Pint

Just popping in from the UK, though id share this with you, issued via email from the UK Scout Association: Dear all, Many of you will have seen the media reports about the possible removal of the statue of Robert Baden-Powell, the Founder of the global Scout movement, from Poole Quay, in Dorset. The intention, we understand, is to avoid damage to the statue as the important debate continues around the role of historical figures, following Black Lives Matters protests across the world. This is a vital moment to have honest conversations, acknowledge the huge strength of feeling and renew our commitment to education and understanding with empathy and humility. As Scouts we stand together against racism, always. Inclusion and acceptance are at the heart of our values, and we are not afraid to call out racist language or behaviour. We strongly support the principles of Black Lives Matter and also stand with those affected by racism. We are a movement that inspires openness, kindness, understanding and the power of community and friendship. In the summer of 1907, a new movement was born on Brownsea Island, in Poole harbour Dorset – one that would bring skills, kindness and courage to millions around the world. It was here that Robert Baden-Powell founded the Scouts by taking a small group of young people from diverse backgrounds to live and work together. Their aim was to learn about the great outdoors, work in teams, and show we had more in common than divides us. Since that first camp, Scouting has grown, year on year, to become today a worldwide family, some 54 million strong, in almost every nation on earth. It is, without doubt, one of the greatest youth movements in history. But it’s right that we make time to listen, educate ourselves, and reflect on history - acknowledging where there are times when views and actions from the past do not match those values we live by today. It’s also right that we do not make any accusations or form any conclusions without the facts. These are the foundations of an open and honest debate about our society’s past and future. Baden-Powell was a complex figure, with changing and sometimes contradictory views that often reflected his time. We would never attempt to defend or agree with everything he did or said. However it’s obvious from the last 100 years, that Scouts has the power to unite people in a spirit of mutual friendship and respect and has become the greatest youth movement the world has ever seen. For generations, the Scout movement has brought millions of young people together from different cultures and backgrounds to promote friendship, cooperation and understanding. This happens at a community level across the UK, and at a global level at World Scout Jamborees and international camps. We are proud to build bridges between communities. As a movement, we’re also proud to support young people from every community in the UK, helping them develop values of integrity, respect, belief, care and cooperation. To actively support our members, we have created and shared guidance and resources to help parents and volunteers to have conversations about racism with young people. This is a first step in helping give our members the skills, confidence and courage to challenge racism and other behaviours that go against our values as Scouts. To be clear, there is no place for prejudice or discrimination of any kind in Scouts. Instead we actively celebrate the diversity of our members’ backgrounds, talents, thought and abilities that makes Scouting the vibrant community it is today. As Scouts, we must all continue to listen and reflect on how we live up to our values and strive to do better. Thank you for your own example, living and sharing our values. Tim Kidd UK Chief Commissioner Matt Hyde Chief Executive

UK Situation update: All Schools +nursery's (kindergarten) to close effective from Monday 23rd March indefinitely across the whole UK

