I am the Group Scout Leader (GSL) and on behalf of all of the Section Leaders and Assistant Section Leaders I welcome you to 1st Standlake and Cokethorpe Sea Scout Group.After being a Cub many years ago, I have been an Assistant Beaver Leader, Occasional Cub helper, Assistant Scout Leader, Scout Leader and now Group Scout Leader as an Adult – and I’m still having fun as a member of the World Wide Family of Scouts and especially 1st Standlake & Cokethorpe Sea Scout Group. I personally really enjoy the nautical side of what our group offers, which is helped by our group having Royal Navy Recognition Status. We of course still cover all the traditional land scouting activities too.“Scouting is the UK's biggest mixed youth organisation. We change lives by offering 6- to 25-year-olds fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and the chance to help others so that we make a positive impact in communities.

Scouts helps children and young adults reach their full potential. Scouts develop skills including teamwork, time management, leadership, initiative, planning, communication, self-motivation, cultural awareness and commitment. We help young people to get jobs, save lives and even change the world.” Scouts.org.uk

1st Standlake and Cokethorpe is a thriving Scout Group and consists of four sections being run by enthusiastic and dedicated Leaders and Assistant Leaders to ensure that a balanced programme of activities is offered to our scouts. This group (as do all scout groups) is about promoting adventure, friendship and community. It gives the young people chance to learn, have fun and to achieve. There are examples of what sections in the group get up to in this web site. Two events that we all attend as a group, each year, are the church parades - St George’s Day in April and a Remembrance Service in November. All scouts from all of the Sections are expected to attend these parades.

The sections in 1st Standlake and Cokethorpe Group are:

A Beaver Scout Colony for youngsters aged 6 – 8

A Cub Scout Pack for youngsters aged 8 – 10½

A Scout Troop for youngsters aged 10½ - 14

An Explorer Scout Unit (part of West Oxon District) partnered with the Scout group for young people from 14-18 years old.

We ask parents to support us in different ways depending on the age of the Scout. There is a parents’ rota for the beavers and parents usually help about once a term. At cub meetings, parents will be asked to help for certain activities. At Scouts and Explorers there is less direct involvement with the scouts but we do require an Executive Committee that carries out fundraising activities for the group. This committee provides valuable support to the Leaders and is a fun way to get to know how the group works. There are also beaver and cub representatives on the committee.