Scouting In Guildford: Here’s How We Are Organised and Have Great Fun

Published on: 11 Jan, 2023
Updated on: 13 Jan, 2023

This is the first of a regular column on news and events for Scouts in Guildford. It sets out how scouts are organised in Guildford, how they have fun and lets you know how you can join in.

With around 1,300 members in Guildford, scouting is as popular as ever and gives six to 25-year-olds fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and the chance to help others and make a positive impact in communities.

By Neil Wibberley

Let’s start with the bottom line, Scouting is great fun, demonstrated by the fact that all the groups in Guildford are currently full or nearly full.

But if we had more volunteer leaders, we could increase our numbers and even re-open sections that have had to close.

Guildford Scout groups are divided into two districts, Guildford East and Guildford West.

Guildford East covers the town (High Street side of the river to Cranleigh, Ripley and East Horsley). Guildford West covers the other side of Guildford (Cathedral side to Normandy, Jacobs Well and Wood Street).

Cubs climbing up a stack of crates. They look nervous but they love it.

Scouting is now for girls and boys from the ages of four to 25.

These are split up into Squirrels (dreys) – four to six years old (a new section, but there are no Squirrel dreys yet in Guildford), Beavers (colonies) – six to eight years old, Cubs (packs) – eight to 10.5 year olds, Scouts (troops) – 10.5 years old to 14 years old, Explorer Scouts (units) 14 years old to 18 years old and Network – 18 years old to 25 years old.

Activities range from section to section, but the emphasis is on fun and #skillsforlife.

Squirrels play, learn and get outdoors, Beavers try new things and make friends and Cubs master new skills and have adventures.

Getting a bit older, Scouts explore the world and challenge themselves whereas Explorers take the lead and embrace change. Network helps the young men and women become the best they can be.

Adult volunteer helping the eager Beavers.

It is all run by wonderful volunteers. There is excellent training including first aid. We know how busy everybody is so there is flexibility on how this training is undertaken.

Explorer Scouts on their expedition hike.

Most sections need extra help but at the moment we are particularly looking for leaders in the the following areas;

5th Guildford (Onslow Village) – Leaders to assist our new Scout leader and a leadership team to reopen the Beaver colony.

1st Stoughton – A leadership team to keep the Scout troop going from this Summer

1st Wood Street – Leaders to take lead in running the Beaver colony (there is already a team of leaders willing to assist).

1st Wonersh – A leadership team to start a Squirrel drey and a leadership team to reopen the Explorer unit

For further information on either district, have a look at the websites on www.guildfordwestscouts.org.uk and www.guildfordeastscouts.org.uk.

If you are interested in helping, if you feel you can give some time, no matter how little, you can contact us at media@guildfordwestscouts.org.uk and we can have a chat about the various ways you can be involved.