About Scouting

Scouting offers fun, challenge and everyday adventure to 400,000 girls and boys across the UK. Offering over 200 different activities from abseiling and archery to drama, street sports and water zorbing, Scouting helps 6-25 year olds (and adult volunteers!) grow in confidence, achieve their full potential and become active members of their communities.

This is only possible through the efforts of 100,000 volunteers across the country who also enjoy the fun and friendship of Scouting.  The Scout Association is a registered charity in the UK and part of a worldwide movement of 31 million Scouts working for peace and global friendship.

• There are now half a million members of Scouting in the UK.
• Scouting in the UK has been growing.
• More young people do adventurous activities as Scouts than with any other organisation.
• Each year Scouts spend over two million nights away from home doing adventurous activities.
• The youngest person to walk to the South Pole was a Scout.
• Each year Scouts tackling the King's Scout Award walk the equivalent distance of once around the world.
• 20 of the 24 Apollo astronauts were Scouts in America.
• 11 of the 12 people to walk on the moon were once Scouts.
• Neil Armstrong carried a World Scout membership badge in his space suit when he walked ont he moon
• John Lennon and Paul McCartney were both Scouts 

‘Scouting’s 500,000 members are an inspiration. It’s great to see it. It’s all about friendship and fun and adventure – people who might not normally have the chance for adventure. Scouts are shining lights in their communities.’
Chief Scout, Bear Grylls

Think you know Scouting? Think again.

If you still think Scouting is just about boys, green tents, woggles and knots, then take a look at our national Scouting website – you might just change your mind (www.scouts.org.uk). With over 200 activities on offer and half a million young members. Scouting offers everyday inclusive adventure to young people and adult volunteers. 

Parents

Parents tell us that Scouting gives their children more confidence, responsibility, a broader set of friends, a chance to pursue things they might not get to do otherwise, adventure and an extended family.

"Scouting gave me a chance when others gave up on me. The leaders helped me to believe in myself. They saw opportunity and possibility in me when others gave up on me."

‘Children learn social skills as well as practical ones. They have to remember things to bring the following week so they have to take a bit of responsibility for their own stuff!’

'When I see Ella at Cubs, doing things for herself and her friends, I’m so impressed. It helps you step back and let them get on with it. ’

‘Scouting helps parents prepare their kids for life’

E-mail us at gsl@2ndgoffsoak.org or use our contact form.