Sections
In the Scout Association, there are five sections to cater for youth aged between 6 and 25 years of age.
| Section | Ages | Controlled by | Activities | Introduced | 2008 Membership | 2009 Membership | 2010 Membership | 2011 Membership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Scouts | 6–8 | Group | Emphasis on having fun. | 1986 | 101,094 | 103,226 | 108,018 | 112,058 |
| Cub Scouts | 8–10½ | Group | Introduction to Scoutcraft and activities. | 1916 | 137,268 | 140,621 | 142,904 | 144,296 |
| Scouts | 10½–14 | Group | Further development of Scouting skills. | 1907 | 107,966 | 113,058 | 117,328 | 118,462 |
| Explorer Scouts | 14–18 | District | Emphasis on personal challenge and adventure. | 2002 | 30,422 | 31,948 | 34,689 | 36,346 |
| Scout Network | 18–25 | County/Area | More flexible with greater personal choice. | 2002 | 1,913 | 2,048 | 2,171 | 2,061 |
The first four sections (Beavers to Explorers) are led by a Section Leader, who must hold an appointment for the position, and is aided by assistant leaders. In addition to the leaders, others can assist in the running of the section; Young Leaders, Explorer Scouts trained in leadership techniques, are frequently a part of section meetings as are other volunteers, usually the parents of children in the group, and members of the Group Executive Committee who help operate the Group financially. Scout Networks are mainly member led, but are assisted by a Network Leader who ensures that the Network is working within the rules of the association.
In addition to the main programme sections, a parallel Scouting programme, Scoutlink, provides support and involvement for young people and adults with developmental disabilities.
Read more about this topic: The Scout Association
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