What we do

Scouting History

Lord Robert Baden-Powell founded the Scout Movement.

In 1907, he held an experimental camp on Brownsea Island, Dorset where he took 20 boys, from both public schools and working class homes, camping under his leadership.The following year, Scouting for Boys was published and boys, inspired by Baden-Powell’s ideas, soon formed themselves into Scout Patrols. In September 1908, Baden-Powell set up an office to deal with the enquiries pouring in about the Movement. Today, Scouting is a global, educational youth Movement. In the UK, The Scout Association provides adventurous activities and personal development opportunities for 400,000 young people. Over the decades, The Scout Association has evolved to keep up with the times, welcoming girls in all Sections and introducing new badges such as IT and Public Relations.

Our Aim.

The purpose of Scouting is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, and responsible citizens We therefore aim to provide our young people with a safe and friendly environment where they can participate in interesting activities appropriate to there age and ability.

The programme

Whilst the activities they take part in will depend on their age, each Section gives young people the opportunity to learn by doing. The main programme areas are: Outdoor and Adventure, Global, Community, Fit for Life, Creative Beliefs and Attitudes. Adult Leaders are trained to deliver this programme, ensuring our young people stay safe while they enjoy themselves and learn.

The adventure of a lifetime

Scouting is all about adventure – at all levels and in many forms. Rather than just extreme sports, it encompasses the many ways that Scouting challenges and stretches the lives of young people. To a Beaver Scout, waking up the morning after his or her first night away from home is as much an adventure as a member of the Scout Network hang-gliding or scuba diving. It’s all possible. As your child progresses through Scouting, you should hopefully be able to recognise the positive impact Scouting has on them and be able to relate to the following quotes from parents: Many parents feel that their child attending Scouts gives them another reason to be proud of their achievements. “One parent said: ‘I don’t normally let Thomas carry dinner plates through – he can be clumsy! But when he cooked me a meal from scratch after going to Scout camp, I was so proud.’‘ I think I probably wouldn’t let Ella do as much as she does, but when I see her at Cubs, doing things for herself and her friends, I’m so impressed. It helps you step back and let them get on with it.’ ‘It’s not just factual; they learn social skills and about interacting. They have to remember things to bring the following week so they have to take a bit of responsibility for their own stuff!’‘ Scouting helps parents prepare their kids for life, it helps parents let go of their children.’(scouts.org.uk/parents)” One of the biggest myths about Scouting is that Groups are closing down due to a lack of young people wanting to become Members. Nothing could be further from the truth; Scouting in the UK is growing. We currently have 30,000 young people on our waiting lists simply because we do not have enough adults to help out. This is the case at 21st St Helens, over the last 5 years the group has grown both in the number of children who have become members and in the number of leaders, helpers and parents who have become involved in the group.