What Is Scouting?

Scouting has been integral in developing the skills of youth and adults for over 100 years. It is a worldwide Movement with more than 40 million Scouts participating in the most successful youth organisation. In Queensland more than 15,000 boys, girls and adults in Queensland participate in the fun of Scouts. Scouting encourages diversity and inclusion – it’s truly education for life!

What is the Purpose of Scouting?

Scouts provides young Aussies aged 5* to 25 with fun and challenging opportunities to grow through adventure. Scouts is the largest youth movement in the nation and the world. The purpose of the Scout Movement is to encourage the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual development of young people so that they take a constructive place in society as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. Scouts become inspiring and resilient leaders.

* Must have had their fifth birthday and be eligible to start Year 1 prior to commencing in Joey Scouts

Scouts Learn:

  • life skills
  • the importance of community involvement
  • self-confidence
  • to accept challenges
  • environmental issues
  • initiative and problem solving
  • to achieve badges and awards
  • leadership
  • planning and to be prepared
  • independence
  • to keep it fun
  • teamwork

Scouting is Fun!

Scouting is definitely fun, and it also prepares young people for life in the adult world by teaching responsibility for their own actions and progress. These achievements lay a solid foundation for the success of our future Australian leaders. But don’t tell the kids they’re learning… they think they’re just having fun! No matter the age of the participant, Scouts provides fun and exciting programs that promote active learning. Whether the young boys and girls are canoeing, camping, visiting museums or helping their local community, the activity is sure to teach them about themselves and the world around them.

Scouting is Challenging!

Scouts challenge their minds as well as their bodies. Not everyone looks for the outdoor buzz all the time, so Scouts have challenging activities linked with the internet and amateur radio, performance arts such as singing, dancing, and acting and awards linked to citizenship, community service and personal spiritual development.

Scouting is Commitment!

Scouting makes a direct and positive impact on the community by teaching positive values and leadership skills to youth. Every year, Scouts and their Leaders contribute thousands of volunteer hours to their local communities. Sharing time with the aged in the local community, helping with Clean Up Australia Day, Harmony Day and Earth Hour are just a few examples of the commitment Scouts make to their communities.

Scouting is Inclusive!

We encourage the integration of children with special needs – physical and mental disabilities or medical conditions – into regular Scout Groups. Our Scout Groups have a vast and welcoming community of varying faiths and cultures. Scouting really is for everyone!

Scouting is Global!

There are over 40 million Scouts across the world – joining Scouts Queensland connects you to them all. International opportunities include joining the Jamboree on the Air (JOTA), Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI), making a Pen-Pal, attending a World Jamboree or a World Scout Association event.

How Does it Work?

Scouting achieves its Aim through a system of progressive self education, known as the Scout Method, the principal elements of which are:

  • Voluntary membership of a uniformed group which, guided by adults, and is increasingly self governed in its successive age groups
  • Commitment to a code of living as expressed in the Scout Promise and Scout Law, the meaning of which is expanded as the members grow towards maturity
  • The provision of a wide range of fun, constructive and challenging activities, including opportunities for adventure and exploration both indoors and outdoors
  • The provision of opportunities for leadership and responsibility
  • Learning by doing
  • Encouragement of activity in small groups
  • An award scheme which encourages participation in its full range of activities and provides recognition of individual achievements
  • A commitment to helping youth from the adult Leaders

World Scouting History

In 1907 Robert Baden-Powell ran the first Scout camp at Brownsea Island off the South Coast of England. Both Baden-Powell and the boys who attended agreed the camp had been successful. This is considered the beginning of Scouting.

The following year his book Scouting for Boys was published and proved a great success, being reprinted 10 times in only two years. Scout Troops sprang up around Britain, and by 1922 a world Scouting organization had been established. Scouting had already spread to Australia, New Zealand and India in 1908.

Throughout the years Scouting has become the world's largest youth organization, with Scouts in hundreds of countries worldwide. Each Scout becomes a member of a worldwide family spread over many languages and races.

Baden-Powell insisted that education should be fun and this idea is the basis of the Scouting movement. His system allows youth members to learn how to improve themselves and help society, while having fun and making friends. Scouts have the option of deciding what they want to learn and how fast they learn it, have goals to work towards and obtain recognition for their efforts. As the Scout progresses through the sections they can also develop leadership skills which may help them in the future.

Scouting admitted girls and young women to its Venturer Scout and Rover Scout Sections in 1973 and its Cub Scout and Scout Sections in 1988. The Joey Scout Section commenced on 1 July 1990 and is open to boys and girls.

Queensland Scouting History

  • 1908 - First Scout Patrols formed in Queensland (August)
  • 1916 - Sea Scouts established in Queensland
  • 1918 - Wolf Cubs commenced in Queensland
  • 1923 - Rover Crews established in Queensland
  • 1931 - First Scout Group formed (All Saints, Brisbane)
  • 1942 - Air Scouts established in Queensland
  • 1952 - First Gang Show performed in Queensland
  • 1973 - Senior Scouts renamed Venturer Scouts
  • 1975 - Venturer Units and Rover Crews accept their first female members
  • 1980 - First Agoonoree Camp staged at Baden-Powell Park
  • 1988 - Girls admitted to Scouts and Cub Scouts
  • 1990 - Joey Scouts commenced in Queensland



Logan Village Scout Group

General information and images on this page © Scouts Queensland and Scouts Australia .
The views expressed in this website are not necessarily those of Scouts Australia.