Scouts helps children and young adults reach their full potential. Scouts develop skills including teamwork, time management, leadership, initiative, planning, communication, self-motivation, cultural awareness and commitment. We help young people to get jobs, save lives and even change the world.
Scouts take part in activities as diverse as kayaking, abseiling, expeditions overseas, photography, climbing and zorbing. As a Scout you can learn survival skills, first aid, computer programming, or even how to fly a plane. There’s something for every young person. It’s a great way to have fun, make friends, get outdoors, express your creativity and experience the wider world.
This everyday adventure is possible thanks to our adult volunteers, who support Scouts in a wide range of roles from working directly with young people, to helping manage a Group, to being a charity Trustee. We help volunteers get the most out of their experiences at Scouts by providing opportunities for adventure, training, fun and friendship.
Our award-winning training scheme for volunteers means that adults get as much from Scouts as young people. Our approach focuses on what you want to get out of volunteering with Scouts, while respecting how much time you can offer. Over 90% of Scout volunteers say that their skills and experiences have been useful in their work or personal life.
INFORMATION:
— The Duchess of Cambridge has been a volunteer since January 2012.
— The Duchess of Cambridge became Joint President of The Scout Association with The Duke of Kent in September 2020. The first woman to hold the position in it’s history.
EFFORTS:
May 02, 2012 – Camping With Scouts In Anglesey – Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge (and Lupo) quietly volunteered on a camping trip for The Scout Association in Anglesey, North Wales.
March 22, 2013 – The Duchess Of Cambridge Visits Great Tower Scout Camp – Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits Great Tower Scout camp on March 22, 2013 in Windermere, Cumbria, United Kingdom. The Duchess of Cambridge attended a scout volunteer training day today in Newby Bridge in Cumbria. The training course is being run in Great Tower, one of the Scout Association’s national activity centres set in 250 acres of land offering a wide range of land and water based activities, including archery, low and high ropes, climbing, abseiling, sailing and canoeing.
April 21, 2013 – The National Review Of The Queen’s Scouts At Windsor Castle – Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the National Review of Queen’s Scouts at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England. During her visit The Duchess inspected the Scouts, watched them parade past and attended a church service inside St George’s Chapel.
December 16, 2014 – Visiting 23rd Poplar Beaver Scout Colony – The Duchess of Cambridge and Steve Judge, the World Para-Triathlon Champion, visited the Beaver Scout Colony of the 23rd Poplar Scout Group in East London as part of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom’s Better Prepared project. This project aims to strengthen links between the Scout Association and local communities to open new Scout groups in 200 areas nationwide. The visit occurred during the Scout group’s weekly meeting, where the Duchess and Steve participated in the evening’s activities with the young people and their leaders. The program focused on diversity and inclusion, and the visitors engaged in games and small group activities to raise disability awareness. By the end of the visit, the two visitors and the Beaver Scouts earned the Disability Awareness Badge. It was an excellent opportunity for young people to have fun and learn skills that will help them in their lives.
December 14, 2016 – Attending A Cub Scout Pack Meeting To Celebrate 100 Years Of Cubs – Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge interacts with children during an official visit to a Cub Scout Pack meeting to celebrate 100 years of Cubs in King’s Lynn, England. During her visit The Duchess took part in games and activities themed around looking after yourself and others physically and emotionally.
March 28, 2019 – Visiting The Scout’s Early Years Pilot At Gilwell Park – The Duchess of Cambridge visited Gilwell Park to mark their 100th Anniversary. During her visit she joined young children taking part in The Scout’s pilot scheme to explore the potential of providing Scouting to children aged four and five — equipping them with the life skills and values of teamwork, leadership and resilience.
