Scouting is
Scouting is a worldwide, values based, educational
Movement.
How Scouting began
The World Scout Movement began in the United Kingdom
in 1907 with an experimental camp on Brownsea Island,
Dorset. During the week-long camp, Robert Baden-Powell
and a small party of boys put into practice his ideas for training young
people in responsible citizenship. In August the
following year, the first official Scout Camp was held
at Humshaugh, near Hexham, Northumberland.
Today, there are well over 28 million Members in
over 216 countries and territories and the
Movement is still growing. Two-thirds of the world’s
Scouts live in developing countries.
A co-educational Movement
Scouting in the UK is firmly committed to coeducation
so boys and girls can meet the aims of Scouting
through one programme.
The Aim and Method of Scouting
The Aim of Scouting is to promote the development of
young people in achieving their full physical,
intellectual, social and spiritual potential, as
individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international
communities.
The Method of achieving the Aim is through the
provision of exciting and adventurous activities with
progressive training based on The Scout Promise and Law guided by adult
leadership.
The Programme
The Programme is a seamless progression of training,
activities and awards for young people aged 6 to 25.
The Programme is delivered in five age groups, called
Sections.
Beaver Scouts (6-8 years)
Cub Scouts (8-10½ years)
Scouts (10½-14 years)
Explorer Scouts (14-18 years)
Scout Network (18-25 years)
The Programme aims to help young people to grow in a
number of personal development areas to ensure the
young people themselves really are ‘learning by
doing.’
United Kingdom Membership
In the UK, the total Membership is 467,676. (Source:
Census of Membership 2008.)
This comprises:
Role/ Status
No. of Members
Youth Membership 378,663
Leaders
63,156
Managers
9,626
Administrators
16,231
Total Membership
467,676