Scouting is inclusive – all young people aged 6 to 18 are welcome to join, regardless of background, race, or religion. However, due to high demand and limited spaces, we prioritise applicants based on several factors. Please read the information below carefully to understand how our waiting list works and how places are allocated
How Our Waiting List Works
Beaver Scouts (Ages 6–8):
All young people wishing to join Beavers are placed on our waiting list. Places are offered based on the following priorities:
- Time on the waiting list
- Age suitability: Spaces are offered to children who are within six months of the starting age for Beavers (6–8 years).
- Catchment area
- Siblings in the group or a parent actively volunteering with us
Cub Scouts (Ages 8–10½) and Scouts (Ages 10½–14):
Young people already in the group automatically move up to the next section (from Beavers to Cubs or Cubs to Scouts). However, any additional spaces in these sections are filled using the waiting list, prioritising children who are age-appropriate at the time the space becomes available.
Important Age Guidelines:
- We cannot guarantee a place if your child becomes older than the suitable age range for a section while waiting. For example, children who turn 8½ while waiting for a place in Cubs are unlikely to join Cubs and will need to wait until they are Scout age.
- To maximise the chance of being offered a place, children should be within six months of the starting age of the section when a space becomes available.
Supporting Your Child’s Needs
To ensure we can provide the right support for all young people, it is essential that you inform us about any specific needs, including Special Educational Needs (SEN) or other conditions, at the time of signing up.
This information helps us plan ahead and discuss how we can best support your child’s Scouting experience. Please send these details in a separate email to info@kidlingtonscoutgroup.org.uk as soon as you have completed the waiting list application form.
Rest assured, any details you provide will be handled sensitively and used solely to create an inclusive and enjoyable environment for everyone.
Why We Need These Guidelines
Our aim is to provide every child with a meaningful Scouting experience. This means ensuring that children joining a section have enough time to participate fully before transitioning to the next section.
Volunteering Can Help Reduce Waiting Lists
Scouting is entirely run by volunteers. The more volunteers we have, the more young people we can offer spaces to. If you can help, whether as a leader, assistant, or in another role, please get in touch – your involvement could make a huge difference.
Next Steps: If you’d like your child to join, please complete the waiting list application form available from the link below. If you’re willing to volunteer or have a sibling already in the group, please email us directly at info@kidlingtonscoutgroup.org.uk with additional details
*You can check catchment area by following the link and entering your post code: https://www.scouts.org.uk/groups/