THE SCOUTS
A USER’S
MANUAL
An Introduction to Scouting
Who we are
What we do
How we help
How to join
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Can you imagine a world without
Scouting? Without the jamborees,
friendships and adventures it would
certainly be a quieter and less
colourful place.
Scouting offers fun, challenge
and everyday adventure to over
435,000 girls and boys. This
makes us the largest mixed
youth movement in the UK. We
help young people explore their
potential, grow in confidence
and becomes the active citizens
of the future. We make a positive
impact on young people, our adult
volunteers and the communities in
which we live.
Offering over 200 different
activities from abseiling and archery
to drama, street sports and water
zorbing, Scouting helps 6-25
year olds grow in confidence,
achieve their full potential and
become active members of their
communities.
INSPIRING THE
NEXT GENERATION
This is only possible through the efforts of 100,000
volunteers who also enjoy the fun and friendship
of Scouting.
The Scout Association is a registered charity in the
UK and part of a worldwide movement of 31 million
Scouts working for peace and global friendship.
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Hailsham and Heathfield
Scouts repainting the
Longman of Wilmington
as part of Scout
Community Week 2013.
‘Every child has the right to an
adventure. Life is about grabbing
opportunities. These are simple
life lessons that Scouting teaches.
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.’
Bear Grylls, Chief Scout
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Famous former
Scouts include:
Buzz Aldrin
Sir David
Attenborough
David Beckham
David Bowie
Sir Richard Branson
Harrison Ford
Sir Paul McCartney
Andy Murray
Barack Obama
Jamie Oliver
Keith Richards
Our Scout
Ambassadors
include:
Julia Bradbury
Lord Sebastian Coe
Chris Evans
Richard Harpin
Ian Hislop
Justin King CBE
Bonita Norris
Phil Packer MBE
Ed Stafford
Dawud Wharnsby
WE ARE…
ADVENTURERS
FUTURE MAKERS
GAME CHANGERS
GIRLS AND BOYS
VOLUNTEERS
CHARITY WORKERS
COMMUNITY FOCUSED
INSPIRERS
GROWING
INCLUSIVE
SHAPED BY YOUNG
PEOPLE
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
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LIFE CHANGING
ADVENTURE
Scouting changes lives. We make a positive difference
in our communities and improve the life chances
and outcomes of young people from every
background. We get the chance to work with
young people at the most important time in
their lives: their childhood.
Scouting is about opportunity
From support and friendship to new skills
and renewed confidence, Scouting brings
a spirit of optimism and practicality
to its work. We welcome all
young people into
Scouting and we believe
passionately in what we do.
Young people have great things to offer
In Scouting, they get the opportunity to discover their potential,
benefit from a positive, supportive environment and make a difference.
Whether it’s setting up an internet cafe in their community, going on a
canoeing trip with new friends, taking a starring role in a Scout show
or leading a trip abroad, we lift spirits, recognise achievement and raise
aspiration.
All this is made possible by basic facilities and small teams of dedicated
adult volunteers. Positive role models are vitally important. We want
to inspire a new generation filled with a generosity of spirit and a
determination to make things better for themselves and their communities.
BEAVER SCOUTS
6-8 years
‘This year we went to see a coastguard
helicopter. All the Beavers got to go inside
and we all had great fun. I wanted to fly
it, but they wouldn’t let me - not yet!’
Philip
‘I play games, go on visits and help others.’
Emily
Easily recognised by their 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.
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‘For our Caring Challenge, we
went to the Royal Oldham
Hospital, met the doctors
and nurses, looked down a
microscope; then we did a quiz.
Next week we’re off to join the
Ancient Tree Hunt.’
Jemima
CUB SCOUTS
8-10 ½
‘I camp, have fun
and learn new things’
Peter
The question should be:
what don’t Cubs do?
From swimming and music to
exploring and computing and
collecting, Cubs enjoy an action
packed programme.
Cubs enjoy days out to places
like the zoo, theme parks or a
farm and get to sample their
first camping experience.
