Scout Network
Encyclopedia
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 (which was for 15.5- to 20-year-olds). Network is the responsibility of Counties/Areas
, however, following the Network review in 2006, responsibility for individual Networks can be delegated to Districts.
Firstly, the age range was altered to cater for those young people aged 18 to 25 years, largely to ensure that the Scout sections tie in to other organisations, such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme. The Explorer Scout section was introduced to fit between Scouts
and Scout Network. The section was to be led from within, where the membership would provide the leadership necessary, under the guidance and support of an appointed County Scout Network Commissioner.
Originally, the administration of the Scout Network was to be the responsibility of the Scout Counties or Areas, whereas the Venture Scout Units were attached to local Scout Groups. There would, essentially, be a single Scout Network for the entire County — which was perhaps one of the contributing factors in the lack of initial success suffered by the new section. To begin with, almost all Counties had little or no membership in the section. Many of the old Venture Scout units converted to Explorer Scout units — leaving perhaps just one or two older people without a Network. However, some Counties took the lead and introduced a unit-based system (mostly based around old Venture Scout Units) coordinated by County.
The slow start was eventually recognised by the Scout Association and the Network review was launched in 2006. This concluded that a more structured leadership needed to be in place within the Counties. The County Scout Network Commissioner is now supported by a number of Scout Network Leaders. These can either be attached to units or may have specific roles at a County Network level. Each County, therefore, can now officially have multiple Local Networks which may have their own identity and operate their own programmes, but remain part of the Count Scout Network and participate in County-wide activities. It is also now possible to have District Networks, which are part of a Scout District rather than the Scout County — although they remain closely linked and even the District Networks get involved in the activities of the County Scout Network.
The 2006 review introduced the option for a District to hold responsibility for a Scout Network, though this change must be agreed by the District Commissioner, County/Area Commissioner and County Scout Network Commissioner (CSNC).
All Networks should have a Network leader, who is essentially an advisor or mentor to the members. Leadership should be from within, with members taking on responsibility for organising and operating a balance programme. A Chairperson is normally elected by the members to represent the Network at meetings and to act as the main point of contact.
The review marked a return to the unit-based system that had already been "unofficially" introduced in some Counties. The section membership is growing in many areas.
The County Network is run by a committee made up of Network members, with an elected Chairman and other officers and the support of the CSNC and Network leaders.
It must be emphasised that, whilst it has an adult membership, the Scout Network is a section existing for the benefit and development of young people rather than a support function for the rest of Scouting. However, many Network members also choose to take on volunteer responsibilities as, for example, an Adult Leader in the Beaver Scouts
, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Explorer Scouts, or assist their District, or Area/County at support Level, help as an activity instructor or as a member of a campsite service team.
The Scout Network has some parallels with the Rover Scouts, which served the 17 to 24 age range between 1918 and their dissolution following the publication of The Chief Scouts' Advance Party Report
in 1966.
Members may also work towards towards the Duke of Edinburgh's Award possibly in parallel with the Chief Scout's and Queen's Scout Awards.
In 2008 the Scout Association began a trial of the Scouts of the World Award, specifically for the Network section. The Scouts of the World Award consists of three elements:
Network members attend many camps. These have included the Monopoly Run in London, Alton Towers Camp in Derbyshire, Pubscout Festival in Coventry, Apex Challenge events, Intense in Avon to Evo in Hampshire. The largest event is the National Gathering, held around Easter of each year at Great Tower Scout Campsite.
The 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...
in 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...
, 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 (which was for 15.5- to 20-year-olds). Network is the responsibility of Counties/Areas
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...
, however, following the Network review in 2006, responsibility for individual Networks can be delegated to Districts.
History and organisation
There are a number of significant differences between the organisation of the Scout Network and the Venture Scouts section which it superseded.Firstly, the age range was altered to cater for those young people aged 18 to 25 years, largely to ensure that the Scout sections tie in to other organisations, such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme. The Explorer Scout section was introduced to fit between Scouts
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...
and Scout Network. The section was to be led from within, where the membership would provide the leadership necessary, under the guidance and support of an appointed County Scout Network Commissioner.
