Global InformationThe Scout Association information
| The Scout Association | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 The Scout Association logo | |||
| Age range | 4 to 25 (in various sub organisations) | ||
| Headquarters | Gilwell Park | ||
| Location | Chingford | ||
| Country | United Kingdom | ||
| Founded |
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| Founder | Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell | ||
| Membership |
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| Chief Scout | Bear Grylls | ||
| Chief Commissioner | Carl Hankinson[3][4] | ||
| Chief Executive | Matt Hyde | ||
| Chair | Jennie Price[3][4] | ||
| Joint Presidents | The Princess of Wales The Duke of Kent | ||
| Affiliation | World Organization of the Scout Movement | ||
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| Website www | |||
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The Scout Association, which also uses the name Scouts UK, is the largest Scout organisation in the United Kingdom. It's the World Organization of the Scout Movement's recognised member for the United Kingdom. Following the origins of the Scout movement in 1907, The Scout Association was formed in 1910 and incorporated in 1912 by a royal charter under its previous name of The Boy Scouts Association.[1]
The organisation is the largest national Scout organisation in Europe, representing 35% of the membership of the European Scout Region.[5] As of 2021[update], the organisation claimed to provide activities to 362,752 young people (aged 4–25) in the UK with over 141,659 adults leaders, which is more than one adult for each 2.5 children.[6] This represents a significant 22% decline from 464,700 young adults in 2018,[7] despite commencing a programme for even younger children.
Its programmes now include Squirrels (aged 4–6), Beavers (aged 6–8), Cubs (aged 8–10+1⁄2), Scouts (aged 10+1⁄2–14), Explorer Scouts (aged 14–18) and adult Network members (aged 18–25).
The organisation's current aim is to provide "fun, adventure and skills for life and give young people the opportunity to enjoy new adventures, experience outdoors and take part in a range of creative, community and international activities, interact with others, make new friends, gain confidence and have the opportunity to reach their full potential".[8] The organisation and its activities are regulated through its "Policy, Organisation and Rules" (POR).[9]
The organisation is led by its Chief Scout, currently the television presenter, adventurer and author Bear Grylls, alongside a UK chief commissioner, Carl Hankinson, and chief executive, Matt Hyde. The association's joint presidents are the Duke of Kent and the Princess of Wales, and its patron was the late Queen Elizabeth II.[10][11][12][13][14]
- ^ a b "Royal Charter of The Boy Scouts Association". Scoutdocs. Retrieved 15 August 2007.
- ^ "Scouts - Our members: 2022-2023 Annual Report". www.scouts.org.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ^ a b UK Chief Commissioner Handover Ceremony 2021 (video). The Scout Association – via facebook.
- ^ a b "Scouts - Welcome to our new UK Chief Commissioner and our new Chair of the Board of Trustees".
- ^ Atanackovic, Mihajlo (12 August 2013). "Membership Report 2013 (p. 13)" (PDF). Retrieved 23 October 2013.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Scouts - Our members - 2021was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "The Scout Association's Annual Report and Accounts 2016–2017" (PDF). The Scout Association. Retrieved 3 January 2018. (pp. 58)
- ^ "What we do". The Scout Association. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
- ^ The Scout Association, Policy, Organisation and Rules, updated September 2021, accessed 8 January 2022
- ^ "Chapter 6 – The Structure of the Headquarters of The Scout Association" (PDF). Policy, Organisation and Rules. The Scout Association. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
- ^ "New UK Chief Commissioner Tim Kidd takes up role". Scout Association. 4 September 2016. Archived from the original on 4 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ "Search Charities and Patronages". royal.gov.uk – The Official website of the British Monarchy. Archived from the original on 25 September 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
- ^ "HM Queen unveils centenary bronze". The Scout Association. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2011. Contains reference in text to the fact of the Queens patronage.
- ^ "Duchess Kate toasts new scout appointment with marshmallows". Reuters. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2020.