A Scout County (also Scout Area ) is an administrative division within The Scout Association of the United Kingdom . There are currently 115 Counties and Areas in the United Kingdom. These bodies are responsible for providing programmes and support for their member Scout Districts .
96-534: The Scout Network is the sixth and final youth section of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom , catering for those aged between 18 and 25 years. The section was formally introduced in February 2002 alongside Explorer Scouts with both replacing the former Venture Scouts section for fifteen-and-a-half- to twenty-year-olds. Its programme is structured differently from the other sections, focusing on achieving
192-480: A Beret instead of the Campaign hat . The Advance Party Report was not welcomed by all involved and a rival report, A Boy Scout Black Paper , was produced in 1970 by The Scout Action Group. This provided alternative proposals for the development of the organisation and asked for groups that wished to continue to follow Baden-Powell's original scheme to be permitted to do so. The rejection of these proposals resulted in
288-504: A blueprint for a new section that would "comprise a collection of motivated individuals, willing to initiate and participate in activities and opportunities created or accessed by themselves" called "The Scout Network" and run nationally. The outcome of these trials was that the section was of great benefit, especially for enabling social interaction between members who had other roles within Scouting either as leaders or Venture Scouts, but that
384-562: A boost when the Duchess of Cambridge announced her intention to become a volunteer leader for the organisation with a Scout Group near her Anglesey home. In the decade up to 2014, the number of adult volunteers increased by 14,596 to a total of over 104,000. A new Strategic Plan entitled Scouting for All was launched in 2014 to outline the organisation's focus to 2018. It proposed four key areas of activity: growth, inclusivity, youth-shaped Scouting and community impact. As part of this, in 2014,
480-530: A designated flag design. In England , Wales and Northern Ireland the flag is grey with white location name, a white scout emblem on a purple circular background in the middle of the flag and the scout motto 'Be Prepared' underneath is small white lettering. The flag in Scotland uses similar colours, with the addition of a St. Andrew's Cross next to the hoist. Upon launch in 2002, the Scout Network section had
576-473: A faith. There are variations of the organisation's Scout Promise to accommodate all religions or beliefs. While originally requiring a promise of "Duty to God", following criticism, in October 2013, the organisation announced that an alternative version of the promise would be available from January 2014 to admit those without a pronounced faith. Disability The organisation is open to all abilities. Flexibility
672-403: A local Scout Network programme. The distinction between active participants and those only holding other Scouting roles was reinstated in 2020 and is reported from that date. Scout Network is coeducational, and as of January 2023, 37.4% of Scout Network exclusive members are female. Members of Scout Network, in common with other Scouts , make a promise soon after joining the section. This promise
768-408: A major review in the 1960s. The Chief Scouts' Advance Party was formed in 1964 and was sent to survey the organisation to see why participation was falling. Their report was published in 1966 and changes were implemented later that year and throughout 1967. As a result, the word "boy" was dropped from the organisation's name which was changed to The Scout Association and major changes were made to
864-506: A new and stylised fleur-de-lis, the Scout Network logo was altered to remove the previous fleur-de-lis mark. Publications either continued the use of the previous artwork or used the new image style of the association, with the Google Fonts typeface Nunito Sans used. There are a number of national and international events open to Scout Network members in addition to projects and events held at more local levels and open to members from outside
960-503: A number of the Scout Network are all working towards the same goal, this is encouraged through the formation of a project team. The programme is split into three areas (Community, International and Adventure), linking to the recommendations of the Be... Initiative. The activities of the Network are now classified as either a project, long term in nature with a clear goal, or an event, happening on just
1056-647: A presentation at Windsor Castle for those who achieve the award. In addition to those two awards, the Network members can also undertake the Explorer Belt Award, which was pre-existing from Venture Scouts, and allows members to undertake a 10-day international expedition and the International Scouts of the World Award which focuses on making a social impact through an international journey. Until its discontinuation in 2015, Network members could also earn
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#17328489838351152-539: A rectangular grey logo with 'Network' written in yellow in the Casady & Greene font Highland Gothic with the K at the end of the logo transformed into an arrow from the righthand edge of the logo. Scout Network publications at this time also used the Highland Gothic typeface for headings, with Frutiger used for body text in line with the rest of the association. In 2013, revised guidelines were produced which allowed for
