Parent Information
What is Scouting?
Scouting is an international, uniformed, youth movement. It is divided into several main sections:
· Beaver Scouts (6-8 Years of age)
· Cub Scouts (8-10½ Years of age)
· Scouts (10½-14 Years of age)
· Explorer Scouts (14-18 Years of age)
· Scout Network (18-25 Years of age)
The aims of Scouting are clearly stated but can be basically summarised as providing an opportunity for young people to develop, to learn and to enjoy themselves. Scouting can offer a wider range of skills and services than perhaps other, more 'specialised', youth organisations could provide. Scouting is open to any young person, of any creed or colour, mental or physical capabilities and of any sex.
· Beaver Scouts (6-8 Years of age)
· Cub Scouts (8-10½ Years of age)
· Scouts (10½-14 Years of age)
· Explorer Scouts (14-18 Years of age)
· Scout Network (18-25 Years of age)
The aims of Scouting are clearly stated but can be basically summarised as providing an opportunity for young people to develop, to learn and to enjoy themselves. Scouting can offer a wider range of skills and services than perhaps other, more 'specialised', youth organisations could provide. Scouting is open to any young person, of any creed or colour, mental or physical capabilities and of any sex.
So they just do badges and stuff, right?
Not exactly no. All Scout sections offer a flexible training scheme in the form of badges to track the progress of the Scouts and to give a feeling of achievement. There are several types of badges, the 'Chief Scout Award' badges, activity or 'proficiency' badges and challenge badges.
They vary from section to section, but the Challenges and Chief Scout Award badges are designed to provide the main, basic activities and training to be completed. They cover the basics of all types of work, and the important necessities. The proficiency badges provide the option to take a certain activity or hobby in greater detail.
But Scouting is not just about schemes, awards and badges. The 'games' and adventurous activities are very important to Scouting, not just because they are enjoyable, but because they are also important in the young person’s development.
They vary from section to section, but the Challenges and Chief Scout Award badges are designed to provide the main, basic activities and training to be completed. They cover the basics of all types of work, and the important necessities. The proficiency badges provide the option to take a certain activity or hobby in greater detail.
But Scouting is not just about schemes, awards and badges. The 'games' and adventurous activities are very important to Scouting, not just because they are enjoyable, but because they are also important in the young person’s development.
Scouts is all about Fun, Challenge and Adventure
We are the UK's biggest mixed youth organisation. We change lives by offering 6- to 25-year-olds fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and the chance to help others so that we make a positive impact in communities.
Scouts helps children and young adults reach their full potential. Scouts develop skills including teamwork, time management, leadership, initiative, planning, communication, self-motivation, cultural awareness and commitment. We help young people to get jobs, save lives and even change the world.
Scouts helps children and young adults reach their full potential. Scouts develop skills including teamwork, time management, leadership, initiative, planning, communication, self-motivation, cultural awareness and commitment. We help young people to get jobs, save lives and even change the world.
Since its inception Scouting has continually adapted to remain relevant to society, whilst staying rooted to the underlying principles on which it was established more than one hundred years ago.
The purpose of Scouting
Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
The values of Scouting
As Scouts we are guided by these values:
Integrity: We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.
Respect: We have self-respect and respect for others.
Care: We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
Belief: We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
Cooperation: We make a positive difference; we cooperate with others and make friends.
The Scout method
Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and:
The purpose of Scouting
Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
The values of Scouting
As Scouts we are guided by these values:
Integrity: We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.
Respect: We have self-respect and respect for others.
Care: We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
Belief: We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
Cooperation: We make a positive difference; we cooperate with others and make friends.
The Scout method
Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and:
- enjoy what they are doing and have fun;
- take part in activities indoors and outdoors;
- learn by doing;
- share in spiritual reflection;
- take responsibility and make choices;
- undertake new and challenging activities; and
- make and live by their Promise.
The Scouting Structure - Group to District to County
At 1st Topcliffe, your child's adventure begins at Beavers, which then leads to Cubs before further progression into Scouts.
Within 1st Topcliffe Scout Group, we have adult leaders for each section, who give their time voluntarily to help the development of young people. Our Group is led by the Group Scout Leader, whose job is to co-ordinate the Group’s activities and to ensure continuity and development.
The 1st Topcliffe Group Scout Council meets at least once a year usually for an Annual General Meeting. The Council consists of all the adult Members of the Group, as well as you, the children’s parents.
The Executive Committee consists of the Group Scout Leader, usually the Section Leaders and members elected by the Group Council.
