Scouting happens in Scout Groups! Scout Groups are based in a local community and usually consists of a Beaver Scout Colony, Cub Scout Pack and Scout Troop.
Groups can vary in size, some are large and some are small and this often depends on where they are located. One Group may contain one or two Beaver Scout Colonies, one or two Cub Scout Packs and a Scout Troop. Another may consist only of one or two section. 
Within a Scout Group, there will be a number of adult leaders, who give their time voluntarily to help the development of young people. The Group is led by the Group Scout Leader, whose job is to co-ordinate the Group’s activities and to ensure continuity and development.
A Group Scout Council meets at least once a year usually for an Annual General Meeting. The Council consists of all the adult Members of the Group, as well as the children’s parents. For more day-to-day matters, the Council has a Group Executive Committee that meets regularly. The Executive Committee consists of the Group Scout Leader, usually the Section Leaders and members elected by the Group Council. The Executive Committee may set up sub-committees to perform particular tasks such as fundraising.
The Beaver Scout Colony
Colony size
The recommended maximum size for a Beaver Scout Colony is 24 Beaver Scouts. This number may be exceeded with the agreement of the Group Scout Leader. When deciding on the Colony size, Leaders should take into account the leadership available, the needs of the young people and the capacity of the meeting venue and whether it might be more effective to run more than one Colony.
Leadership
The operation of the Colony must be overseen by an appointed leader. The leader in charge must plan to ensure that at least two adults (aged 18 or over) are present at regular indoor Colony meetings, at least one of whom should hold a Leader, Manager or Supporter appointment.
In the event of a Leader, Manager or Supporter not being able to attend the Colony meeting, it is possible on occasions for another adult, with youth leadership experience, to take their place at the meeting or similar event, as long as the Group Scout Leader is consulted and supports the arrangement. Such adults must have satisfactorily completed the Scout Associations’ Personal Enquiry process and would normally have completed Getting Started training or the equivalent.
Leader/Beaver ratios
Other than two adults being present there is no minimum ratio of adults to Beaver Scouts set for regular indoor Colony meetings, but for all meetings and activities Leaders should assess the risk and arrange for sufficient adults (aged 18 or over) to ensure a safe environment for the operation of the Colony, which may vary depending on the programme. It is good practice to have a mixed leadership team.
The recommended minimum ratio for both outdoor activities held away from the usual meeting place and nights away experiences is 1 adult to 6 Beaver Scouts plus the leader in charge. However as a minimum at least two adults must be present overnight. Only in the event of an emergency should an adult be alone overnight with young people on a nights away experience.
Risk Assessment
For all Scouting activities a risk assessment should be carried out. This risk assessment cannot override the minimum requirements stated above or those required by the activity rules in chapter 9 of POR.
Age Range
The core age range of Beaver Scouts is from 6 years to 8 years. A young person may join at 5¾ years and remain until 8½ years (see POR rule 3.11b).
Uniform
Beaver Scouts wear the approved uniform with distinguishing badges and scarves, these are:
- Turquoise crew neck sweatshirt
- Group scarf
- Maroon woggle or one of another colour that identifies the lodge or team
Items of official uniform for which there is a personal choice:
- Smart navy blue skirt
Optional items a Group may decide to have as part of its official uniform:
- Navy blue shorts
- Grey fleece
- Navy blue outer jacket
- Navy blue baseball cap
Optional items for activity dress:
- Navy blue activity trousers
- Turquoise polo shirt
Programme
All Beaver Scouts should be offered a high quality balanced Programme, run in accordance with the Association’s official publications for the Section.
Minimum standard for a Beaver Scout Colony
The minimum standard for a Beaver Scout Colony is:
- Operation overseen by a Leader
- Two adults present
- The delivery of a high quality balanced Programme
- Opportunities for the members to take part in the decision making process
- The opportunity for every Beaver Scout to attend at least one nights away experience every year
Your District Commissioner, District Team and the County Development Service is on hand, where necessary to assist Colonies to reach the minimum standards detailed above.
If a Colony fails to reach the minimum standard for 2 consecutive years, the District Commissioner, with the approval of the District Executive Committee, may close it. If it fails to reach the minimum standard for 3 consecutive years, it must be closed.