May 08, 2019 – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Visit North Wales, Part 2 – On a day of engagements in North Wales The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Newborough Beach where they joined pupils from local primary schools on a beach clean-up organised by the Isle of Anglesey County Council and marine conservation group Surfers Against Sewage. In April, Anglesey became the first county in the UK to be awarded Plastic Free Communities status by the group, in recognition of its work to reduce the impact of single-use plastic on the environment through its the ‘Plastic Free Anglesey’ campaign. Their Royal Highnesses’ then joined the 1st Menai Bridge Scout Group to explore the beach’s wildlife habitat, and hear more about the importance of the nesting bird colonies on neighboring Llanddwyn Island. While living in Anglesey, Catherine volunteered with the Scouts.
September 29, 2020 – The Duchess Of Cambridge Visits Scouts Group – To mark the occasion of becoming the first woman to take on the role of Joint President Of The Scouts Association, The Duchess of Cambridge visited the 12th Northolt Scouts in London to thank them and all the Scouts volunteers for supporting young people during the COVID-19 lockdown. During her visit she joined a group of beaver scouts making cards to send to care homes, created whirly bird helicopters with cubs, and toasted marshmallows. The activities were part of the Great Indoors and Care for Care Homes initiatives, which the organization launched to promote togetherness, courage, and kindness. The Duchess was also given the Silver Wolf Award medal, the Scout Association’s highest award.
November 01, 2021 – COP26 – Day 2 – Alexandra Park Sports Hub – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited a Scout Group in Glasgow as part of their itinerary for COP26. During their visit, they participated in the #PromiseToThePlanet campaign and helped Cub Scouts change the tires and inner tubes on some bikes refurbished for the local community. The center has a bike recycling facility where young people are taught how to refurbish bikes and use this sustainable form of transport in the community. They also made seed bombs and rewilded the area around the community center, which helped them understand more about plants and flowers’ role in protecting the future. Additionally, they made and cooked their own vegetarian burgers made from aubergine, beetroot, garlic, and lentils, which helped them understand the benefits of low-impact foods. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke to one of the One Step Greener Ambassadors about their ‘Forest of promises,’ a tree bearing promises (written on leaves) from Scouts that’ll be positioned at the heart of COP26. It highlights to world leaders that they must consider their responsibility to young people and that young people are ready and willing to play a part in the legacy of COP26, shaping a sustainable future. The Duke and Duchess added to the Forest of promises with their promises, too.
May 08, 2023 – The Wales Family Mark The Big Help Out –The Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, volunteered to assist with building renovations at 3rd Upton Scouts as part of the Big Help Out initiative. The initiative aimed to encourage people to engage in volunteering and support their local communities, as a recognition of King Charles’s public service. The Scouts at 3rd Upton renovated their meeting place, which was built in 1982 and required some improvements. The building also holds a special place in the community’s heart as it is used by the local mosque, a senior citizens contact group for members of the Asian community, and the ‘Slough All Nations’ group, which provides recreation and leisure activities to improve health and promote community cohesion. During their visit, the Royal family participated in various building activities, such as drilling a hole into wood, painting, digging, sanding, revarnishing, and adding planters to the building’s front. Inside, they replaced the carpet and fixed a mural to create a lasting legacy of the fantastic Big Help Out initiative. The volunteers also received their own #TheBigHelpOut badge as a token of appreciation.
December 08, 2023 – “Together At Christmas” Carol Service – A group of scouts were invited to attend the magical carol service at Westminster Abbey. They were nominated to attend because of their inspiring charitable accomplishments in the past year. The Scouts and volunteers, who attended the special Christmas Carol Service, were from the Slough District. Many of them had previously supported HRH The Princess of Wales when she took part in renovation of a Scout meeting place as part of The Big Help Out in May. They were joined by team members who’ve led the Squirrels programme, both locally and nationally. The service will be a moment to thank all those who work to support babies, young children and families in our communities across the UK. Individuals were nominated in recognition of their outstanding work in caring for children, young people and families. The service was attended by inspiring individuals and families from all corners of the UK, including midwives, health visitors, early years practitioners, nursery teachers, community volunteers, and members of The Royal Family. The evening was filled with beautiful carols, musical performances, and poignant readings, making it an extraordinary and festive occasion. The service airs on Christmas Eve as part of a special program on ITV1 and ITVX.
