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The Scout Association offers everyday adventure and activity to half a million young people across the UK.

The Movement is the largest co-educational youth organisation in the world, with over 32 million members in 216 countries and territories.

In the UK Scouting is organised through The Scout Association and has a clear purpose:
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.

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.

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.

Parent of a Young Person

There is no doubt that parents value what Scouting does for their children. In an independent survey of over 2,000 parents of Scouts, 9 out of 10 parents said Scouting is worthwhile (7 in 10 very worthwhile) and 9 in 10 said their children find Scouting enjoyable (6 in 10 very enjoyable).
Parents say Scouting gives their children more confidence, responsibility, a broader set of friends, a chance to pursue things they might not get to do otherwise, adventure and an extended family.

Adult Volunteers

Whether you are a Network Member, parent of a child in Scouting, or someone who is totally new to Scouting you’ve come to the right place.
One of the biggest myths about Scouting is that Groups are closing down due to a lack of young people wanting to become Members. Nothing could be further from the truth; Scouting in the UK is a growing Movement and we currently have 30,000 young people on our waiting lists simply because we do not have enough adults to help out.

Why help?

There are many reasons why adults choose to volunteer for Scouting. Here are some that existing volunteers have given:

• To give something back to the community

‘I believe the kids get such a lot out of it; I just put a bit back for what the kids take out.’

• To support the Leaders

‘They give so much, you’ve got to give some of that back.’

• Because volunteering is a ‘good thing’

‘I just personally believe that you should always do some kind of voluntary work…otherwise nothing would get done in this world.’

• As an enabler, so the Leader can do more

‘If I can help Sam, our Leader, out by doing the little things, then it means she has got more time to give the kids and then they get more out of it.’

• To spend more quality time with your child

‘David used to go on his PlayStation2 while I read the paper after school and work – now we get a chance to do activities together.’

• To develop your own skills

‘I hadn’t used a compass since I was a Scout. After I learned how to use one again, I take one out on family walks. We get lost less than we used to!’

• To enjoy and rediscover adventure for yourself

‘We had a water fight at Beavers the other week, it was great!’

Chief Scout Bear Grylls says:

‘I wasn’t involved in Scouting until someone asked me and I jumped at the chance. Adventure isn’t just for young people or those of us already wearing neckerchiefs; it’s for everyone.
There’s lots of talent among our 800,000 parents. Let’s bring some of that into Scouting. Just ask – that’s all it takes.’