New to Scouting
This section of the website gives you loads of information if you have just joined Scouting, whether you are a Cub, Scout, Explorer, Network Scout, helper or Leader!
It is divided into several useful sections:
- What is Scouting?
- What do Scouts do?
- How is Scouting structured?
- Badges
- Uniform
- Benefits of Scouting
- Child Protection Policy
- A-Z of Scouting Terms
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Where to get further information
You can also find out more about Scouting generally by visiting the UK website.
What is Scouting?
The Scout Association offers everyday adventure and activity to almost 400,000 young people across the UK. The Movement is the largest co-educational youth organisation in the world, with over 28 million Members in 216 countries and territories.
In the UK Scouting is organised through The Scout Association and has a clear purpose:
To help young people achieve their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential as individuals, as responsible citizens and as Members of their local, national and international communities.
Even if we can't solve all the problems in the world, we can help to make it a better place. Scouting makes a positive contribution to society by helping boys to develop as active members of the community:
- who are self reliant
- who are caring
- who are responsible
- who show commitment
Scouting works well when boys enjoy learning by working in partnership with adults. They do this by:
- taking part in a variety of activities and new experiences
- exploring the outdoors
- participating in teams
- taking responsibility.
Our method for giving boys the opportunity to learn by doing is called the Programme. The Programme is a continuous progression of training, activities and awards that covers everything that boys do in Scouting from the age of 6 to 25.
In Scouting, our adults have a responsibility to make sure that the Programme is fun and exciting. We must also make sure that it is safe. The Scout Association's policies, rules, code of behaviour, advice on Child Protection and safety policy are there to ensure our young people stay safe while they enjoy themselves and learn.
Find out more about the Scout Association by visiting their National website.
What do Scouts do?
The key to the Scout programme is adventure. This underpins everything we do - trying to add adventure to every day life. We do this through a structured and fun programme - which allows boys to not only sample activities they will never have tried before, but also to learn and develop in the process.
Some activities the 77th Scouts have done in the past few years...
Sailing
Abseiling
Kayaking
Wide Games
Badge work
Fire lighting
Axe and Saw
Camping
Caving
... and a hundred other fun things every week and at camp!
The important aspect of our programme which differs from all other youth clubs and organisations is that we focus our programme on personal development - while the activities are great fun, we also encourage the Scouts to learn from what they have been doing, and work in teams and independently to achieve real results.
How is Scouting structured?
Scouting in the UK is managed by the Scout Association which has its headquarters at Gilwell Park near London. In Scotland, its affairs are managed by the Scottish Council of the Scout Association (known as Scottish Headquarters) which has its offices near Dunfermline.
Scouting is organised like this:
The leader of the Scout Group is known as the Group Scout Leader. There is a leader in charge of each section and several assistant leaders. We also have volunteer helpers who provide the "physical push" required for the boys to get the most possible out of the programme we offer.
The current section leaders are:-
- Martin O'Neill (Cub Scout Leader)
- David Hamilton (Scout Leader)
- Michael Shanks (Explorer Scout Leader)
- Kerrie Downes (Scout Network Leader)
Badges
Badges are an important part of the Scout Programme. There are several "Progressive Awards" such as the Chief Scout's Award (the highest award in each section). There are also Activity Badges which can be worked towards individually or perhaps as part of a meeting.
You can find out more about all the badges by visiting the Association's website.
You can find out where the badges go on the uniform by visiting the pages for your section (go back home then click on Cubs, Scouts, Explorers or Network!).
Uniform
Uniform is very important in Scouting. The uniform for each section is outlined below. You should come smartly dressed to Scouts each week - you might lose points for your team if you don't! You should also wear your uniform when going to camp.
| Cubs | Green Cub Scout Jumper 77th Scout Group neckie (emerald green) Coloured woggle (your leader will give you this) Black trousers Smart Shoes | |
| Scouts | Green Scout Shirt 77th Scout Group neckie (emerald green) Leather woggle (get from the Scout Shop) Black Trousers Smart Shoes | |
| Explorers | Brown Explorer Scout Shirt 77th Scout Group neckie (emerald green) Leather woggle (get from the Scout Shop) Black Trousers Smart Shoes | |
| Network | Stone coloured Scout Network Shirt 77th Scout Group neckie (emerald green) Leather woggle (get from the Scout Shop) Black Trousers Smart Shoes | |
| Helpers | Green Explorer Scout Shirt 77th Scout Group neckie (emerald green) Leather woggle (get from the Scout Shop) Kilt or black trousers (Kilt is strongly preferred) Smart shoes |
All of the uniform can be purchased from the Glasgow Scout Shop, either online (www.glasgowscoutshop.com) or by visiting in person - 21 Elmbank Street, Glasgow (just down from the King's Theatre).
What are the Benefits of Scouting?
There is no doubt that parents value what Scouting does for their children. In an independent survey of over 2,000 parents of Scouts, 9 out of 10 parents said Scouting is worthwhile (7 in 10 very worthwhile) and 9 in 10 said their children find Scouting enjoyable (6 in 10 very enjoyable). Parents say Scouting gives their children more confidence, responsibility, a broader set of friends, a chance to pursue things they might not get to do otherwise, adventure and an extended family.
We hope that our Group also gives parents and relatives a chance to have some respite - this is especially important for us at weekend and summer camps when parents quite often get the first chance to take a holiday themselves.
Child Protection Policy
The Scout Association takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of the children and young people in its care.
The Scout Association is committed to:
- taking into account in all its considerations and activities the interests and well-being of young people
- respecting the rights, wishes and feelings of the young people with whom it is working
- taking all reasonable practicable steps to protect them from physical, sexual and emotional harm
- promoting the welfare of young people within a relationship of trust
The Scout Association believes that safeguarding and protecting the welfare of all the young people we work with is the responsibility of everyone.
All our leaders are Disclosure Scotland checked.
The Association’s ‘Young People First’ code of good practice is published in the form of a pocket size yellow card that all adults are asked to keep with them. This contains information about how to report concerns or allegations of abuse and also a code of behaviour that all adults are required to follow.
A-Z of Scouting Terms
Click here for an A-Z of Scouting terms (will A-Y anyway!)
Frequently Asked Questions
There are some general FAQs at www.scouts.org.uk
Here are some specific to the 77th Scout Group:
Where does the 77th Scout Group Meet
You will be given specific information when we do your home visit, but all of our sections meet in the South Side of Glasgow, with the exception of the Scout Network which meets in the City Centre.
How much does Scouts cost?
We charge £2 per week in "subs" which pay for the weekly programme and equipment. There is a charge for Weekend Camps (usually £40) and for some other activities. All leaders and helpers pay 1/2 of what the boys pay.
What disabilities do you cater for?
We cater for almost all physical disabilities. Due to our set up we do not usually cater for any learning or mental disabilities. We have a policy of visiting boys at home before they come along so we can learn everything we can about the specific disability and how we can organise ourselves so that you get the very most out of the programme.
Is there a waiting list?
There usually is a waiting list for every section, but that does not stop us visiting new Scouts and trying to find a place for them. We usually manage to do this! Get in touch if you want to join!
Where can I find out more?
For information on Scouting generally, try looking at www.scouts.org.uk
For information on the 77th, have a look around the website, and if you can't find what you are looking for, don't hesitate to get in touch with us!
We look forward to hearing from you...
