1st Egham Scout Group has three Sections:  Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

Currently, all 1st Egham Scout Group sections are full, but we run a waiting list system to enable parents to register that their young people wish to join a Section.  This policy attempts to explain how we match places, as they become available, with young people on the list.

As a Group, 1st Egham has been set up to serve the needs of the local community, and as such, we will only offer spaces in our Group to those young people in Egham (TW20 postcode catchment area). For those people within Egham, places are offered according to the following criteria in order of descending priority:

1. Young People who are already a member of their Group and are moving up to the next section ie Beavers to Cubs; Cubs to Scouts. We feel it is important that Young people, once they have embarked on their Scouting adventure, are able to see through their scouting time at their local and progress through their badges and awards without interruption.
2. Young People who have moved into the Group’s catchment area due to a parental/guardian’s transfer and who have previously been actively involved in Scouting in their previous local community.
3. Young People moving on from their local Scout Group to Explorers, will be offered a place at their nearest Explorer Scout Unit once a vacancy occurs.
4. Young People whose parents/guardians are already volunteering as Section Leaders, Section Assistants, or another formal role in supporting their Group or the Scout District. No Group can exist without volunteers, and we feel that it is reasonable that someone who is willing to invest time in supporting the Scouting should be able to include their children.
5. Young People with one or more siblings who are already members of the Group. Siblings of existing members would undoubtedly feel left out if they were not able to experience the same fun that they see their brother or sister enjoying. We also appreciate the convenience to parents of being able to drop-off and collect at the same time. Parents must still register each child on the Waiting list –there is no automatic prioritisation for unregistered siblings.
6. Young People whose parents/guardians newly volunteer to actively help their Group or the Scout District. The level of commitment required will be determined at local Group level but will expected to be reliable and sustainable.
7. Those who are socially disadvantaged. Not every Young Person starts life with an equal opportunity and scouting can help redress this by giving those who are currently in care; have been adopted or are from single parent families where no local family support structure exists, a helping hand. This also extends to those Young People who have physical or mental health issues subject to the local meeting place being suitable and that adequate continuous adult support is available.
8. Time on waiting list. It is appropriate that, having got this far down the criteria, a place should be offered to the Young Person who has been waiting longest for a place to become available. A Young Person will not usually be invited to join a section if their age means that they cannot spend at least 9 months with that section as they will not have the opportunity to settle in and progress in earning badges –however they will be given priority to the next section where possible.
9. Group discretion. If none of the previous criteria can be used to differentiate between two candidates for a place then it will be at the discretion of the Group and Executive Committee as to which person is offered a place. 

Offer of a place

The offer of a place will be made directly to the parent/guardian of the Young Person. If a place offered is declined (or not acknowledged within one month), or the Young Person leaves the Group and subsequently asks to return, they will rejoin the Waiting List at the bottom.

Second Opinion

If it is felt that your application for a place has not been treated fairly the matter should be referred to the Group Scout Leader whose decision is final.