For parents
What to expect when your child joins Scouts.
Friends, adventures and a bit more independence every year — plus the practical things you will want to know before they start.
Where will they start?
Young people join the section that fits their age and move up as they grow. Each one meets weekly in term time, usually for somewhere between an hour and an hour and a half. Ages overlap — leaders will say when your child is ready for the next one.
Ages 4–6
Short, busy sessions built on play, and a first taste of being in a team.
What Squirrels do
Ages 6–8
Games, making things, days out — and, for most, a first night away.
What Beavers do
Ages 8–10½
Bigger adventures, new skills and growing independence.
What Cubs do
Ages 10½–14
Hikes, water activities and a real say in what the Troop does.
What Scouts do
Ages 14–18
Expeditions, DofE, and leading the younger sections.
What Explorers do
Not sure which section?
Tell us their age and your postcode and we will point you at the right section and the nearest Group with space. Over 18 and looking for themselves? There is Network, for 18 to 25.
Starting Scouts
What the first few weeks look like.
Some arrive with a sibling or half their class. Some know nobody at all. Both are normal, and settling a new person in is the leaders' job rather than your child's.
Their first night
Groups do this a little differently, but the shape is the same: arrive a few minutes early so there is time to say hello to the leaders, and expect them to be doing something within about five minutes of walking in. Nobody is asked to know anything beforehand.
What to wear
Something comfortable that can get messy. Uniform can wait until they have settled in and have badges to sew on — each section has its own colour of sweatshirt, and each Group its own neckerchief. If kitting a child out is a problem, say so to a leader; Groups keep spares.
Tell us what helps
If your child needs additional support, or there is something that will help them settle and take part, talk to the local Group before their first session or mention it when you register interest. They will talk it through with you. Not every Group can put every adjustment in place, which is exactly why the conversation is better had early than on the night.
Camps and residentials.
Nights away are where Scouting sticks — a sleepover in the hut, a weekend under canvas, a week away with the district. Most young people go two or three times a year, and here is what you should get before they do.
- Kit lists and costs should come home at least two weeks before. If they have not, ask.
- You should be told where they are going and who is taking them before every night away.
- Every residential is run under a Nights Away Permit by a leader trained and assessed for it.
Safety and safeguarding.
Adventure with the risk managed, not removed. If something worries you, tell us and we will act.
Every adult is checked
All volunteers are vetted, referenced and trained in safeguarding before they work with young people.
Activities are risk assessed
Adventurous activities need a permit. Leaders plan ratios, first aid and weather before you hear about the trip.
Raising a concern
Speak to your section leader first. If you would rather not, or the concern is about a leader, report it straight to The Scout Association — it goes to their safeguarding team, not to the district.
Common questions
The things parents ask us first.
If your question is not here, ask us — we would rather answer it twice than have you guess.
Each section meets weekly in term time, usually for somewhere between an hour and an hour and a half — some Groups run longer. Meeting nights and times are set by each Group, so check that Group's page or ask the leaders.
Groups do it a little differently, but expect to be met at the door, for your child to be introduced to the young people they will be with, and for them to be doing something within a few minutes. Arrive a few minutes early so there is time to say hello.
No. Turn up in something comfortable that can get messy. Uniform can wait until they have settled in and have badges to sew on — each section has its own colour of sweatshirt, and each Group its own neckerchief. If kitting a child out is a problem, say so to a leader; Groups keep spares.
Ages overlap on purpose. Leaders will advise when your child is ready to move up, and if you are not sure where they fit, tell us their age in years and your postcode and we will point you at the right section.
Often, yes. Waiting lists are normal across the district and a section can be full for a term or more. Register your interest and the district team will match you to the nearest Group with space, rather than leaving you to ring round.
Groups charge subs to cover the hall, equipment and insurance, and every Group sets its own — so ask the one you are interested in. Camps and trips are costed separately, and a kit list and a price should reach you at least two weeks beforehand.
Most young people go away two or three times a year, from a sleepover in the hut to a week under canvas with the district. Every residential is run under a Nights Away Permit by a leader trained and assessed for it.
No. Plenty of parents never volunteer and that is fine. If you would like to, you choose how much time you give — one evening a week, one camp a term, or a few hours behind the scenes.
Talk to the local Group before their first session, or mention it when you register interest. They will work with you to understand what your child needs and what can be put in place. Not every Group can meet every need, so it is worth having that conversation early rather than on the night.
Questions we haven't answered here?
Ask us. We would rather answer than have you wondering — we reply within five working days.