Beaver Scouts are young people usually aged between six and eight years. They belong to the first and youngest Section in the Scouting family. Young people can join Beaver Scouts in the three months leading up to their sixth birthday. They can move to the next Section, Cub Scouts, between seven years and six months and eight years six months.

Easily recognised by their distinctive turquoise sweatshirts, Beaver Scouts enjoy making friends, playing games, going on visits and helping others. They usually meet together once a week in a Beaver Scout Colony. Some Beaver Scout Colonies also organise Sleepovers, often the first time a young person spends a night away from home. They take place in suitable buildings, often Scout centres.

Cub Scouts form the second section in the Scout Family and boys and girls can join a Cub Pack at the age of 8, either from the younger Beaver Section or from outside. They stay with the Cub Pack until they are around 10 years 6 months and then move on to the Scout Section.

Cub Packs usually meet on a weekly basis and have a varied programme that includes earning badges for a number of different activities, games, camping, outings and having fun. Some of the badges available are: Air Activities, Chef, Hobbies, Naturalist, Sports Enthusiast and lots more. There are over 40 Cub Packs in this District so there is bound to be one local to you.

The Scout Section is for young people, usually aged between 10 years six months and 14. A young person can come into the Troop at 10 and may stay until they are 14 years six months old. The Scout Troop is the third and final Section in the Scout Group. Generally Scouts would be encouraged to move on to the Explorer Scout Section between the age of 13 years six months and 14 years six months years old. (New rules effective 1/9/09)

Scouts are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities as part of their programme. "Participation" rather than meeting set standards is the key approach and for the Scout who wants to be recognised for his or her achievements there are a number of Challenges, Awards and Activity Badges. Scouts take part in a balanced programme that helps them to find out about the world in which they live, encourages them to know their own abilities and the importance of keeping fit, and helps develop their creative talents. It also provides opportunities to explore their own values and personal attitudes.

Explorer Scouts form the fourth section in the Scout Family. They can be male or female and range from 14 to 18 years of age. Explorer Scouts meet as an Explorer Scout Unit, usually once a week, but this can vary. As a member of Croydon Explorers, you belong to all 10 of the Explorer Scout Units within Croydon. For example, you may also wish to help out with a younger section and as a result decide to join the Young Leaders Unit.

Explorer Scouts take part in a wide range of activities, including anything from abseiling to archery or windsurfing to winter camps. For more information on taking part in the Explorer programme, please contact us here.

The Scout Network is the final training section in the Scout Association. Members comprise young men and women aged between 18 and 25 years. Many will have joined from the Explorer Scout Section, but others will also be Leaders or Instructors with the younger sections. This gives 'time out' from running Troop and Pack meetings, and an opportunity to enjoy Scouting with peer groups. For an increasing number of Scout Network members this will be their first taste of Scouting, and we extend a warm welcome to those who join us with no previous experience of the Scout Movement.

The Scout Network in Greater London South West is County-managed, but it includes Local Scout Networks in Croydon, as well as Kingston, Richmond, Sutton and Wimbledon and Wandle. Membership of the County Scout Network confers membership of all the Local Networks as well as other Networks that focus on special interests.

Like Explorers, Scout Network members take part in a wide variety of activities. Many also work towards their Queen's Scout and Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, also the qualifications of National Governing Bodies, for example the British Canoe Union and the Mountain Leader Training Board. A major expedition is arranged each year, for example in April 2008 a group travelled to Nepal to carry out a community service project, as well as enjoying some trekking in the Himalayas, white-water rafting, and allegedly some elephant riding!

The section is self-governing and self-programming. In addition to the County Scout Network Committee, Local Networks elect one of their members to be Chairman. Each Local Scout Network also has a Network Leader who provides support and facilitates programme planning.

For further information about the Scout Network in Croydon, and how to become a member, please contact us here.

The Fellowship is a group of adults who have one thing in common - a wish to support Scouting. Scout Fellowship welcomes men and women of all ages, interests and backgrounds. There is no need to have been involved in Scouting or Guiding before, all that is required is a willingness to give some of your time to Scouting. In return you will make friends and be able to join with others doing whatever you decide. Scout Fellowship has its own social and activity programme.

The aim of the Scout Fellowship is to "Provide Active Support", with the emphasis being very much on supporting the youth programme in an active manner, at all levels of the Association from the local Scout Group to National level.

Click Here to email Steve French for more information.