JOEY SCOUT SLEEPOVER POLICY
VICTORIAN BRANCH
Purpose:To develop a Sleepover Policy for Victorian Branch Council.
Aim:To extend the opportunities and experience of the enrolled Joey Scouts. The Sleepover will support the Scouting Aims and Principles - to encourage the physical, mental, social, spiritual and intellectual development of the Joey Scout, and allow them to learn through doing.
Qualifications:Leader in Charge of Sleepover is to be Wood Badged in the Joey Scout section.
Frequency:No more than 2 Sleepovers are to be held per year, based on the school year calendar.
Timing:Suggestion that a Sleepover be held on a Friday night/Saturday wherever possible. The duration of the Sleepover activity is to be no longer than overnight, e.g., to commence in the evening, and finish at 10 a.m. the following morning. Leaders may choose to hold a Sleepover during the school holidays.
Accommodation:Sleepover is to be held in a Scout Hall or similar building, with adequate heating; a phone or mobile must be in the hall for the duration of the activity. All participants sleep in the same room; no dormitory or canvas accommodation will be considered.
Hygiene:The hall or building is to have indoor bathroom and toilet facilities, or at minimum, indoor toilet and hot wash facilities. The hall is to be fitted with smoke detectors. If the hall has outdoor toilet facilities, the same precautions as a normal Mob meeting are to be observed.
Ratio:Minimum adult/leader ratio to Joey Scout is 1 to 3. All non-leaders are to have a current Police Clearance. Leaders from other sections or other Mobs can be utilised.
Meals:People responsible for meals are not to be included in the adult supervision ratio. Menu is to be submitted for approval.
First Aid:Person responsible for First Aid must be Level 2 qualified and not included in adult supervision ratio.
Medication:All medication is to be handed to the designated First Aider in a sealed, named bag with precise dosage requirements listed.
SleepingLeaders and parent helpers are to sleep in separate accommodation
Accommodation:but not away from the main building or out of hearing of the Joey Scouts.
Permission:Parents are to provide a signed Permission Form prior to the Sleepover with a current health form. A meeting with parents to be held 2 weeks prior to the Sleepover, to discuss any issues or concerns. A majority of the Leaders who are attending the Sleepover must be in attendance at the meeting. Parents are to be informed of the Leaders who will be attending the Sleepover.
Approval:Group Leader is to be responsible for approval of the Sleepover. A copy of the program is to be given to District Leader Joey Scouts, or Zone Leader one month before the Sleepover. All current Branch procedures for overnight activities must be observed. A wet and dry weather program should be planned and duties outlined for all adults/Leaders attending the Sleepover.
Training:Sleepover training component is to be included in Advanced Sectional Techniques course. Training is to be available to any Wood Badged Leaders who may wish to conduct a Sleepover. This training is to be facilitated as an elective for current Wood Badged Leaders.
Numbers Attending:The maximum number of Joey Scouts allowed at any Mob Sleepover is the same as maximum Mob numbers allowed under existing Branch Policy, i.e., 20.
Summation:After 6 years, the Leaders in Joey Scout section recognise that some children would be interested in attending a Sleepover. While not all Leaders or Joey Scouts will want to hold/attend a Sleepover, following the Guidelines from Branch and having a full program for the Sleepover, Leaders have the opportunity to provide another strong link in the development of the Joey Scouts.