COVID 19 UPDATE: We are back to face to face meetings in both the Scout and Explorer Scout sections. mainly outside of course… but who wants to be indoors anyway. Also starting some overnight activities as well ( June 2021)
About us
The Group has been running since 1946 and is sponsored by Torquay Boys’ Grammar School.
Membership is open to pupils of the school and girls from Torquay Girls’ Grammar School can also join the Explorer Unit. Both sections have regular weekly meetings and if interested you can also sign up to additional activities run during the evenings or at weekends.
THE SCOUT TROOP
Covering the 11-14 age group, we meet on a Friday evening. Every week’s meeting is very different. One week you could be cooking outside on an open fire or building a ballista out of ropes and poles, another you could be learning how to navigate properly or improving your First Aid. It’s a real mixture but with the emphasis on having fun.
On some evenings and at weekends you have the option of taking part in activities suited to your age group, be it sleeping out in a forest overnight in simple shelters, air rifle shooting, kayaking or whatever. A wide range and up to you what you get involved with.
Each year we also run various trips and camps throughout the country and sometimes further afield! Always plenty to do.
THE EXPLORER SCOUT UNIT
For the older Scouts and as such is a bit more relaxed in style. Again we have a weekly meeting, this time on a Wednesday evening with other activities at weekends like the Troop, although often a bit more advanced bearing in mind the ages. We also incorporate the DofE scheme into the programme for those who are interested.
Some examples of what we get up to are here.
Every four years we head off to the International Scout Centre at Kandersteg in the Swiss Alps. A chance to meet up with other Scouts from around the world and take part in activities that could never be undertaken in this country.
Where and when
Our Scout Headquarters is located on the Torquay Boys’ Grammar School site, Shiphay Manor Drive, Torquay TQ2 7EL. Access the Scout Hut using the main road entrance and take the third exit on the bus bay roundabout.
The Scout Troop runs from 7pm-9pm on Friday nights, and the Explorer Scout Unit from 7pm-9pm on Wednesdays.
Interested in joining?
Come along to a weekly meeting and see what you make of it. Ideally please contact us beforehand so that we know we won’t have issues with numbers. It’s also possible that we might be heading off site to do something away from our headquarters: we wouldn’t want you turning up to find the place deserted.
If you are a year 6 pupil who has received a letter from the School in March/April confirming your place, you can get a head start by joining from then if you wish rather than waiting until the September.
Adult help?
Scout Groups are run purely by volunteers and we are always looking for people willing to give some time to assist.
Some roles are obvious such as being a leader within a section. Yes, a greater commitment is needed but you can get a lot of satisfaction from seeing the young people’s progression and development.
Other roles are less obvious: if you have a specific activity skill or qualifications you can offer you could be a great asset for the Group. Alternatively you might prefer to be behind the scenes helping with the group’s administration: do you have financial, organisational or maintenance skills? Are you an enthusiastic fund-raiser or enjoy helping out with social events?
Please do offer your services: if you work directly with the young people or have a major admin role you will need to fill in a DBS form and if you take on a leadership role, some formal training is involved. We are here to support and guide you through the training programme.
If you can possibly help or would like further information, please contact Amanda through the contact tab.