Overview
The 8th Norwich Sea Scout Group and Octavi Explorer Scout Unit have a combined youth membership of about 300.  The Group is sponsored by Norwich School, and membership of boys is restricted to members of the School.  However, membership of all three sections is open to girls, subject to space.

Requests to Join
Please print out and send (as hard copy only please) the Join Request Form. 

Places in all three sections are often oversubscribed, so you are advised to get yourself on the list in good time, and thereafter to keep pressing so we do not forget you!

Just been offered a place?
Please accept (or reject) it without delay.  There may well be others wanting it instead of you!

Troop members

• Troop members need to sign up promptly for an introductory swimming pool session (compulsory swimming test and kayaking session)

• There is an induction meeting which you need to attend.

• We want to meet your parents too...

• You will be given a copy of our magazine (Octavi) and booking forms.  Signing up for the huge number of weekend and holiday activities is then simplicity itself.   We commit ourselves to running the events, and if you book we expect you to honour that booking short of illness or a serious problem.

Information on the Internet
This public domain website gives general information about the Group.  Much more detailed information about the Troop, and photographs of recent events, is accessible to members on a secure website.

Structure and Sections

• Cub Scout Packs
  Monday Pack:  6.15 to 7.45 p.m.
  Wednesday Pack:  6.30 to 8.00 p.m.

• Sea Scout Troops
  Port Watch:  Tuesdays 6.50 to 9.00 p.m.
  Starboard Watch:  Thursdays 6.50 to 9.00 p.m.
  
  Both watches share the same weekend and holiday programmes.

• Explorer Scout Unit
  Mondays 8.00 to 9.30 p.m. as arranged

Adult Leadership
The overwhelming majority of the leadership is provided by volunteers drawn from the parent body, former members, and others simply with an interest in Scouting.

Norwich School Sponsorship
Norwich School sponsors the Group, which in practicable terms provides the headquarters building with services, some administrative support, a small annual grant, and a huge reservoir of keen and active members.

Royal Naval Recognition
The Group is one of about 100 in the country recognised by the Royal Navy, for which it receives a number of privileges.

RYA Training Centre
The Group is also an RYA Training Centre, and runs courses for dinghy sailing, powerboating, and marine VHF radio.

BCU Awards
There are continuous opportunities to gain the BCU star awards.

Headquarters Buildings
The group enjoys a large building adjacent to the River Wensum in Norwich, and other buildings for storage of boats and equipment.  There are pontoons on the water, a substantial slipway, and playing fields.

Octavi Termly Magazine
The activities of the Group are chronicled in the Group’s colour magazine Octavi which is published at the start of each term.  The printing of this is sponsored by Page Bros Ltd, Book Manufacturers, Norwich.

Parental Support
Essential to the functioning of the Group is lots of parental help, and all parents are pressed to pull their weight in one of the many ways in which we need help.  Examples of parent help include helping with the Cubs, Scout and Explorer weekly meetings, helping on residential events, helping with weekend activities, providing transport for events, helping with fund raising and social events, helping with repairs and maintenance, becoming members of the Executive Committee (Trustees), help with aspects of the huge administration involved, etc.

If you cannot find time to give us any help we consider there must be something wrong in your life!   We are not a baby-sitting service...

Financing the Group
The main income comes from subscriptions, gift aid (income tax rebate), direct payments for residential events, fund raising by parents, and occasional grants.  A substantial sum is required to maintain the facilities and large, active programme of the three sections.

 8th Norwich HOME PAGE

Contact:  scouts.8thnorwich@btinternet.com

---