The Scout Association

The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant of a charter by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Boy Scout Association was renamed as The Scout Association in 1967.

The stated aim of The Scout Association is to "promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities". The Scout Association provides a Programme to help achieve this aim for young people from the age of 6 to 25 The latest census shows that over 410,000 people aged 6–25 are members of The Scout Association, with a further 33,000 people waiting to join in the movement. Thanks to this work, The Scout Association is a member of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS).

Girls were first admitted in 1976 to the Venture Scouts, and the rest of Sections on an optional basis in 1991. Since 2007 all Scout Groups in Britain must accept girls as well as boys, although religious preferences can be accommodated.

Scouting in Great Britain and Northern Ireland is open to all faiths and variations to the Scout Promise are allowed in order to accommodate those of different religious obligations or national allegiances. The Scout Association does not permit an atheist version of the Promise, or a lack of any sort of faith or religion in the programme, and this has attracted criticism from the National Secular Society (NSS) and the British Humanist Association.

The association's current Chief Scout is Bear Grylls, with Derek Twine as the Chief Executive. The association's president is HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a patron of the organisation.

Read more about The Scout Association:  Organisation, Sections, Promise and Law, Fund Raising, Campsites, Notable Former Scouts, The Scout Association Overseas

Famous quotes containing the words scout and/or association:

    Simone Clouseau: Jacques would make a wonderful father. He has many redeeming qualities, you know.
    Sir Charles: Name one.
    Simone Clouseau: Oh, he’s kind, loyal, faithful, obedient.
    Sir Charles: You’re either married to a boy scout or a dachshund.
    Blake Edwards (b. 1922)

    They that have grown old in a single state are generally found to be morose, fretful and captious; tenacious of their own practices and maxims; soon offended by contradiction or negligence; and impatient of any association but with those that will watch their nod, and submit themselves to unlimited authority.
    Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)