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Scout Section (UK)
Encyclopedia
The Scout section is the direct descendant of the original Scout Patrols
which formed The Scout Association
of the United Kingdom
in 1908. The section is open to both boys and girls between the ages of 10½-14 years, and are now formed into local Scout Troops.
Scout Troops form part of a Scout Group
. The Scout section follows on from the Cub Pack (8-10½ year olds) and Scouts will move onto the Explorer Scout
section at the age of 14.
A general Scouting
programme is adopted by Scout Troops, but it is possible for specialist troops to be formed. Sea Scouts and Air Scouts
are example of specialist programme troops.
The Scout Troop forms the senior section of Scout Groups. Since the programme review in 2003, this section is open to 10-14 year olds. The Troop is the longest running section within the UK organisation, although it was originally termed the Scout Patrol when the movement started in 1907.
Most Groups will have one Troop, while some others may be able to support two or even more, depending on the numbers of Scouts within the Group. This is quite rare, as new Groups would be created in areas of large Scouting populations.
Scout Troops have an adult leadership team consisting of an appointed Scout Leader and one or two assistant leaders. They can also be supported by adult helpers or Young Leaders.
The Scouts within the Troop are separated into Patrols, ideally of 6-8 members, with a Patrol Leader and an Assistant Patrol Leader. These positions are usually filled by Scouts who have shown an ability to be responsible and pro-active. they are normally around the age of 14 years of age but many scout troops do vary which is very interesting in some aspects of modern scouting life. Some Troops may also hold a position for a Senior Patrol Leader.
Within the Troop, the Patrol Leaders can hold a council and are able to plan and run activities under the supervision of the Scout Leader.
The Scout District may also hold a council for representative Patrol Leaders from each Troop to attend.
However, the Awards cover the same basic principles, and many Troops will have all new Scouts participate in the Membership Award, regardless of how they came to join the Section.
Scouts are offered the Chief Scout's Gold Award as their section of the Awards programme. This award was introduced in 2003 with Chief Scout's awards in each section. Previously the Chief Scout's Award was only for the Scout section.
The award requires that the Scout participating demonstrates community, faith, self-motivation, personal discipline, and many other qualities.
All Scouting activities are properly supervised by qualified intructors for that activity.
Boy Scout
A Scout is a boy or a girl, usually 11 to 18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement. Because of the large age and development span, many Scouting associations have split this age group into a junior and a senior section...
which formed The Scout Association
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1908. The section is open to both boys and girls between the ages of 10½-14 years, and are now formed into local Scout Troops.
Scout Troops form part of a Scout Group
Scout Group
The Scout Group is the local organisation for Scouting in most countries where it is active. It combines together the different sections into a single body. Scout Groups can consist of any number of sections in the different Age Groups in Scouting and Guiding...
. The Scout section follows on from the Cub Pack (8-10½ year olds) and Scouts will move onto the Explorer Scout
Explorer Scouts
Explorer Scouts , a section of the Scout Association in the United Kingdom for 14- to 18-year-olds, was introduced in 2001 replacing Venture Scouts . This was part of a greater change in programme, including the introduction of Scout Network for 18- to 25-year-olds...
section at the age of 14.
A general Scouting
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
programme is adopted by Scout Troops, but it is possible for specialist troops to be formed. Sea Scouts and Air Scouts
Air Scouts
Air Scouts are members of the international Scouting movement, of their respective Scouting organisations as a branch, similar to Sea Scout branches, with a particular emphasis on an aviation themed programme and/or flying-based activities...
are example of specialist programme troops.
Organisation
Most Groups will have one Troop, while some others may be able to support two or even more, depending on the numbers of Scouts within the Group. This is quite rare, as new Groups would be created in areas of large Scouting populations.
Scout Troops have an adult leadership team consisting of an appointed Scout Leader and one or two assistant leaders. They can also be supported by adult helpers or Young Leaders.
The Scouts within the Troop are separated into Patrols, ideally of 6-8 members, with a Patrol Leader and an Assistant Patrol Leader. These positions are usually filled by Scouts who have shown an ability to be responsible and pro-active. they are normally around the age of 14 years of age but many scout troops do vary which is very interesting in some aspects of modern scouting life. Some Troops may also hold a position for a Senior Patrol Leader.
Within the Troop, the Patrol Leaders can hold a council and are able to plan and run activities under the supervision of the Scout Leader.
The Scout District may also hold a council for representative Patrol Leaders from each Troop to attend.
Scout Membership Award
The Membership Award is only actually received by young people new to Scouting, whereas those Scouts who have joined from a Cub Scout Pack will undertake the Moving-On Award.However, the Awards cover the same basic principles, and many Troops will have all new Scouts participate in the Membership Award, regardless of how they came to join the Section.
Progressive awards
Scouts continue the Scouting programme of Progressive Awards. The requirements of each stage become more challenging, reflecting the age and abilities of the young people undertaking the Awards.Scouts are offered the Chief Scout's Gold Award as their section of the Awards programme. This award was introduced in 2003 with Chief Scout's awards in each section. Previously the Chief Scout's Award was only for the Scout section.
The award requires that the Scout participating demonstrates community, faith, self-motivation, personal discipline, and many other qualities.
Other activities
The Scout Programme includes many other activities — too many to fully list. The most common activities are:- Hiking/Backpacking
- Rock ClimbingRock ClimbingRock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
- KayakingKayakingKayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...
- SailingSailingSailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
- CavingCavingCaving—also occasionally known as spelunking in the United States and potholing in the United Kingdom—is the recreational pastime of exploring wild cave systems...
- CampingCampingCamping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
All Scouting activities are properly supervised by qualified intructors for that activity.