Our organisation

Global

The Scout Association in the UK is one of over 170 members of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM), which is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Geneva, Switzerland. We are therefore a part of the Global Scouting movement with some 50 million active members. It is the counterpart of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). Uniformed Scout members in the UK wear a membership award badge to show their membership of an organisation recognised by WOSM and all national scout associations have the same – or a similar – badge on their uniforms as well.

Scouting in the UK

The Scout Association is incorporated by Royal Charter dated 4th January 1912 and aims to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social, spiritual and emotional potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities.

The Charter of the Association provides for the making of by-laws approved by Her Majesty in Council which, in turn, authorise the making of the rules which govern Scouting in the UK (known as “Policy, Organisation and Rules”).

The Scout uniform is legally protected and can only be worn by members.

Scouting in the UK is managed by our HQ at Gilwell Park on the edge of Epping Forest. It opened as a Scouting centre in 1919.

Counties

The Scout County of Greater London South West, covers the arc of outer London Boroughs between Richmond upon Thames and Croydon. The function of Counties is to provide certain oversight of Scouting across their areas and provide activities, competitions and events which are suited to wider participation across several Districts – generally aimed at Scouts and Explorers.

The County is led by a County Lead Volunteer.

District

Richmond upon Thames Scout District exists to provide leadership, advice and support for Scout Groups  and Explorer Units within the District. Our District boundary is the same as the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The District is lead by a District Lead Volunteer and is supported by a District Leadership team.

The District team provides oversight of Scouting within the District, training for new Scout leaders and provides events suitable for sections from across the District to attend. The District Leadership team organises a bi-annual camp open for everyone to attend. If these bi-annual camps co-incide with a World Jamboree taking place in Europe, the team will strive to enable the camp to be located within practical distance to enable a visit to the site of the World Jamboree.

Groups, Units and Network

Scout Groups (which cater for the 4 to 14 age range) are the smallest unit and normally have at least one Beaver colony, Cub pack and Scout troop – known as sections. Some groups also have a Squirrel drey, for the youngest members. Groups are led by a Group Lead Volunteer and each section has a Section Team Leader and have Section Team Members to assist with running the section. Leaders plan and deliver their own programmes – the most important of which are providing the opportunities and resources for their members to achieve activity badges and each level of Chief Scout award. In addition, Groups organise their own outings and camps.

Explorer Units are for older Scouts (catering for the 14-18 age range) and may be attached to a Scout group, but are managed at District level and are separate from their associated group. A member of an Explorer Unit can attend any Explorer Unit. Explorers are expected to manage their own programme, with guidance from their 14-24 Team.

In addition, there is Network, which exists to enable adults in the 18 to 25 age range to continue their Scouting adventure.

Trustees

Each County, District and Group is managed by a board of Trustees which is led by a Chairperson and includes a Treasurer, as well as other members who are all voted in for up to 3 years per term. The Group Lead Volunteer is also a permanent Trustee by virtue of their office. How the board is organised – such as membership and any sub committees – may vary slightly from Group to Group but all have to be compliant with Scout Policy, Organisation and Rules.

Each County, District and Group holds an Annual General Meeting – to which all parents/carers and older Scouts are invited (known as the Scout Council) – where official matters (such as accounts and voting for Trustees) are approved and authorised.  The AGM is often a celebration of the achievements of Scouts during the past year.