bird! Ends September 13, 2011
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- Regular Youth Fee $170.00 Fee paid in full by September 13, 2011
- Second Youth Family Member $140.00
- Third Youth Family Member $90.00
- Fourth Youth Family member - No Charge for fourth or more youth member of a family
- Family Maximum $400.00
Regular Fall Registration. After September 13, 2011
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- Regular Youth Fee $180.00
- Second Youth Family Member $150.00
- Third Youth Family Member $100.00
- Fourth Youth Family member - No Charge for fourth or more youth member of a family
- Family Maximum $430.00
Are There Other Costs?
The individual sections will collect "dues" which are used to fund the purchase of various supplies used toward the youth meetings. Typically camps are an additional cost unless the individual section has conducted a fundraising event in advance to pay for a camp. Sometimes there are other activities planned that will require an additional fee much like a school field trip.
What if We Change Our Mind – Can We Get a Refund?
Firstly, your child can try the program out for two consecutive meetings before deciding. If they register, and have participated in four (4) weeks or less of programming, you may obtain a full refund less an administrative fee of $50 to cover the costs of registration and refund processing performed by Scouts Canada. There is no refund after receiving four (4) weeks of programming. Scouts Canada policy states that an individual who has spent more than four weeks in a program has begun to receive a reasonable portion of the Scouting program and has been fully registered. You are permitted to appeal this to Scouts Canada who will review these cases on an individual case basis.
Is Scouting an Activity that Qualifies Toward the "Child Fitness Tax Credit?"
Yes and no – registration fees will have receipts issued that are to be specifically used toward the Child Fitness Tax Credit. Unfortunately dues, field trip and camp expenses are not included in this amount. The tax receipts are typically issued in January.
Is Scouting a Co-ed Program?
Yes, the Scouting program is available to boys and girls, men and women.
What About Youth With Disabilities?
Scouting is an all inclusive program, and includes children with disabilities when possible. Naturally, depending on the degree of ability, an attendant may or may not be required. Safety of all the youth is paramount, and is part of the decision of whether or not a child can be accommodated.
Do Parents Have to Join?
Scouting is a very family oriented program, and parent participation and support is critical to its success. We are always in need of leaders, as parents who volunteer as leaders tend to move up within the program with their children. Volunteers are needed as well to fill positions on the Group Committee Executive in roles such as Group Commissioner, Treasurer, Secretary, Events Co-ordinator to name a few positions. These positions are ideal for those who want to get involved in the program but do not think that becoming a leader is a good fit for them. Other roles for parents would involve assisting with fundraising activities such as selling Trail's End popcorn or sewing neckerchiefs, assisting at youth meetings and camps and supporting your youth at activities such as campfire nights and outings. See more information in our Volunteering section.
How do I Become a Leader?
Adults who wish to join the program must fill out a Scouts Canada Adult Member Application form, and obtain a Police Reference Check (forms will be provided to interested adults to facilitate this process). Scouts Canada has a mandatory training curriculum for our volunteer leaders which is imperative to provide you with both the "tools to do the job" and assist with risk management within the activities of the Scouting program. It is typically a 1-2 day course called Woodbadge Part I and held on a weekend, and many sessions are available during the program year. The training is also now available on-line.
What is the Adult to Youth Ratio?
For Beaver Scouts, it is one adult for every five youth, for Cub Scouts and Scouts it is one adult for every six youth. If there are not sufficient leaders available, meetings can be cancelled as it is against Scouts Canada's policies with regard to risk management to hold meetings without sufficient leaders.
Are Uniforms Required?
All youth members and adult leaders must have uniforms, which are available for purchase at the Scout Shop. It is also possible to find used uniforms at local consignment stores. Our Neckerchiefs are made locally and provided to new members at the time of their investiture.
Fundraising – Do We Have To Do It?
Fundraising activities are conducted a few times during the program year as all of the income brought in from registration goes directly to Scouts Canada, and not retained locally by our group. 1st New Maryland has traditionally participated in Apple Day, Scout Popcorn and our annual Christmas Tree Pick-Up. All youth members are expected to participate in these activities to help fund their programs, which in turn keeps camps and other activities as low-cost to parents as possible. See more infomation in our Fundraising section.
Do Parents Have to go Camping?
Parents must attend camps at the Beaver Scouts level of the program. At the Cub Scouts and Scout levels of the program parental participation is not mandatory at camps, however parents are welcome to attend. Going to camp with your child will provide many great memories for years to come.
Do I Have to Buy a Tent & Camping Equipment for my Son/Daughter to Camp?
The 1st New Maryland Scouting group is fortunate enough to have accumulated a good inventory of camping equipment, so typically all a child needs to bring to camp are personal items such as bedding (i.e., a Sleeping Bag), a mess kit with unbreakable dishes, weather-appropriate clothing and a flashlight! Leaders will provide a Camp Kit List for packing purposes prior to holding a camp.
How Often do the Groups Camp?
At the Beaver Scouts level this depends upon the leadership team, but definitely twice a year. At the Cub Scout level, there are usually 3-4 camps per year, and Scouts may camp more than 4 times a year.