The Cub Scout Pack
Pack Size
The recommended maximum size for a Pack is 36 Cub Scouts. This number may be exceeded with the agreement of the Group Scout Leader. When deciding on the Pack size, Leaders should take into account the leadership available, the needs of the young people and the capacity of the meeting venue and whether it might be more effective to run more than one Pack.
Leadership
The operation of the Pack must be overseen by a Leader. The leader in charge must plan to ensure that at least two adults (aged 18 or over) are present at regular indoor Pack meetings, at least one of whom should hold a Leader, Manager or Supporter Appointment.
In the event of the Leader not being able to attend the Pack meeting, it is possible on occasions for another adult, with youth leadership experience, to take their place at the meeting or similar event, as long as the Group Scout Leader is consulted and supports the arrangement. Such adults must have satisfactorily completed the Scout Association’s Personal Enquiry process and would normally have completed Getting Started Training or the equivalent.
Leader/Cub ratios
Other than two adults being present there is no minimum ratio of adults to Cub Scouts set for regular indoor Pack meetings, but for all meetings and activities Leaders should assess the risk and arrange for sufficient adults (aged 18 or over) to ensure a safe environment for the operation of the Pack, which may vary depending on the programme. It is good practice to have a mixed leadership team.
The recommended minimum ratio for both outdoor activities held away from the usual meeting place and nights away experiences is 1 adult to 8 Cub Scouts plus the leader in charge. However as a minimum at least two adults must be present overnight. Only in the event of an emergency should an adult be alone overnight with young people on a nights away experience.
Risk Assessment
For all Scouting activities a risk assessment should be carried out. This risk assessment cannot override the minimum requirements stated above or those required by the activity rules in chapter 9 of POR.
Age Range
The core age range of the Cub Scout Pack is from 8 years to 10½ years. A young person may join at 7½ years and remain in the Pack until their 11th birthday. For further flexibility also see Rule 3.11b in POR.
Uniform
Cub Scouts wear the approved uniform with distinguishing badges and scarves, these are:
Items of official uniform:
- Dark green crew neck sweatshirt
- Group scarf and identifying Six woggle
Items of official uniform for which there is a personal choice:
- Smart navy blue skirt
Optional items a Group may decide to have as part of its official uniform:
- Navy blue shorts
- Grey fleece
- Navy blue outer jacket
- Navy blue baseball cap
Optional items for activity dress:
- Navy blue activity trousers
- Dark green polo shirt
Programme
All Cub Scouts should be offered a high quality balanced Programme run in accordance with the Association’s official publications for the Section.
Minimum standard for a Cub Scout Pack
The minimum standard for a Cub Scout Pack is:
- Operation overseen by a Leader
- Two adults present
- The delivery of a high quality balanced Programme
- Opportunities for the members to take part in the decision making process. Any forum or committee should have both Cub Scouts and Leaders working together.
- The opportunity for every Cub Scout to attend at least one nights away experience every year.
Your District Commissioner, District Team and the County Development Service is on hand, where necessary to assist Packs to reach the minimum standards detailed above.
If a Pack fails to reach the minimum standard for 2 consecutive years, the District Commissioner, with the approval of the District Executive Committee, may close it. If it fails to reach the minimum standard for 3 consecutive years, it must be closed.
The Scout Troop
Troop Size
There is no recommended maximum size for a Troop. When deciding on the Troop size, Leaders should take into account the leadership available, the needs of the young people and the capacity of the meeting venue and whether it might be more effective to run more than one Troop.
Leadership
The operation of the Troop must be overseen by a Leader. The leader in charge must plan to ensure that at least two adults (aged 18 or over) are present at regular indoor Troop meetings, at least one of whom should hold a Leader, Manager or Supporter Appointment. In the event of a Leader, Manager or Supporter not being able to attend a Troop activity, it is possible on occasions for another adult, with youth leadership experience, to take their place at the meeting or similar event, as long as the Group Scout Leader is consulted and supports the arrangement. Such adults must have satisfactorily completed the Scout Association’s Personal Enquiry process and would normally have completed Getting Started Training or the equivalent.
