
Adult & Youth Volunteering
Adult Volunteering
Our award-winning training scheme for volunteers means that adults get as much from Scouting as our young people – it’s also #GoodForYou
Scouting’s quality depends on its volunteers and our volunteers depend on Scouting to teach them the skills they need. Our modular training scheme delivers the full spectrum of required skills. Volunteers can choose training modules that are relevant to the role that they do, ranging from leadership to running residential experiences and first aid.


Our training scheme was recognised with a National Training Award from UK Skills. It is one of the reasons why we have managed to increase our volunteer numbers over the past few years, against the national trend.
Over 90% of our volunteers believe that the skills and experiences they have gained through Scouting have been of relevance to their working or personal lives, so we’re certainly doing something right.
A study of volunteers found that more than two thirds of respondents reported a direct correlation between their volunteer experience within Scouting and gaining employment or career development.
Training in Scouting has also enabled volunteers to gain accreditation for Open College Network awards in Youth Work, and helped them to become associate members of the Institute of Leadership and Management and the Institute for Training and Occupational Learning.
Adult Uniform

You don’t need a uniform to join. But once you’ve settled in and joined the Scouts you will need a uniform to indicate who you are and which group you belong to.
What do Adults wear?
Adult Scout uniform consists of a stone coloured long or short sleeved shirt or blouse with your badges sewn on and our groups coloured scarf or ‘necker’.
Why is uniform important?
Wearing a uniform makes you feel part of a team and indicates youth members and others that you are a member of the Scout Association both when out and about and in the Scout Hut.
Where can I buy it?
Uniform can either be bought from the online Scout shop or a local supplier. If you’re stuck, ask adult volunteers to tell you more about what to buy and where to buy it. We recommend using the scout store.
Where do the badges go?

Youth Volunteering
Scout Young Leader Scheme


Explorer Scout Young Leaders are Explorers who volunteer alongside adult leaders in a Squirrel Drey, Beaver Colony, Cub Pack or Scout Troop. They’re a valuable asset to any leadership team and play an active role in the section, bringing a range of fresh ideas to the table and acting as positive role models for the young people they work alongside.
All Young Leaders in the Squirrel, Beaver, Cub and Scout section who are between the ages of 14 and 18 must be members of a Young Leaders Unit but there is no requirement to attend regular Explorer Scout meetings.
The scheme

The Explorer Scout Young Leaders’ Scheme is the training programme for Young Leaders. It contains 11 modules and four missions for them to work through whilst volunteering in their chosen section. Modules give Young Leaders the skills and knowledge to be successful in their role, while missions allow them to put everything into practice with support. All modules apart from Module A (which covers Safety and Safeguarding) are optional but all need to be completed in order to achieve the Young Leader Award.
As well as developing valuable life skills, the scheme is an opportunity for Explorers to make a positive impact in their communities and to fulfil the service elements of many of the top awards in Scouts. Recognition of achievement is available along the way, and on completion of the Scheme, the Young Leader is awarded with an Explorer Scout Young Leader belt buckle.
Duke of Edinburgh Scheme/Queen’s Guide Award


Although the scheme is usually taken on by Explorer Scouts looking for a new challenge, young people from outside Scouting can also participate if they are working towards their Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards or Queen’s Guide Award. They can do this by volunteering as non-members for a set period of time. For example, if they are completing their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, they can volunteer as a non-member for three to six months (the time required for the Bronze DofE volunteering section).
King’s/Queen’s Scout Award


The King’s/Queen’s Scout Award is the top achievement for Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members and comprises of a variety of activities to complete.
The King’s/Queen’s Scout Award (QSA) is linked closely to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award and it is worth working on the two awards together.
Volunteering within any of the youth sections or at a Group level can count towards the Service Challenge requirements for the Award.