What is Scouting?
The Scout Movement is a global organisation with a membership of over 28 million young people in 216 countries and territories. Scouting in the UK is organised through The Scout Association, the head office of which is based at Gilwell Park, Chingford, London.
Scouting aims to help all young people to reach their full potential. This means assisting the development of young people as active members of the community who are self-reliant, caring, responsible and committed. As an adult volunteer, you will be contributing to achieving this aim in your local community.
Scouting is open to all young people aged between 6 to 25, regardless of gender, faith, ability or background. There are five Sections in which Scouting takes place:
Beaver Scouts, 6-8 years old
Cub Scouts, 8-10½ years old
Scouts, 10½-14 years old
Explorer Scouts, 14-18 years old
Scout Network, 18-25 years old
Whatever the focus of your new role, you will be contributing to the development of one, or maybe even all, of these Sections.
For more information on any of the Sections, visit
www.scouts.org.uk/aboutus/6-25.htm
Adults in Scouting support the movement in the following way :
working directly with young people either every week or on an occasional basis
(i.e. Leaders, Assistant Leaders and Section Assistants)
supporting other adults
(i.e. Group Scout Leaders, District Commissioners, Regional Commissioners)
looking after the administrative side of Scouting
(i.e. Chairs, Secretaries and Treasurers)
There are also a number of adults who provide specialized support for Scouting including Fundraiser, Media Development Officers and Activity Advisers.
Who is responsible for what :
Leaders are responsible for planning and delivering the Programme to the young people in their Section. They provide support to the other adults in their Section, including Assistant Leaders and Section Assistants.
Beaver, Cub and Scout Leaders are supported by the Group Scout Leader (GSL), whose responsibilities include making sure that the Group has a team of suitable adults who are well trained and supported.
The District Commissioner (DC) supports the District and the work of Scout Groups. The DC provides support to GSLs and, working with a District Team, is responsible for all adults in the District. DCs are supported by a Regional Commissioner (RC)
Each Group or District will elect an Executive Committee - a body of elected trustees including a Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer and a number of Members. The Group or District Executive Committee works with the GSL or relevant Commissioner to ensure that the Scout District or Group operates in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Association and the rules of the Charity Commission.
The Chair manages meetings and is responsible for the members of the Committee, the Secretary provides administrative support and the Treasurer provides financial support.
For more infromation on roles, visit www.scoutbase.org.uk/support/role and click on ‘Role Descriptions’