Message from UK Scout Association: Dear all, I'm writing to share critical pieces of information relating to the developing Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. This email follows my previous communications with volunteer managers over the past few weeks. Late this afternoon, the Prime Minister has said that everyone in the UK should now avoid non-essential travel and contact with others. Suspension of face-to-face activities Given this guidance, all face-to-face Scout meetings, activities and events must be suspended from tomorrow, Tuesday, 17 March 2020. This suspension applies to young people and adults, and will be until further notice. We must continue to respond to the developing situation in a calm, measured and appropriate way. We will continue to follow official guidance. The safety of everyone involved in Scouts, both young people and adults, is our number one priority. That is always at the heart of our decision making. Government advice The Government's Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage is frequently updated as things develop, so please check it regularly at www.gov.uk/coronavirus. Events Given the latest Government guidance, we are cancelling the following events: Day of Celebration at Windsor Beaver and Cub Fundays at Gilwell Park and Woodhouse Park Gilwell 24 We will be communicating to specific audiences about these event cancellations over the next week. We'd ask that you wait for this information to be sent out rather than contacting us immediately, due to the volume of enquiries we are currently receiving. Event organisers If you or your team are involved in organising any future Scout events, you will now need to review these plans and risk assessments given this new guidance. Jamborees and other large events If applicable, we suggest you regularly check the websites of relevant large-scale events, for example, Jamborees and camps, for specific updates from the organisers. European Jamboree The organisers of the European Jamboree 2020 in Poland have shared this update and continue to add to their frequently asked questions on the changing situation here. If applicable, please continue to monitor these updates. Scout trips abroad We asked the Government (the Department for Culture, Media and Sport) for clarity about youth groups travelling abroad, as the current advice only specifies school trips. We will let you know when we receive an update. As well as the Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website has the latest information, guidance and travel advice, along with details of any restrictions – which must be followed. Travel insurance The Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation may have implications for your travel insurance. Check with your insurers directly about the levels of cover. If you have taken insurance through Unity, they have provided an update here. Scout Information Centre The Scout Information Centre will only be able to deal with emails and web chat until further notice. As you can imagine, we are experiencing an unprecedented level of enquiries at the moment, so please use the Government guidance as your primary reference where possible. Keeping you updated The Government have now committed to daily briefings. So we can keep you up to date, we have created a webpage: scouts.org.uk/coronavirus which we'll update from tomorrow. Doing our bit I think we all agree that it's in challenging times like these, that our Scout values matter most. We are talking to the Government and other community organisations to see how Scouts can support our country during this crisis. We must make sure that we do this in the safest possible way, and don't put anyone at further risk. We will update you more on this over the coming weeks. Scouting at home We are planning to share activities for young people to do at home with their parents if families are faced with self-isolation. We will be communicating more about this soon. Thank you As always, I want to say a big thank you for everything you do for Scouts. By checking and following the latest Government advice and by taking a calm and measured approach, we can continue to ensure that young people and adults stay safe. Best wishes, Tim Kidd UK Chief Commissioner Scouts

How much does Scouting cost in the USA? i've seen some stories that fees have increased, but by how much? from a UK Scouter's side of things, ( using an online currency conversion) we have an annual Youth member charge of US$50 which goes to District, and then form that to Headquarters ( national) As a Scout troop we charge youth members US$135 a year, split in to three terms at US45 each term and a weekend camp ( Friday evening- Sunday afternoon/early evening) costs roughly US$50 We provide tents for camping in, but not camping equipment ( sleeping bags clothing footwear etc) We also provide badges and books, parents have to provide uniform items ( ie Scout shirt)

As a UK Scouter, care to elaborate?

Whilst UK Scouting was moving towards Co-ed it certainly wasn't a strictly co-ed movement in the UK in the 1990's UK Scouting is organised round the Group principal, that is there are (upto) three Sections under one management system, known as the Scout Group which consists of Beavers, Cub Scouts and Scouts, Explorer Scouts are a District provision, but are often attached to groups as is Scout Network ( 18 - 25) the following is a rough timeline In the late 1960's There was a major re-structure, which ( amongst other things) resulted in the creation of Venture Scouts - replacing Rover Scouts. Also the Name The Boy Scout Association was changed to The Scout Association In the mid/late 1970's Girls could be admitted to Venture Scouts ( age 15.5-21 ?) if the Venture Scout unit, and the Scout Group it was a part of agreed In the Early 1990's Girls could join all sections within a group, at the Discretion of the group ( typicaly all leaders/adults had to agree to this) if Beavers went Co-ed in a group, then all other sections age upwards had to. In 2007 the local /Sectional option was removed and all groups had to accept Girls no matter what, or face closure/removal of leaders. However, as far as i know its acceptable to run two ( or more) nights still as single sex, as long as there is active provision in the group for all sexes, and the relevant Scouting commissioner approves. so in theory its possible to have the following hypothetical set up: 17th Somewhere town Scout Group, West Norwhereshire District Monday: Beavers (Girls) 5:30pm-7pm Scouts (girls) 7:30-9:30pm Tuesday Beavers (Boys) 5:30-7pm, Scouts (Boys) 7:30-9:30pm Wednesday 6:30-8pm Cub Scouts (Girls) Thursday 6:30pm-8pm) Cub Scouts (boys) However i havent seen the above set up, and it would only be allowed to exists with the aproval of the District Commissioner.

