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| Scout Network | |||
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| Owner | The Scout Association | ||
| Age range | 18–25 | ||
| Country | United Kingdom | ||
| Founded | 2001 | ||
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 Scouting portal | |||
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.
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number of significant differences between the organisation of the Scout Network and the Venture Scouts section which it superseded.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 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.
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 Scout Award
- The Explorer Belt
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.
See also
References
External links
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