| A few years ago our Scout Group celebrated its 75th Anniversary and we had a big party and invited all of the
former members that we could trace. One thing I wanted to do then was to get our current members to create a
display about what Scouting meant to them and then discuss the "then and now" differences with the old members.
In doing so it made me think back to my teens and when I was a Scout and Venture Scout and it made me realise that
things haven't actually changed much; the things that scouts today enjoy are much the same thing that I enjoyed as
a Scout - and still do now. Sure, the uniform has changed, there are new age ranges and 2 new sections, but
the fundamentals of Scouting are still the same. Unfortunately, one thing that I remember from being a Scout is that when you enter secondary school and then move into your teens it becomes impossible to mention that you are Scout without having someone make fun of you. Conversations with fellow Scouts end up being secret, whispered meetings with the word "Scouts" being substituted by any number of different code words. It is the same now as it was then, and as it probably will be in the future. Sadly, it is these people - the ones who enjoy taking the p*ss - who are really the ones most in need of Scouting. Scouting teaches life skills, it teaches people how to be independant and how to work as a team. It promotes confidence, and give them the courage to be able to stand on their own two feet. It gives them the edge in many situations. Chief Scout and Queens Scout Awards look good on a CV - potential employers can see that you are able to get up off your backside and do something for yourself. Scouting also teaches self respect, respect for others and for the environment. It encourages you to use your initiative, it allows you to make mistakes - and learn by them - in a safe and controlled manner. Scouting introduces youngsters to things around us that those who are not scouts may well not have the fortune to experience first hand. How many youngsters outside Scouting get the chance to help the elderly, see how a sewage plant works, meet and interact positively with handicapped people and draw inspiration from the way they cope, help the homeless at Christmas, visit and join in with other cultures and religions, visit police and fire stations, see the workings of a recycling plant.... the list is endless. Scouting gives young people the skills and knowledge to go out into the world as adults in a positive manner, able to look after themselves and be "good citizens." So when the detractors start mocking, as they will undoubtably do, invite them to come along to a meeting and show them what they have been missing. After all:
According to national statistics, in the UK:
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| Written by Graeme Wood - ESL Magellan Explorer Unit |
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Beaver Scouts are young people usually aged between six and eight years old.
They belong to the first and youngest Section in the Scouting family.
Young people can join Beaver Scouts in the three months leading up to their sixth birthday.
They can move to the next Section, Cub Scouts, between eight and eight years six months.
Easily recognised by their distinctive turquoise sweatshirts, Beaver Scouts enjoy making friends,
playing games, going on visits and helping others. They usually meet together once a week in a
Beaver Scout Colony. Some Beaver Scout Colonies also organise Sleepovers. These are often the first time a young person spends a night away from home. They take place in suitable buildings, often Scout centres. | ||
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I promise to do my best To be kind and helpful And to love God. |
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| The Cub section is open to members between the ages of 8 and 10½.
There are loads of fun things that you can do as a Cub Scout.
You will get a chance to try lots of different activities like swimming, music, exploring, computing
and collecting. If you do them properly you will get a badge which you can wear on your uniform.
Cub Scouts also get to go on trips and days out, to places like the zoo, theme parks or a farm.
Sometimes you will be able to go camping with the rest of your Pack. This will mean you sleeping in a
tent and doing loads of outdoor activities. | ||
| The Cub Scout Promise I promise that I will do my best To do my duty to God and to the Queen, To help other people And to keep the Cub Scout Law. |
The Cub Scout Law Cub Scout always do their best Thinks of others before themselves And do a good turn every day |
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| The Scout Section is for young people, usually aged between 10½ and 14 years.
A young person can come in to the Troop at 10 and may stay until they are 15 years old.
The Scout Troop is the third and final Section in the Scout Group.
Scouts are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities as part of their programme.
"Participation" rather than meeting set standards is the key approach and for the Scout who wants
to be recognised for his or her achievements there are a number of Challenges Awards and Activity Badges.
Scouts take part in a balanced programme that helps them to find out about the world in which they live,
encourages them to know their own abilities and the importance of keeping fit and helps develop their creative
talents. It also provides opportunities to explore their own values and personal attitudes.
Being outdoors is important and half the Programme is given over to taking part in both the traditional
Scouting skills, such as camping, survival and cooking as well as the wide range of adventurous activities,
anything from abseiling to yachting. The international aspect gives Scouting a special appeal and many Scouts now travel abroad during their time in the Section. In 2002/3 25,000 Scouts from around the World attended the World Jamboree in Thailand. Even more are expected to attend the World Jamboree in The United Kingdom in 2007.But before this we have the European Jamboree in 2005, Eurojam. This will be for Scouts and Explorer Scouts between the ages of 11 and 18 and will provide a fantastic opportunity for young people, from different parts of Europe, to share a unique experience. Scouting is about being with friends, as part of a team, participating fully in the adventure and opportunities of life. |
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| The Scout Promise On my Honour, I promise that I will do my best To do my duty to God and to the Queen, To help other people And to keep the Scout Law. |
The Scout Law |
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| Explorer Scouts are young people, usually aged between 14 and 18 years
old. They make up the fourth Section of the Scouting family.
There are many types of Explorer Scout Units, some may be linked
to your local Scout Group, others may be based around different
activities. Not all Units meet each week, because you will often be out and about at weekends or in the holidays doing activities. There will be times when you will be busy doing other things such as exams, and being an Explorer Scout will have to fit around these. As an Explorer Scout, you will get the chance to work with other Explorer Scouts in your District, not just your Unit. By doing this, you will get the chance to do many more actvities, not just the ones your Unit organises. Some Explorer Units are specialist units. In our district we have 2 such units at the moment with a third one planned for early 2005. These units only meet once a month, one is an Air Scout unit, one is a Young Leader training unit and we are planning a "shooting" unit, shooting .177 air rifles and .22 rifles at our local gun club. The Explorer Program runs very closely to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme so if you are serious about doing DofE you would be well advised to track down your local ESU |
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| The Scout Promise On my Honour, I promise that I will do my best To do my duty to God and to the Queen, To help other people And to keep the Scout Law. |
The Scout Law |
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All members of The Scout Association between 18 and 25 years
are members of the Scout Network. As a member of the Scout Network
you could be:
Local Networks, can be based at County, District or Group; some may be focused around a specific activity or location, e.g. Gang Show, Activity Centre, climbing or canoeing.
Scout Network programmes will reflect the huge variation in Members'
interests. Some local Networks will have activities that concentrate
on one area of the programme, whilst others will have a wider range.
One of the key elements is the opportunity to get away, either
under canvas or in other accomodation. |
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| The Scout Promise On my Honour, I promise that I will do my best To do my duty to God and to the Queen, To help other people And to keep the Scout Law. |
The Scout Law |
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