Our method for giving young people the opportunity to learn by doing is called the Programme.

what is the programme?

what does it cover?

how is it organised?

how is it delivered?

does it recognise achievement?

The Programme is a continuous progression of training, activities and awards that covers everything that young people do in Scouting from the age of 6 to 25. It’s all about joining in and there is much less emphasis on passing tests than used to be the case, with a much greater emphasis on encouraging young people to learn from taking part.

It is designed to be:

relevant and attractive

easy to understand and operate

progressive and accessible

appealing to a wide range of young people

meaningful and fulfilling

safe and enjoyable

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the Programme covers:

fun and friendship

challenge and adventure

personal development

citizenship

self-reliance

responsibility and achievement

spirituality

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the Programme is organised into Zones:

These are essentially areas of activity. Each Section has its own set of Programme Zones, and they range from five in the Beaver Scouts to eight in the Explorer Scout and Scout Network Programmes.

Each Section includes Zones that cover activities such as Outdoors, Community, Fitness, International, and Beliefs and Attitude. Leaders planning their Section's Programme need to visit each Zone regularly, to ensure that they deliver a Programme that is balanced. Sometimes the meeting night or event will cover activities from just one Zone, while some meetings will draw activities from a variety of Zones.

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the Methods:

Each Section has a range of Methods that help Leaders to explore each Zone in an imaginative way. While they vary slightly from Section to Section, most Sections include Methods that involve playing games, making things, going on visits, helping others, using the outdoors and following themes. The range of Methods helps to bring as much variety as possible into the Programme.

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recognising achievement

By taking part in the programme young people can gain a variety of badges and awards. Each section has its own range that:

recognise a young person's achievement

contain activities relevant to the age of the members of that section

have clear, progressive links to the next section

Membership Award - presented to anyone who makes their promise and law

Joining in (Beaver and Cub sections) and participation awards - for taking part in a balanced programme over a period of time - recognises participation in a wide range of activities and commitment

Moving on awards - these introduce young people to the activities and programme of the next section

Group awards - environment, faith, international

Challenges - there are different ones for each section, including: outdoor activities, global and environmental issues, living a healthy lifestyle, showing creative expression, staying away from home

Chief Scout's Award - this requires completion of a number of challenges

Queen's Scout Award - highest award for young people in Scouting, only for Explorer and Network - this requires completion of a series of challenges plus other tasks

Activity badges - there are 121 different activity badges on offer and 4 which are staged across the sections (for example swimming)

external awards - Duke of Edinburgh for over 14, Gateway for special needs, plus many others

what kind of activities are on offer?

There is huge range to choose from and they have changed over the years to reflect what young people are interested in NOW. Did you know there are badges for subjects as diverse as Public Relations, IT, survival skills, dragon boating, or Global Conservation as well as the more ‘traditional’ subjects?

More information about activities