Scout District
Encyclopedia
A Scout District is an administrative division within some Scouting
and Guiding
organisations.
Districts are responsible for providing programme and support for local Scout and Guide groups, although the precise relationship and structure of a District does vary from country to country.
currently has 895 Scout Districts across the United Kingdom
. Each District is responsible for providing programme and support for its member Scout Group
s, and is in turn supported by a Scout County
.
for 18 to 25 year olds.
Each District is led by a District Commissioner (DC) who is able to appoint a team of Assistant District Commissioners (ADCs). Ideally, one ADC is appointed for each of the Beaver Scout, Cub Scout, and Scout
sections in order to provide support and communication between sections in different Scout Groups. Other possible ADC position include activities and general duties, but other positions can be created if the DC perceives a need.
If there are Explorer Scout Units in the District, then there will also be a District Explorer Scout Commissioner to oversee the programme and support of this age range.
As well as the uniformed members of the District Team, there is an executive body which manages the finances of the District and act as a steering committee to determine how support is provided to the Groups.
also uses the District system as part of the organisation. Guide Districts do not necessarily cover the same boundaries as their Scouting counterparts.
and Girl Scouts of the USA
have District-level administrative bodies. The key administrative person is the district executive.
are groups of varying numbers Scout Groups, set to a geographic area. They are led by the District Commissioner who is supported by District Leaders for each Section, and for other tasks such as Adult Training, Development (often combined in the same person) Water Activities, the warden of any District owned campsite, as well as the District Executive, a committee of Lay Scouters who are responsible for fundraising and other tasks. In a holdover from the old boys-only days, some districts have a Ladies Auxiliary. Each District is subsidiary to a Region
In contrast to the other Sections, Rovers
have no official connection to their district, except in cases of District Rover Crews, although informal District Rover Forums are held in some Districts, and some Districts have an official District Rover Advisor.
In the Northern Territory
, there are no districts, and only two regions.
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
and Guiding
Girl Guides
A Guide, Girl Guide or Girl Scout is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 10 and 14. Age limits are different in each organisation. It is the female-centred equivalent of the Scouts. The term Girl Scout is used in the United States and several East Asian...
organisations.
Districts are responsible for providing programme and support for local Scout and Guide groups, although the precise relationship and structure of a District does vary from country to country.
The Scout Association
The Scout AssociationThe Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
currently has 895 Scout Districts across the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Each District is responsible for providing programme and support for its member Scout Group
Scout Group
The Scout Group is the local organisation for Scouting in most countries where it is active. It combines together the different sections into a single body. Scout Groups can consist of any number of sections in the different Age Groups in Scouting and Guiding...
s, and is in turn supported by a Scout County
Scout Counties
A Scout County is an administrative division within The Scout Association of the United Kingdom. There are currently 115 Counties and Areas in the United Kingdom. These bodies are responsible for providing programmes and support for their member Scout Districts.The term County is used by England...
.
Organisation
Districts consist of, on average, about 10 Scout Groups which provide Scouting for members between the ages of 6 and 14. They also have a number of Explorer Scout Units to provide for 14 to 18 year olds, and may have a locally operated Scout NetworkScout Network
The Scout Network is the fifth and final section of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom, catering for 18- to 25-year-olds and introduced in 2001, following the review of UK Scouting. It, along with the Explorer Scout section, replaced the Venture Scouts...
for 18 to 25 year olds.
Each District is led by a District Commissioner (DC) who is able to appoint a team of Assistant District Commissioners (ADCs). Ideally, one ADC is appointed for each of the Beaver Scout, Cub Scout, and Scout
Scout Section (UK)
The Scout section is the direct descendant of the original Scout Patrols which formed The Scout Association of the United Kingdom in 1908. The section is open to both boys and girls between the ages of 10½-14 years, and are now formed into local Scout Troops.Scout Troops form part of a Scout Group...
sections in order to provide support and communication between sections in different Scout Groups. Other possible ADC position include activities and general duties, but other positions can be created if the DC perceives a need.
If there are Explorer Scout Units in the District, then there will also be a District Explorer Scout Commissioner to oversee the programme and support of this age range.
As well as the uniformed members of the District Team, there is an executive body which manages the finances of the District and act as a steering committee to determine how support is provided to the Groups.
Girlguiding UK
Girlguiding UKGirlguiding UK
Girlguiding UK is the national Guiding organisation of the United Kingdom. Guiding began in the UK in 1910 after Robert Baden-Powell asked his sister Agnes to start a group especially for girls that would be run along similar lines to Scouting for Boys. The Guide Association was a founder member of...
also uses the District system as part of the organisation. Guide Districts do not necessarily cover the same boundaries as their Scouting counterparts.
United States of America
Both the Boy Scouts of AmericaBoy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
and Girl Scouts of the USA
Girl Scouts of the USA
The Girl Scouts of the United States of America is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. It describes itself as "the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls". It was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 and was organized after Low...
have District-level administrative bodies. The key administrative person is the district executive.
Scouts Australia
Districts in Scouts AustraliaScouts Australia
Scouts Australia is an organisation for children and young adults from 6 to 26 years of age. Scouts Australia is part of the global Scouting movement and has been a national member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement since 1953...
are groups of varying numbers Scout Groups, set to a geographic area. They are led by the District Commissioner who is supported by District Leaders for each Section, and for other tasks such as Adult Training, Development (often combined in the same person) Water Activities, the warden of any District owned campsite, as well as the District Executive, a committee of Lay Scouters who are responsible for fundraising and other tasks. In a holdover from the old boys-only days, some districts have a Ladies Auxiliary. Each District is subsidiary to a Region
In contrast to the other Sections, Rovers
Rovers (Australia)
Rovers, formerly Rover Scouts, is the fifth and final section of Scouts Australia, and began in 1918. Rovers are aged between 17 and 26 years of age and are organised into local Crews, which can be associated with a Scout Group or operate as a stand-alone Crew. Crews accept anyone interested in...
have no official connection to their district, except in cases of District Rover Crews, although informal District Rover Forums are held in some Districts, and some Districts have an official District Rover Advisor.
In the Northern Territory
Scouting in the Northern Territory
Scouting and Guiding in the Northern Territory is predominantly represented by the Branches of Scouts Australia and Girl Guides Australia covering the Northern Territory.-History:...
, there are no districts, and only two regions.