Originally, the administration of the Scout Network was to be the responsibility of the Scout Counties or Areas, whereas the Venture Scout Units were attached to local Scout Groups. There would, essentially, be a single Scout Network for the entire County — which was perhaps one of the contributing factors in the lack of initial success suffered by the new section. To begin with, almost all Counties had little or no membership in the section. Many of the old Venture Scout units converted to Explorer Scout units — leaving perhaps just one or two older people without a Network. However, some Counties took the lead and introduced a unit-based system (mostly based around old Venture Scout Units) coordinated by County.
The slow start was eventually recognised by the Scout Association and the Network review was launched in 2006. This concluded that a more structured leadership needed to be in place within the Counties. The County Scout Network Commissioner is now supported by a number of Scout Network Leaders. These can either be attached to units or may have specific roles at a County Network level. Each County, therefore, can now officially have multiple Local Networks which may have their own identity and operate their own programmes, but remain part of the Count Scout Network and participate in County-wide activities. It is also now possible to have District Networks, which are part of a Scout District rather than the Scout County — although they remain closely linked and even the District Networks get involved in the activities of the County Scout Network.
The 2006 review introduced the option for a District to hold responsibility for a Scout Network, though this change must be agreed by the District Commissioner, County/Area Commissioner and County Scout Network Commissioner (CSNC).
All Networks should have a Network leader, who is essentially an advisor or mentor to the members. Leadership should be from within, with members taking on responsibility for organising and operating a balance programme. A Chairperson is normally elected by the members to represent the Network at meetings and to act as the main point of contact.
The review marked a return to the unit-based system that had already been "unofficially" introduced in some Counties. The section membership is growing in many areas.
The County Network is run by a committee made up of Network members, with an elected Chairman and other officers and the support of the CSNC and Network leaders.
It must be emphasised that, whilst it has an adult membership, the Scout Network is a section existing for the benefit and development of young people rather than a support function for the rest of Scouting. However, many Network members also choose to take on volunteer responsibilities as, for example, an Adult Leader in the Beaver Scouts
Beaver Scouts
Beaver Scouts, often shortened to Beavers, is the youngest section of Scouting operated by The Scout Association in the United Kingdom. The core age range for Beaver Scouts is six to eight years, though exceptions can be granted. Individual sections of Beaver Scouts, known as a Colony, are run by...
, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Explorer Scouts, or assist their District, or Area/County at support Level, help as an activity instructor or as a member of a campsite service team.
The Scout Network has some parallels with the Rover Scouts, which served the 17 to 24 age range between 1918 and their dissolution following the publication of The Chief Scouts' Advance Party Report
The Chief Scouts' Advance Party Report
The Chief Scouts' Advance Party Report was a publication produced in 1966 by The Boy Scout Association in the United Kingdom, intended to modernise the Scout Movement...
in 1966.
Awards
The awards available in the Network Scout Section, are almost the same as those available in the Explorer Scout Section.- The Scout Network Moving On Award
- The Scout Network Membership Award
- The Chief Scout's Diamond Award
- The Queen's ScoutQueen's ScoutThe Queen's Scout Award is the highest youth award achievable in the Scouting movement in several countries. It is awarded in realms of the Commonwealth, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand where the Scouts operate under the ceremonial leadership of the monarch.The...
Award - The Explorer BeltExplorer BeltThe Explorer Belt is an award in many Scouting organisations which promotes adventure and self-reliance in an international context.While specific rules on the award vary from one organisation to another, it is generally for older members of the Scout Movement and requires a group of Scouts to...
Members may also work towards towards the Duke of Edinburgh's Award possibly in parallel with the Chief Scout's and Queen's Scout Awards.
In 2008 the Scout Association began a trial of the Scouts of the World Award, specifically for the Network section. The Scouts of the World Award consists of three elements:
- Discovery — a residential experience focussing on the environment, development or peace. The first trial was held in July 2008.
- Voluntary service — following the discovery, all participants must complete a period of voluntary service in order to contribute towards solving a problem related to the Millennium Development Goals.
- Reflection — once the above have been completed, participants must complete a period of reflection in which they will have to feedback what they have completed to their local community.
Events and activities
The Scout Network programme is based around three self-development areas:- International
- Skills & development
- Community
Network members attend many camps. These have included the Monopoly Run in London, Alton Towers Camp in Derbyshire, Pubscout Festival in Coventry, Apex Challenge events, Intense in Avon to Evo in Hampshire. The largest event is the National Gathering, held around Easter of each year at Great Tower Scout Campsite.