If you are interested in joining our Committee at 1st Topcliffe or if you would like more information on our Committee please request this on the contact us page.
In the wider context, our Scout Group is part of the Scout District otherwise known as the Vale of Mowbray District. The Vale of Mowbray or V.o.M for short, is led by the District Commissioner (DC) who is supported by Assistant District Commissioners, District Leaders, Advisers and Administrators. These volunteers provide guidance and support to Scout Groups and their sections.
The Vale of Mowbray District is one of several Districts within the County of North Yorkshire. The County is led by a County Commissioner (CC) who is supported by Deputy and Assistant County Commissioners, Advisers and Administrators.The County Scout Council is run in a similar way to the Group and District Scout Council. Some Counties employ staff, such as a County Secretary or a Development Officer.
For more information on North Yorkshire Scouts why not visit the County website:
www.nys.org.uk
At 1st Topcliffe, your child's adventure begins at Beavers, which then leads to Cubs before further progression into Scouts.
Within 1st Topcliffe Scout Group, we have adult leaders for each section, who give their time voluntarily to help the development of young people. Our Group is led by the Group Scout Leader, whose job is to co-ordinate the Group’s activities and to ensure continuity and development.
The 1st Topcliffe Group Scout Council meets at least once a year usually for an Annual General Meeting. The Council consists of all the adult Members of the Group, as well as you, the children’s parents.
The Executive Committee consists of the Group Scout Leader, usually the Section Leaders and members elected by the Group Council.
If you are interested in joining our Committee at 1st Topcliffe or if you would like more information on our Committee please request this on the contact us page.
In the wider context, our Scout Group is part of the Scout District otherwise known as the Vale of Mowbray District. The Vale of Mowbray or V.o.M for short, is led by the District Commissioner (DC) who is supported by Assistant District Commissioners, District Leaders, Advisers and Administrators. These volunteers provide guidance and support to Scout Groups and their sections.
The Vale of Mowbray District is one of several Districts within the County of North Yorkshire. The County is led by a County Commissioner (CC) who is supported by Deputy and Assistant County Commissioners, Advisers and Administrators.The County Scout Council is run in a similar way to the Group and District Scout Council. Some Counties employ staff, such as a County Secretary or a Development Officer.
For more information on North Yorkshire Scouts why not visit the County website:
www.nys.org.uk
After Scouts - A Parents' Guide
So your child's time at 1st Topcliffe or indeed another Scout Group has come to an end...but what now? Well we can help you there.
Usually, a young person can stay in Scouts at Topcliffe until they are 14 years old. On some occasions, they may be able to stay with us up until the age of 15, depending on the current circumstances.
There are two more stages after Scouts in the UK Scouting pyramid; Explorer Scouts and Network Scouts, which have an ever-increasing wider contact.
Explorers is for young people aged 14-18 years old and is run at a District level. Instead of a Troop, they have Units, many of which have a partnership with a Scout Group.
As 1st Topcliffe group is now part of Ripon Scout District (as of June 2014), we can now send our ex-Scouts onto Ripon District Explorer Scout Unit.
If your son / daughter would like to go to Explorers, then they have the opportunity to attend a Unit meeting with Ripon Explorer Scouts.
Click here to visit the Ripon Scout District website.
At 14 years old there are 3 options;
Different young people over the years have done different things. Some change their mind as they get older. Young Leaders are still technically Explorer Scouts but they only get involved with Beavers, Cubs or Scouts.
For those interested in becoming a Young Leader, they do have to be 14 years old and are not allowed to continue once they've reached 18.
There’s also one other rule which is that they can’t be a Young Leader in Scouts unless they have been gone from the Troop for at least 6 months.
Explorer Scouts is much more laid-back than Scouts and they are allowed more independence and decisions. It’s assumed they've learnt many of the skills so it’s about using them.
One key advantage of staying with Explorers is to do their Duke of Edinburgh. Many schools offer it but they might have to work with other young people who’ve never camped and hiked before. A chance to shine then!
Network is for 18-25 year olds and has a flexible set-up. By the age of 18, many young people will be away from home studying or training, or perhaps into the world of work.
Whilst at university for example, young people can stay involved in the Scout Network. For more information on ‘Network at Uni’, click here.
They have to wait for a place as there is a limit to how many a section can have. This is achieved after training and demonstrating their skills in their section. It can take 2-3 years to do but can be a useful addition to a CV. However, this is optional and some young people come along each week and don’t do the award.
Why would you want your child to stay in Scouting?
