About Us at 1st Bow Scouts

Like every large organisation, Scouting has a purpose, and a set of values that are given to us from HQ, and that every leader involved with Scouting has to follow.

Purpose: ‘Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society’.

Values: Integrity, Respect, Care, Belief and Co-operation

This is about being honest; respecting ourselves, those around us, and our planet; caring for each other by helping each other and acting positively for everyone, for our heritage and culture, and for the planet. Belief is about reflection, gratitude, understanding spirituality and learning about our faith if our family has one, and the faiths of those around us; and cooperation is about friendships and working well together.

Scout Law

Our values are reflected in the Scout Law:

1. A Scout is to be trusted.
2. A Scout is loyal.
3. A Scout is friendly and considerate.
4. A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts.
5. A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
6. A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
7. A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.

Scout Promise

During many of our meetings, we reinforce these basics by repeating the Scout Promise. Parents, please practice this with your Beavers, Cubs and Scouts – it is good for them to know the Promise and feel proud of themselves when they achieve every small part of it.

Beavers: I promise to do my best, to be kind and helpful, and to love our world.

Cubs: I promise that I will do my best, to do my duty to the King, to uphold our Scout values, to help other people, and to keep the Cub Scout Law

Everyone above Cubs: On my honour I promise that I will do my best, to do my duty to the King, to uphold our Scout values, to help other people, and to keep the Scout Law.

Inspiring young people happens everywhere all the time.

We are all part of that ecosystem for them.

There is the family around them, the school environment, the people they meet at sports, music or other events, and of course Scouts.

So who are we at 1^st Bow Scouts, and what do we do?

Chair:  Makes sure everyone has what they need to run Scouts successfully, and coordinates with District and headquarters as needed. Sawsan is a scientist and entrepreneur, she recently won an award for empowering young people, nominated by the Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce.

Group Scout Leader: Runs the Scout group, taking care of logistics, timings, whole group activities and equipment. Shaun is a tree surgeon and a wizard with a tool box.

Treasurer: Looks after income and expenses and makes sure we comply with charity regulations. Sandie used to work at a bank, she now supports several charities.

Secretary: Records the meetings accurately and holds us accountable for the actions we said we would do! Mary is a senior manager at GWR.

Leaders: Where do we start! Amazing people one and all, dedicated to making the world a better place for everyone, practicing what they preach and actively involved in their community. Our leaders include teachers, bakers, managers, carers, young leaders still in education…

What do we all have in common?

A passion for empowering young people, a kindness that flows out to the people they meet, and a commitment to Bow and to being part of the positive impact that Scouts can have on everyone involved, young and older!

How might parents help?

What do you do for work, perhaps we can turn your skills and knowledge into an activity?

Do you know about the local area, nature, global traditions, anything to do with daily life that would be of value for them? It does not all have to be about the wild and wonderful.

We’re beginning to plan the summer programme and thinking about next year, and we would like to include you. You won’t be asked to run a session! We just need to talk to you.

You’d be surprised at the huge variety of badges and what activities could fulfil them – maybe we can learn from you and turn it into an activity for Beaver, Cubs and/or Scouts.