Scouts

#skillsforlife

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Scouts are the third section of the Scouting movement. From the first experimental camp for 20 boys in 1907, the movement now has an estimated 28 million members worldwide, and in the UK alone there are over 499,000 boys and girls involved in Scouting. An increase in adult volunteers means that more and more young people are now able to take part in their own big adventure.

Scouts are usually aged between ten and a half and fourteen years old, though they can be as young as ten when joining. A group of Scouts is called a Troop, and each Troop can be split up into smaller groups called Patrols; at 7th Colchester we have four patrols (Falcons, Lions, Cobras and Eagles). Scouts have a Promise, Law and Motto.

The Scout Uniform

The Scout Promise

All members are asked to make a commitment to Scouting with a Promise.

The Scout Association is an inclusive and values based Movement which supports its Members to engage with spirituality in an exciting and meaningful way. The Scout Association is an open Association and does not identify with one faith exclusively.

Membership is open to all those individuals who share our fundamental values, and are willing to make a commitment to them, expressed by the Promise and Law.

There are a number of variations of the Promise to reflect the range of faiths, beliefs and attitudes of individuals within Scouts. We believe that this approach is inclusive. Celebrating and understanding difference, including difference in faiths and beliefs, is an important aspect of the educational and developmental side of Scouting.

If you would like to see the Promise options please click HERE.

The Scout Law

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 good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.

The Scout Motto

Be Prepared

Flag

The Scout flag is dark green, bearing the Scout symbol and Motto.

Scouts Code of Conduct

At the very heart of Scouting, is a commitment for Scouts in any section to be a respectable member of the community. Therefore, respect for oneself and others, honesty, good general behaviour, time keeping etc. are all attributes expected of a Scout.

7th Colchester’s Scout Troop produced their own Code of Conduct (below) which is to be adhered to during all troop meetings, visits and outings. Our Scouts earn points throughout each term through weekly inspections, for good deeds and acts of kindness etc.

Our Code of Conduct

Respect everyone, property, equipment and time
Listen to each other and the leaders
Avoid inappropriate language
Avoid bad language, physical contact and bullying behaviour at all times
Be supportive to those who need it
Be quiet and sensible during ceremonies and explanations
Set a good example to those around us
Be smart, punctual, and wear our uniform with pride
Get involved and give our best effort to all activities
Look after the environment and leave places as we found them
Challenge yourself
Keep the Scout Promise and Law
Always talk to a leader if you feel upset, unhappy or misrepresented
Play games, enjoy activities and have fun!

There is a huge range of badges and awards available to young people in the Scout Section.

Activity badges

Many of the badges available are activity badges (70+), which allow Scouts to show their progress in existing pursuits, but also to try all kinds of new things and form new interests.

 

Staged Activity Badges

The staged activity badges have been designed to provide a unified approach throughout the sections. There are 15 activity badges staged across the sections.

This means that a young person can gain whichever badge is appropriate to the level they have reached. It is possible, for example, for a Beaver Scout who is an excellent swimmer to gain a higher level badge than a Scout who has just taken up the activity.

A young person should always wear only the highest of each staged badge type that they have gained on the uniform.

Challenge awards

Gaining a challenge badge involves accomplishing a number of more ambitious tasks within the Troop or community. There are several challenge badges across a number of themes, from the physical and outdoorsy to challenges dealing with the local community or issues connected with the Scouting world.

Chief Scout Gold Award

The Chief Scout’s Gold Award is the highest award a Scout can achieve. In order to attain their Chief Scout Gold Award, a Scout must have completed eight Challenge Awards by the time they join Explorer Scouts.

Core badges

In addition, there are a number of core badges, obtained upon joining or moving on from the Troop, or for time spent in the Scouting movement.

Scouts should sew their own badges onto their scout shirt as and when your son/daughter is awarded them. At the top of the page is a diagram showing where they should go.

If you would like the opportunity to do something you’d never thought of doing, whilst having lots of fun and giving back to the community at the same time, please get in touch – we can always do with more leaders!