Scouts aims to build and develop young people’s confidence, sense of adventure and outdoor skills, as well as encouraging them to explore their beliefs and attitudes and be creative. It offers them the independence to put these skills into practice at camps and even on international trips.
Scouts are encouraged to work together and take the lead on all sorts of projects, from community based work to planning games and activities for their meetings.
The Scout Troop is the fourth section in the Scout Group, above Squirrels, Beavers and Cubs. The Scout Section is for young people aged between 10½ and 14 years. There is core flexibility in the age range: young people can join from age 10, and can move to Explorers between age 13½ and 14½. It may sometimes be appropriate to extend this flexibility for young people with additional needs. For further information, see our guidance on age range flexibility.
Allison Scouts – meet on Wednesdays 7.15 – 8.45pm in the Scout Hut.
Wilford Scouts – meet on Thursdays 7.30 – 9.00pm in the Scout Hut.
Scouts meet together as a ‘Troop’ and work within a variety of small groups called ‘Patrols’ led by a Scout Patrol Leader. The Patrol Leaders work with the Leadership Team in setting the programme and in decisions affecting the Troop. The Patrol system allows young people to take responsibility for themselves and others.
Scouts work towards a variety of Activity Badges and Awards which are gained by taking part in a regular programme and also doing independent work outside of Troop meetings. With hard work and commitment, Scouts can gain the Chief Scouts Gold Award.
A number of events are organised away from home during the year. These are important to the Troop as they allow Scouts an opportunity to put into practice the training and learning they have carried out at their weekly meetings.
Structure
A Scout Troop is divided into small groups called Patrols, each headed up by an experienced, responsible Scout called a Patrol Leader, and often with an Assistant Patrol Leader. These are often the eldest Scouts in the section.
Activities
Scouts are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities as part of their programme including traditional Scouting skills, such as camping, survival and cooking, as well as a wider spectrum of adventurous activities, from abseiling to zorbing. Participation rather than meeting set standards is the key approach, and there are a number of badges and awards that Scouts can gain to recognise their achievements.
Further information about badges and awards for the Scout section can be found here.
The Scout Promise
There are a number of variations of the Scout Promise to reflect the range of faiths, beliefs and attitudes, and nationalities, in the UK within Scouting.
A Scout Promise poster is available to order from the Scout brand centre, or can be downloaded here. There are also Promise Cards available to purchase from Scout Store.
For Muslims
In the name of Allah,
the Most Beneficial
and the Most Merciful,
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to Allah
and to the Queen,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
For Christians, Jews and Sikhs
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.
For Hindus and Buddhists
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to my Dharma
and to the Queen,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
For humanists, atheists and those with no defined faith
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to uphold our Scout values,
to do my duty to the Queen,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
For subjects of independent Commonwealth countries, foreign nationals and individuals who are stateless the following wording can replace ‘duty to the Queen’
…to do my duty to the country in which I am now living.
Further information about The Promise in Scouting can be found here.
The Scout Law
1. A Scout is to be trusted.
2. A Scout is loyal.
3. A Scout is friendly and considerate.
4. A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts.
5. A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
6. A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
7. A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.
The Scout Motto
Be Prepared
Uniform
Scouts may wear a teal green shirt or blouse, navy blue activity trousers or skirt, a group scarf with a woggle, and a Scout belt.
Uniform and other clothing items can be purchased from Scout Store.
Flag
The Scout flag is dark green, bearing the Scout symbol and Motto. This can be purchased from Scout Store.