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SCOUTS
10½ - 14
‘I go outdoors, get to go mountain
biking and meet up with friends’
rasheed
The Scout section is about spending
time with friends, working as part of
a team and participating fully in the
adventure of life. Scouts take part in a
balanced programme that helps them to
find out about the world where they live. They’ll
discover talents they never knew they had. Being
outdoors is important and half the programme is
given over to taking part in both Scouting skills,
such as camping and cooking as well as adventurous
activities, from abseiling to yachting.
‘I went in some caves at
Blackmore Park, crawling
underground. It was cold
and damp, but we had head
torches and stuff so we could
see where we were going.
There were high and low bits
as well, so you didn’t know
what to expect. Would I do it
again? Of course I would.’
Zoe
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EXPLORER SCOUTS
14-18
‘I choose my own adventure’
rebecca
‘We went to the Peak District to do our Duke of Edinburgh
Award. They basically dropped us off and we made our
own way home. We stayed in a hostel the first night and
camped the second. It was cold but spectacular!’
Matthew
Explorer Scouts get the chance to meet up with like
minded people in their area. By doing this, they get the
chance to do many more activities, not just the ones
their Unit organises. From snow sports to environmental
projects, camps, hikes and expeditions, Explorers have a
key role in deciding what they do.
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YOUNG
LEADERS
‘I pass my skills on
to younger Scouts’
Joe, 15
Young Leaders are Explorer Scouts
who spend some time helping
younger members of Scouting.
The Young Leaders’ Scheme helps
Explorer Scouts to develop and
grow as individuals. It allows them
to make a valuable contribution to
their community and give service
to others.
‘Helping out
at Beavers
only takes
up an hour
and half, so
I can get my
schoolwork
done beforehand. Sometimes
during exams I won’t go to
Explorers or Beavers. Scouting
is flexible enough to allow
me to do that. I use my map
reading skills in Geography and
Geology. And teamwork helps
in all subjects.’
Young Leader
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SCOUT NETWORK
18-25
‘We do our own thing – and help others.’
Josh
Network members take part in activities which they often
organise themselves. They meet when they want to, perhaps
weekly, maybe monthly. One week, they might be teaching
climbing to some young people. Another, it’ll be an informal
meeting at someone’s house to plan the summer expedition
to Canada. It’s what they make of it.
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‘Scout Network helps me to explore
the outdoors; it allows me to
experience new activities like caving
and meet people from all over the
world through expeditions and
international camps. It’s Scouting at
its best, what is there not to like?’
Matthew, 24
Scout Network
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Queen’s Scouts braving the rain at Windsor
SCOUT ACTIVE
SUPPORT
‘I provide support
where it’s needed most.’
Pat
What happens if you have lots of skills, heaps of enthusiasm, but
little time? Well you can still volunteer for Scouting and one option
is Scout Active Support.
Scout Active Support is group of adults who have one thing in
common - a wish to provide support to Scouting. A Scout Active
Support Unit welcomes adults of all ages, interests and backgrounds.
There is no need to have been involved in Scouting before.
‘As a Scout Active Support member, I enjoy
the flexibility that it gives me to help out
with sections and events as and when I
can. I’ve just spent a term helping new
Leaders get the hang of their Cub Pack.’
Marion
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VOLUNTEER
Scouting is about fun and friendship for adults too. And with 38,000
young people still on our waiting lists there’s no better time to get
involved. You can give as much or as little time as you like and you
can fit volunteering around your work and family commitments.
Here’s what you can expect:
Use your current skills and gain
new ones
Try new things and gain
qualifications such as First Aid
Become an active member of
your community
Meet new people and have fun!
We have opportunities:
to support young people
in behind the scenes roles – from
decorating to driving the minibus
to help lead our Groups,
Districts, Counties and Regions
as volunteer managers
to volunteer in a District Scout Shop
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HRH The Duchess of Cambridge
became an Occasional Helper in 2012
EQUIPPED FOR ADVENTURE
Wouldn’t it be good if you could
buy your uniform, books, badges
resources all in one place? Well, you
can. Scout Shops offers the widest
range of official Scouting goods
anywhere online and through its
local District Scout Shops. And
the best thing is, every penny
you spend goes back into the
Movement.