Leader/Scout ratios
Other than two adults being present there is no minimum ratio of adults to Scouts set for regular indoor Troop meetings, but for all meetings and activities Leaders should assess the risk and arrange for sufficient adults (aged 18 or over) to ensure a safe environment for the operation of the Troop, which may vary depending on the programme being delivered. It is good practice to have a mixed leadership team. For outdoor activities held away from the usual meeting place and Nights Away experiences led by a Nights Away Permit holder, the recommended minimum ratio is 1 adult to 12 scouts. However as a minimum, at least two adults must be present overnight. Only in the event of an emergency should an adult be alone overnight with young people on a nights away experience.
Risk Assessment
For all Scouting activities a risk assessment should be carried out. This risk assessment cannot override the minimum requirements stated above or those required by the activity rules in chapter 9 of POR.
Age Range
The core age range of the Scout Troop is from 10½ years to 14 years. A young person may join at 10 years and remain until 14½ years. For further flexibility see Rule 3.11b in POR.
Uniform
Scouts wear the approved Scout, Sea Scout or Air Scout uniform as appropriate with distinguishing badges and scarves, these are:
Items of official uniform:
- Teal green long sleeved shirt or blouse
- Navy blue activity trousers
- Smart navy blue skirt
- Group scarf and woggle
- Leather Scout belt and buckle.
Optional items a Group may decide to have as part of its official uniform:
- Navy blue shorts
- Grey fleece
- Navy blue outer jacket
- Navy blue baseball cap.
Optional items for activity dress:
- Teal green polo shirt
- Navy blue sweatshirt
Sea Scout Uniform
Items of official uniform:
- Dark blue jersey
- Light blue long sleeve shirt or blouse
- Smart navy blue trousers
- Smart navy blue skirt
- Group scarf and woggle
- Leather Scout belt and buckle
- Seaman’s Class 2 round cap with ‘Sea Scout’ tallyband
Optional items a Group may decide to have as part of its official uniform:
- Navy blue shorts
- Lanyard worn only with Bosun’s call
- Grey fleece
- Navy blue outer jacket
- Navy blue activity trousers.
Optional items for activity dress:
- Navy blue baseball cap
- Navy blue sweatshirt
Air Scout Uniform
Items of official uniform:
- Light blue long sleeve shirt or blouse
- Smart navy blue trousers
- Smart navy blue skirt
- Group scarf and woggle
- Leather Scout belt and buckle
- Air Scout beret with cloth badge
Optional items a Group may decide to have as part of its official uniform:
- Navy blue shorts
- Grey fleece
- Navy blue outer jacket
- Navy blue activity trousers
Optional items for activity dress
- Navy blue baseball cap
- Navy blue sweatshirt.
Programme
All Scouts should be offered a high quality balanced Programme run in accordance with the Association’s official publications for the Section.
Minimum standard for a Scout Troop
The minimum standard for a Scout Troop is:
- Operation overseen by a Leader
- Two adults present
- The delivery of an appropriate high quality balanced Programme
- Opportunities for the members to take part in the decision making process.
- Any forum or committee should have both Scouts and Leaders working together
- The opportunity for every Scout to attend at least one nights away experience every year
Your District Commissioner, District Team and the County Development Service is on hand, where necessary to assist Troops to reach the minimum standards detailed above.
If a Troop fails to reach the minimum standard for 2 consecutive years, the District Commissioner, with the approval of the District Executive Committee, may close it. If it fails to reach the minimum standard for 3 years, it must be closed.
Partnerships with Explorer Scout Units
Explorer Scout Units are part of a District provision. Explorer Scout Units may be attached to a Scout Group but are not a formal part of the Group. An Explorer Scout Unit and a Scout Group wishing to work together should enter into a Partnership Agreement. The purpose of the Partnership Agreement is to help an Explorer Scout Unit and Scout Group to understand the operational relationship between the two. Whilst many links will be informal, it is important to have a formal Partnership Agreement to ensure that links are maintained and obvious to both parties.
Further information and examples of Partnership Agreements can be obtained from the Members Resources area of the national website at www.scouts.org.uk
