| What is Scouting? |
| Scouting is an international, uniformed,
youth movement. 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
The aims of scouting are clearly stated but can be basically
surmised as providing an opportunity for young people to develop,
to learn and to enjoy themselves. Scouting can offer a wider
range of skills and services than perhaps other, more 'specialised',
youth organisations could provide. Scouting is open to any
young person, of any creed or colour, mental or physical capabilities
and of any sex (although not all groups are able to take girls).
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| They just do badges and stuff right? |
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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.
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| What do you do? |
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Below is a short list of some of the activities my group
have had the chance to take part in over the past year or
so. I do not claim that you will be going abseiling every
Tuesday, but just think how many times you have been abseiling
whilst 'hanging around with your mates'.
| Sports Day |
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Handicraft Competition |
| District Camp |
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Athletes Badge |
| Cub Quiz |
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Pack Holiday |
| Swimming Gala |
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Rafting Challenge |
| County Camp |
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Scout Rally |
| Chess Challenge |
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Incident Hike |
| Badge Afternoon |
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Fun Day |
| 5-a-side Football |
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Camping Competition |
| Sixers Camp |
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Pioneering |
| Jungle Rally |
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+ much much more! |
During the course of these events alone, the scouts have
had the chance to try abseiling, canoeing, archery, shooting,
mountain biking, hiking, camping, pioneering, all types of
sporting activities, woodwork and much more. These more adventurous
type activities are in addition to the myriad of other activities
involved with these events, and that's before you consider
what they do every Tuesday on a pack night.
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| So whats the point then? |
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Scouting is a wide and varied experience. The enjoyment of
scouting is often a personal thing, some may stay just for
the games and camps, others may prefer the tracking and pioneering
they could not do elsewhere. For myself, I find it hard to
say exactly what it is I enjoy about scouting so much, suffice
to say I think, that I do enjoy it immensely, and have gained
a lot from it. Try it and see!
Scouts
Scoutbase
For more information on Scouting, try some of the links above,
or pop in at your local library and ask for a list of youth
groups in your area, there will certainly be a phone number
you can contact. If you know where a scout group meet, why
not invite yourself along and have a word with the leader,
I am sure they will be pleased to help you.
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