1248-495: A renewed emphasis on outdoor adventure and it now offers over 200 fun and adventurous activities from abseiling and archery while also offering a wider range of development opportunities, from coding to music and drama. In 2004 the organisation appointed television presenter Peter Duncan as its Chief Scout, who was succeeded by adventurer Bear Grylls in July 2009. The organisation appointed its first UK Chief Commissioner, Wayne Bulpitt , on
1344-568: A separate organisation, the Girl Guides were created by Baden-Powell and his sister, Agnes , to provide a more "proper" programme of activities. In 1916, the organisation launched its Wolf Cubs , for boys aged 8 to 11. In 1918, the organisation launched its Rovers for those over 18 who had grown out of being Scouts but wanted to be remain connected. During the First World War , more than 50,000 Scouts participated in some form of war work on
1440-536: A similar structure to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme and these latter awards can be used to complete the Scouting equivalent. The awards require members to undertake an extended period of physical activity, voluntary service and skill improvement as well as an expedition and a residential experience for the Queen's Scout Award. The King's Scout Award in particular is considered the top award for Scout Network members and includes
1536-528: A social and activity weekend at Woodhouse Park specifically for Scout Network members. When Woodhouse Park joined the Scout Activity Centres network in April 2011, Intense began appearing as a national event although the team running the event remained the same. The signature activity of Intense was the ' piano bash' where teams raced to cut up a piano and fit the pieces through a letter box. The last event
1632-445: A strong upturn, with the organisation claiming its highest rate of growth in UK since 1972, with total claimed participation reaching just under half a million. In 2014, the organisation claimed an increase in youth enrolments of 100,000 in the ten years since 2004. In 2016 it claimed eleven years of consecutive growth and an increase in female enrolment, with 25% of participants now female in
1728-623: A support role. Exceptions to this could be applied for, such as for districts running joint Networks or for a County Network to carry on, however this is not encouraged. The District Scout Network Commissioner role was created to support the district Network and to take on the mentoring and advisory role formerly occupied by the Scout Network Leaders. The Scout Network members themselves continue to be in charge of their own programme, now led by appointed programme co-ordinators who support other members in their programme and personal development. If
1824-404: A total of 99,989 female participants, aged between 6 and 25. 69,460 adult women were involved in volunteer roles (being more than 1 adult female for every 2 female young people). The organisation's programmes are open to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other (LGBTQA+) young people and adults. Religion The organisation's programmes are open to those of any religion or without
1920-408: A treasurer to manage the day-to-day affairs of the Network. In larger County networks there can often be large committees made up of representatives from all the Network groups. The programme was also updated from eight programme zones into three self development areas (International, Community, Skills and Development), different from the structure of the other sections which at this time were unifying
2016-409: A uniform badge available to celebrate the occasion. Between August and December 2013, a youth consultation was held into the future of Scouting under the title of Be... initiative. The report recommended a digital space for Scout Network members and a number of nationally delivered high quality events on a community, adventure and international theme. In 2015 the structure and programme of Scout Network
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#17328489838352112-505: Is a 30 miles (48 km) navigation challenge over a weekend in July in the Lake District . Teams of Explorer Scouts or Scout Network members have to navigate from an unknown starting point to the known end point while avoiding capture. There are multiple Monopoly Runs each year that take place in London based on the board game of the same name . All focus on visiting various points around
2208-466: Is built-in to badge and award requirements for those with special needs. Some counties and areas have a specialist commissioner or adviser to support inclusion. Robert Baden-Powell was keen to allow young people with disabilities to take part in Scouting. The disabled branch (later called Extension Scouting ) was formed in 1926. However, in more recent years, emphasis has been placed on integrating young people with disabilities into mainstream Groups. After
2304-454: Is exclusively for Scout Network members only. The Network Festival originated in 2005 it is hosted in Coventry and run by the Scout Network in that location. It is themed each year with activities and fancy dress linking in to this; activities are varied and tend towards social, competitions and other outdoor activities. It is exclusively open to Scout Network members. Revolution is based on
