Scouting is an international youth movement with a membership of more than 28 million youth and adults in 160 national Scout organisations in 217 countries and territories. It is also a non-formal educational organisation.
The Aim and Method of the Association
The aim of Scouting is to develop good citizenship among boys by assisting in the formation and development of character; training them in habits of observation, obedience and self-reliance; inculcating loyalty, patriotism, courage and thoughtfulness for others; teaching them services useful to the public and handicrafts useful to themselves; promoting their physical, mental, moral and spiritual development.
The Method of achieving the Aim is through the provision an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training based on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult leadership.
The Youth Programme
The Programme is a seamless progression of training, activities and awards that covers everything that young people do in Scouting from the age of 4 to 21. The Programme is divided into four age groups called Sections.
Beaver Scouts 4 – 7 years
Cub Scouts 7 – 11 years
Scouts 11 – 16 years
Venture Scouts 16 – 25 years
The Programme is based around helping young people to grow in a number of personal development areas to ensure young people really are ‘learning by doing’.