From the other side of the pond... I'm aware that Scouting in the USA is structured very differently and relies on something called Charter organisations who recruit the leadership team, provide the meeting place, equipment and other resources. And if that CO decides to drop the BSA Scouting program then that's it, no more Scouting. In the UK things are a little different, Things are organised at a Group level where the Scout group is the centre overseen by a committee ( usually consisting of parents of current and former youth members, former youth members and other interested partys as well as Beaver/Cub and Scout leaders) The Scout Group is its own thing, although it is supervised (in the loose sense of the word) by a Scout District. Whats stopping a group of Parents/Adults and youth starting their own Scout Group with its own equipment and if lucky enough its own meeting place, admitting those youth members of the LDS church who have been denied Scouting as a result of the LDS no longer being a CO?

I've noticed that BSA troops seem to identify as Troop Number BSA, ie Troop 12345 where as in the UK its more along the lines of 1st Somewhere Scouts, belonging to 1st Somewhere Scout Group. The Scout group being its own self financing entity, consisting of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, often without any sponsor other than its own committee(s) Hence Why 1st Somewhere Scouts will be the first identifier, and then the patrol will be somewhat further down the list Another difference is that of age, in the UK (Scout Association) we have Beavers Age from 6-8, Cubs age from 8-10.5 and Scouts age from 10.5 ( or 10) to 14 ( upto 14.5) then Explorer scouts age from 14 to 18, followed by Scout network ( or notwork depending on how things are going) 18-25 Before the change in age ranges Scouts used to run upto 15/16 then Venture scouts from 16-18/25(?) This means that the Patrol leaders can be typically between 12-14 years of age in the UK, where as in the USA, as far as i know the age gap runs right up to 18 which, if im correct would mean that a 16/17 year old Patrol leader would be far more experienced and able to run with far less adult input/assistance/help. I'm aware of the BSA having something called a charter organisation, however this concept seems totally alien, as in the UK everything is at Group level. While Sponsored groups do exist in places they are few and far between, and the level of input in the case of a church sponsored group may just mean a local member of the clergy, or church committee taking part in the Scout group Executive committee meetings, and providing subsidized accommodation/storage ( ie a local church hall) however, in my experience most scout groups ( Beavers/Cubs/Scouts) own their own building and a small plot of land around it

There are several different Scouting organisations in the UK, the largest being the Scout Association (WOSM Member) http://scouts.org.uk/home/ and then the smaller Scouting organisations, none of which I have seen ( so far) anywhere Baden Powel Scout Assocaiton (BPSA) https://www.traditionalscouting.co.uk/split away sometime in the late 1960's after a disagreement with a modernisation plan ( advanced party review) The British Boy scouts and British Girl Scouts Assocation http://www.bbsandbgs.org.uk/ split sometime in the early 1900s (1909?) The European Scout Federation http://www.fse-scouts.eu/main/index.php As above, other than the Scout Assocation, i have never seen any of the other minority organisations. However if a group of leaders wants to leave the Scout association theres nothing ( physically ) to stop them setting up with another Scout organisation, or setting up their own independant Scout organisation ( except that the Scout association will see them as a closed group, and all assets of that group would then transfer to the Scout association )

Thought you may be interested in this: http://scouts.org.uk/news/2016/04/census-2016/

You could try a search for backwoods cooking a few things here http://www.nhscouting.org/openrosters/DocDownload.aspx?id=94626 While ive seen S'more mentioned, ive never tried them, or even seen them ( had to google them )