2400-562: Is the same as that used for any member of The Scout Association from age ten and a half and includes a promise to do their best, help other people and a duty to a higher purpose. There are different variations of the promise to accommodate members of different faiths (and none) and whether they are a resident of the United Kingdom. The promise also requires the member to follow the Scout law. These seven statements are also common to all members of
2496-484: Is to provide "fun, adventure and skills for life and give young people the opportunity to enjoy new adventures, experience outdoors and take part in a range of creative, community and international activities, interact with others, make new friends, gain confidence and have the opportunity to reach their full potential". Membership is open to male and female participants, of all abilities, and of any religion including people outside any faith. Gender From 1912 to 1967,
2592-685: The 3rd World Scout Jamboree at Arrowe Park in Cheshire ; some 56,000 Scouts from 35 countries attended, making it the largest World Scout Jamboree to date. The first Gang Show , produced by Ralph Reader , opened at the Scala Theatre in London in October 1932. Following the outbreak of World War II , over 50,000 Scouts trained under the National War Service scheme. Tasks undertaken included police messengers and stretcher bearers. In January 1941,
2688-662: The International Conference of the Boy Scout Movement now called the World Organization of the Scout Movement, of which the organisation was a founding member. The Boy Scouts Headquarters Gazette was first published in July 1909, as a publication for adult Scouters and administrators, alongside The Scout , a magazine for youths which had been launched in April 1908. In 1929, the organisation hosted
2784-505: The Isle of Wight , and is open to Explorer Scouts, Scout Network members and members of the Student Scout and Guide Organisation . It celebrated its 25th event in 2019, having begun in 1995 as a Venture Scout event. The theme changes each year with the activities, based off-site around the island, linked in to the theme: the 2018 event for example had a theme of the 'Greatest Show on Earth' and all
2880-464: The Second World War , specialist Agoonoree camps were run to cater for those unable to camp with their own Scout Groups, with some still running today. For the origins of Boy Scouts and the Scout Movement, before the formation of The Scout Association, see Scouting . The organisation was formed in 1910, in order to provide a national body in the United Kingdom which could organise and support
2976-507: The home front . Scout buglers sounded the "all clear" after air raids or air strike, others helped in hospitals and made up aid parcels; Sea Scouts assisted the Coastguard in watching the vulnerable East coast. In 1920, the organisation organised the first World Jamboree , held in Olympia , London , together with an international conference for leaders which led to the formation, in 1922, of
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3072-411: The "council" in its incorporating charter. The majority of the council are elected by the council itself with the council or its board also appointing all its officers and all commissioner members. Even those nominated by Scout Counties to the council require previous appointment to their positions or approval by the council's board or officers appointed by the board. The council elects a board (called
3168-461: The 25 years since girls were first welcomed in 1976. The organisation claims one of its biggest challenges is encouraging more adults to volunteer to reduce the number of young people on waiting lists (cited at around 40,000). However, by its reported figures (above) it has a high ratio of more than 1 adult volunteer to 4 participant young people (see above), and "young people" includes adults aged 18 to 25. The effort to attract new volunteers received
3264-618: The British Empire. In 1910, the organisation approved special uniforms for Sea Scouts and formally adopted use of the name in 1912. On 4 January 1912, the organisation was incorporated throughout the British Empire by Royal charter for "the purpose of instructing boys of all classes in the principles of discipline loyalty and good citizenship". The organisation's programme was originally just for boys aged between 11 and 18. However, many girls and younger boys wanted to join in. In 1910,
3360-509: The District team taking the roles of the County team, and there are some Specialist Networks, usually based at an Activity Centre, that focuses around certain activities only. The Leadership structure of a Scout Network consists of a Scout Network Leader, who is essentially an advisor or mentor to the members, and elected members of the Network who help to run it. This usually includes a chairperson and
3456-476: The District, Networks partnered with one group, specialist Networks as part of a specific club or centre or a University Network. The programme for the section consisted of eight programme zones, those of the top awards and the partnership awards. Activities were meant to link to each programme zone and an adequate balance ensured. The eight zones were outdoors, skills, physical recreation, community service, environemt, international, relationships and values. Since
