Scouts

Challenge & Adventure

Welcome to the Scout area of our website. We have a very active programme throughout the year.

Scouts are tested on their abilities across a wide range of skills with competitions seeing them do first aid, building bridges, survival exercises, incident hikes. They are challenged across a diverse range of skills, from swimming to camping competitions.

Scouts is for 10½ to 14 year olds who like being challenged and want to better themselves. Scouts usually meet once a week as a "Troop". The Troop is run by trained, voluntary leaders and helpers.

For further information contact:

Monday Scouts 7.30 - 9.00pm Steve Gallagher

Further Information

How old are Scouts?

Scouts are aged between 10½ to 14 years.

What do they do?

Scouts:

make their own decisions
plan their own activities
challenge themselves
work as a team
learn about leadership and commitment
undertake outdoor activities and challenges
help others
undertake advanced proficiency schemes
become Explorer Scouts

The best way to find out what Scouts get up to is to come and see for yourself!

Scout Promise

I promise that I will do my best

to do my duty to my God and to The Queen

to help other people and to keep the Scout Law

Scout Law

A Scout is to be trusted

A Scout is loyal

A Scout is friendly and considerate

A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts

A Scout has courage in all difficulties

A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property

A Scout has self-respect and respect for others

Scout Motto

Be Prepared

Scouts

What badges do they earn?

Scouts can gain a wide range of badges and awards. There are Group Awards that allow all members of the group to work together and Challenge Awards that are gained as part of a balanced programme.

With 70 badges available, ranging from Aeronautics to Writer, Street Sports to Caver, Dragon Boating to Orienteer, Parascending to Pioneer, Camp Cook to Interpreter, there is something to seriously challenge the most able of young people.

Scouts

What do they wear?

Scouts wear a full uniform. Scouting is a uniformed organisation and the uniform tells everyone that you are a Scout. For instance, people can tell what Troop you belong to by looking at the colour of your scarf. The uniform consists of:

Teal green long sleeved shirt
Activity Trousers
Group Scarf

Notebook, pencil

How do I join?

We will be glad to let you stay for a night or two to see what it is like. You will need to bring your parent/guardian along so that a few forms can be filled in. If you enjoy Scouting (and many people do!) you can find out how to become a full member from the leaders.

Background and History

The Handshake

Scouts greet each other in a special way. They always shake hands with their left hand. The origins of this custom come from when Baden-Powell was a soldier in Africa. He saw lots of tribal chiefs who carried spears and shields. He noticed that it was a sign of great trust to offer your left hand when shaking hands. This is because if you shake with your left hand you will have to put down your shield while the other person still has a spear in their hand!

The Scout Troop

Scouts meet in a group called a Troop. The Scouts themselves are responsible for the majority of the organisation and running of the Troop. It is they who decide what they should do, when they should do it and how it should be done. Leaders in a Scout Troop should be seen more as a 'safety officer' and advisor rather than a teacher in charge of a class.

The Patrol

In a Scout Troop the Scouts are divided into smaller groups called Patrols. Each Patrol will normally have around 6 Scouts and is distinguished by their own patrol name and patrol badge.

A Patrol Leader (PL) is responsible for their patrol and will often act as the organiser and trainer for all events involving their Patrol and the Troop as a whole. They are ably assisted by an Assistant Patrol Leader (APL).

The PL's and APL's report to a Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). The SPL will take charge of most of the day to day running of the Troop and should be responsible for the lions share of organisation within the Troop.

Scout Motto

The Scout Motto is

Be Prepared

As a Scout you will always want to be prepared for anything.

Flag Ceremonies

There is usually a Flag Ceremony where the whole Troop will face the Union Flag and the designated Scout will walk to the flag. For the opening ceremony the Scout will pull a string to 'break' the flag (let the flag fly freely). Everyone then salutes the flag at the same time as this Scout to show their loyalty to the Queen and country they are living in. For the closing ceremony the Scout face the flag while standing at alert while it is lowered.

The Salute and the Scout Sign

All members of the Scout Movement use the same salute. The salute is made with the right hand and is only used when you are standing at Alert. It is used as a greeting and as a sign of respect. Scouts salute with three fingers to remind you of

....your promise to do your duty to God, and to the Queen and to help other people....

The Scout Sign is similar to the salute but you hold your hand at shoulder height. It is only used when someone is making or renewing their Promise.