UK Scouting has experienced its biggest growth spurt since 1972, taking total membership to 499,323.
Census results, released today, show 16,568 new
adult and youth members in the UK since 31 January 2009.
This impressive surge in membership – the fifth consecutive year
of growth – has helped cement Scouting’s position as the largest
co-educational youth Movement in the country.
Falklands veteran Simon Weston is President of Welsh Scouting. He said, 'Scouting has changed so much in recent years that I am anxious to learn more about the amazing range of activities now available. I hope that I can inspire more adults to give up some of their time to help with the organising and support of Scouting.'
So why are so many people signing up? For Kate Lloyd, a Scout leader at the 100th St George's Newcastle troop, the answer is clear. "People are coming to the Scouts because of the activities they offer," she said. "Rock climbing, canoeing, abseiling and other outdoor activities. Schools are turning away from them because they're concerned about health and safety. The Scouts are carrying on with these just the same. People turn up to our Scout group because they want to do these sorts of things."
More teenagers are joining Scouting
A large part of the growth is due to record numbers of teenagers joining. This is the fastest-growing age group with new members in the last year up 5.4 per cent on 2009. This means there are now 66,299 teenagers in Scouting – over 26 per cent more than when detailed records began in 2001 (52,481).
Adults can gain by giving their time
Adults can get just as much out of Scouting as young people.
Not only through enjoying the same activities, but also by
developing skills that can be transferred into other areas of
their lives. For the second year running, The Scout Association
has seen a rise in adult Leaders with growth up from 2,505 in
2009 to 2,871 this year. But despite this growth, waiting lists
to join Scouting remain at an all-time high due to the need for
more adult volunteers.
While The Scout Association has been able to create over 13,500
new places this year thanks to 2,871 new adults volunteering
their time to local Groups, there are currently over 33,500
young people waiting to join Scouting throughout the UK.
Grace, 16, said 'Scouting’s awesome. I totally love being
involved. I mean - you get to do so many amazing activities that
you just wouldn’t get to do elsewhere. It’s great! I joined a
couple of years ago because my friends told me I should. I’d
definitely encourage others to join.'
Chief Scout Bear Grylls said, 'It’s fantastic to witness such a
huge surge in Scouting - the biggest growth for thirty eight
years - and it is proof that Scouting is appealing more and more
to teenagers.
'Scouting is empowering, wild and fun, and offers so many adventure-based activities for young people and adults alike. My goal is for every young person that wants to be involved in Scouting to be able to be. So I hope to inspire even more adults to volunteer and help this happen.'
Join Scouting
The Scout Association is the largest co-educational youth movement in the UK. It strives to ensure that its young people fulfil their full physical, intellectual social and spiritual potentials by working in teams, learning by doing and thinking for themselves. Adults working in Scouting contribute in excess of 364 million hours of voluntary work each year to their local communities.
Every Section (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Network) has a Leader. The Leader has overall responsibility for the running of the Section. This means planning and delivering the Balanced Programme with the help of Assistant Leaders and Section Assistants.
Section Leaders can choose to lead one of the following Sections:
- Beavers (aged 6-8)
- Cubs (aged 8-10½)
- Scouts (aged 10½-14)
- Explorers (aged 14-18)
- Network (aged 18-25)
Leaders are responsible for the young people in the Section and for any adults helping to deliver the Programme.
Assistant Leaders support the Section Leader in delivering the Balanced Programme. This can mean anything from helping to plan and run games or activities, or helping to keep records up to date. The responsibilities of an Assistant Leader will depend on their own interests and on what they agree with the Leader.
Assistant Leaders are supported by Section Assistants, as well as by other Assistant Leaders.
All our Sections need helpers. Outdoor activities and nights away require a certain number of adults in relation to the number of young people. So by helping out whenever they can, Section Assistants could be enabling an extra 6 (in the case of Beavers) or 12 (in the case of Scouts) young people to participate in Scouting.
More importantly, Section Assistants provide invaluable support to Leaders and Assistant Leaders. Regularly attending meetings to collect subs (fees) or to make refreshments means that the Leaders have more time to deliver the programme to young people.
Parents and family members are encouraged, where possible, to help out a Section in some way. Some Sections will organise rotas where support can be given once or twice a term by all the parents in the Section. This should be used as an opportunity to get involved in what the young people are doing.
Adults who have a specific skill or interest can also choose to run a particular activity or event one evening a term. Such skills are invaluable to Scout Groups and can usually assist young people in gaining, or working towards, a particular badge.
The Young Leaders’ Scheme is designed for those aged 14-18 who are primarily interested in helping out in one of the younger Sections (Beavers, Cubs or Scouts).
Young Leaders will be members of the Explorer Scout Section, which means that they can take part in all the activities and opportunities that Scouting in the Explorer Unit or District has to offer.
The Chairman of a Committee will manage meetings and will work with the relevant Commissioner or Group Scout Leader to ensure the Scout County/Area, District or Group operates in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Association.Chairmen are responsible for members of the Committee, including the Treasurer and Secretary
This is the ideal role for adults who do not necessarily wish to work directly with young people, but who are committed to the purpose, aims and development of Scouting.
Treasurers assist the Chairman in the effective administration of the Scout County/Area, District or Group by providing financial support. This could mean setting the annual budget or completing annual accounts.
This role is ideal for someone who does not necessarily want to work directly with young people, but who is comfortable working with figures and budgets.
Secretaries assist the Chairman in the effective administration of the Scout County/Area, District or Group by providing sound administrative support. This could mean ensuring the completion of the annual census or maintaining records of members of the County/Area, District or Group.
This is the ideal role for someone who does not necessarily want to work directly with young people, but who is organised and enjoys administrative work.
Fundraisers provide Scouting with necessary funds. They may be in charge of raising funds for a new headquarters, for new equipment or even to send a Section or Group on an activity or camp. Fundraisers are responsible for organising the way in which money can be raised, be it through a sponsored walk, a lottery grant or public collections.
Need a flexible way to join Scouting that fits around you and your busy lifestyle? Why not try Scout Active Support. No prior experience in Scouting or Guiding is required, just a willingness to volunteer some time to support Scouting. A Scout Active Support Unit is a group of likeminded adults who offer supporting to Scouting in some way. This could be:
- leadership cover at youth meetings,
- offering technical support,
- putting on annual activity days,
- supporting the District Campsite.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BECOME AN ADULT MEMBER OF THE SCOUTING MOVEMENT PLEASE CONTACT
ADC ADULT SUPPORT: Mary Cutting (mary.cutting@virgin.net) or Sharon Wells (adcb@thewellsfamily.orangehome.co.uk) - or telephone 07906 574 554