3552-432: The Network themselves, navy blue trousers or skirt and scout belt. Designed by Meg Andrew in 2000, they were designed to be suitable for activity wear and outdoor use while also being stylish and affordable. Following the 2006 review, a Scout Network identifying badge was added to the uniform to tell members apart from other volunteers, located on the right chest. The design of this badge was updated in 2015 and 2019 to reflect
3648-597: The Partnership Awards for working on large-scale projects with another group. The Scout Network is a uniformed movement as part of the Scouts. Unlike the younger sections, which have their own distinct uniform style, the Scout Network share their uniform with other adult volunteers and leaders. This consists of a cream coloured (described as 'stone' by the Scout Association) shirt or blouse, a neckerchief determined by
3744-635: The Scout Association from age ten and half upwards and, with the promise, reinforces the values of the movement. In contrast to other Scout sections, members of the Scout Network cannot achieve any Challenge or Activity badges with the programme instead focusing on skills that could help in future life. Scout Network members are able to work towards the Chief Scout's Diamond Award and the King's Scout Award (Queen's Scout Award from 2001-2022). These awards share
3840-678: The Scout Association; Tim Kidd was the National Co-ordinator of The Scout Network and is, as of 2020, the UK Chief Commissioner of the Scout Association while Craig Turpie , formerly the National Communications Manager for The Scout Network, is currently, as of 2020, Chairman to the World Scout Committee . The new section was officially launched in February 2002 with all Venture Scout Units switching to
3936-535: The Scout Fellowship (now Scout Active Support ). One of the early problems suffered by the Scout Network involved the transition from a four section to a five section system. Of the 18,397 Venture Scouts in 2,612 units in January 2002, only 1,474 made the transfer to Scout Network a year later in 153 different Networks. Scout Network has consistently experienced significantly lower levels of membership when compared to
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4032-443: The UK and the negative stereotype as being old fashioned. To keep up with trends and appeal to audience new generation, a new uniform, designed by Meg Andrew, was launched in 2001. The uniform included a variety of bold colours, with the younger sections wearing sweatshirts and activity trousers. In 2002 the organisation launched its new vision towards 2012, which heralded another period of change. The Venture Scouts programme
4128-725: The UK which are open to Scout Network members across the UK as participants and more which accept members in leadership, instructor and team roles. The Apex Challenge events range in duration from a day to a weekend and consist of teams of Explorer Scouts or Scout Network members navigating between a variety of adventurous activity bases over a wide area, usually in Yorkshire , Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire . The 2018 event at Bramham Park in West Yorkshire attracted nearly 400 participants and involved kayaking, mountain biking and tomahawk throwing as signature activities. The Dragnet challenge
4224-549: The UK, with 83,792 direct adults leaders but 68,974 adults in "governance", "support" and other roles, which is more than one adult for each 3 children. The organisation's participation declined 22% from 464,700 in 2018 and has not recovered despite commencing a programme for even younger children. Its programmes include Squirrels (aged 4–6), Beavers (aged 6–8), Cubs (aged 8– 10 + 1 ⁄ 2 ), Scouts (aged 10 + 1 ⁄ 2 –14), Explorer Scouts (aged 14–18) and adult Network members (aged 18–25). The organisation's current aim
4320-718: The activities linked in to 'Great' figures for example archery for Robin Hood and drumming for Dave Grohl . Former events include the aforementioned Intense, the Sedan Chair rally held until 2013 in Buckinghamshire and EVO in Hampshire. The Scout Association The Scout Association is the largest Scout organisation in the United Kingdom . Following the rapid development of the Scout Movement from 1907, The Scout Association
4416-511: The age sections and their respective programmes. The youngest section were now named Cubs , the Boy Scout section was renamed simply as the Scout section and the Senior Scouts and Rovers sections were replaced with Venture Scouts for 16- to 20-year-olds. The uniform were also changed with the inclusion of optional long trousers, as opposed to the compulsory wearing of shorts, and the wearing of
4512-523: The associations efforts, membership in the early years of the 2020s did not rise as quickly as they had expected, requiring further staff redundancies in April 2024 to cover missing membership fees. Announced as part of the Skills For Life strategic plan in May 2018, from 2019 the organisation trialled an early years programme section. The name initially chosen for the pilots, involving children aged 4–6 years,
4608-487: The board of trustees and formerly called the committee of the council), which manages the organisation, determines its " Policy, Organisation and Rules " (POR), nominates members of the council and makes all appointments within the organisation. The King is patron of the organisation. Its joint presidents are The Duke of Kent and The Princess of Wales . The council elects the organisation's Chief Scout . In September 2024, Bear Grylls , announced his resignation from
