Please see the important message below from the County Commissioner. You should pass this on to all Members of your Teams too.
In line with POR Chapter 9 Rules 9.2 (bullet points 6 and 10), I would like to remind all sections, groups and Districts that we have a duty to ensure that all activities undertaken both within and outside our normal meeting place are age appropriate. Where there are guidelines issued either in the instructions of an activity, by an activity provider, or in the case of films and other recorded media, the age defined by the classification, as volunteers we all have a duty to ensure that these are strictly applied.
In recent months we have had to deal with cases which contradict this and as such the following guidance must be strictly adhered to:
Films and recorded media which have an age rating,
The playing of a film must be appropriate to the entire audience within the room. For example, playing a film with an age rating of 15 to a group of Explorer Scouts where one or more of the young people present are under the age of 15 is not allowed. We cannot ask for parents permission to break these rules and then continue to show such films.
Cards Against Humanity* (and other similar games)
Apart from the fact this game has a recommended age of 17+, the game does not meet with the values of our organisation (which are as follows, incase anyone is wondering: Integrity, Respect, Care, Belief, Co-operation)
Having dealt with a number of matters surrounding this game specifically, with immediate effect, it is not to be played (with or without young people) at any Scouting meeting, activity or event.
For anyone that has not heard of this game – the description from Wikipedia is as follows:
Cards Against Humanity is a party game in which players complete fill-in-the-blank statements using words or phrases typically deemed as offensive, risqué or politically incorrect printed on playing cards. It has been compared to the 1999 card game Apples to Apples and originated from a Kickstarter campaign in 2011. Its title refers to the phrase “crimes against humanity“, reflecting its politically incorrect content
*The exclusion of this game includes any alternative variation of the game that has a similar name, purpose or line of topic(s).
The general safe rule, is that if you are unsure – avoid the activity. However, if you wish to seek guidance on a specific activity, please consult with your District Commissioner or a member of the County Team in the first instance.
Thank you in anticipation of your support
Kind Regards
Gary
Gary McCune
County Commissioner
Humberside Scouts
