Scouts are young people aged 10½ to 14. In Stourbridge District, Scout Troops give young people the chance to try new activities, take responsibility, and work together as part of a Patrol.
Scouts is about adventure, challenge and having fun, while learning how to lead, support others and make a positive difference.
What do Scouts do?
Scouts take part in a broad and challenging programme that might include:
- Camps and expeditions, from local weekend camps to longer trips further afield
- Navigation, map reading and route planning
- Pioneering, survival skills and lightweight camping
- Adventurous activities such as climbing, canoeing, kayaking, cycling or archery (depending on local provision)
- Working in Patrols to plan and run parts of the programme
- Community projects and social action
- Skills for life such as first aid, cooking, budgeting and communication
Scouts are encouraged to take the lead, share ideas and help run activities, building confidence and leadership along the way.
Badges and awards
There’s a wide range of badges available to Scouts, including:
- Activity badges covering specific skills and interests
- Challenge awards for taking part in longer-term projects and experiences
- Staged badges (such as Nights Away or Hikes) that continue from earlier sections
By joining in with a balanced programme and trying a broad mix of activities, Scouts can work towards the Chief Scout’s Gold Award – the top award for the Scout section.
Where and when do Scouts meet?
Scout Troops in Stourbridge normally meet once a week in the evening for around 1½ to 2 hours. Meeting nights, times and venues vary between Groups, the meeting days for Scouts in Stourbridge our are shown in the table below. Many Troops also offer extra events such as camps, activity days and district or county events at weekends and during school holidays.
| Group | Scouts meet on |
|---|---|
| 1st Stourbridge (St Thomas') | Monday |
| 2nd Stourbridge (Amblecote) | Monday |
| 4th Stourbridge (Wollaston St James) | Friday |
| 9th Stourbridge Old Swinford | Wednesday |
| 15th Stourbridge (Norton St Michaels) | Friday |
| 16th Stourbridge (Kinver) | Monday |
| 17th Stourbridge (Pedmore St Peters) | Wednesday & Saturday (alternate) |
| 20th Stourbridge (Halfpenny Green Air Scouts) | Wednesday |
How to join
If you are aged 10½ to 14, or a parent/carer of a young person in this age range:
- Use the form on our ‘Join Scouts‘ page and we will direct your enquiry to your nearest Scout Group.
- Find your nearest Scout Group on our ‘Find a Group‘ page, navigate to their page and use the contact form to send them an enquiry directly.
- Head to our ‘Contact Us‘ page, complete the “Join Scouting” form and we will direct your enquiry to your nearest Scout Group.
A volunteer will then be in touch to explain what happens next and arrange a start date or visit. We’ll also let you know about any costs, how subs are paid and what support may be available if cost is a concern.
Adults and volunteering
Volunteers play a key role in Scouts, either working directly with young people or behind the scenes. You don’t need to be an expert in camping or outdoor activities, just willing to get involved.
Volunteering with Scouts can be flexible around work and family life. Whether you’d like to help out week-after-week or whenever-you-can, training and support are provided, and many roles can be shared between several people.
Volunteering with Scouts is a great way to:
- Make friends, meet people and have fun
- Try new things and challenge yourself
- Learn new skills and gain experience
- Positively impact your community
- Create vital opportunities for young people
- Make memories that’ll last a lifetime
If you’re interested in helping we’d love to hear from you by completing our volunteer form.
FAQs
Scouts usually wear a teal green shirt or blouse with a group scarf (necker) and woggle. Leaders will confirm the local uniform and where to buy it.
Each Group sets its own subscription (subs) to cover running costs. There may be extra charges for some events or camps. If cost is ever a problem, please talk to us confidentially – we don’t want money to be a barrier to joining.
Camping and nights away are an important part of Scouts, but no one is forced to do anything they’re not ready for. Leaders will support young people to build up their confidence step by step.
Yes. Many young people join for the first time in the Scout section.
All adult volunteers follow Scouts’ national policies on safety and safeguarding and complete appropriate checks and training. Young people’s welfare is always our top priority. Follow the link to read our Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
If you have any other questions about Scouts in Stourbridge, please contact us – we’re happy to help.