4704-413: The city in a speedy time with some choosing their own points each year and others using the places on the standard board game. The Network Gathering is held around Easter annually at Great Tower Scout Adventures and lasts for four days. As well as social activities in the evening, activities offered include indoor climbing, walking in the Lake District , sailing, mountain biking and ghee scrambling. It
4800-568: The commitment to developing community impact, the organisation launched a three-year community impact project called "A Million Hands" to mobilise half a million Scouts to support four social issues chosen by their young people. Its aim is to build real and lasting relationships in communities that will enable young people to continue taking "social action" long into the future. The project works in partnership with six key charities; Mind , Alzheimer's Society , Leonard Cheshire Disability , Guide Dogs , Water Aid and Canal & River Trust to support
4896-631: The early 1950s, some Boy Scouts were dismissed or marginalized in their Scout Groups due to their involvement with the Young Communist League or related communist activities – the most high-profile case being that of Paul Garland from Bristol in 1954 which resulted in media reports and a debate in the House of Lords, where the organisation's Chief Scout , Lord Rowallan , defended the organisation's political and religious discrimination based on foreign communist regimes' antipathy to Scout organisations and
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#17328489838354992-747: The formation of the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association . Several developments were made over the following years, including the admission of girls, initially restricted to the Venture Scouts section in 1976, but from 1991 junior sections were allowed to become mixed as well, starting in Bradford, West Yorkshire and working its way throughout the UK. Parents of children involved with the organisation in Northern Ireland also began to organise activities for children who were too young for Cubs. Initially, only
5088-540: The four key issues of dementia, disability, mental wellbeing and resilience and clean water and sanitation. Also in 2015, Dr Ann Limb was appointed chair of the organisation, the first woman to hold the post. Already Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), Limb was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to young people and philanthropy. In September 2016, Tim Kidd replaced Wayne Bulpitt as
5184-618: The immediate area. In contrast to the younger sections, there are currently no national events run by the Scout Association for Scout Network members alone; Gilwell Reunion based at Gilwell Park in North London and held in September each year is open to Scout Network members and has a focus on supporting all adults in Scouting through programme ideas but also hosts social events and adventurous activities that those on site can take part in. Between 2004 and 2017, Avon Scout Network ran Intense ,
5280-411: The largest drop in numbers since 1941. The financial situation of the association declined during the pandemic and in the aftermath, necessitating the selling of an activity centre and hostel and 150 staff being made redundant. Additionally, a recruitment campaign for 10,000 volunteer leaders was launched to replace volunteers who departed and build capacity for the high demand from young people. Despite
5376-466: The leaders of these activities, nicknamed Beavers , were registered and organisation officials, with the children participating not being enrolled by the organisation until it formally adopted the programme in 1986. In the late 1990s, a Muslim Scout Fellowship was formed, which by the end of 2007, had assisted the establishment of 13 Muslim Scout Groups in England and Wales. Despite these and other changes,
5472-462: The logo to be extended to the right, emphasising the arrow, and introducing a six-degree angle to publications in line with the rest of the association style. In 2015, the Scout Association updated their visual identity style, including the section brands, to focus on the Scouting fleur-de-lis . The new Scout Network logo was a thick, black lower case wordmark with a small fleur-de-lis either located to
5568-623: The most recent 24th World Scout Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve , United States . Network members are also able to attend the World Scout Moot as participants which, like a World Scout Jamboree, takes place every four years in countries across the world. The next Moot is due to take place in Portugal in 2025. In place of events run by the Scout Association directly, there are a number of other events run by Scout bodies across
5664-569: The new system by December 2003. The section originally formed part of the Scout County, with responsibility for the Network coming from there, and its members were every member of The Scout Association in the section's age range of 18 to 25 years. The Network would therefore include normal youth members as well as leaders, skills instructors and members of the Scout Fellowship , providing a social base for all members of that age, although no meeting
5760-465: The number and content of their programme zones. These new development areas also reflect the requirements for the top awards. The Chief Scout's Platinum award, which matched the Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze award, was removed from the section and reserved for Explorers only. In 2015 the structure of Scout Network changed to be entirely district led with one Scout Network per district, with Scout counties providing
