Below are some common myths that people apply to Scouting and a brief explanation of why they are myths.
Scouting is just for Boys – FALSE
Girls have been able to join the Venture Scouts since 1976.
The other Scout youth sections were opened to girls in June 1991.
Young women now make up about 10% of the UK Scout Association’s membership and account for 50% of the adult Leaders.
All Scouts do is camp, hike and tie knots – FALSE
Scouts is all about fun, challenges and adventure. Troops are responsible for setting their own activities programme, the main criteria being they are safe and (most importantly) fun! Activities can be just about anything, for example kayaking, cooking, skateboarding, flying model aeroplanes, 5-a-side football, Morris dancing, climbing, shooting, archery…..the possibilities are endless. Other activities might involve community service, exploring nature or experiencing other cultures and beliefs. There’s something for every young person. It’s a great way to have fun, make friends, get outdoors, express your creativity and experience the wider world.
Yes, we sometimes still do camping, hiking and tying knots simply because they can be a lot of fun too!
We are called Boy Scouts – FALSE
The term Boy Scouts has not been used in the UK since 1967 when the Boy Scouts Association was officially renamed as the Scout Association.
Girls have been able to join all Scouting section since June 1991.
In the USA, Scouting remains mostly split between the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA).
Scouts is now a general name used to refer to everyone who is part of the UK Scout Association although there are five sections in total, each of which has it’s own title (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Network Scouts). Adults (over 18) can also volunteer for a Scout Active Support Unit (SASU) to provide wide-ranging support to the Group, District or County organisation.
We still DYB, DYB, DYB. DOB, DOB, DOB – FALSE
DYB and DOB, or Do Your Best and Do Our Best was part of the Wolf Cubs “Grand Howl”. Its use ended in 1966 after the Chief Scouts Advance Party Report. It was decided the Grand Howl should stay as an integral part of the Cub meeting but the mysterious DYB’s and DOB’s were dropped.
Scouts wear big hats and baggy shorts – FALSE
The “lemon squeezer” hats worn by Baden Powell were able to be worn up until 1967 when it was swapped for a dark green beret, although the beret was allowed to be worn as an alternative from 1954. Head dress was removed from the uniform completely (in all of the sections) in June 1989.
Long trousers became an acceptable option for Senior and Rover Scout uniforms in November 1961.
The uniforms have been reviewed a number of times in the Association’s history, the most recent review took place in February 2001.
Nowadays, Scouts are more likely to wear hoodies, sweatshirts and trainers when doing activities, with uniforms kept for more formal occasions.
Scouts is run by Scoutmasters – FALSE
The term Scout Masters hasn’t been used since the late 60’s. The people running the weekly meetings in all of the youth sections are now called Leaders.
Leaders are paid – FALSE
Section Leaders and everyone who helps run the Scout Group are all volunteers. There are a small number of paid roles in Scouting, mostly at the National Headquarters and some at County offices but the weekly meetings and annual camps are planned and run by unpaid volunteers.
The above has been adapted from the Tynemouth Scouts web site