Scouts prepare young people for Skills For Life
Each week Scouts gives almost half a million people aged 6-25 the skills they need for school, college, university, the job interview, the important speech, the tricky challenge and the big dreams: the skills they need for life.
We’re talking about teamwork, leadership and resilience & skills that have helped Scouts become everything from teachers and social workers to astronauts and Olympians... to be best that they can be.
As an inclusive movement, everyone’s welcome. There’s a Scout adventure out there waiting for all young people and adult volunteers. And we’ll help everyone find it.
We are part of a worldwide movement of 57 million Scouts in most Countries of the world, creating stronger communities and inspiring positive futures.
What do Scouts do?
Scouting provides skills for life to young people who meet in sections based on age. Beaver Scouts (6-8), Cub Scouts (8-10½), Scouts (10½-14), Explorer Scouts (14-18) and Scout Network (18-25).
Scouts are do-ers and give-it-a-go-ers. Yes, we go camping, hiking, swimming, abseiling, cycling and canoeing. But we also get to hang out with our friends every week – having fun, playing games, working in a team and taking on new challenges.
Purpose
Our progression of activity programmes and interaction aims to develop young people who are self-reliant, caring, responsible and who show resilience. Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
Values
Our values are at the heart of who we are and what we do:
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Integrity
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We’re honest and we try to do the right thing - even if no-one’s watching!
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Respect
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We’re thoughtful and considerate, treating everyone as we’d like to be treated ourselves.
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Care
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We’re kind to others, looking after the world we live in.
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Belief
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We explore our beliefs and attitudes with wide-open minds.
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Cooperation
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We work with others to change the world for the better, making friends along the way.
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Methods and Programme
Scouts work together in partnership with adults to learn by actually doing lots of different stuff with others - indoors and outdoors. We aim to enjoy what we are doing so we remember the experiences and skills learned. While doing this there are times when we have to reflect on our decisions as we take responsibility and make choices.
The Scout Programme for all sections is a progressing range of age-related activities encouraging each young member to achieve their personal best. Key elements include Outdoor Adventure, Skills, Our World, Teamwork, Team leadership and Personal challenges. Activity badges selected from a host of topics are earned to record personal achievement. Integrated learning by doing is how each evening is planned. Our ‘Youth Shape’ programme involves all young members the opportunity to shape their section’s activities. Parents will be advised of the programme in advance when locations are used and whether uniforms should be worn. Full details of section activities and awards are available on www.scouts.org.uk.
Code of Conduct
One of the first activities that young members will undertake is to establish/revisit an agreed ‘Code of Conduct’ for their meetings and activities. Anti-bullying and Respect will be important parts of this Code.
We request that young members do not bring valuables, including mobile phones, to meetings. Mobiles can be very distracting, and our insurance does not cover property loss or damage.
Explorer Scouts and Young Leaders
From just under 14 years to 18 years, the next section is Explorer Scouts. These are District units, the nearest meets in the Pavilion on the Park. The programme includes the option of beginning the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme in parallel with the Explorer Scout Award programme. In addition, or alternatively, young people can opt to remain with our Group and follow our Young leader Programme, volunteering with one of our sections in support of adult leaders. This can also be an element of the DofE Award Scheme.
Network and Active Service Units
These are also District based units. Network is for young adults aged 18-25yrs who either don’t yet want to be leaders, or combine being an adult volunteer with a programme of extra activities. Our Active Service Units from age 18 upwards provide specific support to all Groups in our District. Many are also section leaders, but extend their training to be awarded permits in, say, climbing, water activities, mountaineering etc. Our local Active Service Unit is called ‘RocknRoll’, and is based in nearby Lakeside Country Park. They provide canoeing and other water-based activities, with climbing and hill walking experiences for local young people off-site.
Safeguarding
Parents and Carers will of course expect all of our adult volunteers to know what they are doing, and that their children will be safe. The Scout Association is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all members, and actively applies and monitors procedures that protect members from physical, sexual and emotional harm. All adult volunteers aged 18 yrs or over are responsible for putting this policy into action at all times. For information, a copy of our ‘Young people first’ yellow card is included in this pack. This code of practice is an example of good practice that is recognised by the Child Protection Agencies. Please also see www.scouts.org.uk for more information.
DBS
All adults who have a role in Scouting must complete a Disclosure and Barring disclosure application, resulting a DBS certificate issued directly to the adult volunteer by the relevant agency. Even those who help occasionally or are involved in an administrative capacity are required to complete this DBS application.