Scouting is dynamic and fun. We have a new sign up process so please work with us as we get used to this new system.
Who are we?
Fremantle Sea Scout Group was founded in 1929 and has been operating continuously since that time.
Fremantle Sea Scouts is the only Scout Group on the river between Mosman Bay and the Port of Fremantle and draws members from suburbs in the Cities of Melville, Fremantle, Cockburn and, of course, the Town of East Fremantle where our hall at Camp Waller is based.
As a Scout Group, we are registered by Scouts WA which is a member Branch of Scouts Australia, being the registered National Scout Organisation. Scouts Australia is a member of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement. WOSM includes 176 National Scout Organisations with over 57 million members worldwide. See www.scout.org for more.
Fremantle Sea Scout Group is run entirely by volunteers. Many of the leaders and all the parent helpers have children in the Group. We are very lucky to continue to be supported by a number of volunteers who no longer have their own children at the Group and who have continued supporting Scouting at Fremantle
How do my kids fit into the Group?
Scouting was founded in 1907 by Lord Robert Baden Powell in England. Whilst it has grown and evolved over time and across the world to meet the current needs of young people and the communities in which they live, it still adheres to the principles of learning by doing, creating opportunities for young people to grow through experiencing adventure in the outdoors, taking risks responsibly and safely, and developing their own leadership skills every step of the way. The program expands across the sections as young people grow and mature.
Our volunteer leaders receive training to allow them to support and guide the youth members in leading their own Scouting journey and taking charge of their Unit Program.
Scouts provides a constantly developing program from age 5 to 25. To enable age-appropriate opportunities, programs and support, we split the sections by age.
Whilst we don’t have specialist support for children with special needs, we are happy to work with parents and caregivers to do our best to meet each child’s needs. Our hall is not particularly accessible given its age and location. If our group doesn’t suit your child’s particular needs, talk to us – there may be something we can do to adapt.
Sections
Sections
- Joey Scouts (ages 5-8)
- Wednesdays 5.00pm – 5.45pm. One parent/guardian to remain in attendance.
- Cub Scouts (ages 8 – 11)
- Wednesdays 6.15pm – 7.45pm. Cubs should be present by 6.10pm. Check term program for outings and WhatsApp parent chat for updates and reminders.
- Cubs MUST be brought down to and collected from the doors at the hall.
- Scouts (ages 11-14)
- Thursdays 6.30pm – 8.30pm.
- Venturers (ages 14-18)
- Tuesdays 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- Rovers (ages 18-25)
- No Rover Unit currently in operation at Fremantle Sea Scout Group, please register if interested in joining a new group
How do I contribute and support the Group?
Parent rosters are a part of regular term programming to allow you to see firsthand what your kids get up to, to help the leaders out, to learn a bit about it yourself and to participate in the fun. All parent participation is undertaken in accordance with Scouts WA policies on ChildSafe scouting and in compliance with requirements of Working with Children Screening legislation. Parents interested in regularly helping to deliver the program are welcome to register with Scouts WA as parent helpers.
If you might be interested in becoming a Leader, the training is obligation free, no cost and delivered online for the first section. There are 2 weekends at the Scout Training Centre (Gilwell) in Jarrahdale. There is no obligation to the length of time spent as a Leader and it is a great way to get involved in the fun activities with your kids. Scouts Australia is a Registered Training Organisation (Scouts Australia Institute of Training) and can issue Certificate II, III, IV and Diploma qualifications in a range of leadership, management and adventure disciplines. This is all accessible free of charge to leaders who wish to have their training recognised outside of Scouting.
There is a parent committee to help with managing fundraising, grant applications, ongoing maintenance of the hall and equipment and supporting the Group Leader and the Section leaders.
We also have small groups that work on specific projects or areas of interest – like the boat maintenance team, boating and sailing committee or parents that might help us to cater camps or run occasional events or fundraising activities. More information about these groups and projects is on the website – or chat to other members of the Group.
Fees and costs:
Try before you buy: New members are welcome to attend for 3 meetings at the hall before you decide to join formally. You will need to register your interest at https://scoutmap.my.site.com/scouts/s/login/SelfRegister to ensure we have your (parent) contact details. When you receive the login details use these to Log in and “Register My Child” with your child’s details. No fees are charged if you choose not to proceed beyond the free trial period.
Scouts WA registration fees – these fees are set annually ($218 for 2024) and directly billed to you via the registration system ScoutMap. These fees cover insurance for members, training and support for leaders and overhead administration costs to maintain the organisation. This income is supplemented significantly by commercial activities of Scouts WA (like Scouts WA Recycling centres and Adventure Centres) as well as WA Government and philanthropic grants. To complete your registration log back in to ScoutMap, open your initial application and choose “Click to Submit Application”.
Group fees – these are charged per youth member per term. These fees are split between the group and the section to both meet the maintenance and running costs of the hall and all of the equipment and to cover the costs involved with running the programs week to week. This is currently set at $80 – $100 depending on the section, and are invoiced each term.
When your child joins, the a fee of $80 is payable regardless of when during the term they join. This covers the costs of providing the investiture set of badges and scarf, a record book to track their progress in the award scheme (that runs across all sections of the program) and a group activity shirt.
This $80 payment should be made by EFT to the Scouts WA – Fremantle Sea Scouts group bank account: BSB 036-038 A/C 821466 Please add the description with your Child’s name, the Section and “new member” e.g. Johnny Smith Cubs New member
Uniform – Uniforms need to be purchased by you. These are available from the https://scoutshop.com.au/ The shirt colour changes in each section and you may choose to order either the polo or the button up shirt for your child
Some of the badges are transferred across from one shirt to the next. The shirt is the minimum uniform required for meeting nights at the hall. Please allow adequate time for these to arrive by post from Victoria for your child’s investiture. Their investiture will occur a few weeks after joining and they will receive their scarf and scout badges at this time. For formal occasions, full uniform in WA includes the Scout belt, dark blue long pants and dark shoes.
Other costs – activities run outside of the hall (like excursions, camps, state-based Scout events) usually attract an additional fee. These are payable per participant at the time of the activity
Financial hardship – Both Scouts WA and Fremantle Sea Scout Group does not want to allow financial distress to prevent youth members from participating in Scouting. There are a few options to seek funding support to cover some of these costs from different sources. If you need assistance to meet the above costs, please speak to one of the Leaders who will be able to discreetly put you in touch with the team that can help.
About our hall
Camp Waller, on Jerrat Drive is owned by Town of East Fremantle. Maintenance of the property inside is the responsibility of the Group with structural works undertaken by the Town. Help us to keep it neat and tidy by joining in with our busy bees (usually once or twice a year), keeping an eye out for anti-social behaviour and report damage.
Whilst your children are at the Scout Hall, we have a duty of care. Closed in footwear must be worn AT ALL TIMES (including in the water). Thongs or sandals (including crocs) are not appropriate. Sun protection is required.
As we are right on the waterfront, in the interests of safety, we don’t allow the youth members to play freely on the jetty or sea wall without direct supervision. The banks both above and below the hall (at the water) are subject to erosion so we ask all members to stay off the banks as much as possible.
Please do not throw debris (including rocks and sticks) into the water.