Sections and Roles Within Scouting
Scouting is delivered in age-appropriate arrangements called “Sections”. These range from the youngest “Beavers” to the “Explorer Scouts” and the wider “network” for young adults. More details on the Scout Association website
- Beavers
Beavers are our youngest members, 
and generally meet for an hour per week. They enjoy all that Scouting has to offer; being introduced to outdoor activities, having the opportunity to be creative, explore their local community and experience the excitement of a Beaver Scout sleepover with their friends. Beavers are aged between 6 and 8 years old.
- Cubs
For Cubs, excitement an
d adventure are key. Their programme offers a huge variety of activities surrounding areas of fitness, global and beliefs; whilst allowing them to be creative and get involved in their local communities. Cubs are introduced to exciting outdoor skills and take part in adventurous activities, as well as camps and residential experiences. Cub Scouts are aged between 8 and 10 ½.
- Scouts
Scouts aims to build
and develop young people’s confidence, sense of adventure and outdoor skills, as well as encouraging them to explore their beliefs and attitudes and be creative. It offers them the independence to put these skills into practice at camps and even on international trips. Scouts are encouraged to work together and take the lead on all sorts of projects, from community based work to planning games and activities for their meetings. Aged between 10½ and 14 years.
- Explorers
Explorer Scouts 
are encouraged to lead themselves, design their own programme and work towards the top awards that Scouting offers. With exciting prospects like being a part of camps and expeditions both home and abroad; adventurous activities such as mountaineering, parascending and off shore sailing; Explorers offers fun and adventure for all. Explorers also have the opportunity to be a part of The Explorer Scout Young Leaders’ Scheme which develops their leadership skills and sense of responsibility, by helping to run meetings for younger sections. Aged between 14 and 18 years old.
- Network
Scout Network is the 
fifth and final section of the Scouting movement. From the time of Baden-Powell, there have been arrangements for young people who wanted to continue after their time in the Scout Section, and in 1967, Venture Scouts were formed from the existing Senior Scout and Rover Scout Sections.
During the late 1990s we decided that, to meet the changing needs of young people, there should be two sections for the over-14s: Explorer Scouts for 14 to 18-year-olds, and the Scout Network for 18 to 25s
- Leaders
Leadership roles can 
start as early as the older Scouts helping with Beaver sections. Some young adults come through the programme and go on to undertake leadership roles as they mature. Others (especially parents!) come to the leadership team initially to help and find like-minded folk who enjoy the positivity and outdoors experiences.