or is this local club?

[unsureofwhattodo]

A local club which had younger children from 5pm until 6pm and then older children from 6pm until 8pm, has decided to alternate on a weekly basis so that younger children go one week and older children the next - with no reduction in fees. So they go half the time but still have to pay the same. Apparently the extra money will be for a yearly activity that is optional but sometimes poorly attended, so if the children decide not to go/or can't go they will still have paid for it

Well by doing this they have certainly got parents attention now ! Perhaps others who fell the same as you will now volunteer ! Even if it is one evening per half term .

You say you are disabled but unless you are completely housebound surely there could be something you could contribute help wise - even if its just helping the leaders organise a parent voulunteer rota ?

Panda - the news of them leaving and the new arrangements were in the same letter.

I am an assistant Cub Scout Leader, and while I can understand that initially it must feel unfair that you are getting less meetings without a reduction in the cost, the subs are already pretty low for what you get.
There are many costs involved in running a Scout group, including insurance, training and uniforms for the volunteer leaders, hall hire or Scout hall running costs, camping and other equipment, materials for projects done at meetings, badges, perhaps juice and biscuits at meetings etc.
Most of these costs would have to be met even if the number of meetings has been cut. If you are unhappy, do speak to your leaders, but I suspect you will find that there won't be much left over to go towards a camp.

By year six in this area, the DC have all been on a few nights activity week with the school, in fact they do it in year four.

You have notice and could get the DC ready by allowing sleep overs.

I think clubs like this are very good value anyway. Your choice though, your DC could give it up. I am sure if you wrote on a calender, or programmed in to your phone, then you could manage to get it right.

I am thinking I might have to do something similar with my guide group - 2 of my helpers have left leaving me with just one helper which is the bare minimum I can run the group on. If I do this my rent won't go down, neither will insurance so subs (£20 per term so £60 per year) will stay the same. It will still be a bargain! If some of the parents wish to help and ease the burden I won't have to but no one has volunteered :(

If most beavers don't go on the camp, that's their parents' choice. The leaders have made a decision as to what will work best for them and the group as a whole. If you don't like it, don't send your children.

I agree it would have been good if they had told the parents that this is what they would have to do if none of them stepped up to help, but to be fair to them, I expect that training new people would involve even more work for them.

Perhaps you could offer your help even if you can't get to meetings. They are likely to need people to help with admin, keeping track of badges, who is ready to move up, who has paid etc.

When was the AGM though? If the leaders announced they were leaving after that then they had to make a decision which meant they could continue. They didn't have time to consultant and plan they had to take immediate action.

Losing 2 leaders is a big loss for any youth group, if faced with a meet less or close decision then meet less although not ideal is the best option.

Mamma it is AGE 6 not year 6.

Was everyone paying the same fees previous to the change in times

McNewPants2013 - all the beavers paid £28 per term, cubs and scouts paid more as they were there for longer. Fees have not changed, sessions have halfed.

So it's about £2.50 per week? What other extra curricular class could you get for even double that?

Floggingmolly - it was about £2.50 a week it's now nearly £5.

I suspect, that in line with a lot of other cubs/beavers etc they are always desperate for volunteers to help.

It's a shame that it's come to this, but if parents won't/can't help then these decisions have to be made. Instead of getting grumpy about it, why not get together with other parents and see who can spare a couple of hours a week to keep the pack going?

It sounds like the alternative would have been to close one of the groups. Which is exactly what has happened in our area with the Brownies/Guides. One leader left at very short notice, another is pregnant. They decided to sacrifce the Guide company (which was smaller), in order to save the Brownies. No-one is happy about it, least of all the leaders that are left - and we only got a couple of weeks' notice, because that is all that the "leaving" leader gave.

I understand the frustration about the cost, but they probably have very little margin to reduce the subs, particularly if they are running a Scout hut, which will have fixed costs.

I'm with you OP. £30 per term for an hour every other week (if I've understood the OP correctly) is pretty steep in my book.

I'd look for another Beaver pack tbh.

Even at nearly £5 per session, it's good value. You don't have to pay extra for badges, and you have the option of sending them on camp.

You would be paying a lot more if the leaders were paid a wage for what they do!

CaptChaos I not sure of what to do which is why I have asked on here. I think the majority think that it is fair enough. I am unable to help out at the moment, but have been a volunteer for many organisations in the past. Due to my current health money is tight and I need to make sure I get value for money. Anyone would be a bit if they suddenly had to pay the same amount as before for half the time. I do not want to discuss my reasons for not being able to help at the moment - you will just have to take my word for it.

I don't see under the circumstances what choice they have, and you're still getting a bargain. YABU

Actually, I don't think anyone would be not when we are talking about volunteers!

I agree with what everyone else is saying re volunteers etc and understand why the fees are remaining the same.
However, if money is tight, how about speaking to the Leaders? If you explain that your son won't be attending the camp and therefore you can't afford the full whack each term, they prob will come to an agreement with you.

If money is tight, then this is one thing you don't need.

My DC don't do any clubs as we can't afford it.

ThingummyBob - I am thinking of switching to another group unfortunately - DC will have 1/2 the opportunity to earn badges.

If money is tight - stop sending them. If you are concerned about value for money find another organised activity for them that will cost you £2.50 per week or £5 a fortnight. - good luck with that one !

Badges don't have to be earned only at the actual sessions. They can do plenty of things at home to earn them, you just have to help them with providing the evidence. Stuff from school can count towards them too.