All our products can be bought
online at
scouts.org.uk/shop or
through our network of District
Scout Shops. Talk to your local
group to find out where your
nearest Scout Shop is or contact us
on either 01903 766921 or
shop@scouts.org.uk
Scout Shops is The Scout
Association’s official shop
All of our profits are returned to
Scouting
The widest range of official
Scouting merchandise available
online
The only supplier of official
Beaver, Cub, Scout, Explorer and
Network branded goods
A great range of outdoor
equipment and casual clothing
A wealth of leader resources,
including many that are free
Web:
Scouts.org.uk/shop
Twitter:
@ScoutShops
Facebook:
facebook.com/ScoutShops
Pinterest:
pinterest.com/ScoutShopsUK/
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FULLY COVERED
If you’re interested in joining Scouting,
the last thing you’ll want to think
about is insurance.
Thankfully you won’t need to.
Unity (Scout Insurance Services)
has arranged insurance policies for
The Scout Association to cover you.
As well as the cover arranged through
The Scout Association to protect its
people, Unity offers insurance policies
to cover a Scout Group’s buildings,
equipment, minibuses and money
as well as events, such as overseas
travel, camps, fundraising activities
and family days.
For over 80 years Unity has provided
bespoke policies and protection to The
Scout Association and its members. We
are a specialist independent insurance
broker focused on the needs of Scouting
and other UK youth organisations,
charities and voluntary groups.
Unity is owned by The Scout Association,
with all our profits returned to Scouting.
Web:
scoutinsurance.co.uk
Twitter:
@ScoutInsurance
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UP FOR THE ADVENTURE…?
National Scout Activity Centres
offer challenge and adventure to
Scouts, schools and other youth
organisations through our network
of nine UK centres. We believe in
helping all young people fulfil their
potential by working in teams,
learning by doing and thinking
for themselves. We make outdoor
learning affordable and we’re
passionate about what we do.
We provide an outdoor learning
service tailored to each of our
customer’s needs - whether it’s
one of our integrated progressive
learning plans for schools or
support with badge work, logistics
or camp planning for Scout groups.
Experts in delivering informal
learning through adventure
Over one hundred years’
experience in the outdoors
Camping and back-to- basics
experiences
Indoor lodges and facilities
Flexible learning packages and
over 50 adventurous activities
Strong links with the National
Curriculum
For more information, a brochure, free lesson plans and resources
and to join the conversation….
Web:
scouts.org.uk/sac
Facebook and Youtube:
/ScoutActivityCentres
Twitter:
@ScoutCentres
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200
DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES
WE STILL NEED
MORE
ADULT VOULNTEERS
91%
say that scouting has helped them develop key skills for life
of SCOUT VOLUNTEERS
in january 2012
THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE
BECAME A VOLUNTEER
Time Scout Leaders contribute every year
all of this time amounts to
LIFE CHANGING
ADVENTURE
THIS IS ALL MADE POSSIBLE BY THE EFFORTS OF 100,000 ADULT LEADERS
38,000 YOUNG PEOPLE
ARE STILL
WAITING TO EXPERIENCE THE ADVENTURE
380 MILLION POUNDS
..................WORTH OF UNPAID YOUTH WORK
SCOUTS.ORG.UK/GET-INVOLVED
3 7 ,
,
HOURS
THE
LARGEST
CO-EDUCA
TIONAL
YOUTH MOVEMENT IN THE UK
536,408
ME
MB
ER
S
415,453
120,955
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The Outdoor Adventure Manual
GET INVOlVED
If you would like to experience the fun,
challenge and adventure of Scouting visit
scouts.org.uk/get-involved
0845 300 1818
scouts.org.uk/get-involved Copyright 2014 The Scout Association
Registered Charity Numbers 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland)
Available from
scouts.org.uk/shop
at a special Scout price of £14 (RRP £21.99)
Content includes:
Camping: tents, wild camping, shelters,
planning and packing.
Food: wild plants, foraging, fishing,
backwoods cooking, outdoor ovens.
The world around you: geography,
environment, weather and wildlife.
Navigation: using the sun and stars,
maps, compasses and GPS.
Fires and firelighting: quite simply
all you need to know.
Knots untangled: knots, lashings
and pioneering projects.
Safety and first aid: dealing with
emergency situations.
Your local contact:
Essential
Scouting skills
for the Great
Outdoors