There are all sorts of reasons why you and for that matter your child will want to remain part of the Scouting adventure. Here are some of the opportunities on offer:
Let’s put it this way…the opportunities these days for young people are endless!
So your child's time at 1st Topcliffe or indeed another Scout Group has come to an end...but what now? Well we can help you there.
Usually, a young person can stay in Scouts at Topcliffe until they are 14 years old. On some occasions, they may be able to stay with us up until the age of 15, depending on the current circumstances.
There are two more stages after Scouts in the UK Scouting pyramid; Explorer Scouts and Network Scouts, which have an ever-increasing wider contact.
Explorers is for young people aged 14-18 years old and is run at a District level. Instead of a Troop, they have Units, many of which have a partnership with a Scout Group.
As 1st Topcliffe group is now part of Ripon Scout District (as of June 2014), we can now send our ex-Scouts onto Ripon District Explorer Scout Unit.
If your son / daughter would like to go to Explorers, then they have the opportunity to attend a Unit meeting with Ripon Explorer Scouts.
Click here to visit the Ripon Scout District website.
At 14 years old there are 3 options;
- Be an Explorer Scout only remind me
- Be a Young Leader only what’s this?
- Be both - it is possible!
Different young people over the years have done different things. Some change their mind as they get older. Young Leaders are still technically Explorer Scouts but they only get involved with Beavers, Cubs or Scouts.
For those interested in becoming a Young Leader, they do have to be 14 years old and are not allowed to continue once they've reached 18.
There’s also one other rule which is that they can’t be a Young Leader in Scouts unless they have been gone from the Troop for at least 6 months.
Explorer Scouts is much more laid-back than Scouts and they are allowed more independence and decisions. It’s assumed they've learnt many of the skills so it’s about using them.
One key advantage of staying with Explorers is to do their Duke of Edinburgh. Many schools offer it but they might have to work with other young people who’ve never camped and hiked before. A chance to shine then!
Network is for 18-25 year olds and has a flexible set-up. By the age of 18, many young people will be away from home studying or training, or perhaps into the world of work.
Whilst at university for example, young people can stay involved in the Scout Network. For more information on ‘Network at Uni’, click here.
They have to wait for a place as there is a limit to how many a section can have. This is achieved after training and demonstrating their skills in their section. It can take 2-3 years to do but can be a useful addition to a CV. However, this is optional and some young people come along each week and don’t do the award.
Why would you want your child to stay in Scouting?
There are all sorts of reasons why you and for that matter your child will want to remain part of the Scouting adventure. Here are some of the opportunities on offer:
- To take part in National Explorer Unit events and camps such as Gilwell 24.
- They continue to hone their skills and become more independent.
- To be a Young Leader, as this counts as D of E service and also goes toward a recognised award.
- How many job and university applicants will be able to say they’ve done weekly volunteer work for 4 years? Throw in the added bonus of ‘fun’ along the way.
- To do their Duke of Edinburgh Awards, levels for Bronze, Silver and Gold.
- With a Gold D of E Award, they can work towards being a Queen’s Scout, the highest award as a Scouting young person that is highly prized and valued. On the way they’ll do their Diamond and Platinum Chief Scout’s Awards to follow on from their Gold.
- There is the Young Leader scheme and the ultimate is the Young Leader belt award.
- World Jamboree – every young person gets a chance to attend once in their Scouting time. A chance to go on a camp of around 30,000 - 40,000 people with young people from over 180 countries of the world.
- As soon as they’re close to 18, they can do the assessments for activity permits. Perhaps they have an interest in climbing and get their climbing permit. Very useful for gap years, summer jobs, staying around Scouting, demonstrating skills and character on a CV.
- And if they never want to leave Scouting, they can apply to be part of International Support Teams (IST) at National camps, anywhere or even become an Adult Leader and take on the Adult Leader training modules.
Let’s put it this way…the opportunities these days for young people are endless!
Parent Downloads
A selection of useful files that can be downloaded to view or keep for reference.
To view a file, simply click on the relevant 'Download File' link - Copyright waived for Scouting use only.
To save a copy of the file, right click the open document and click 'Save As'.
Some of these files are in .pdf format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view these files. Download your free copy direct from Adobe today.
To view a file, simply click on the relevant 'Download File' link - Copyright waived for Scouting use only.
To save a copy of the file, right click the open document and click 'Save As'.
Some of these files are in .pdf format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view these files. Download your free copy direct from Adobe today.
Click Here to Download
Download our 1st Topcliffe Welcome Pack today!
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For more information why not download the Welcome Pack for 1st Topcliffe Scout Group. Click the link to the right.
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