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Membership of the group is conditional on a young person accepting the Aims and Principles of Scouting and a place being available for them in the section relevant to their age group. Also, scouting is a commitment for both parent and child and parents will be expected to help out with functions and events in the group from time to time and show their support for the leaders all of whom give their time voluntarily.

Becoming a Member

New members are admitted each September. Intake is normally restricted to the Beaver section (6-7 year olds) as the group is operating at maximum capacity and natural movement between sections accounts for most places in older sections. Sometimes a few places are available in cubs (8-11) and venturers (15+)

Lists are in operation for Beavers up to and including 2012. Unfortunately, we cannot always admit everyone who wishes to join and some must wait for drop-outs or for the following year. Note we have exceeded our intake capacity for 2009 in beavers and a waiting list now applies.

Priority if possible will be given to brothers and sisters of existing members, as places become available. Thereafter, admission is based on multiple criteria including length waiting, age and gender balance. However there is no guarantee that the Group will be able to facilitate all who wish to join. Anybody wishing their child to join the group should complete the membership application form and return to the group secretary. Admission of new members takes place every September.

Membership Fees

As scouts are a national organisation, we are affiliated to the national association of Scouting Ireland. They in turn levy a fee on each member which covers the cost of insurance on all Scout Events. We at local level in Carrickmacross also have ongoing costs such as heat, light etc. in the hall and the provision of equipment to run the section programmes.

The 2008/9 registration fee has been set at €45, unchanged in recent years. This fee goes directly to Scouting Ireland to cover insurance and general operating costs. We would ask that this fee be submitted as soon as possible. We are unable to offer any family rate as a high proportion of our membership have siblings involved and to do so would increase the rate for significantly for lone members.

For the local overheads we collect €3 per member per week. The weekly subscription was increased in 2006 with an additional euro going towards the groups campsite purchase fund. Please note that this is a weekly subscription and, if missed, will be collected on the double the following week.

There may be additional requests during the year for funds to cover uniform, badges, events, travel etc. All sections try to keep costs as low as possible.