Scouts

The Scout Section has existed since Scouting began in 1907. Though the Section has gone through many changes its values and fundamental principles have remained unchanged. Today there are over 100,000 Scouts in 6,600 Troops across the UK.

Scouts is open to young people aged between ten and half and fourteen years old who want to join and can make the Scout Promise.

The Scout Promise

Scouting differs from many organisations in that it requires its Members to make a Promise. The Scout Promise is the same for Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Members of the Scout Network and adult Members of the Association and is as follows:

On my honour, I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and to The Queen,
to help other people and
to keep the Scout Law.

Different wordings of the promise are available for those of different faiths who may prefer not to use the word “God” and for those with special needs and circumstances.

By making the Promise a young person becomes a Member of the worldwide Movement; they become a Scout.

The Scout Law

The Scout Law is a set of ‘rules’ that scouts should do their best to live their life by. They are based on the laws that Baden Powell came up with, but have evolved to reflect changing times. The Laws are:

• A Scout is to be trusted.
• A Scout is loyal.
• A Scout is friendly and considerate.
• A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts.
• A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
• A Scout makes careful use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
• A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.

The Motto

The motto for all Members of the Movement is:

Be Prepared

The Scout Uniform

Scouts wear a teal coloured shirt. They also wear the Beacon Scout Group neckerchief in green with a burgundy border. They also have a woggle, to keep their scarf up. A woggle will be provided at their investiture. There are several other items of optional uniform.

For official public events and Church parade, Scouts should also wear smart dark trousers and dark polished shoes.

How are Scouts organised?

Scouts meet together as a Troop and work within a variety of small groups called Patrols. A Scout called a Patrol Leader leads the Patrol. The Patrol Leaders work with the Leadership Team in setting the programme and in decisions affecting the Troop.

The Patrol system is one of the important ways that young people can take responsibility for themselves and others.

A volunteer leadership team made up of uniformed Leaders and other informal Assistants and helpers will guide the Troop. Explorer Scouts who are Young Leaders might also assist the leadership team in the Troop.

Investiture

Making the Promise is the most important act in Scouting and is common to every section. Scouting has a special ceremony for making the Promise called Investiture or being invested. When a young person makes their Promise they receive their Group Scarf, The Membership Award (for those coming into Scouting for the first time) or their Moving-On Award (if they have been in Cubs) and are welcomed into the Scout Family.

The investiture usually takes place on the fourth week of attendance with the section, and parents are invited to attend to watch the ceremony.

When a Cub moves on to Scouts, they will need to transfer the following badges onto their new Scout shirt prior to investiture:

• Membership badge
• District/County badge
• Group name tape
• Most recent participation award (star)
• Highest of each staged activity badges (pale blue with purple edge)

They will be presented with their moving on award by the Cub Section at or shortly after investiture into Scouts.  This award will also need to be added to their Scout shirt.

What do Scouts do?

Scouts normally meet once a week. It is an opportunity for them to catch up with friends, learn new skills and explore issues relevant to their age group. They will also have their chance to say what they want to do.

Scouts are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities as part of their programme. On top of the adventure of outdoor activities that forms a large part of the Scout Section, a Balanced Programme will help them find out about the world in which they live, encourage them to know their own abilities and the importance of keeping fit and help to develop their creative talents. It also provides opportunities to explore their own values and personal attitudes and develop in all the Personal Development Areas.
As part of the Balanced Programme they will task part in activities from all six programme Zones over a period of time:

• Outdoor and Adventure
• Global Community
• Fit for Life
• Creative
• Expression
• Beliefs and Attitudes

You can see what’s on the Scouts programme at Beacon by looking at our calendar to the right of your screen.

Church Parade

Beacon Scout Group is sponsored by The Beacon Church Centre. All members of the group are expected to make every effort to attend the five church parades held at The Beacon Church, and St Georges Day Parade, organised by the Scout District. Dates for Church Parade are published in January each year and we ask that you keep the date free for your child to attend Church Parade where possible.

Badges and Awards

Badges and awards are given in recognition of the effort made by each young person at their own level.

The Membership Award

…helps the young person understand the commitment they are making when they make the Promise and become a Member of the Movement, if they have not been a Cub Scout. It covers the history, traditions and practices of Scouting.

The Challenge Awards

…complement the Balanced Programme. These have been developed to extend Scouts’ skills and experience in a particular area. There are nine Challenges in the Scout Section. The Chief Scouts Gold Awardis the highest award availablein the Scout Section. It is gained by completing all the Challenge Awards plus six activity badges.

Activity Badges

…are optional, but they provide an opportunity to reward a young person who has taken part in an activity over a period of time. They should raise interest and extend a young person’s skills throughout their time in Scouting. There are 59 Scout Activity Badges, ranging from Astronomer to Circus Skills and Canoeist. In addition there are 15 Staged Activity Badges which give a young person the opportunity to develop an area of interest throughout their time in Scouting from 6 – 18.

The Joining In Awards

…recognise a commitment to Scouting. They celebrate Scouts participating in a Balanced Programme over a period of time. They are awarded on the anniversary of the young person joining Scouting.

The Moving-On Award

…helps ease the transfer of a Scout to the Explorer Scout Unit. It also allows the Scout to be invested into the Unit immediately, recognising that they are already Members of the Scout Movement.

Position of badges on the Scout Uniform

Uniform can be purchased from Scout Shops.

Scouts… Taking the Lead!

Scouts have the opportunity to make more and more decisions for themselves about they want to do and want to get out of Scouting. The opportunities will be there for them to take part in a wide range of activities and to gain a variety of skills and knowledge. They will get to learn more about themselves by not only taking responsibility for themselves, but for others as well.

Behaviour

We have a responsibility to make sure Scouting is safe for all members. If any child behaves in a manner which could jeopardise the safety of the activity we are running, they will be removed from that activity. If necessary we may call you as parents to collect your child.

Please do ensure that you alert us in advance to any health or emotional issues your child may have, whether permanent or temporary, so we can avoid issues where at all possible. This will help us to plan our activity to make sure it accommodates the needs of all the children without singling any individual out.

Code of Conduct

The Scouts Code of Conduct is quite simply to follow the Scout Promise and Law.

There is a three tier system for anyone who breaks the code of conduct, which is enforced by the Patrol Leaders and Leadership team. A yellow card is issued for a first offence. An orange card for a second offence which includes ‘time out’ for an equivalent number of minutes to the child’s age. A red card for a third offence, which will result in the child’s behaviour being reported home. For severe offences Scouts may be asked to stay away from the Troop for a week.

Beacon Scout Troop

Scouts meet every Monday during term time. Most meetings are held 7.30pm – 9.00pm at The Beacon Church Centre, Whetty Lane. Some meetings may be held outside the Church or timings to achieve a balanced and exciting programme.

To contact the Scout leaders please email: scouts@beaconscoutgroup.org.uk