From a UK perspective, Girl Guiding UK dropped any reference to God from the promise, and while there was a little ( you had to search to find it ) criticism things have pretty much carried on. Scouting through the UK Scout assocaition has also change the promise however this has been done by introducing a new optional variation that replaces " Do my duty to God " to "uphold our Scout values" theres more information on that here http://members.scouts.org.uk/fundamentals/?pageid=2944

The LondonPride event made front page on the UK Scout Association website http://www.scouts.org.uk and a full news item here: http://scouts.org.uk/news/2014/06/scout-pride/ text from above link: Scouts took part in a fantastic London Pride celebration on Saturday. It’s the sixth year that we’ve attended this LGBT event, and the turnout was bigger than ever. We were there to show the thousands of spectators that Scouting is diverse, inclusive and welcoming to people from all walks of life. For the first time, we were joined by young people between the ages of 16 and 18. The revellers at Pride were in high spirits despite some drizzly weather. Almost 90 people – including volunteers, young people and staff – represented Scouting in the parade through central London. They were decked out in bright purple I-scout T-shirts and some dressed up as adventurous Scout activities, wearing kayaks and tents. This year Scouts were at the head of the parade, with an eye-catching, decorated Scout-branded coach (courtesy of our partner National Express). For the first time we held a pre-Pride event. Dean Jefferys (Regional Commissioner for London), Matt Mills (Regional Commissioner for East of England) and author and campaigner James Wharton set the scene on why Pride is so important. There was also the opportunity to network and find out about our team of Specialist Advisers in Inclusion and Diversity. Our attendance at Pride was organised with FLAGS, the National Scout Active Support Unit which supports LGBT adults in Scouting. As part of our commitment to diversity, we’ve created new resources on gender identity and sexual orientation in partnership with the charities Stonewall, The Gender Trust and Mermaids. Watch our , shown in Trafalgar Square during the celebrations. Check out our Facebook album of Pride photos.

Events such as Pride don't appear to be having an effect on scouting in the UK, in fact it doesn't even generate much media attention, except within Scouting The Below text is copy and pasted from UK Scout Association website here http://scouts.org.uk/events/june-2014/london-pride/: ****************************************************************** Join us for a great day out at Pride in London, whilst promoting that Scouting is truly diverse, inclusive and open to all. When: Saturday 28 June 2014, 10am until 4pm (approx) Where: Central London Cost: Free Pride in London is a fantastic annual celebration of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community, and culminates in London’s second largest one-day event. This will be the sixth year that The Scout Association has attended the event, and we hope to build on last year’s success. Whatever your sexual orientation, you are invited to join other adult volunteers and celebrate the diversity of Scouting on Saturday 28 June 2014. We will be meeting from 10am, at a venue in central London near Edgware Road station. As well as hot drinks and a mid-morning snack, there will be opportunities to network and meet members of FLAGS (our National Active Support Unit supporting LGBT adults in Scouting). By 12.30pm, we’ll form a walking group ready for the parade through central London which starts at 1pm. After the parade, you’ll be free to spend time enjoying the rest of the Pride in London event. Booking: Please complete the booking form if you would like to attend Pride in London with The Scout Association this year. Young people aged 16 and 17 may attend with parental consent, and under 16’s may attend alongside a parent/carer. If you cannot attend this year, but wish to be informed about next year’s event, contact diversity.inclusion@scouts.org.uk. If you are interested in attending other local Pride events happening across the country this summer, contact our National Scout Active Support Unit, FLAGS. For any questions or further information, please email diversity.inclusion@scouts.org.uk

This has hit the various news outlets on the UK today.... "Traditional values are secret of our success, say Scouts as membership soars Ditching traditional values to be ‘cool’ would be like cringeworthy ‘Dad dancing’, says Scouts chief"" http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/10802143/Traditional-values-are-secret-of-our-success-say-Scouts-as-membership-soars.html "Girls fuel massive boom for Scouts: Number of children who have joined the movement goes up by 100,000 in ten years" http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2618281/Girls-fuel-massive-boom-Scouts-Number-children-joined-movement-goes-100-000-ten-years.html