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Scouts11-14 yrs

Scouts is the third section of Scouting, for boys and girls aged 11-14 years. It gives young people the opportunity to take part in a range of activities that teach important life skills – while having fun and keeping active!

Scouts focuses on allowing young people to develop their confidence and teaches them how to work as part of a team. Scouts learn essential outdoor safety skills as well as participate in a variety of physical and intellectual challenges. The programs are designed to target each young person’s own special interests, encouraging them to enjoy their favourite hobbies using meaningful badges and awards.

Epic bushwalks and camping expeditions, getting out on the water in a kayak, canoe or sailboat or even going up in a plane on a visit to the Air Activity Centre are just some of the adventures Scouts get up to!

Each Scout collects special badges to demonstrate their skills and achievements and has the opportunity to achieve the Peak Award – the Australian Scout Award before moving onto the Venturer section.

Scouts explore the unknown by:

  • Experiencing big changes
  • Exploring their changing sense of self
  • Focussing more on peer networks
  • Transitioning from Primary to Secondary school
  • Finding new ways to express themselves
  • Exploring and forming their personal identity

In the program, Scouts:

  • take charge of their own expeditions
  • lead the Unit Council
  • develop more complex outdoor skills
  • support their local communities
  • start to be active in their national communities
  • form teams that last for life
  • build Project Patrols
  • develop their life perspective

At 1st Sailors Bay Sea Scouts we are fortunate to have two Scout Units, the Shark Scout Unit, and the Flying Fish Scout Unit.

Meeting Dates and Times

Our Scouts meet from 6-8.30pm during Spring/Summer (Terms 1 & 4) and 7-9pm during Autumn/Winter (Terms 2 & 3). Scouts also occasionally meet at other locations and times for special activities. There is usually at least one camping opportunity and one extra weekend activity each term. Meeting dates and locations are outlined in a term program which is set by the Scout Unit Council.

Shark Scouts meet on Thursday evenings.
Flying Fish Scouts meet on Friday evenings.

Youth Led, Adult Supported​

Each Scout Unit is supported by Adult Leaders who encourage the Scouts in their physical, intellectual, social, emotional and character development. In the Scout Section, we see the balance of youth and adult leadership shift – Scouts will take more charge over their Scouting experience, and have the opportunity to run adventures, activities and games, organise patrols, help plan the program, initiate their own activities together with their Scouting peers.

The Patrol System

Our Scout Units consist of around 29 boys and girls who are broken into patrols (small teams of Scouts who work together to develop skills). One of the first badges a Scout puts on their uniform is the colour patch of their patrol. In each patrol there is a Patrol Leader (a bit like a House Captain at school), and an Assistant Patrol Leader (a bit like a House Vice-Captain). The four Patrols are led by a Unit Leader (a bit like the School Captain).

The Unit Leader, Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leaders are members of the Unit Council, who meet regularly (at least once a term), to create a program that is adventurous, fun, challenging and inclusive, helping to plan and review activities, discussing the award scheme needs of members, and solving problems together.

The Scouts Program

Scout activities are planned by the Unit Council once a term, using the Plan > Do > Review method and the Challenge Areas of Personal Growth, Outdoors, Creative and Community. This aids in the development of great programs and a shared responsibility for the running of activities and for providing opportunities for learning. Scout Programs are planned and developed by Scouts with the support of Adult Leaders. Activities might include:

  • Overnight hikes (normally one per term)
  • Canoeing, sailing and other water activities (terms 1 & 4)
  • Hiking, biking, rock-climbing and other weekend activities (usually one per term)
  • Visiting unique and unusual places (museums, observatory, SES)
  • Games and sporting activities
  • Practical skills such as first aid, cooking, setting up camp, tying knots
  • Outdoor skills such as orienteering, learning to read maps and use a compass
  • District and Region activities such as Scout Hike and Sirius Cup

New Chums

New Chums (children new to Scouts) are given the opportunity to trial our program prior to becoming invested (being sworn in as a Scout). Investiture normally takes place 6 weeks after a new chum has first attended a unit meeting or activity, and once an Adult Leader is satisfied that the new chum is ready to be invested. Parents are invited to attend this important occasion.
In order to be invested, a Scout should:

  • have an understanding of the history of Scouting and why it is special
  • know a little about the award scheme including personal progression
  • understand some of the symbols and traditions of Scouting
  • show a knowledge, understanding and acceptance of the Scout Promise and Law
  • know and understand the salute, demonstrate the Scout sign and left handshake
  • be ready with a Scout Shirt

There is a checklist here to help you keep on top of this.

At the investiture, new chums will be presented with the group scarf and a white woggle, a 1st Sailors Bay cap as well as badges to put on their shirt including the World Scout badge, Australian Scout Flag badge, Region badge, Group badge, Unit badge and Patrol badge. A badge placement diagram can be found here to help you know where to sew your badges.