The Purpose of Scouting

With 500,00 members, The Scouting Association is the largest mixed youth movement in the UK. We provide activities and personal development opportunities in over 8000 Groups throughout the country. More visible than Starbucks and more widely recognised than Virgin, we are also among the UK's most trusted organisations.

Committed to building long-term futures for today's young people, we encourage our Members to develop confidence, independence, integrity and spirit for adventure. We believe in improving young people's lives and we take our responsibility seriously. In Scouting we continually challenge ourselves to 'think differently' about ways to make the most of our resources to help today's young people achieve their potential.

Since 1907, millions of young people have used the opportunities that Scouting offers to reach out and touch the world, develop their ability to make independent judgments and to take responsibility for their actions. Many have gone on to make some of the most important decisions and resolve some of the most startling achievements in the worlds of politics, sport, business, science and the arts. A list of Personalities that were Scouts can be found here.

Scouting is unique in that it offers a scheme of continuous, personal development for young people. Open to those aged 6-25, no other organisation caters to such a wide age range. The Scouting Association is the single largest provider of activities for young people of both sexes in the UK.

Young people enjoy a full range of challenges and activities. In practice, this means that the young person can spend half of an evening meeting scaling a climbing wall and the other taking part in a drama. All this make Scouting one of the best variety acts around.

By taking part in regular forums, young people have the opportunity to have their say in the sort of activities and awards they tackle. And with over ninety badges and challenges available in the Scout Section alone, there is no shortage of choice.