Scouting offers fun, challenge and adventure to young people across the UK.
With over 200 activities on offer Scouting offers everyday adventure to young people, everything from abseiling to drama, water zorbing to coding,
Scouting helps 6-25 year olds grow in confidence, achieve their full potential and become active members of the community.
Special emphasis is placed on bringing the Scouting programme to young people who currently do not have the opportunity to benefit, particularly those in inner cities, those in rural areas and other disadvantaged groups.
The Scout Association is a registered charity in the UK and part of a worldwide movement working for peace and global friendship.
Scouting’s 500,000 members are an inspiration.
It’s great to see it. It’s all about friendship and fun and adventure – people who might not normally have the chance for adventure. Scouts are shining lights in their communities.
So says Bear Grylls, Chief Ambassador to World Scouting.
Scouting in the UK has been continually growing for the last five years. There are now half a million members and more young people do adventurous activities as Scouts than with any other organisation. The Scout Association is part of a worldwide movement of 31 million Scouts.
Parents tell us that Scouting gives their children more confidence, responsibility, a broader set of friends, a chance to pursue things they might not get to do otherwise, adventure and an extended family.
Scouting helps parents prepare their kids for life.
A Balanced Programme
Providing your Scouts with a programme that is both balanced and exciting is one of the most rewarding challenges for our leaders.
What we offer to young people is a range of activities, events and experiences built around a number of programme zones. We balance the programme in the same way you’d balance a diet, by simply ensuring that over a given period (a month or a term, for example), there is something from each zone in the Programme.
Young people experience Scouting by regularly taking part in quality activities, drawn from each programme zone. Personal achievement can be recognised by earning awards and badges leading to the Chief Scout’s Awards and the Queen’s Scout Award.
Scouting in the community
Scouting has a positive impact on communities across the UK. Strong values and making a positive contribution to society have always underpinned our movement.
You are now likely to find us planting trees, leading recycling schemes and helping older people use the internet. As a movement, Scouting is not afraid to change and while our values remain constant, what we do must evolve to meet the needs of today’s society.
But exactly how much does Scouting contribute? 36% of former members volunteer regularly (as least two hours per week) set against only 26% of the general population.
‘Helping in the community makes me feel I have achieved something,’ says Amy, a 14-year-old explorer Scout. ‘We did a sleep out to raise money on World Homeless Day. I met homeless people and saw for myself the problems they face.’
So the next time you see a Scout in the street, you’re looking at a citizen of the future and one of tomorrow’s leaders today.