|
|
| Scouts - Be prepared... for adventure! |
Now fast approaching its centenary in 2007, there’s never been a better time to join the UK’s biggest co-educational youth movement. It offers young people from the age of six to 25 years, a bumper programme of exciting and adventurous activities in the UK and abroad - and there’s plenty to offer adults too!
• Worldwide it boasts nearly 30 million members in 216 countries.
• Every year 15,000 Scouts travel to every continent to climb mountains, canoe down rivers, help developing countries build schools – and have their own share of fun and adventure!
• Each night of the week 100,000 people go to Scouts - that's more than the Millennium Stadium can hold!
The current membership figure for 2004 stands at over 447,000, a combined figure of young people and adults.
Besides learning new skills, there are plenty of opportunities to gain awards, help others and learn invaluable lessons for life. The friendships made, the lessons learnt and the memories forged will remain with them throughout their lives. We believe in helping young people to reach their full potential and become positive, active citizens.
In a world where society increasingly considers many activities too risky, the Movement is rising to the challenge. Scouting delivers exciting activities young people want in a safe and positive framework through teamwork and leadership with effective training.
Nights away are always popular with young people. In Scouting we pride ourselves on providing quality residential experiences. From traditional Scout camping to overnight expeditions and hikes, young people are given the chance to develop skills, and above all, have fun! The Association has recently launched a Permit Scheme to continue to ensure all young people benefit from safe and well-organised nights away.
Activities are a key part of the exciting 6-25 Programme. Young people are encouraged to try new things and develop their current interests through activities including archery, rock climbing and even off-road unicycling! We believe by taking part in safe but challenging activities, young people develop new skills and abilities.
Air activities in Scouting range from high adventure glider flights or parascending to kite making and airfield visits. Air Scouts and Air Explorer Scout programmes allow young people to undertake air activities as a specialisation while following the Movement's 6-25 Programme.
 Young people also get the chance to take to the water in a variety of challenging ways, from water sports such as water skiing and offshore sailing to more traditional activities like canal boating.
Computing, electronics and amateur radio are just three examples where Scouting and technology meet. Every year thousands of Scouts throughout the world learn about each other and make new friends during 'Jamboree-on-the-Air and 'Jamboree-on-the-Internet'. Scouting often opens the door to a career in technology-based industries.
The Scout Association has recently undergone great change after a period of consultation of young people then in the Movement who were quizzed on what they themselves wanted from Scouting. This resulted in a new image, uniform, websites and, most importantly, a New Programme being launched. We now have a more flexible approach, an extended age range and two new Sections: Explorer Scouts for the 14-18 age range and Scout Network for those aged 18-25.
Beaver Scouts, for six to 8-year-olds, enjoy making friends, playing games, going on visits and helping others. Some Beaver Scout Colonies also organise Sleepovers, which are often the first time a young person spends a night away from home.
Cub Scouts aged between 8 and 10.5 years get to try activities like swimming, music, exploring, computing and collecting and earn badges for achievements. They’re offered days out to places like the zoo, theme parks or a farm and sometimes they’re able to camp with the rest of their Pack, sleep in a tent and get a taste of outdoor activities.
Incidentally, in 2001 at the time of the national census, approximately one in five boys aged between eight and 10 were Cub Scouts.
The Scout Section for young people aged 10.5 to 14, provides a balanced programme to help them discover more about the world in which they live. It encourages them to discover their own abilities, appreciate the importance of keeping fit and develop their creative talents. It provides opportunities to explore their own values and personal attitudes.
‘Participation’ rather than meeting set standards is the key and for the Scout who wants to be recognised for his or her achievements there are a number of Challenges Awards and Activity Badges.
 The Programme focuses on traditional Scouting skills, such as camping, survival and cooking, as well as a wide range of adventurous activities from abseiling to yachting.
The international aspect gives Scouting a special appeal. In 2002-2003 25,000 Scouts from around the globe attended the World Jamboree in Thailand. Even more are expected to attend the 2007 World Jamboree in the UK to mark the Movement’s centenary. Prior to this we have the European Jamboree in 2005 - Eurojam - to look forward to. Aimed at Scouts and Explorer Scouts between the ages of 11 and 18, Eurojam will provide a fantastic opportunity for young people from different parts of Europe, to join and share a unique experience.
The fourth Section of the Scouting family, Explorer Scouts, is for 14 to 18 year-olds. Not all Units meet each week. Although Explorers are often out and about at weekends or doing activities in the holidays, there will be times when members will be focusing on other things, such as exams. We recognise being an Explorer Scout has to fit in around these.
Explorer Scouts get the chance to work with other Explorer Scouts in their District, widening the options to try many more activities, not just the ones their own Unit organises!
Finally, all members of the Movement between 18 and 25 years are attached to Scout Network. One of the key elements is the opportunity to get away, but not always under canvas!
The opportunities for young people to travel and experience different cultures and activities as a Scout are endless. The Scouts of today may well be the leaders of tomorrow!
Best way to find out about Scouting is to try it and find out for yourself and for your children - you may be surprised at what it has to offer! Take the first step by contacting the Information Centre on
0845 1818 or by logging onto www.scouts.org.uk and discover the amazing world of Scouting!
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