5856-457: The one occasion. At the launch of Scout Network, a distinction was made between those who participated in a Scout Network programme only and those who held other roles in Scouting as well, such as section leaders or those who are part of the Scout Fellowship . Between 2015 and 2020, any member of the Scout Association aged between 18–25 years were automatically classified as a member of Scout Network, regardless of whether they actively take part in
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#17328489838355952-611: The organisation celebrated the centenary of its Cub section , named Cubs100. The centenary celebrations marked the launch of the fully developed Wolf Cub programme on 16 December 2016, a date which is regarded as the "official birthday of Cubs". Adventurer Steve Backshall was appointed Cubs100 Ambassador to raise the profile of the anniversary year. A range of events took place throughout 2016, from adventure camps to locally organised "promise parties" on 16 December itself, at which Cubs renewed their promises. One promise [arty in Kings Lynn
6048-408: The organisation for "moving with the times" and others feeling the changes went "against the Scouting ethos of Baden-Powell". Further changes took place in 2003 when the organisation's Adult Training Scheme was relaunched to be more focused and targeted to the volunteers individual role as opposed to the more general training received before. The organisation also began to change in its focus, with
6144-587: The organisation in Northern Ireland. The name is also recognised by many due to its links to the popular children's programme Hey Duggee . Squirrels wear a red sweatshirt uniform and meet in Dreys organised within Scout groups. The initial 200 dreys were targeted to areas previously under-served by the organisation including diverse areas and those comprising a high number of low income households. The organisation consists of between just 300 and 500 members, called
6240-557: The organisation introduced the role of its national youth commissioner. The organisation's national youth commissioner works with its national leadership team; its chief executive, its Chief Scout, its chief commissioner and its chair of the board of trustees, to contribute to discussions on behalf of youths and ensuring key changes are subject to youth consultation. Counties and district units were encouraged to appoint their own youth commissioners for young people to have an opportunity to influence their activities. In October 2015, as part of
6336-571: The organisation launched an online package of activities called "the Great Indoors" and a national fund raising campaign called "Hike to the Moon" in aid of those affected by the crisis, as well as online briefings for adult leaders. Despite these initiatives, in May 2021 it was announced that enrolment numbers had fallen by over 100,000 (from 480,083 to 362,752), with the number of adult leaders falling from 156,000 in 2020 to just under 141,000, reported to be
6432-625: The organisation launched its Air Scout branch, allowing Scout Troops to specialise in activities related to aircraft and flying. The organisation continued to be headed by Baden-Powell, as its Chief Scout and chairman for life until he retired to Kenya in 1938 where he died on 8 January 1941. The organisation then appointed Lord Somers as its Chief Scout. Starting in 1944, the Scout International Relief Service (SIRS) sent teams of Rovers and Scouters to continental Europe to provide humanitarian aid ; ten SIRS teams worked at
6528-475: The organisation was called The Boy Scouts Association, and until 1976 only boys were admitted to its programmes. In 1910, Baden-Powell created an entirely separate organisation with a different name, the Girl Guides for girls. From December 1916, following the introduction of the organisation's Wolf Cubs programme for 8 to 10 year olds, in which Vera Barclay played a pivotal role, the organisation permitted women to take on limited volunteer roles, working with
6624-451: The organisation's chief commissioner. Kidd has been involved with the organisation his whole life, starting as a Cub and then as a volunteer, in various leadership roles including Scout leader, district commissioner and county commissioner. In the 2016 Birthday Honours , Kidd was appointed an OBE for services to young people. Kidd's term will end in September 2021, with applications open for a replacement in September 2020. Throughout 2016,
6720-427: The organisation's enrolments fell into a decline through the 1990s. This spurred a major review into the causes of the decline in 1999. The organisation found itself competing for young people's time against many other extracurricular activities and schools themselves which were increasingly venturing into the same types of activities. In addition, adult leaders became concerned with the growing litigation culture in
6816-600: The organisation's policy and Scout Promise requiring adherence to an organised religion and not accepting atheists. The matter was withdrawn without a division , and it took 60 more years for the organisation to change its discriminatory policy and accept atheists. In 1957, to commemorate fifty years of Scouting and the centenary of Baden-Powell's birth, the organisation hosted the 9th World Scout Jamboree , which took place at Sutton Park in Birmingham . The organisation's programmes went largely unchanged until it underwent
