SCOUTS (10 ½ to 14 years)

The Scout Section is for young people, usually aged between ten and a half and fourteen years old. Scouts can join the Troop at ten and may stay until they are fifteen years old. The Scout Troop is the third and final Section in the Scout Group. Most Scouts are young people who have moved on from their Cub Packs but all Troops also welcome boys or girls who have no Scouting experience at all.

Scouts are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities. "Participation" rather than meeting set standards is the key approach and for the Scout who wants to be recognised for his or her achievements there are a number of Challenge Awards and Activity Badges.

• Royal Kingston has 15 active Scout Troops, including Air Scout and Sea Scout Troops, each offering Scouting to boys and girls.
• Scout Troops meet for about two hours each week.
• Joining Scouts is a passport to a whole new experience where young people can participate in a wide range of activities, find out about the world they live in, know their own abilities, keep fit for life and develop personal skills.
• As part of the balanced programme, every Scout can enjoy creative and adventurous activities, with a number of Challenge Awards and Activity Badges to earn along the way. Being outdoors is important and there are many opportunities to learn the traditional Scouting skills, such as camping, survival and cooking as well as the wide range of adventurous activities, anything from abseiling to yachting.
• Meeting other Scouts and experiencing life abroad gives Scouting a special appeal. In 2007 the World Jamboree was held in the UK, at which 40,000 young people from around the world celebrated 100 years of Scouting. Some Scouts from Royal Kingston were able to take part in this event. During 2008 several Royal Kingston Scout Troops travelled overseas and others are intending to do so in 2009.
• Scouts in Royal Kingston District often meet together for such activities as day and night hikes, orienteering, conservation and competitive events such as swimming, camping, canoeing, cyclo cross, air rifle, cooking and chess.
• Being a Scout is unique; there is nothing better than being with friends, as part of a team, acquiring new skills and participating fully in the adventure and opportunities of life.

Specific questions about Scouts in The District can be e-mailed to robin.burr@virgin.net

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