The Lows & Highs of a Group Scout Leader

I couldn’t make it to the Troop meeting last night as I needed to finish some work due to the forthcoming inspection at work.

Later in the evening I got a phone call from the Scout Leader. The first thing he told me was that one of the Scouts had had an accident and he had to fill in the accident book.

I should point out here that if we have an injury to any of the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts or Leaders that is more than a small cut, for example, then the details go into the accident book. This is the same book that businesses, shops, schools etc. have to fill in if they have an accident and it records what happened, the person’s details and what was done about the injury etc. and it means that a record is kept, ‘just in case’. As the Scout received a bump to the head, the book was filled in. If an injury results in a visit to any medical professional, we also have to fill in an incident report form (18 pages long I think) and send it back to the insurance people at the Scout Association, so they have all the details in case of us being sued sometime in the future. Such are the litigious times we live in.

Luckily the Scout wasn’t too badly injured. As part of all this, the Group has its own safety policy, which can be seen here if anyone is interested.

Of course, my first thoughts on hearing this was ‘I hope it’s nothing serious’ and ‘is she ok?’. It wasn’t and she is! But it’s part of the GSL’s role that I need to be informed every time something like this happens in case things are more serious. These bits are not really my favourite parts of the job!

The other thing he told me was that a couple of potential new Scouts turned up last night and this means the Troop is effectively full! I think we could take a few more, as we have enough Leaders, but the numbers in the Hall would make things too difficult. So we have the potential situation that we may need to operate a waiting list for the first time in many many years!

So now our Beaver Colony is full, our Cub Pack is nearly full and the Scout Troop is full! Again, something we haven’t been able to say for a very long time. I don’t think this situation will last too long as the kids move sections, so spaces will open up. All the Group’s Leaders are doing a great job with their sections for us to be in this situation! These bits are my favourite parts of the job!