contact us at info@sunderlandscouts.org.uk (0191) 565 7444

The Scout Movement is a worldwide organisation with 27 million members. It is open to all regardless of ethnic background or religious belief.  The first inspection of a Scout Troop by Baden-Powell, the movement’s founder, took place on 22nd February 1908 when he visited the Vaux Own troop at Grindon here in Sunderland. This Troop had been founded by Cuthbert Vaux of the brewery family, a close friend of Baden-Powell, whom he had met in the South African War. Robert Baden-Powell was born in 1854. By profession a soldier, he became national hero in 1900 for leading the defence of Mafeking. Whilst in the army he promoted the idea of a youth organisation encouraging social responsibility and citizenship giving boys an alternative to poor health and drunkenness. In 1907 an experimental camp for Scouts was held at Brownsea Island in Dorset and he published a book about his ideas in 1908. This was embraced by many young people and the rest, as they say, is history.

SCOUTING TODAY - offers challenge and adventure to 400,000 young people and 100,000 adults across the UK. We believe in helping our Members fulfil their potential by working in teams, learning by doing and thinking for themselves. We give people of every background the chance to stretch themselves, learn new skills and make life long friends.

ADVENTURE - at all levels and in many forms - is the 'essence' of Scouting. Rather than just extreme sports, it encompasses the many ways that Scouting challenges and stretches the lives of young people. We want to promote the message that for a Beaver Scout, waking up the morning after their first night away from home is as much an adventure as a Member of the Scout Network hang-gliding or scuba diving.

There are five Sections covering the ages 6 to 25:-

Beaver Scouts		6 to 8 Year Olds
Cub Scouts		8 to 10 ½ Year Olds
Scouts		10 to 14 Year Olds
Explorer Scouts		14 to 18 Year Olds
Network		18 to 25 Year Olds

For those over 18 there is also the option to become an adult volunteer helping as a leader, or joining a Scout Active support unit.