FAQs

A youth can be registered for the new year / season if they are 5 years of age BEFORE the new year begins.

Of course.  We ask that you provide the medication with written instructions (usually frequency and dose) in a ziplock bag clearly marked with your child’s name, and we are happy to ensure your child takes their medications on time and at the right dose.

The 3^rd Ottawa is proud to have hosted all manner of youth with specific dietary needs – celiac, gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, food allergies with peanuts, shellfish, religious preferences (e.g. pork), many others – we are experienced handling these situations and use them as ways to explain to other youth how it is easy to accommodate these requirements.  We take these special needs very seriously and will cover with you, the parent, how we will handle them – we’ve never turned a youth away from camp because of dietary restrictions.

The Scouting year will run from January 1st – December 31st. However, if your child is a 2024 member and knows they will continue Scouting next year, and you wish to register early to save your child’s spot in their preferred Group – you will have the opportunity to do so starting August 1st, 2024.

New and lapsed members can register for the 2025 Scouting year beginning on August 28th, 2025; by registering in the fall, they benefit from a free Scouting season if space is available in their desired Scouting Group, ahead of their commencement in 2025.

Please note this includes camps, overnight sleepovers in meeting locations or other facilities (e.g. local Ottawa museums…yes we do that…), any overnight activity.

• Scouters will discuss what is expected of parents at the activity.
• Parents will need to read, understand and sign our Code of Conduct annually.
• Scouters will introduce the parents to the rest of the youth and explain their role at the activity.
• Parents will need to take the Safe Scouting for Parents course.

Scouting uses non-formal educational methods to engage youth in the process of their own development, giving them program activities, guidance and tools to help them become self-reliant, confident, caring, responsible and committed to the world around them.

For information on Scouts Canada programs visit the Scouts Canada Programs page.

Financial aid is available for families of limited means through the No One Left Behind national program.

The 3^rd Ottawa Scouters will help you through this process, or you can read more about it and apply on your own here on the Scouts website for: No One Left Behind

You can purchase a uniform and many other Scouting supplies online at Scoutshop.ca. Please note you do not need to buy a necker or woggle (the tie that holds the necker together) as these will be provided for your child by the 3^rd Ottawa, as will crests and badges as they are earned.

The annual National Registration fee is $270 per youth. The 3^rd Ottawa also adds an additional registration fee of $25 to cover church rental fees. Throughout the year, there are additional costs related to uniforms, camping, special events or activities. To learn more about the 3^rd Ottawa’s additional costs or subsidies, please contact your Section Contact Scouter or the Group Commissioner. The value of Scouting is much greater than the fee. Youth who are registered in Scouting gain valuable skills through fun and engaging non-formal programming that prepares them for success in the future.

Yes. Parents & the group (Group Commissioners and Scouters for that section) need to agree that including the youth in a section outside of their age range is the best decision for the youth and the group as a whole before the youth is provided with an exception.

For Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts our indoor meeting location is located at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 470 Roosevelt Ave, Ottawa.