6912-527: The phased roll out of the section over a period of years until it was in a position to introduce the section formally, now under the name Squirrels , in September 2021. The name was chosen after field testing in communities underrepresented in the organisation's programmes, and because of the support of the Northern Ireland Squirrel Association that subsequently merged into the organisation after 25 years of independent operation alongside
7008-409: The proposed 'choices' programme did not work in practice and that to initiate activities and "achieve interaction between members" smaller groups would be needed rather than a national structure. Many of their recommendations would form part of the eventual Scout Network section and the structure it would take. Some of the national members involved in the project would go on to have prominent roles within
7104-459: The rapidly growing number of Scout patrols and troops, which had already formed spontaneously following the publication of Scouting for Boys and The Scout magazine in 1908. It was also the wish of Robert Baden-Powell to separate control of the Scout Movement from his book's publisher. It was felt it was not given the status it deserved, as the publisher C. Arthur Pearson controlled much of Scouts. The organisation grew and spread to much of
7200-431: The recently relieved Bergen-Belsen concentration camp . After years of trial schemes, in 1946, the organisation launched its Senior Scout programme for Boy Scouts aged fifteen to eighteen years to form separate patrols or troops, with age appropriate activities and badges. Scouts were prominent in their support of the 1948 Summer Olympics , playing leading roles in the open and closing ceremonies at Wembley Stadium and
7296-547: The responsibility of Scout Network was the relevant County/Area/Region with a commissioner and administrator providing central management for the section. A role existed for Network Leader, although this was created to provide specific support to create new networks. There was a great deal of flexibility over the formation of local Networks within the County/Area/Region with suggestions including Networks covering an entire county, Networks covering one district and supported by
7392-440: The rest of the movement. As a result, a review was undertaken over eighteen months between starting in mid-2004. The outcome of this review led to the introduction of Scout Network Leaders to help administer and guide the Network, additional local Networks rather than a single County Network and the introduction of a District Scout Network. In 2012 the section, along with Explorer Scouts , celebrated their tenth anniversaries with
7488-416: The review of 2004-2006 there have been three distinct types of Scout Network structure. The first is a modified version of the original structure and sees the Network centrally run and operated by a County/Area/Region . A second allows for multiple Networks in one County as long as each come together for some shared events each year. In addition to this model Networks can also be run on a District level, with
7584-419: The role. The organisation's Chief Commissioner, currently Carl Hankinson, acts as its Deputy Chief Scout and appoints a team of commissioners who are responsible for programmes in their respective fields. The board employ paid staff to implement their directions and policies. The chief executive, currently Aidan Jones October 2024, manages the work of the headquarters staff. In 2014, the organisation created
7680-465: The roles of Youth Commissioner and Deputy Youth Commissioner to work with the national leadership team to advocate on behalf of youth participants. Scout Counties The term County is used by England and Northern Ireland , while Area is used in Wales and Region in Scotland . For the purposes of this article, the term County is used where County, Area or Region can be applied. Counties are led by
7776-466: The sailing events at Torbay . The first Bob a Job Week took place in April 1949, in which Scouts did small tasks for the public in return for a " bob " - colloquial name for the shilling coin (5 new pence) - to raise funds for the organisation and for C. Arthur Pearson's fund for the blind. Over the organisation's history, some boys had been challenged to justify their enrolment because of their own or even their parents' religious or political beliefs. In
7872-464: The same day, with a particular remit to support volunteers, grow and develop the organisation. The organisation hosted several major events during this time including EuroJam in 2005, hosting 10,000 Scouts and Guides from 40 countries, the 21st World Scout Jamboree in 2007 as well as playing a major role in the centenary celebrations of Scouting that same year, with celebration events organised on Brownsea Island . By 2010, census figures showed
7968-553: The strategy and change the then 17-year-old logo. The major changes included a new typeface for documents and literature from the organisation, new colours with an updated corporate logo. This was introduced to the organisation on a two-year transition period. As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic , in March 2020, the organisation's face-to-face activities were suspended and weekly meetings had to be delivered through Zoom . To support this,
