What is Scouting?

What is Scouting?

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Scouting is a uniformed youth organization and is almost exclusively a voluntary organization. Scouting still holds true to some of the basic principles laid down by its founder Baden-Powell. Perhaps these can be best summed up by "fun with a purpose". It offers a unique combination of outdoor activities and scouting skills coupled with games, crafts and challenges that few other organizations could hope to match. Scouting still remains open to all, no matter their race, creed or sex.

It is divided into several main sections
Beaver Scouts 6-8 Years of age
Cub Scouts 8-10½ Years of age
Scouts 10½-14 Years of age
Explorer Scouts 14-18 Years of age
Scout Network 18-25 Years of age

Scouting began in 1907 when experienced soldier Robert Baden-Powell set up a scheme to train life skills to young boys in Britain.

The first ever Scout camp, with just 20 boys, was held in the same year at Brownsea Island in Dorset.
 
Incorporated as a charity by Royal Charter in 1912, The Scout Association in the United Kingdom, seeks to provide young people with opportunities to participate in adventurous outdoor activities, learn team-building skills and develop new friendships.

Scouting is a world wide educational Movement for young people. It contributes to the fulfilment of their potential using a progressive and enjoyable values-based programme for personal development.

Some 28 million young people from 216 countries across the world take part in Scouting. Its aims and commitment to young people can still meet the demands of today's youngster and society.

They just do badges and stuff right?

All scout sections offer a flexible training scheme in the form of badges to track the progress of the scouts and to give a feeling of achievement. There are several types of badges, the 'Chief Scout Award' badges, activity or 'proficiency' badges and challenge badges. They obviously vary from section to section, but the Challenge and Chief Scout Award badges are designed to provide the main, basic activities and training to be completed. They cover the basics of all types of work, and the important neccessities. The proficiency badges provide the option to take a certain activity or hobby in greater detail.

Scouting is not just about schemes, awards and badges. The 'games' and adventurous activities are very important to scouting, not just because they are enjoyable, but because they are also important in the young persons development.