Thinking about joining Scouts?
Choosing a new activity for your child is an important decision. You want somewhere they’ll feel welcome, make new friends, learn new skills and have fun in a safe environment.
At 224 North London Air Scouts, we’ve been helping young people develop confidence, resilience and Skills for Life for many years through exciting adventures, outdoor activities and community involvement.
Whether you’re considering Squirrel Scouts, Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts or Scouts, this guide explains everything you need to know before your child’s first meeting.
It answers many of the questions parents ask us and includes links to more detailed guides throughout the website.
Useful guides
- Join 224 North London Air Scouts
- Complete Guide to Squirrel Scouts
- Complete Guide to Beaver Scouts
- Complete Guide to Cub Scouts
- Complete Guide to Scouts
- Volunteer with 224 North London Air Scouts
- Members’ Handbook
Why choose Scouting?
Scouting is the world’s largest youth movement, helping millions of young people gain confidence, independence and practical skills through fun, friendship and adventure.
Every week our young people enjoy activities that encourage them to try something new, solve problems, work as a team and gradually become more confident.
As part of The Scouts, we’re proud to help young people develop the Skills for Life that stay with them long after they’ve grown out of uniform.
Find out more about the Scouts movement on the official Scouts website.
Why choose 224 North London Air Scouts?
Every Scout Group is different.
At 224 North London Air Scouts, we believe Scouting should be welcoming, inclusive and great fun for everyone.
Our programme combines traditional Scouting with exciting activities including camping, hiking, cooking, air activities, community projects, games, creative challenges and plenty of opportunities to get outdoors.
Young people learn by doing rather than sitting in a classroom.
We encourage everyone to have a go, support each other and celebrate every achievement, no matter how big or small.
Many of our members start with us at four years old in Squirrel Scouts and continue right through to Explorer Scouts and adult volunteering.
Our sections
Children progress naturally through each section as they grow older.
| Section | Age |
|---|---|
| Squirrel Scouts | 4–6 years |
| Beaver Scouts | 6–8 years |
| Cub Scouts | 8–10½ years |
| Scouts | 10½–14 years |
Each section has its own programme designed specifically for that age group while following the same aim of helping young people develop confidence, teamwork and resilience.
Can my child try Scouts first?
Absolutely.
We encourage every young person to attend a free taster session before joining.
This allows them to:
- Meet the leaders.
- Meet other young people.
- Take part in activities.
- Experience a normal meeting.
- Decide whether they enjoy Scouting.
Parents also have the opportunity to meet the leadership team, ask questions, and learn more about how the Group operates.
Parents are part of our success.
One of the things that makes 224 North London Air Scouts special is the support we receive from our parents.
Like many successful Scout Groups across the UK, we operate a parent rota. This means that, from time to time, parents help at meetings or activities alongside our trained leaders.
The rota might include helping with a craft activity, supervising a simple game, making drinks, assisting on a local walk or simply being another friendly adult in the room.
You don’t need any previous Scouting experience, specialist knowledge or outdoor skills.
Many parents tell us that helping on the rota gives them a better understanding of what their child enjoys each week and helps build friendships with other families.
Our trained volunteer leaders plan and run the programme. At the same time, the parent rota provides the extra support that allows busy Scout Groups like ours to offer safe, exciting and varied activities.
It’s one of the reasons our meetings are such a success.
Keeping young people safe
The safety and wellbeing of every young person is our highest priority.
All adult volunteers complete the appropriate recruitment process, including DBS checks where required, safeguarding learning and ongoing training appropriate to their role.
You can read more about Scouting’s safeguarding approach on the official Scouts Safeguarding pages.
What happens after I enquire?
Getting started is easy.
Once you’ve contacted us through our Join Us page, one of our volunteers will get in touch to discuss which section is right for your child.
We’ll answer any initial questions, explain how a taster session works, and let you know when the next suitable meeting is scheduled.
If we have spaces available, we’ll invite your child along for a free taster session.
If a section is currently full, we’ll explain how our waiting list works and keep you updated as places become available.
We always try to make the joining process as straightforward and welcoming as possible.
What should my child wear to their first meeting?
There’s no need to buy a Scout uniform before your child’s first meeting.
For a taster session, we recommend:
- Comfortable clothes suitable for games and activities.
- Trainers or sensible footwear.
- A named water bottle.
- A waterproof coat if rain is forecast.
- Any medication they may need, such as an inhaler.
After your child joins, we’ll let you know where to obtain the correct Scout uniform and which badges they’ll need.
You can also find more information about Scout uniform on the official Scouts Uniform and Badges pages.
What happens during a typical meeting?
No two meetings are the same.
One week your child might be learning practical outdoor skills, while the next they could be taking part in games, cooking, science experiments or creative challenges.
Throughout the year, our programme includes activities such as:
- Team games.
- Outdoor adventures.
- Nature activities.
- Cooking.
- Creative crafts.
- Science and STEM challenges.
- Community projects.
- Badge work.
- Visits from local organisations.
- Problem-solving challenges.
- Air activities linked to our Air Scout heritage.
Our aim is simple: to make learning enjoyable through adventure, teamwork and having a go.
Rather than sitting behind desks, young people learn by doing.
Learning through adventure
Scouting gives young people opportunities that many have never experienced before.
Depending on their age, they may:
- Sleep under canvas for the first time.
- Light a campfire safely.
- Learn map reading.
- Cook outdoors.
- Take part in hikes.
- Try climbing or archery.
- Develop leadership skills.
- Work together as part of a team.
Every activity is designed to be fun while helping young people become more confident and independent.
How we communicate with parents
Good communication is important, especially for busy families.
Most information about meetings, camps, events and activities is shared through Online Scout Manager (OSM).
OSM allows parents to:
- See the programme.
- Respond to events.
- Update contact details.
- Record badge work completed at home.
- Complete permission forms.
- View payments where applicable.
Once your child joins, we’ll explain how to access OSM and make the most of it.
Badges, awards and achievements
One of the things young people enjoy most about Scouting is working towards badges and awards.
Badges recognise effort, new experiences and personal achievement rather than simply being the best at something.
Some badges are earned during regular meetings, while others can be completed at home with family support.
Parents are encouraged to upload evidence of badge work completed at home through OSM, helping young people make progress towards their Challenge Awards and, ultimately, their section’s highest award.
You can learn more about badges on the official Scouts Badges pages.
Do children have to attend every week?
We understand that family life is busy.
While regular attendance helps young people get the most from Scouting, we appreciate that holidays, school commitments and family events sometimes mean they can’t attend.
If your child is unable to come along, let us know through OSM so that leaders can plan activities safely.
Making friends for life
For many young people, Scouts becomes much more than a weekly activity.
It’s a place where lasting friendships are formed, confidence grows, and children discover new interests they may never have considered before.
Many of our older members began their journey in our younger sections and continue to enjoy Scouting years later, eventually becoming Young Leaders or adult volunteers themselves.
