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How popular is Scouting in Victoria?
Our membership continues to grow across the state. Activities include everything from geocaching to power boating and caving. Of course, it wouldn’t be Scouting without the traditional hikes and camps, but there are also plenty of adrenalin-pumping options on offer for those who like to get their heart rate up.
With Scouts Victoria, prepare for adventure and you’ll prepare for life!
How safe is Scouting?
Children and young people have the right to be emotionally and physically safe at all times.
Scouts Victoria has a rigorous checking process for leaders, strict safety measures for our activities, and zero tolerance for anybody who jeopardises the safety or well-being of our members.
In addition to national police checks and other legal requirements, we have policies and procedures to keep safety in the spotlight. You can check our Child Protection Policy, Code of Conduct for Adults and other documents on our dedicated Child Safe Scouting webpage.
How Inclusive is Scouting?
We don’t just talk about inclusiveness and diversity. These values are at the very heart of what Scouts do and how we do it. We embrace equality in practical, age-appropriate ways, and we make sure that every member feels included.
More than one third of our membership is female, and girls have been in all Sections of Australian Scouting for more than 30 years. (Not to mention the women Leaders we’ve had for more than a century!)
Our members come from different religions, races and cultural backgrounds. We offer adventure opportunities to Scouts with different physical and mental abilities, and we support young people regardless of their sexual orientation or economic situation.
The Scout Promise is to help other people. We’re positive and supportive, not judgmental or intolerant.
Do I have to wear the uniform?
The Scout uniform is usually worn for meetings and special events, but it isn’t always required for activities. Each Group make its own decisions about when and where to wear uniform. And it won’t take long before you’re proud to do so!
We’ve changed a lot since the military-style uniforms that our grandfathers used to wear. Our blue shirt is the main part of today’s uniform, with different coloured sleeves if you’re a Joey, Cub, Scout etc. The scarf and badges are usually supplied by your Group.
What do leaders do?
At Scouts Victoria, we’re youth led and adult supported. It’s all about nurturing our young members to develop skills for work and life, and it takes a special type of person to do that.
Many of our volunteer Leaders are parents who want to enjoy the experience with their kids. We also welcome trainee teachers, former Scouts, and adventurous types who’ve never been part of Scouting before.
The history of Child Safe Scouting
Scouting has been proactive on child protection since the 1930s, when local areas were warned to be vigilant and show no mercy in denying membership to unsuitable people. In the 1940s, local areas were advised that any inappropriate behaviour must be reported to the police. Police checks for aspiring Scout Leaders began in the 1960s – nearly 50 years before the Working With Children Check.
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