Being a Scout
10½ to 14 years
Jump in and get muddy. Give back and get set. Scouts ignore the butterflies and go for it, and soon so will you
When do Scouts meet?
We run one Scout troop Spitfire
- Spitfire meets Tuesdays 6:30-8:30pm
Meetings are held every week during term time only and mainly at our Scout Hut.
Who are Scouts?
Scouts are a go-getting group of young people aged 10½ to 14 who:
- Master new skills and try new things
- Make new friends
- Have fun and go on adventures, at home and abroad
- Explore the world around them
- Help others and make a difference, in their own communities and beyond
Week in and week out, they gather in groups called Scout Troops to conquer the small task of changing the world.
What do Scouts get up to?
Being a Scout is all about discovering the world on your own terms and making the most of what you have, wherever and whoever you are.
Action and adventures
Gain skills for life
Helping others
What does a Scout Troop look like?
Scouts are probably the most well-known members of the global Scout family.
Closer to home, they’re also part of their wider local Scout Group, Beavers (aged 6-8) and Cubs (aged 8 to 10½). When they’re older, they can also join Explorers (for young people aged 14 to 18) and Scout Network (for young people aged 18-25).
Each Scout Troop is made up of young people aged 10½ to 14, led by trained adult volunteers who are on hand to share their skills and keep everyone safe. Traditionally, Scout leaders were nicknamed ‘Skip’ – an abbreviation of ‘Skipper’, which is a name given to a ship’s captain. In some Troops this name is still used, but these days it’s more common for Scout leaders to just use their real names.
Within their Troop, Scouts are part of a Patrol – smaller groups of Scouts who look out for one another, and help each other grow. Scouts usually gather in their Patrols at the beginning and end of meetings. They might also stick together on expeditions or trips away, or during certain activities.
Promises and ceremonies
Every Scout is unique, but they find common ground in their shared Scout values, and make a promise to stick by them.
Making a promise when you join the Troop is a way of celebrating these values. Every time a new Scout decides to join, they chat through their promise with their leader before saying it out loud in front of their fellow Scouts.
It’s a big celebration for all involved, and it’s not uncommon for family and friends to join your fellow Scouts as they cheer you on.
Scouts choose the promise that best suits them.
How to join Scouts
Interested in joining? The first step to becoming a Scout is to enter the young person’s details on our waiting list.
We will then contact you and let know the situation.
For anything else please use our Contact Us page.
Scouts is for everyone. If you have any questions about accessibility, have a chat with our Group Scout Leader. By being upfront about additional needs from the start, we can work together to make sure everyone can join in the fun on their own terms. More information on specific adjustments is available on our Reasonable Adjustments page.
Scouts uniform and badge placement
What Scouts wear
Scout uniform consists of a teal green shirt with your badges sewn on and a coloured scarf or ‘necker’ to represent your local group. There are lots of other optional accessories you can wear such as hats, hoodies, navy blue trousers or shorts.
Why uniform is important
Wearing a uniform is comfy and practical. It means you can run around and get messy without ruining your other clothes. It makes you feel part of a team. It means no one feels uncomfortable or left out. And it gives you a place to show off all the brilliant badges you earn.
Where you can buy the uniform
Uniform can either be bought from our District Scout Shop. If you’re stuck, ask adult volunteers to tell you more about what to buy and where to buy it.
Moving up to Explorers. What will happen?
Being an Explorer will give you the opportunity to spread your wings a little wider and climb a little higher. Between the ages of 14 and 18, you’re fast approaching adulthood, and you’ll be treated as such. You’ll make more decisions. You’ll travel. And you’ll conquer the trickiest of expeditions.
Explorer Units are run at a District level, covering wider ground than Scout Troops. As a result, it’s not uncommon for some Explorers to travel a little further to meetings, depending on what’s available in their area.
Some things won’t change when you move. Your shirt might change colour, but you’ll still earn badges and awards. And you’ll still run around and get your hands dirty once in a while, because having fun doesn’t stop just because you’re a little older and wiser.
