Explorers II

Part of the changes in Explorers reflects the breath of the program and awards you can work towards.

The new Explorers Democracy Activity Badge has been added reflecting more the changes in the involvement of children in the democratic process across the UK with voting in Wales and Scotland at 16+ and being able to stand for election at 18 learing how voting happens, peoples rigths and responsibilites

Part of the revamp involves topics such STEM which now going to have an Award in its own right reflecting it's emportantance not least in further eductaion and employment.

Explorers (Post 1,350)

Recently a following a review with input from 14-18 year olds, revisions were announced within Scouts Explorers effecting awards and resource materials

The core Explorer Scout (ages 14–18) uniform remains the classic beige/stone-colored button-down shirt or blouse. While a major rebrand and introduction of new badges (focusing on AI, digital skills, and mental well-being) were recently launched, the official uniform requirements haven't fundamentally changed, maintaining the traditional base layers.

Core Uniform ElementsTop: The classic beige long or short-sleeved shirt (or blouse) with an embroidered Scouts Fleur de Lis on the sleeve. Stretchy cotton-polyester blends are available to improve comfort and fit.

Scarf (Necker): Paired with your specific Unit or Group scarf.Bottoms: Official navy blue Scout activity trousers or skirt.Belt: Official Scout leather or vegan belt with the brass buckle.

The emphasis on planning for your awards such as the Kings Award and the more individual style of the unit does aid that awkward transition from school or college to employment both by what the individual has done and by being able to see planning, taking responsiblility and achieving when they mention this in interview.

Inspection!

 The old days, older than me actually, and at the opening of the New District in Bramhall, Stockport, Cheshire, as part of the local reorganization of scouts, they are inspected with the lad on the right looking a bit apprehensive.

Nobody wants children and young people to be apprehensive but given we do have a uniform I really don't see what's wrong with the odd inspection, handled sensitively, so everybody is looking smart and looking smart still matters in much of society.

In time of course much reorganization happened although parts were over time  reversed but looking at pictures of troops between the decades you can see the slide in standards.

Appointment of Chief Exec of Scouts

Recently Aidan Jones OBE was appointed as the new Chief Executive of Scouts by its Board of Trustees. He will join what is the UK’s largest youth charity from Monday 14 October, working to support half a million young people and volunteers. 

Commenting upon his appointment Aiden said: 'Having been involved in Scouts for more than 50 years I’ve benefitted personally from the skills I’ve learned and the friendships I’ve made. I’m excited to be returning to Scouts as Chief Executive and I’m looking forward to leading the staff team which works to support almost half a million young people and volunteers, to further increase the Movement’s positive impact.'

Subs

Something that pokes its head up at that time year is the annual subscriptions paid by each local Scout Association branch to the national body.

These, like most things in national life, have gone up not least to cover the costs of recruiting more leaders to reduce the backlog of would be scouts on the list of members waiting for spaces to become available and also the business around safeguarding to fully review it not least as it applies to overnight stays.

Systems are good but it is felt there is some room for improvement when it comes to providing advice before and during any activity like pack holidays and in todays rather litigatious climate, whenever anything might go wrong often there are claims that need defending and the best defence is showing you have fully considered everything risk and how you'd manage them.

No longer can you just gather up your pack and just say "We'll off to the Tissington trail or going to Chasewater", there's a lot more preperation involved.

That's why they've gone up

New Year edition

It's the New Year where in the UK New Year honours are handed out for acts of community service of which a fair number have been given to those in Scouting and GirlGuiding for providing service as leaders, district comissioners and so on.

These people play a massive part in making all that happens in the world of scouts and guides happen, organizing activities, supervision awards, fund raising and being the back office handling the everyday stuff with no charge for their labour.

It isn't just that scouts without them would be impossible, it's the impact over time in our communities that contribution makes to raising the next generation to play a full role themselves that sometimes the statutory services like education don't quite manage despite their very best efforts.

That's why beyond those individual honours we should give thanks for what all in every part of scouting are doing.

Here's to scouting in 2024!

The value of Scouting

 I wasn't too good this Friday so I'm playing catch up here.

There are those who like to think of Scouting, whatever branch of the Movement you may be in as somehow being a thing of the past, liked perhaps but not really for today.

I disagree because the aims and the program is not limited to any one time but are based upon basic skills and needs that have benefited people for all time, being universal.

Scouts is helping during the current war in Ukraine by both helping children and young people cope with turmoil emotional impact of the conflict here and many are helping with refugees coming to the UK.

It has a value to refugee children and young people in learning to process and move on from the trauma of war which should not be under estimated, to make new friends, have fun and learn to be a part of British Society.

The photograph is of a  group of Ukrainian Scouts.

A few days ago it was announced that over 420,000 young people are taking part in Scouts across the UK and British Scouting overseas which is the biggest youth membership growth in Scouts for 80 years. 

For all the money, time and effort people including me put in to helping Scouts recovering from the impact of the Pandemic not just on our children and young people but the real risk of losing much needed units, that would of of happened if it wasn't for the fact it was they who decided to join our Scout Family which made it possible.

If you can help in any way, please do as I'm sure those children and young people will truly appreciate it.