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We are the UK's biggest mixed youth organisation. We change lives by offering 4 to 25-year-olds fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and the chance to help others so that we make a positive impact in communities.

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The Scout Association offers fun and everyday adventure to 457,000 young people between the ages of 4 and 25, and is supported by 154,000 volunteers across the United Kingdom.

If you think Scouting’s just about knots, woggles and big shorts, then be prepared to be surprised. It’s how Richard Branson, Barack Obama and David Beckham got their start in life and you can benefit too. There are 457,000 young people in Scouting, spread across five sections: Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Explorer Scouts and the Scout Network. Each section has its own balanced programme of activities, badges and awards. The main goal is to help young people achieve their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential as individuals, as responsible citizens and as Members of their local, national and international communities.

About our work

Even if we can’t solve all the problems in the world, we can help to make it a better place. Scouting makes a positive contribution to society by helping young people to develop as active members of the community:

  • Who are self reliant
  • Who are caring
  • Who are responsible
  • Who show commitment
  • Scouting works well when young people enjoy learning by working in partnership with adults.

They do this by:

  • Taking part in a variety of activities and new experiences
  • Exploring the outdoors
  • Participating in teams
  • Taking responsibility

The programme

Our method for giving young people the opportunity to learn by doing is called the Programme. The Programme is a continuous progression of training, activities and awards that covers everything that young people do in Scouting from the age of 4 to 25.

The Scouting programme for all five sections is based around three main themes: outdoor and adventure, world and skills. In each section a range of badges and awards are there to support all aspects of Scouting, including the three main themes as well as, leadership, teamwork and personal development. The programme is designed to be progressive through the sections to offer young people an appropriate level of challenge.

Our commitment

In Scouting, our adults have a responsibility to make sure that the Programme is fun and exciting. We must also make sure that it is safe. The Scout Association’s policies, rules, code of behaviour, advice on Child Protection and safety policy are there to ensure our young people stay safe while they enjoy themselves and learn.

Who can be a Scout?

Scouting is open to all young people aged 4 to 25 of every faith and background. There are also plenty of opportunities for adults to become involved as Leaders, Assistants or Administrators.

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Put your phone down and what are you left with? Just teamwork, courage and the skills to succeed.’
Bear Grylls, Chief Scout Bear Grylls