Scouts - 10½-14 years

Jump in and get muddy. Give back and get set. Scouts ignore the butterflies and go for it, and soon so will you.

Who are Scouts?

Scouts are a go-getting group of young people aged 10 ½ 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 a group called the Scout Troop to conquer the small task of changing the world.

Being a Scout

When you join Scouts, you’ll be introduced to lots of new activities, people and things. Here's everything you need to know:

What do Scouts do?

Discovering the world: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. Alongside your new friends, you’ll master the skills that will help you weather the storms of life, and try things you’d never get the chance to do at home or at school - working with trained volunteers to achieve whatever you set your mind to.Starting small, thinking big:Scouts start small but think big. They stand up for what they believe in and make a difference on their doorstops, confident in the knowledge that their daily actions add up. In a society that can often feel increasingly isolated and inward facing, Scouts build bridges and break barriers. Throughout history, they’ve played all sorts of useful roles in society, and this legacy continues today.Listening in, lending a hand:Scouts seek out the answers to the big questions, and to the smaller questions that don’t seem to matter but really should. Most importantly, they say yes more often than they say no - whether they’re taking part in their first ever camp away from home, or writing their first line of code, or accepting the last of the toasted marshmallows.Sound like fun? That’s because it is. All that’s missing is you.

When do Scouts meet?

Our Scout Troop meets on a Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 in the evening. They also do activities and have nights away at weekends throughout the year.

What does a Scout Troop look like?

Our 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.Each Scouts is also 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 & 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. The process usually takes place once you’ve had a few weeks to settle in, and is known as being ‘invested’ into Scouts. Usually, the promise ceremony happens in a place you’ve chosen, or in a memorable place that means a lot to the group.It could be held in your usual meeting place, or it could happen around the campfire, or it could happen on a boat sailing the seven seas. Regardless, 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.

Uniform & badges

On your first night at Scouts, you’ll be taking part in lots of activities, and should just wear something you feel comfortable in.Eventually, you’ll get your own Scout uniform to wear to meetings and on trips and nights away. Wearing a uniform is comfy and practical. It means no one feels uncomfortable or left out and helps everyone to feel a part of the Troop. It also gives you a place to show off all the Scout badges you earn.For Sea Scouts, the uniform consists of a blue shirt or blouse with your badges sewn on and our green and yellow scarf to represent our group.

How much does it cost?

The cost of going to Scouts is covered by a termly charge, known as subscriptions or subs. Trips, camps and activities that take place away from the usual meeting place are usually charged separately, and you will also need to buy a uniform and a scarf once you are ready to be invested.Scouts is designed to be an accessible and affordable way for young people to learn lots of new skills through a single membership. Nobody should feel excluded from Scout activities because of money worries. If you’re concerned about costs, you should speak to our leaders in confidence, to see what we can do to help. In most cases, support is available to make sure nobody misses out.

Joining Scouts

As a thriving and active Scout Group, all of our sections usually operate a waiting list. If you are interested in joining as a young person then please complete the form and a Leader will be in touch to discuss this further and let you know what the next steps are.