Sections
In
October 1982, The Scout Association introduced 'Beavers' for
its six to eight year old boys in
response to a growing demand within the Movement.
In
April 1986, they became a recognised training Section and
took the title of Beaver Scouts. From 1991, girls could also
become Beaver Scouts. In the United Kingdom, Beaver Scouts
wear a
simple uniform consisting of a turquoise sweatshirt and Group
Scarf
(shown below). Beaver Scouts take part in a balanced programme
and work towards Challenges and Activity Badges.
There
are opportunities to learn about themselves: exploring their
feelings and developing good habits of health and personal
safety.
They
get to know people: finding out about those in their family,
the
family of Scouting, the local community and the wider world.
Beaver Scouts explore: discovering the science, nature and
technology, exploring the natural and man-made world. Beaver
Scouts care,
growing in their love of their God and responding to the needs
of others, the local community and the wider world.
Their bright, colourful identity reflects their aim of ‘fun
and friends’ and a positive experience at this stage often
encourages young people to continue
their journey through Scouting.
In 1914 'Junior Scouts' were
announced and in 1916, they became 'Wolf Cubs'. In 1966, as
part of a modernisation plan, a number of sweeping changes
were introduced in preparation for the years ahead and the
Section became known as Cub Scouts.
New proficiency and training
schemes were introduced and the Cub Scout Law and Promise
revised.
Following an update in the early nineties, the Cub Scout
Section has changed again within the introduction of the new
6-25 programme. Girls have been joining in the fun and
challenge of Cub Scouting since 1991.
Cubs wear a green sweatshirt and a 'group' scarf (shown below).
With a fresh new image, cartoon mascots
and an
exciting and balanced programme of activities, the Cub Scout
Section is as strong as ever. There are currently some 142,589 Cub
Scouts in the United Kingdom.
Scouting is for boys and girls aged
between 10½
and 14 years who want to make friends and develop their
widening interests in way that are both educational and fun.
It is ideal for young people who want a break from the usual
after
school routine of homework, games and watching television.
Activities are typically about action and
involvement and mean more than just camping. Hiking, rock
climbing, gliding, sailing, pioneering, canoeing,
parascending, abseiling, First Aid, motor mechanics,
electronics, amateur radio and photography are just some of
the things they do.
Their uniform, consisting of activity
trousers, and a choice of teal green polo or long sleeved
shirt (shown below),
reflects their adventurous lifestyle. Each Scout Troop consists of
small groups (usually called Patrols) of six to eight young
people, one of whom is the Patrol Leader.
PL’s share responsibility with
the adult Leader for maintaining standards and training
within the Troop. All Scouts are encouraged to take part in
the decision making
process and regular Forums provide the opportunity for them to
contribute towards the planning of the Troop’s activities.
Outdoor activities feature prominently in the Scout
Troop.
The highlight
for most Members is the
annual summer camp or expedition, and much of the rest of the
year is devoted to preparation for this. Even in winter there may
be Patrol hikes or weekend camps. Map reading, camp cooking,
First Aid and other skills can be practised at any time of
the year.
Sea Scouts
Sea Scouting is a branch of Scouting, not a separate
organisation. It is based on the same fundamental Scouting Aims
& Methods. Sea Scouts follow the core balanced programme for
their section but then add a nautical twist to the programme and
activities. Many Troops and Explorer Units meet more than once a
week in the summer period and the additional meetings are used
to develop nautical skills and seamanship training. It is not
training for the Navy or the Merchant Navy careers, although Sea
Scout training can be very useful for young people who are so
interested.
Sea Scouts start with the Scout section as part
of a Sea Scout Group, or as a Sea Scout Patrol in a "standard"
Group. Explorer Sea Scouts can be found in Units directly linked
through partnership agreements to Sea Scout Groups, water activity
centres or as part of other District based units. Cub Scouts and
Beaver Scouts in a Sea Scout Group follow the same programme as all
other Cubs/Beavers albeit with the likelihood of some water based
activities being provided by the Scout section.
Explorer Scouts are young people usually
aged
between 14 and 18 years old. They make up the fourth Section of
the Scouting family.
In the Movement’s early days, Lord
Baden-Powell saw the need to provide a programme for young
men who wanted to continue after their time in the Scout
Section. Senior Scouts was developed to meet this need, and
the Section continued to evolve over the years.
In 1967, Venture Scouting was formed from
the
existing Senior Scout and Rover Scout Sections, becoming the
first Section to welcome girls into the membership in 1976.
During the late 1990s however, it was decided that, in order to
meet the changing needs of young people over the age of
fourteen, two new Sections should be created.
Venture Scouting was
discontinued and Explorer Scouts for 14 to 18-year-olds and
the Scout Network for 18 to 25- year-olds, introduced.
There are many types of Explorer Scout Units: some are linked
to the local Scout Group, others may be based around local
activity or other
centres. Explorer Scouts are encouraged to work with
other Explorer Scouts in the District, not just the Unit. By
doing this, they will get the chance to take part in many
more activities, not just the ones their own Unit organises.
All Explorer
Scouts wear a uniform consisting of beige shirt and blue activity
trousers (shown above), and have a
wide choice of optional items.
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: A Leader with another Section, a Sectional
Assistant or Skills Instructor, a Member of the Scout Fellowship,
a Member in another capacity.
Local Networks, can
be based at County, District or Group level; some may be
focused around a
specific activity or location, such as a Gang Show, Activity
Centre, climbing or canoeing club. Scout Network programmes
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 spend nights away, either
under canvas or in other accommodation. Like all
those in Scouting aged 18 and over,
members of the Scout Network wear a uniform consisting of a
‘stone’ shirt and smart blue trousers or skirt for formal
occasions.
It is a group of adults who
have one thing in common - a wish to support Scouting. A Scout
Fellowship welcomes men and women of all ages, interests and
backgrounds. There is no need to have been involved in Scouting or
Guiding before, all that is required is a willingness to give some
of your time to Scouting. In return you will make friends and be
able to join with others doing whatever you decide. A Scout
Fellowship has its own social and activity programme.
The aim of the Scout Fellowship is to "Provide
Active Support", with the emphasis being very much on supporting the
youth programme in an active manner, at all levels of the
Association from the local Scout Group to National level.
Active Support encompasses the talents of the
Scout Fellowship of all ages and abilities, whether it is physical,
mental, geared to a particular technical skill or general support.
It could be as a badge examiner, a Training Adviser to new leaders,
catering for courses, running pioneering courses, assisting with
hill walking, rock climbing etc. We all have something to offer as
far as supporting Scouting is concerned whatever our age or ability.
In fact, active support means just about
anything!
The Scout Fellowship is a large part of the
'backbone' of the Scout Movement - supporting the young people and
voluntary leaders wherever help is required. The key to our success
is our flexibility - we're here to help.
