Parts of this article (those related to documentation) need to be updated. The reason given is: The Policy, Organisation and Rules have been updated.(September 2021) |
Scouts | |||
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Owner | The Scout Association | ||
Age range | 10½-14 | ||
Headquarters | Gilwell Park, London | ||
Country | United Kingdom | ||
Founded | First event 1907; Formalised 1908. | ||
Membership | 126,133 young people (January 2023)[1] | ||
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Scouts, often referred to as the Scout section to differentiate itself from the wider movement and its parent organisation, is a section of Scouting run by The Scout Association for ten and a half to fourteen year old young people.[2] The section follows on from Cub Scouts (8-10½ year olds) and precedes Explorer Scouts (14-18 year olds).[2] Since 1991, the section has been coeducational and today the Scout section accepts young people from all backgrounds, faiths and genders.[3]
The Scout section is run locally by Scout groups and is led by a team of volunteer youth leaders.[2] In addition to the general programme of outdoor and adventurous activities, learning new skills and connecting with the world and local community[4] some Scout troops specialise to follow the Sea Scout and Air Scout training programmes to develop a more nautical or aeronautical feel to their troops.[2]
It is a direct descendant of the original Boy Scout patrols and troops formed following the introduction of a Scouting programme in 1908 making it the oldest Scouting section in the world. The early section programme was based heavily on Scouting for Boys, published in 1908, and the regular resources and manuals that followed and received no major change until the publication of the Advanced Party Report in 1966 which saw controversial changes to the programme, uniform and name. The programme was re-launched in 2002 as part of the 6-25 progressive programme[5] and refreshed most recently in 2015.[4]
Scouts wear a uniform of a green shirt or blouse, navy blue activity trousers or skirt, group neckerchief and scout belt[6] and earn badges for skills learned and challenges overcome which are sewn onto their uniform shirt.[7]
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