Scouts aims to build and develop young people’s confidence, sense of adventure and outdoor skills, as well as encouraging them to explore their beliefs and attitudes and be creative.  It offers them the independence to put these skills into practice at camps and even on international trips.

Scouts are encouraged to work together and take the lead on all sorts of projects, from community based work to planning games and activities for their meetings.

The Scout Troop is the third section in the Scout Group, above Beavers and Cubs. The Scout Section is for Young People aged between 10½ and 14 years, but there is flexibility in the core age range: Young People can join from age 10 and can move to Explorer Scouts between the ages 13½ and 14½. It may sometimes be appropriate to extend this flexibility even further for young people with additional needs.

Structure

Our Scout Troop is divided into small groups called Patrols. The Patrol system provides many opportunities for Young People to experience and develop leadership skills, interact in a small group within the larger Troop, work together as a team and share responsibility. This is especially relevant when taking part in outside activities such as hikes, wide games and camps.

Each Patrol is headed up by a Patrol Leader, normally an older Scout who has had a couple of years of experience in Scouts, he is often supported by an Assistant Patrol Leader.

Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders assist the Adult Volunteer Team in managing and running the Troop.

The Scout Promise

On my honour

I promise that I will do my best

To do my duty to God and to the King,

To help other people and to keep the Scout Law.

To reflect the ever-increasing range of faiths, beliefs and attitudes as well as nationalities in the UK within Scouting, there are a number of variations of the Scout Promise.

If you wish to know more about these variations, please speak to the Scout Section Team Leader.

The Scout Law

1.  A Scout is to be trusted.

2.  A Scout is loyal.

3.  A Scout is friendly and considerate.

4.  A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts.

5.  A Scout has courage in all difficulties.

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

7.  A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.

The Scout Motto

Be Prepared

Activities

Scouts are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities as part of their programme including traditional Scouting skills, such as camping, survival and cooking, as well as a wider spectrum of adventurous activities, from abseiling to zorbing. Participation rather than meeting set standards is the key approach.

Scout Badges and Awards

There is a range of Challenge awards and activity badges that Scouts can gain during their time in the section to recognise their achievements.

Activity Badges

Many of the badges available are Activity Badges, which allow Scouts to show their progress in existing pursuits, but also to try all kinds of new things and form new interests. Some activity badges are sponsored by outside companies, and these companies often provide extra exciting resource packs to help Scouts towards gaining their badges.

Challenge Awards

Gaining a Challenge Badge involves accomplishing a number of more ambitious tasks within the Troop or community. There are several Challenge Badges across a number of themes, from the physical and outdoorsy to challenges dealing with the local community or issues connected with the Scouting world.

Core Badges

In addition, there are a number of special badges, obtained upon joining or moving on from the Troop, or for time spent in the Scouting movement.

Recognising Achievement

Young People feel motivated when recognised for their achievements or for doing something a little bit above and beyond what is expected of them and when they do we will ensure they are acknowledged with a group award such as a certificate or in certain circumstances a trophy.