8064-407: The top awards of the section, such as the King's Scout award rather than other badges. It is largely self run by the members of the section, as opposed to being led by a team of adult leaders. Scout Network was created as a result of the Scout Association's Programme Review that began in 1995. Throughout the 1990s, the Scout Association had been losing 30,000 members each year and so a new programme
8160-416: The top right of the wordmark or a larger version located directly above the wordmark. Publications moved away from pictures and instead featured an artwork style that the association described as being "Editorial, sophisticated, expressive". The typeface used was brought into line with the rest of the association, with TheSerif used for headings. When the Scout Association brand was updated in May 2018, with
8256-455: The updated logo for the section. Scout Network members with links to a Sea Scout or Air Scout group, either through a role as a leader or through links as a Scout Network, may instead wear the uniform of those divisions. These consist of a light blue shirt or blouse instead of the cream colour of 'land' members and the addition of a hat; a peaked cap for Sea Scouts and a beret for Air Scouts. Similar to other sections, Scout Networks have
8352-418: The website. A series of virtual badges were created through the website allowing members to earn them for completing activities. In 2018 the Scouts published their Skills for Life plan which included acknowledged that young people drop out of the Scout's 6-25 programme between 14 and 25 years. In response, they aim to conduct a review of the Scout Network provision by 2023. When the section was first launched,
8448-402: The younger boys. In 1976, girls were allowed to join the organisation's Venture Scouts for 16 to 20 year-olds. In 1991, the admission of girls to all the organisation's programmes became optional. Since 2007, this has been compulsory. As of 2018 , girls made up 71% of all new members, with approximately 2.5 girls for every boy. Girls also made up 27% of all the organisation's participants, with
8544-458: Was Hedgehogs and involved a programme funded by the Department for Education and delivered either as an organisation-led programme, a parent-led programme or a partner-led early years programme. The aim of the pilot was to explore early years provision with children of this age and determine whether this is a route the organisation should take. The organisation decided to proceed with the pilot and
8640-479: Was attended by the Duchess of Cambridge. In May 2018, the organisation announced a new 'Skills For Life' strategy as its focus to 2023. Its objectives are similar (with the same outcomes of growth, inclusivity, youth shaped Scouting and community impact) , however there is now more of a framework to develop and achieve the objectives . Alongside the new strategy launch, the organisation launched new branding to support
8736-518: Was changed once again, including the recommendations in the report. That year the Scout Network website was launched with events in different areas of the programme advertised to all members of the movement aged between 18 and 25 years. Responsibility for Scout Network units was handed down to districts with members able to engage in their local Network or the UK Scout Network, run by national commissioners running events and longer term projects through
8832-410: Was developed to be implemented in the new millennium. A working group looking into a possible provision for 18-25 year olds was established in September 1994 and ran until November 1995 when it was dispanded and its findings used to create a second working group which put those plans into action. Running from 1996 until 1998, this second working group, and the subsequent year long trial afterwards, created
8928-449: Was discontinued and two new sections were introduced: Scout Network for 18- to 25-year-olds, as well as Explorer Scouts for 14- to 18-year-olds. A new programme was introduced, complete with a new range of badges and awards covering a wider variety of topics such as Public Relations and Information Technology, developing practical and employability skills. The new badges drew mixed reactions from several public figures, with some praising
9024-633: Was formed in 1910 and incorporated in 1912 by a royal charter under its previous name of The Boy Scouts Association . It is a founding member organisation of the World Organization of the Scout Movement . The organisation is the largest national Scout organisation in Europe , representing 35% of the participants of the European Scout Region . As of 2024 , the organisation claimed to provide activities to 444,682 infants to youths (aged 4–18) in
9120-545: Was held in 2017 with the team announcing the end of Intense in March 2018. Scout Network members are eligible to join World Scout Jamborees as International Service team members, supporting the approximately 4,000 Explorer Scouts who attend the WSJ every four years in countries across the world. The purpose of the event is to take part in activities with Scouts from across the world with some 45,000 scouts from 152 countries at
9216-483: Was mandatory. The revised age ranges were chosen to ensure that the Explorer Scout section received a suitable number of members and to align both sections with the age ranges of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award . All meetings were to be led by the Network itself. Because members could come from and take part in several different parts of Scouting, the uniform chosen was the same as that used by adult Leaders and members of
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