About the Section
The Scout Section is for young people, usually aged between 10.5
and 14 years. A young person can come in to the Troop at 10 and may
stay until they are 14.5 years old. The Scout Troop is the third
and final Section in the Scout Group.
Scouts are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities
as part of their programme. "Participation" rather than meeting set
standards is the key approach and for the Scout who wants to be
recognised for his or her achievements there are a number of
Challenges Awards and Activity Badges. Scouts take part in a
balanced programme that helps them to find out about the world in
which they live, encourages them to know their own abilities and
the importance of keeping fit and helps develop their creative
talents. It also provides opportunities to explore their own values
and personal attitudes.
Being outdoors is important and half the Programme is given over
to taking part in both the traditional Scouting skills, such as
camping, survival and cooking as well as the wide range of
adventurous activities, anything from abseiling to yachting.
The international aspect gives Scouting a special appeal and
many Scouts now travel abroad during their time in the Section.
Scouting is about being with friends, as part of a team,
participating fully in the adventure and opportunities of life.
Sea and Air Scouting
Sea Scouting and Air Scouting are branches of Scouting, not
separate organisations which have a aeronautical or nautical twist
to the programme and activities. Many Troops meet more than once a
week in the summer period and the additional meetings are used to
develop skills and provide training. It is not training for the a
Air Force or Navy career, although it can be very useful for young
people who are so interested.
Annual Review 2010-11
The Scout Section in Cheshire is a strong section, with 2,595
young people in the Section, this marks a slight decline on last
year's numbers. The split between Males and Females remains
roughly 80/20. With over 200 Scouts gaining their Chief
Scout's Gold Awards this year, the highest award in the section, we
were happy that Wayne Bulpitt, the UK Chief Commissioner could
attend as our guest speaker to present them with their
certificates, each signed by Chief Scout Bear Grylls.
This year Scouts took part in Cheshire's International
Scout Jamboree 'Chamboree 2010' with a jam-packed, around-the-clock
programme of activities and entertainments including skate
boarding, large scale pioneering, science experiments, abseiling,
dragon boating, archery and much more!
A County forum 'Taking the Lead 2011' was held at the
Heath Conference Centre in Runcorn and was attended by over fifty
young people in the Scout section. The day was focused on
developing their leadership skills and encouraging their
involvement in the Scout programme.
Retention continues to be our key challenge going
forward; we need to work to strengthen links between Scouts with
both the Cub Scout and Explorer Scout Sections. Scout Leaders
will be instrumental in ensuring that Young People continue to stay
and develop within Scouting.
Assistant County Commissioner
(Scouts)