We have been celebrating 50 years of the 3rd Carluke (Kirkton) Scout Group, which was formed in Kirkton Church in 1968. The group prides itself on being a friendly group highly involved in all aspects of Scouting. As Scouts, we believe in preparing young people with skills for life.
Sections meet on Mondays or Fridays. Please see the sections below for more information.
The aim of the Scout
Association is to encourage the physical, mental and spiritual development of
young people so that they may take a constructive place in society. The method
of achieving the aim of the “World fellowship of Scouts” is providing an
enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout
Promise and Law and guided by adult leadership. The group is organised in a
number of sections catering for all age groups.
The Beaver Colony
The Beavers are the youngest members of the Group and at present total 24. Boys and girls join at 6 years old and “swim up” to the Cub Pack at eight. The Beaver motto being “Fun and Friends”, games handicrafts, visits form invited guests and outdoor games are just some of the Beaver activities.
Meets Monday evenings in the Small Hall, Kirkton Church from 6.00pm-7.00pm.
The Cub Pack
Members of the Pack are organised into smaller units (sixes) and enjoy a very varied programme. This includes a badge scheme including proficiency badges in which every cub can gain credit for his or her abilities in scoutcraft, hobbies, sports and the likes. Outings are arranged regularly and weekend camps at outdoor centres are organised annually. The aim of the Cub Pack is to encourage every boy and girl to develop skills which will help them as they progress through life. Cubs move to the Scout Troop at age 10½ .
Meets Monday evenings
in the Large Hall, Kirkton Church from 6.30pm-8.30pm.
The Scout Troop
In the troop section, the scouts are encouraged to develop some independence in working through their progress badge scheme – the Scout Award, Pathfinder and Explorer Awards. The ultimate achievement in this section is the Chief Scout’s Award, which tests each boy or girl in all the skills he/she has developed in the Beaver Colony, Cub Pack and Scout Troop. Troop nights are packed with games and projects but, again, many activities are organised outwith this time for anyone who is interested. Each unit of five or six (a patrol) is encouraged to participate in a wide variety of activities. The whole section has the opportunity to take part in the weekend camps planned by the leaders each session and in the annual summer camp usually held during the first week in July.
Meets Friday evenings in the Large Hall, Kirkton Church from 7.00pm – 9.30pm.
The Explorer Scout Unit
Once boys and girls reach the age of 14 they join the Explorer Unit, responsibility for their meetings and programme of activities is almost entirely their own. The Unit, if large enough, elects an Executive Committee from amongst its members and runs on a far more independent, but usually informal, basis than any other section of the Group. Unit meetings may take the form of games nights, video nights, “heated” discussions on recent news items or maybe even just a trip to a concert. Meetings are not necessarily confined to a Friday night, with the Unit rearranging its diary to suit exam timetables and party schedules. Explorer Scouting also has an element of achievement built into it, with Explorer Scouts working towards a number of badges and awards in the section. Obviously, the emphasis is far more biased towards independence and initiative, and most boys and girls working for their awards find it interesting, challenging but definitely rewarding. Explorer Scouts also start work towards the highest award in Scouting, The Queen’s Scout Award. Very few actually complete this award, as it really tests all the Scouting and “life” skills the individual has developed both in and outwith the Movement, but for those who do persevere and complete all the rigorous requirements, usually by the age of 21, it is indeed something to be proud of for the rest of their lives.
Meets – Friday
evenings in Kirkton Church Halls from 7.00pm – 9.30pm.
The Parents’
Committee
The Group Parents’ Committee exists to
support the Group Scout Leader on meeting his responsibilities. The members of the enthusiastic group are elected
annually from amongst the parents and friends of any members of the Group.
The Committee is responsible for raising
funds in order to run activities or buy equipment, for maintenance of Group
property, group public relations and in assisting the recruiting of Leaders and
other adult support.
3rd Carluke’s Group Committee is active and organises a number of fund raising
activities including a Christmas Post service in Carluke. Running a Scout Group
the size we have in Kirkton requires constant support so the committee have to work very hard indeed, but when at full numbers it is a
force to be reckoned with!
The success of the Group since 1968 has been based on a hard working Leader
Team, supported by the Parents’ Committee, friends of the Group and Kirkton
Church.
Visit the Scout website www.scouts.org.uk for more information about scouting.
John Moffat
Group Scout Leader
